Published Friday 29th June 2007

R-Swift - Revelutionary Theme Muzik
	STYLE: Hip-Hop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 22890-12466 LABEL: Lamp Mode Recordings 881413002825 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RELEASE DATE: 2007-07-31 RRP: £9.99
Reviewed by Mark Sherwood I believe there has to be a few ingredients for good hip-hop music. First is a clear ability to rap smoothly and concisely to communicate effectively. Second, the beats have to be tight and varied as sometimes hip-hop can sound very similar. Third, lyrics have to avoid overuse of cliché and to be challenging and uplifting. Personally I think R-Swift fits these criteria to overall very good effect. Themes tackled are Godly love, human love, the state of holy hip-hop and praise and worship to name a few. I went searching for R-Swift on the net with varying success. I found his myspace page which was very good and informative, R-Swift was brought up in the Church but backslid but came back to Christ and is now trying to put his experiences into helping others. In today's holy hip-hop scene there are a lot of acts so there needs to be an upping of standards to stand out; I think that R-Swift achieves that with this album. I pray and hope there is more and better to come from the native New Yorker. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date. Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.
Product Description
Through lyrical evangelism, teaching and preaching, R-Swift is poised to spark a revolution with his debut release 'Revolutionary Theme Muzik' as the backdrop. The native New Yorker who now lives in Philadelphia began rapping for his friends and church at the early age of 11. Surrounded by the influences of sex, money, drugs and the constant drive for fame, R-Swift began to pursue a lifestyle of selling drugs, sexual immorality and violence. Despite his circumstances he had an inner longing to do good as a result of being raised in the church. At the age of 16, R-Swift was saved and the Lord redirected his passions. Now he makes it his duty to show the love of Christ Jesus through his lifestyle, spreading the Gospel of reconciliation to all who will hear. 'Revolutionary Theme Muzik' lays the groundwork for a revolution of eternal proportions with songs like 'Smile' featuring J.R. which encourages the saints to stand firm in the Lord, 'Dear Holy Hip Hop' which speaks to people within the Christian Hip Hop community that have forgotten their first love and calling reminiscent of the Church in Ephesus and 'Higher', a rowdy anthem of our dedication as Christians to lift the Lord up high. 'Revolutionary Theme Muzik' is a powerful tool for fulfilling the vision that God has given R-Swift: to tell the untold and reach the unreached, to rebuild ancient ruins, to raise up age-old foundations, to be a repairer of broken walls and a restorer of the streets in accordance with Isaiah 58:12. R-Swift has worked with several well-known artists such as The Cross Movement, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., FLAME, J.R. and Lecrae.

Reader Comments

Posted by Abraham Miller in MCAS YUMA Yuma, Arizona @ 00:26 on Aug 15 2007

I agree completely with the commentary concerning both the album and the artist. The music that R-Swift brings to the table on this album fits many criterias that is not only inspiring, elegant, uplifting, but also down-right outstanding. I've heard gospel hip-hop before, but never like the one on this album. I purchased the album three weeks ago, and since that day that i stumbled across it by accident, I have not stopped listening to it or even thinking about it, for that matter. I really respect where the artist came from because I once walked down that same path; born and raised in church, but too caught up in the cares and concerns of this world like the girls and the partying. It wasn't until 15 months ago, at the age of 19, that my eyes were opened to the truth, and since that day, when my Daddy stepped into my life, and showed me His love for me is more than sufficient, that I dedicated all that I am to bringing glory to His name. Now, I live everyday seeking more intimacy from Him, spending more and more time in His presence, because there is no place on earth like the presence of God. Enough about me, back to the album. I've already recommended the album to everyone I know who's interested in gospel hip-hop and I tell them all that R-Swift's album "Revolutionary Theme Musik" is the best, and out of all the artists I've sampled from Cross Movement Records, he stands out the most! Some of them may not agree with me, but that's my opinion and I'm sticking with it!

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R-Swift - Revelutionary Theme Muzik

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