Reviewed by Steve Hayes

Danny Rodriguez, or D-Boy, was a gifted Christian rapper who ministered to gangs in Dallas, Texas. In 1990 he was shot dead in a drive-by aged 23. I'd heard of D-Boy from the Corey Red, 'Precise' album where "A Martyr's Anthem" is dedicated to him. But here is an album dedicated to D-Boy's memory. This various artists project has a gritty, street feel to it with laid back, rolling Dirty South style delivery. We start up flicking through some of D-Boy's tracks, before moving into the album proper. Two tracks of bouncy Dirty South encouraging us that seeds planted will grow - and "church hopping". There's more of an old skool feel with Nate G while TekSon on "God's Posse In Effect" and "That UB Urself" offers some interesting syncopated timing. The album isn't afraid to confront social issues, as in "Cease For Peace", a look at gangs being the only family kids know, the trap of the ghetto, violence and guns. "Shout" samples The Isley Brothers, "Shout, throw my hands up..." Nate G calls out hip-hop in "Hip-Hopracy". We end up with a track dedicated to D-Boy, "Fallen Soldier" - a true pioneer and "the first big rapper to lose his life on the streets." As Corey Red says, "Yo D-Boy, see you at the resurrection." Amen.

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.

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