With the same passion that inspired Toby McKeehan to introduce rap music to Christian audiences more than a decade ago, new Essential Records artist KJ-52 moves forward with a burden to reach the hip-hop community for Jesus. Produced by Todd Collins of Gotee Brothers fame, "7th Avenue" definitely comes with an East Coast foundation, but the album showcases a surprising amount of musical and lyrical diversity. "I wasn't trying to reach just certain listeners,"KJ-52 says. "My style is definitely East Coast, but we flip it on the beats." The album combines underground credibility with mainstream accessibility and features everything from hardcore underground to Dirty South-style, Old School to smooth R&B.
KJ-52, whose given name is Jonah Sorrentino, knows about the streets, and learning the hard way, firsthand: He grew up in Ybor City, the ghetto area of Tampa, FL. The album titled, "7th Avenue," is taken from the street he lived on. "I had a lot of anger, bitterness and hurt," he remembers. "I thought partying, drinking and all those things were life. But someone sowed a seed and I was saved at the age of 15. Christ changed my life, took away the hurt and gave me a purpose."
|
