July- Britt Nicole
Shocker right?! Britt Nicole isn’t really someone you’d expect to see in the spotlight of the month, but when contemplating this month’s spotlight one of her songs came on. I couldn’t help but want to hear more; after about 4 songs I knew I had my first ‘shocker’ to throw in the spotlight page. While she hasn’t fully established herself as a power player in the Christian music world, she has proved to everyone she has ‘it’. Whatever ‘it’ actually is, we can be sure Britt seems to possess quite a bit of it.
(courtesy of googleimages)
Britt impressed me when I researched her some and learned she turned down a few scholarship offers from various schools including the prestigious Belmont University. She felt God was calling her to concentrate on music instead of going to college. From there she started her musical career off with a developmental deal at Word Records. Slowly she caught the eye of Sparrow Records who signed her in 2006 and the rest is history. The Lost Get Found (2009) her first truly big release, first was semi-successful Say It (2007), couldn’t have been bigger! The title track entered the Top 20 of Billboard Hot Christian Songs at #20 and peaked at #8, it did however claim the #1 spot on Christian radio charts. The album itself was released August of 2009 and peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Christian Album Chart and #62 on Billboard 200; pretty successful if you ask me for a newly turned 24 year old at the time.
So her success is there, but do her songs have the depth worthy of the month spotlight? Couldn’t be more spot on! Britt Nicole’s songs are pure passion for the Lord, whether upbeat and entertaining or slowly singing to your spirit. Nicole has the ability to sing tracks that sound more like secular counterparts Aguilera or Brittney, but then can slow it down and sing beautifully to a person’s heart.
(courtesy of googleimages)
I have yet to be blessed with the ability to see her live, but from what I’ve heard she is quite the young entertainer. It’s safe to say this is where she is her most raw yet. Having that big time stage presence is something that people learn by simply doing it more and more, which I have a feeling will be no problem at all for Britt to do. From people who have went described her live shows as entertaining, spiritually moving and encouraging to the soul…can you really ask for more?
Britt Nicole, another young talent showing that Christian Music is stronger than ever! If you haven’t checked her out you need to! Any of her albums are worth a listen, if you’re into acoustic style stuff, definitely hit up her acoustic album released in early 2010…just plain lovely.
June-Lecrae
Okay, Tyni if you are such a connoisseur of Christian music who is your go to artist? I get asked this a decent amount of time and the problem is I wouldn’t say I have one artist but certain ones I go to when my heart is seeking different things. Sometimes I just want to worship and Tomlin fills the roll; other times The Afters…however there is one artist that I listen to everyday; Lecrae the Christian rapper that embodies what Christian Artists are supposed to be. In an industry that it is so easy to get wrapped up in one’s self, Lecrae is consistently and constantly pointing towards God. The impact he has had upon the industry is immense. Before Lecrae we had the likes of T-Bone, Grits, KJ-52 and others who were attempting to blaze a trail for Christian Rap; while that trail was well blazed by them, Lecrae has elevated the Christian Rap scene to a whole new level. His ability to use words is flat out ridiculous sometimes and the passionately delivered lines in his songs leave the listener closer to God no matter where in their walk they are. The Christian scene has seen some rappers enjoy the limelight and the lure of money too much and eventually slip away; Soul P apparently has done just that and some would say Mace did the same back in his day. Lecrae however hasn’t and doesn’t just want to entertain with catchy beats, quick rhymes or make that money; he wants to be a witness to those who need it, a sign to God for those who are lost and an instrument of God for as long as God sees fit.
There are so many powerful songs from Lecrae across his 5 albums (Real Talk, After the Music Stops, (rebel), Rehab, Rehab: The Overdose) that it would take hours to write about them all but let me make a top 3 that have helped me in my walk with God and still do this very day.
Let me start with one of his most recent songs, and the one that is playing right this second while I type. Background is a song of the album Rehab and sings of the exact thing being a Christian should be. Lecrae with the help of his good friend C-Lite share with the listeners how far too many times we refuse to see that we are simply a supporting actor. Far too many times we try to take the spotlight from the one whom gave us the light for the spotlight.
It’s evident you run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I’ll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I’m sticking to your script, and I’m reading all your signs
Such powerful words but so true. Lecrae echoes the sentiments of our heart in that we know we fail every time we take the stage of life because we try to do it ourselves…we need to play the background. And perhaps the most powerful words in the song:
Yeah, so if you need me I’ll be stage right
Praying the whole world would start embracing stage fright
‘Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessin’
That I’m not that impressive, matter of fact
I’m who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the Superstar
Lecrae embraces the role he has in life and like he states in one line play(s) the background, like it’s an instrument. Such an amazing way to go about what Christianity truly should be! Can you imagine a Christian world that would embrace stage fright? Can you imagine the body called the church being what we should be? Lecrae is attempting to be that, and this song makes the listener consider doing just that as well.
Song #2 would be Prayin’ For You, an amazing song that pours the heart of a Christian’s soul out on the table for someone dear in their life. However, this song is simply amazing because of its ending. It will catch you off guard the first time, but then this song will become a declaration of change for your own life. That is all I’ll say about this song, do yourself a favor and youtube this song’s music video…the song is powerful on its own but Lecrae’s video adds to it even more.
Song #3 is tough because there’s easily 10 others that could be here. I’m going to pull a song of (rebel) and pick Identity which also has the lyrical abilities of DA TRUTH and JR from Crossmovement. This song battles the worldly idea that we are exactly what we have; our houses, cars, trucks, kicks (shoes) or job. Lecrae explains how our identity is only found in Christ, every other spot we claim identity from will self-destruct.
I’m not the shoes I wear, I’m not the clothes I buy
I’m not the house I live in, I’m not the car I drive
I’m not the job I work, You can’t define my worth
By nothing on God’s green earth, my identity is found in Christ
There was a time where I looked into booking Lecrae but unfortunately was told he was taking some time off and that the agency was in full support of his leave, and they almost sounded unsure of when he’d come back. Well Lecrae must have heard God pounding on his heart saying he wasn’t done yet, because he’s come out with two albums in the last year and seems to have more passion this time around (if that’s even possible). It is said that his live shows are life changing…but for some reason I have a feeling Lecrae wouldn’t agree. I have a sneaking suspicion Lecrae would say it wasn’t his show but His show that is life changing. That the type of person that comes through all of Lecrae’s song and the listener almost feels like Lecrae’s close friend by album or shows end just because of the passion and honesty that he exudes in person and on the mic.
I can safely say the world and Christian Music scene would be a much better place if we had more Lecrae’s in it. Even if rap music isn’t your flavor musically, read Lecrae’s lyrics and they will have the same power as if delivered on a mic…that’s what happens what The truth is spoken, it’s power is sustained in any form. Who knows how long Lecrae stays in the music industry, but you can count on two things:
#1- He will continue to do God’s work for as long as God desires him to.
#2- I’m one fan that will never stop listening.
One God, one love, one way.
Your Bro,
Tyni
May-Needtobreathe
I realize this month's spotlight is coming midway through the month but I figured better than not at all. Needtobreathe is an amazing Christian group that I honeslty am struggling with stating a genre they fall into. They've got contempary, country, southern rock, worship...shoot they've got bluegrass in there as well. What do you get when you mix guys with that type of eclectic sound and their strong faith? You get the amazing band Needtobreathe, and at times their sound and lyrics leave the listener wanting to take in or "breathe" more of what they've got to offer.
I personally haven't been to a performance of their's yet...but for those who know me you probably know they're high on my list of acts I both want to see and hopefully work with on a concert, which means I've heard and know they're amazing. The hardest part of this spotlight is truely trying to pick their best album or their best song...well only because I feel the need to will I do so, but if you can pick up everything that they've performed and I guarantee you won't be dissapointed. They'll bring you in with their southern hospitatility, have you raising your hands with their pure worship, and keep your foot tapping the floor or hand tapping the steering wheel the whole way to work!
The Outsiders album is the one I reach for more often then not, and while I like all their other stuff this album I can play from beginning to end without thinking about pushing skip. Some of my favorite songs on the album would be, in no particular order: Lay 'Em Down, Garden , Let Us Love, Through Smoke and Won't Turn Back....but really the entire album is great I just don't won't to type out every single song. If you only wish to purchase one or two songs to get a sample I would recommend Lay 'Em Down and either The Outsiders (see there is one I didn't even state before) or Through Smoke.
Lyrically this band is spotless in my opinion, but if you have a problem with placing 100% of your hope in God, or giving to Him what is His and giving God everything that is yourself...this isn't the band for you. But they've also got some just fun southern sounding songs like Girl Named Tennessee...which lightens up the mood some, but that foot of yours will still be a tapping.
Honestly, there's not a whole lot more to say about this band other than their great. I'll leave you with one of the best parts of Lay 'Em Down talking about bringing everything and laying them down at the cross for God has done all and is with you in all.
Come down to the river
Come and let yourself in
Make good on a promise
To never hurt again
If you're lost and lonely
Broken down
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay 'em down
All you sinners
And the weak at heart
All the helpless
On the boulevards
Wherever you are now
Whatever evil you've found
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay 'em down
One love, one God, one way...
Your Bro,
Tyni
