868 The Event

Genesis 868

I was searching for the last lime before heading back to school and to relieve me from some stress at work when a friend told me of a Gospel Rap/ Hip-Hop concert that would take place on the last Friday before school re-opens. I was up for that, since I had never been or heard of a gospel rap concert anywhere in Trinidad and Tobago. Rap music has a special place in my heart, so I wanted to know who was organizing this and who would be there and where to would be. My friend sent me the link to the event page on face book, the cast was impressive. The cast of ministers featured on that night would be impressive, all local rapper some of whom I have never heard of and others whose lyrical metaphors are etched into my memory; Shiselon, Jadee and Antus Keith well known in the Gospel Music arena. I had to ‘investi-quire’, so I asked the event organizer, Adisa Sampson aka God’s Farmer, some basic questions; Who are you? Why rap? Who are these people? and Why south?

· Who is Top Arts Productions

GF: Top Arts Productions is a new company geared towards promoting positive local talents and making in difference in Trinidad and Tobago and the entire gospel industry it was founded by Adisa "Gods Farmer" Sampson.

· Why a gospel Rap concert, considering all the controversy after the expose "The truth about Hip Hop" by G Craig Lewis?

GF: Genesis 868 is designed with the intention of portraying local rap ministers as MINISTERS. Also to show that the genre of music (rap) could be used to reach those who do not know about Jesus, not just to the young but also the young at heart. I do commend him for his contribution about “The Truth about Hip Hop", he did reveal some major facts about not only hip hop but also the musical industry at large. Unfortunately some of the things that were said about rap music might have been misinterpreted which may have led the stigma associated with the genre.

· What was the rationale for having such a diverse cast, with ministers who are new and relatively unknown?

GF: One thing that I always dreamed about when I just started ministry, was to be able to not just meet but to interact with the more seasoned ministers (but I did not have the opportunity). Genesis 868 will allow the younger ones the privilege to do so.

· Venue- Why south and what is the purpose for the event?

GF: Charity begins at home...lol. (I’m from San Fernando)
Genesis 868 is a fundraiser for God’s Farmer first album launch titled: First Harvest produced by Baby C of Righteous Records

Genesis 868 featured all the elements to make it a genuine Hip-Hop event which included: Rappers, DJ’s, free styling and dancing. The rappers fell into two categories fresh-meat; the new and up-coming alongside seasoned, better known artists. The venue for the event was the Upper Room Entertainment Centre in San Fernando. I met some of my friends, the members of the group Rappers inC (Rappers in Christ) who were my guides for the night and were a part of the fresh-meat cast.

The fresh-meat kicked off the event with rappers from all over the country, who would be typically be known only in their churches but this would be an opportunity for them to get exposure to a wider audience. The cast of this segment was quite impressive and diverse and included solo rappers, a group, and variations of rap that only Trinbagoians can produce. Ever heard of Jamoo music, (mainly associated with the Blackman Family) well there was Jamoo rapper by the name of Konata pronounced (co-nah-ta) and Rapso rap (sounds redundant, but was refreshingly new) by Malik Inniss, a passionate guitar strumming fella. Solo rappers such as Rich Angel with some smooth lyrics, D Bain D Artist- this man was the first to have the crowd moving, it was fun seeing him move. EDM’s eloquence had the crowd eating up every metaphor in his rendition about purity and relationship. There was one group performance by Rappers inC who thrilled the crowd with the combination of their individual styles, a metaphorical lyricist Cypha, freestyle genius X.V.I and Yung J the dude with the swag and rhymes to match it.

I originally was skeptical about the fresh-meat segment but I am convinced that the future of Hip-Hope (what I like to call Christian rap/ Hip hop) is in great hands. The DJ’s for the night were Djlivstrong from Tehillaradio.com and Christchild from 91.9fm on Sunday mornings maintained the hype of the crowd by playing the latest in gospel Hip-hop from Lecrae, Sho Baraka, Tedashii, Sean Slaughter and others. There was even a guest appearance by the versatile Winsee-Ann Cuffie singing two of her Hip-hop oriented song.

Did you know that former Soca singer Jadee, of Machel Montano and X-tatic sang rap?? He’s hollering about Jesus, Jadee along with the seasoned veterans Shiselon and Antus Keith ministered some of the crowd’s favorites. Dancing, and singing along was a full crowd of young adults who shouted Jesus to the beat of the songs and awed to the mastery of what some still perceive to be a genre that doesn’t belong in church. In the freestyle competition we experienced flows and rhymes that are filled with God’s word (literally) with verses being sang about different bible personalities. I was in amazement at the phenomenal linking of the bible with whatever beat the DJ choose.

In discussion with some of the ministers of the event many agreed that there is a need for the genre to be more widely accepted along with hopes of the event and others like it would bring a better understanding of the art-form and exposure to the up and coming ministers. Shiselon one of the pioneers of Gospel Hip-Hop in the country noted that it is a great evangelism tool to share the messages of the bible with youths as it is making the gospel available in a way they could understand. Gospel Hip- Hop is strange to many because gospel music is supposed to be hymns and slow worship songs but the level of difficulty in aligning life application of the bible and rhymes is one of the major differences that separate Gospel Rap/ Hip Hop from the rap we are accustomed to. You are now being presented with the positive lyrics that speak of purity and humility as compared to that of the love of power and frosted hearts which gives to you an alternative; you choose what message do you want to fill up on?

My hope is that we recognize that God uses humans to reach other humans and through whatever means possible, Music in general is a means by which God can reach many. We are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden, the Gospel Music industry would no longer be hidden, and I’m here to illuminate Christian music and events to you. I am Cherry Pye and I am looking forward to Genesis 868 version 2.0. and I know that it would be bigger and better.

for more pics click here

written by Cherry Pye