Reiterate (by Grits, Hip-hop)

With every good intention in the world, there are times when artists who identify themselves as Christian often put the message before the music. Other spiritually inclined groups copy musical trends without adding anything new, sounding clunky and derivative. But on REITERATE, Teron "Bonafide" Carter and Stacy "Coffee" Jones of Grits provide a rare example of a hip-hop/rap act that brings originality to the table while staying true to themselves and their values.

Lyrics like "Sat down with the dad of a friend/Voice sounded like God in my head/He said, 'Son you too young to lose/Living too fast on a short fuse/Man, God got his hand on your life/So he gave you the gift and the mic/And he made you to speak to souls/Of the young and the old in a world so cold'" leave no question about Grits' message. The club tracks -- devoid of the usual leering sexuality -- sound a little antiseptic, but there's some very good music here, performed by a couple of talented rappers who aren't afraid to put themselves out there as very good guys.

Released on: September 16, 2008
Label: Revolution Art
Genre: Hip-hop