by mmog37

First Impression

If Holy Hip Hop had a hierarchy similar to the church, then Excelsius would definitely be one of it’s Bishops. Excelsius is without a doubt one of the veterans of the industry. I have been a fan of his music and his ministry since I stumbled across him on soundclick.com quite a few years ago. Over the years I have grown to respect his ministry and his music, in fact he is one of the few artist who can release a project that I don’t even need to sample or check because I have utmost confident that it will be both pleasing to the ear and meaty. Not only has his music been a blessing, but I have also grown accustomed to his words of encouragement (even correction) that have been regularly showing up in my email inbox the past few years by way of Joined At The Hip Ministries (http://jathministries.com) I have much love and respect for those artist who extend their ministry beyond what they do in the booth and Excelsius is one of those artist.

As I mentioned before Excelsius is a veteran, with several projects already under his belt (The Final Evolution, In Conjunction.) His latest project is a clear demonstration of of his maturity as an artist and as a follower of Christ. Liberation also reveals a bold gutsy side of Ex, as he chooses to go straight for spiritual substance, but then again he has never been one to shy away from the sticky or heavy topics. Excelsius tackles some of the biggest issues facing both society and the Christian Community, issues like fear, lust, complacency to name a few. Like a true minister of the Gospel, Excelsius not only tackles these issues but He offers Biblical instruction on how to not just deal with these issues but how to be set free or rather how to be “Liberated” from them.

I must admit I kind of felt like a kid at Christmas as I sat taking the plastic wrapper off of the cd. I took it all in, the cover and cd art, simple and clean and consistent with the title of the project. I continued to peruse the discography as I popped the cd in. I thought the cover art was well thought out, displaying a lock comprised of many of the things people tend to struggle with or are held captive by. Also displayed in the cover art is the key in the shape of the word Liberation, an even closer look showed that the name of that key is Jesus Christ. A quick scan of the insert revealed a few well chosen and well placed classic quotes inserted among the production creds, and a subdued subtle image of a handcuffed Excelsius. The back of the cd case reveals Excelsius with out stretched hand and an open handcuff, with the question “Are You Free” written in his palm, serving as a not so subtle, sobering visual image that sin is just as binding and restricting as being chained and handcuffed. Thank God we can find Liberation in Jesus Christ. The inner leaf of the insert cleverly displays some of the Track Titles inserted into a “Things I do before I see Jesus Face to Face” checklist, I smiled when I saw the last box checked..it read All of the above. It was an admirable list and one worth sharing:

* Encourage a widow
* Teach a prisoner how to “Be Set Free”
* Give my testimony
* “Lead Out” on a Mission Trip
* Work at an orphanage
* “Get Focused” on what really matters
* Help plant a church
* “Draw Nigh” to the things of God
* Mentor a future leader
* Experience “Grace That Reigns”
* Feed a hungry child
* Celebrate “Liberation” in Christ
* Go to a hospital to love on the elderly
* Learn how to properly handle “The Word”
* Pray for the sick
* Get “Out of the Closet” & share the Gospel

I continued to play with the cd cover and let the music play. Liberation had already earned a thumbs up for playability, one right after the other each song was engaging and thought provoking. I could hardly contain myself by the time the title track Liberation (3Rd Coast Cypha) came on. Excelsius put together what I call the musical equivalent of the Original Olympic Dream Team. Suiting up for the track, and showing us how the 3RD Coast puts it down for the Kingdom, was Excelsius, his Spiritual Twin Brother DJ D-Lite, Holy Hip Hop Veteran and SGR Alum Big Nate, CY of Much Luvv, Gifted, Proof, DJ 1God and everyone’s favorite G.E.E.K. (Godliness Encourages Earthly Kings) Jacob Izrael. Somehow I managed not to hit repeat and continued to let the cd play. (I knew I still had 3 more listens )

First impression was A’s all around, good sound quality, great production, solid lyrical content and varied musical stylings. Liberation features some guest production from fellow HHH artist Mac Doulos [FAQ's] and Knine [The Sing-a-long Song]. Liberation serves up 16 substantial tracks and a Free Bonus Track titled “Draw Nigh” (which is also currently available for free download at jathministries.com. As the first rotation came to an end I was satisfied that Liberation lived up to what I have come to expect from Excelsius. I had a few errands to run so I grabbed the CD and took it with me, so I could take a closer look as I rode around town.

A Closer Look

As I geared up for my second listen of Liberation, I wanted to see how the project flowed from start to finish. I enjoyed the opening sequence which featured an alarm clock, and a groggy Excelsius waking up and starting his day by praying and acknowledging his inability and lack of resources in regard to being able to resist temptation, minister to the people and handle conflicts appropriately, and prays for Liberation from anything that would hinder Him from relying completely on God and His resources to get the job done. I said amen as I prayed in agreement with him. The music picks up as the prayer ends and Excelsius gets things going telling the listener about a dream he had the night before [I Had a Dream Last Night...] he weaves a tale of a young lady trapped in bondage and then lays out the plan for Liberation, with some skillfull wordplay using the letters of the word Liberation. From track to track he keeps thing moving and stays focused on the theme of seeing people liberated and set free from lies, deception and the hold of sin. Track 2 [Be Set Free] is a track with a simple yet powerful hook, that serves as both an anthem and a reminder for believers that Freedom is available in Jesus Christ. Listening to Excelsius as he delivers the hooks…it even sounds like he is making a declaration and commanding the listener to “be set free” by the Blood of Jesus…it is a very powerful song.

The second go round confirmed what I had already concluded after my first listen, Liberation is “Grown Folks Gospel!” There were no spiritually thin rhymes here. Meat eaters will pop this in and get full right away no doubt. But those who haven’t cut the eye teeth yet, will be equally fed as they will be able to digest it in smaller bites. Liberation has some simple and straight to the point hooks that will etch the message of Liberation on both eardrum and heart. Even after the first listen I was walking around humming and singing some of those infectious tracks [Be Set Free, Get Focused, Change or Die] I was especially fond of the [Sing-a-long Song], which was produced by Knine, I thought that the sing-a-long style chorus being sung by little kids was the perfect touch and set the mood and the tone of the track wich talks about the Lordship of Jesus Christ and putting our trust in Him and what He did for us on the cross and His ressurection. Other instant favorites were the really smooth jazzy feeling [Yes You Are] and [FAQ's] produced by Mac the Doulos of Everyday Process, this track has the perfect music set as the backdrop as Excelsius provides some answers for some Frequently Asked Question’s regarding God and Jesus Christ.

In a way that only Excelsius can, he comes through the speakers loud and clear and smoothly delivers instruction and reproof and before you know it he’s tossed you [Out of the Closet] and out in the in the field winning souls. He teams up with Oppose on the bangin track [Lead Out] and motivates the listener to get it moving by way of Discipleship…being a disciple and making disciples. Again Excelsius’ experience comes through as He doesn’t just weigh the listener down, with heavy subject matter…he takes these heavy truths and presents them into a tangible digest able form. From start to finish Liberation provides the keys to free the listener from sin and Bondage and the Keys to freedom and Victory in life through Christ Jesus. Liberation has a constant theme throughout, a theme of you guessed it Liberation, here’s a look at the breakdown of Liberation:

Da Breakdown

Building on the theme of Freedom in Christ Jesus, the tracks of Liberation hold nuggets of Truth that can be excavated again and again, revealing more and more treasure with each new listen. The tracks of Liberation offer encouragement, instruction, correction even reproof at times, but always spoken in the tone of a caring big brother who wants to see you do better. Here’s a look at some of the tracks and their content:

[I had a Dream Last Night] Opens with a prayer, and Ex shares a dream about a phone call from a young woman with an all too common story, caught in bondage to sin, and the answer God gives him to deliver to the young lady

[Be Set Free] Powerful song reminding us the we are free through the Blood of Jesus

[Pick up the Phone] Admonishment to pick up the phone so to speak, to stop and listen to what God has been saying to us, instead of ignoring Him and then trying to look for answers when trouble comes. Pick up the phone homie…God’s on the other end!

[Get Focused] Gritty Southern Style track Focusing on the prize found in Christ Jesus, staying focused on that which matters and getting free from all of the distractions.

[Change or Die] A toe-tapper/head nodder about real change from the inside out, a new heart, walking in new life equals change…failure to do so is the equivalent of death. It might involve some hurt in the process but there will be peace in the end.

[Grace That Reigns] Modern version of a classic, on the Astounding, Amazing, Reigning Grace of God. The beauty and benefit of Grace, God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

[Yes You Are] Smooth Jazz like track encouraging the listener that they are not a mistake and that God Love’s them and that they have value in God’s eyes. A perfect contradiction to the lies of the enemy who tries to use a negative self image to keep us from God. Ex gives Biblical perspective on how God sees you and what He thinks about you.

[FAQ's] *A must listen* Excelsius tackles some Freqently Asked Questions, about who God is, Is God Real, Why is there a hell and more, Excelsius gives Biblical answers to these often asked questions and a challenge for the Believers to be sure about what they believe, as the Believers Power is in the Truth. (Based on a True Story)

[3RD Coast Cypha: Liberation] **Please Handle Track with Caution - EXTREMELY HOT!** Excelsius and an All Star team Rep the King and Kingdom with True 3RD Coast Heat, Boldly Demonstrating and Walking in Freedom in Christ Jesus, Freedom in only Found in Jesus Christ.

[Addicted] Interlude/skit challenging those who are so technically caught (addicted) that they spend little to no time actually reading or spending time in their word.

[Sing-a-long Song] A sing-a-long style song about the Gospel Story of Jesus and what He has done for us. Excelsius shares some personal insight, and the hook really does invite you to sing along

[Out of the Closet] GET OUT THE CLOSET! Because of what Christ has done for us we are obligated to get out there and share it with the people He did it for. He saved and changed us that we might reach out to and offer the same opportunity to others. Everyone is not breaking down the doors to the church so we need to go after them. It’s time to get out of the closet and out into the field where the harvest is ready and waiting for us

[Lead Out] Discipleship more than knowing what the Teacher knows…It’s being what the Teacher is. Being Discipled and the Discipleship of others…it’s the Christian cycle (or it should be)

[Shame on Me] Dealing with self condemnation, the battle between the self and the spirit. The real war that is raging inside. Being blind to our own sinfulness and failing to depend on God. The heart is deceptive…

[The Word] The Word, The Bible the answer to our problems, freedom and life are found within it. (Be sure to listen to the entire track, there is an entertaining commercial just past the middle of the track…I can rememeber when I was like that LOL)

[See Ya Later (hopefully)] Excelsius brings it all together in the outro, the Gospel Message, Freedom in Christ and the true cost of Salvation which is Humility, a challenge to let God have free reign in your life

[Bonus Track: Draw Nigh] For the Mature Listener, a long overdue track addressing sexual sin and pornography, and issues typically avoided During Sunday Morning Sermons. Real Talk about fornication and masturbation, not a song of condemnation but instead a song of help and healing.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion Liberation shows a progression in Excelsius’ growth as an artist. I think it shows a level of maturity to step into the the booth and address some issues that have either been ignored, or have been addressed before but it came off kind of harsh. Excelsius utilizes his vocal stylings on this one to hit ya where it hurts, but immediately follows it up with the remedy that will ease the pain and set ya free. This is one for the collection…even if it’s not the one ya want…believe me it’s the one you need!