Artist: azriELicia

Album: “Help Wanted”

Label: Kingdom City Records

Link: http://www.myspace.com/azriel816

Date: Feb. 2008

RATING: 7.0 out of 10 C (due to needing better mixing, mastering, and compatible music production)

****THE BACK DROP****

There is so much greatness and sincerity that immerses from this husband and wife unit….azriELicia.

azriELicia are a husband and wife monadic that has met the Lord, like Paul on the Damascus road. I have been “Awe-StruKC” since I had the opportunity to witness the heart, ministry, and ability of azriELicia. They are truly beyond “on fire.” They bring such a fervent passion and soberness regarding the scriptures, the walk of FAITH, and Hip Hop. They strive to demonstrate and execute this in balance and they are so young.

The Lord is unveiling a generation of youth who are no longer satisfied with compromise. And azriELicia are just a few of the patriarchs or “first fruits” of that generation.

azriELicia is comprised of (wife) Elicia Horton and (husband) Damon “Azriel” Horton. They are from the Mid-West by way of Kansas City Missouri; and they are waving the Blood Stained Banner hiiiiiiigggggggghhhh!!! Their HEART is to present Christ in an uncompromising fashion 24/7. Their ministry is to compassionately love, aid, and build their community through the Life given by the infallible scripture with the loving arms of the Church they Pastor. That church is Mount Washington Baptist. Their ability is to articulate and fuse that HEART and MIINSTRY into Holy Hip Hop rhymes with eloquent-raw-convicting-intriguing precision and skill.

azriELicia has bottled all of those qualities into their Holy Hip Hop debut album, “Help Wanted.” They are pleading with the “unAwakened” to give The Bride of Christ (The Church) a second chance or a chance at all, if they never have. Azriel and Elicia are soliciting their local and regional communities to help them (The Church) help them (The Community)…using this as a model or example for the American Church nationwide. On this record azriELicia are even beseeching The Body of Christ to seek the Lord so that they can fulfill the need of HELP in every capacity.

azriELicia’s oldest daughter Bella says it best,”…We need more HELP, people! we need more GODLY men and women…!” Talk about training up a child.

It is gems like that the make this East Coast-favorable-feeling album a potentially classic effort.

Now…Christian female M.C.s (Shout out to Christian Female Rap Network) are probably in a ratio of 1 to a 1000 compared to Christian Male M.C.s. In that ratio you would probably still have to weed through them to experience which of them truly has the chops to execute Holy Hip Hop on a wide spread professional platform. Well…Elicia is one that has the chops. Her swag is true to East Coast boom-bap form. She’s simply DOPE with her delivery, style, and ability to ride the beat.

Azriel is the exact equivalent of Elicia. Even though Azriel and His wife were born and raised in the Mid- West, their musical love has gravitated to the likes of East Coast lyricism and flavor. Another gem to be found in this album is how both Azriel and Elicia compliment each other as though they audibly accomplish Matt. 19: 5-6 as a reflection of their lives off record. Azriel is a rapper’s rapper, a preacher’s preacher, and a teacher’s teacher. Elicia’s bars are thought provoking and encapsulating. Azriel makes you drop your jaw how he challenges himself outside of his musical preferences. He and Elicia both love that East but, this cat has successfully executed just about every lyrical delivery style from boom-bap, to snap, to crunk, to tongue twist all on this ONE album. This is what I wish Shai Linne would do. Cause in my opinion he’s too raw not to.

Elicia and Azriel have truly mastered the “back and forth” / ”give and go” rapping style. azriELicia should get Emmys, Oscars, Doves, Stellars, and New York Times Best Seller awards for their impeccable story telling. I mean YOU WILL…press “rewind” to hear the tales they tell.

Once again it is gems like this that make this record a POTENTIAL classic.

Now…you’re probably wondering why this album got a “C” rating and is considered a POTENTIAL classic. If it has all of these “gems,” shouldn’t it at least have gotten a “B?” I’m glad you asked. Let’s dig in…

****FEATURED RAPPERS, SINGERS, and PRODUCERS****

For the most part the featured artists make this record better; meaning they don’t take away from its potential. John Pallozzi adds this Brooklyn-Italian feel like he’s singing in a “Goodfellas Movie” night club on Track 12 “Uamazeme.” Top Spin brings that Mid-Dirty flow to the table with some on-point tongue twisting on Track 5 “Switch It Up.” Dre Sr. brings a lot of energy, character, and intrigue to both of his appearances on Track 8 “Love Triangle” and Track 2 “Who You?” The singer named T-Mission brings that vintage flavor like you’re in the basement of an old Jazz-swing joint in 60’s Harlem. Ms. Seyko adds some nice strong soulful-heart gripping vocals on Track 7 “I’am.” Seyko’s vocals were good but, I think if they were a little more “breathy” that would have been the icing on the cake.

azriELicia do a good job of balancing out there feature artists, since they are already a duo. They also do a good job of making sure their features could actually add fresh elements to their project.

As far as producers sharing in bringing the album “Help Wanted” to fruition, the overall collection of beats is just slightly above average. There are some shining moments, however. So Hot Productions have been doing their thing since 2004. So Hot Productions is a Christian Duo production team based out of the Mid West in St. Louis Missouri which is about 4 hrs away from Kansas City (home of azriELicia). The So Hot Duo is comprised of J.R. and NAB. Over the past 2.5 years J.R. has had more So Hot production on Holy Hip Hop and R&P projects and the public has rarely heard from NAB. But, NAB is starting to be like a beacon of light in the 2008. NAB has tracks on St. Louisan FUTURE’s debut album “Wake UP Call.” Now, he has three nice tracks (Track 1 “Help Wanted featuring Bella,” Track 2 “Who You featuring Dre Sr.,” and Track 9 “Decent Proposal”) on azriELicia’s “Help Wanted.” It’s great to see NAB behind the MPC again, bangin’ out KINGDOM joints.

Most of the production on “Help Wanted” is East Coast favorable. I think that’s why NAB was a great fit. J.R.’s sound is more Mid-Dirty and a lot of artist solicit that type of production. NAB’s sound is more boom-bap, sampling, hard-kicking, East Coast driven. Speaking previously of Mid-Dirty, azriELicia pulled St. Louis producer PRAIZ into the mix with 2 joints Track 5 “Switch It Up” and Track 11 “Christology (Gimme Jesus).” These two joints really bring diversity to this album and they challenge azriELicia to step out of their comfort zone.

Joey DeLaCruz brings a track that sounds like the God Father’s Holy Hip Hop theme on Track 3 “Sent Back.” Saint Joe the Servant takes it back to “Bricks” with Track 6 “Street Sweeper.” Giovanni orchestrates a Wu Tang Clan type joint on Track 4 “the eXodus.” If you use to love Wu Tang that joint is for you to enjoy on THIS side of the KINGDOM. museONE produced a beat for azriELicia to perfectly display true love on Track 10 “I Still.” JDMG laced a beautiful Spanish guitar joint on Track 7 “I Am featuring Seyko.” Unseen dropped a joint that sounds like Raekwon (from Wu Tang) would pay Grands to have this joint on Track 13 “Status Quo.” But, Unseen is using his production skills to glorify our Faithful KING…Wow! And Track 8 “Love Triangle” is Cello laden and sounds like a classical Digable Planets track from ‘92. It is produced by Bruce Lesun.

****TRACKS TO WATCH FOR and OVERALL QUALITY****

Tracks that blatantly stick out on “Help Wanted” are Track 4 “the eXodus,” Track 8 “Love Triangle,” Track 5 “Switch It Up,” Track 9 “Decent Proposal,” Track 7 “I Am,” Track 11 “Christology (Gimme Jesus),” and Track 10 “I Still.”

Now we come to the most critical area of this album. Overall, “Help Wanted” is packed solid with radiant lyricism, creativity, and provocative subjects. But, that is the frustrating aspect of this beautiful record. It’s beautiful for the aforementioned qualities yet it suffers from simply average production. The fact that this album is more East Coast flavored doesn’t affect my view on this matter. As a full time professional STRICTLY Christian DJ and Producer, I have heard some bangin’ East Coast joints were the beats really are attractive and captivating. The production on “Help Wanted” isn’t straight WACK but, it doesn’t PACK the punches needed to highlight the amazing heart of this album.

Elicia and Azriel are so ‘dag-nabbit’ gifted that I feel the production on this record just doesn’t catapult their heart, love, passions, talent, compassion, servitude, and message. No pun intended but, YES…they needed more “Help.” Now, I’m sure that they hand picked these beats but, in the future I would love for them to be overwhelmed with stacks of bangin beats to PICK from. Not one mediocre beat in the pile…Ya dig?!

As far as the album packaging and design, it was reported that the manufacturing company’s graphics department (who will remain nameless) was entrusted with the task because KINGDOM City Record Execs trusted that company’s ability. Yet…as it came time for the release of the finished product, the manufacturing company totally DROPPED the ball and there was no time to go back to the drawing board. So, I won’t hold that against azriELicia and the KCR staff. But, the actual CD face design is bangin’ yo! No lie!!! I love the Red and Silver. As far as photography, I will say this, the manufacturing company messed the picture quality up for the CD Cover design but, the actual picture of azriELicia still shows that they are truly a beautifully-gorgeous family.

Now…Kingdom City Records solicited Top Spin productions to do the mixing and mastering. In my professional opinion TSP didn’t do a superb job on the sound quality of this record. And maybe that’s because of the Heavy East Coast production. I’ve heard better quality from TSP on more Mid-Dirty and Dirty South joints.

Mixing and Mastering are ABSOLUTELY crucial for a records enjoyment. TSP did a fair job on the mastering in the since that all the songs are of equal volume as they flow from track to track. But, as TSP probably knows as well, that is not all mastering is. Mastering effects and affects the transitions between songs as well as the digital flow from song to song. This is where I found a problem. As I was listening to “Help Wanted” all the way through for continuous play, I noticed “pops” as the cd would move from track to track. My lcd timer was also jumping and glitching as it flowed from song to song. I also noticed how the mastering had started the begging of some tracks in the wrong place. Now ladies and Gents, HAVE NO FEAR, this won’t mess up your CD, iPOD, or MP3 players. It just makes continuous play from track 1 to 13 a little annoying due to the technical quirks between songs.

As far as the mixing is concerned the first thing that disappointed me was Track 1 “Help Wanted featuring Bella.” This song was also confusing because as soon as Track 1 starts there’s some distortion of the beat. The beat and kick drum just sound so distorted and initially this doesn’t sound intentional. It’s bearable, yet noticeable. But, that’s were the confusion comes in because Azriel starts talking says “A lot of people in the Church have a ‘DISTORTED’ view of the gospel, ‘NO PUN INTENDED!’” So…I don’t know. Yet, I strongly doubt that it was intentional just because I know mixing, and how certain things should sound.

The quality of the record starts off shaky but, there’s good news! By the halfway mark things start to get better and more enjoyable.

I would have loved to hear Elicia on every track (with her “sick flow”) just because the groups name is “azriELicia.” However, in their defense Elicia was pregnant and did give birth to their beautiful baby girl, Ms. Lola Ann, in June. But, I absolutely feel she should have been on the HOTTEST joint which is Track 11 “Christology (Gimme Jesus).”

Overall if you love solid lyricism, artists who try different styles, and East Coast flavor…azriELicia’s “Help Wanted” is worth buying. This husband and wife unit simply have tooooooooo much to offer for you not to support and pick this record up. They are so qualified to be on this Holy Hip Hop platform that I’m 100% positive that their sophomore release is going to be practically flawless.

If you love East Coast Christian Rap then you will kick yourself in the butt, for not buying this album before it goes out of print. Some of the quality issues actually justify BUYING this album NOW, just because of historic value as we watch their ministry and career develop. Mark what I tell you! azriELicia have a wealth of Word, Wisdom, and WOW to offer the Holy Hip Hop culture and community…on and off stage; in or out of the booth.

For you, me, the Church, and communities worldwide to live out an UnCompromised Faith through Christ is what azriELicia and our GOD “WANTS” for us all. And to know that we have an inspiring, motivating, and accountable example in Christ through azriELicia sure “HELPS.” Put that in the WANT ads.

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