Concept7 - Album One: Rhymetiquette

WRITTEN BY MMOG37
SATURDAY, 16 JUNE 2007

Album Overview

Setting out to create positive music that appeals to everyone, and not having a target audience often leads to the downfall of some Christian Rap Artists. Trying to reach a wide audience is a tricky move even for the most seasoned artist. Christian listeners might feel like it’s too commercial, or non-believers might feel it’s too preachy, or worse yet the message might be too simple or subdued even for the non-believer. The group of artists known as Concept7, have boldly made this attempt, to reach the ears and hearts of believers and non-believers alike, with their release of Album One: Rhymetiquette, and successfully I might add. With skillful “rotation” truth inspired lyrics, and some fresh kick snare, high hat and harmony, Concept7 is definitely “rockin the mic.” Their approach: being Spirit led, and making God inspired music. What I discovered was a CD that was not only easy to head nod to, but one that was thought provoking also.

I always appreciate Christian rappers who are socially conscious and address some of the obvious problems in society, while revealing that the answer is in Christ. Rhymetiquette addresses social issues like racism, greed, and the fact that Life is empty and meaningless apart from Christ. I especially enjoyed the fact that even though this was a Spiritually Inspired, Socially Conscious Project, it was not at all heavy or boring. One of my favorite tracks “The Picture” stuck with me, the
hook was simple and I found myself singing along, and asking myself the question it posed: Was that really me back then, and would I be the person I am today if the events in my past hadn’t taken place? I also enjoyed the way the songs from one to the next, sort of like an audio movie.

I found Rhymetiquette, to be a solid project, lyrically sound and good production. Simple details like the sound of the needle on the record had me reminiscent of the early days of hip hop, when dj’s were still spinning records and mc’s were battling each other and developing their skills. I was skeptical at first, but I must admit that Concept7, has created a project that listeners of all audiences can enjoy; believers and non-believers alike will head nod and foot stomp their way into the revelation that life is empty without Christ, that the way to avoid the drama is to build upon the firm foundation of Christ. In my opinion this is one of those projects that hits your head and your heart, and I think each listener will walk away with a some personal insight and revelation, especially those who have learned to listen with their inner ear.

Spiritual Significance

In no uncertain terms, this project opens the listener up to the fact that there are some things that are wrong in the world, greed, racism, the meaninglessness of the pursuit of materials, but it doesn’t stop there it reveals that there is hope in Jesus Christ. Tracks like The Picture allow those of us who are changed to reflect and realize where we come from while reminding us that there is hope for those who may appear to be wayward at the moment. Some of the songs that deal with social issues like greed and racism also hold spiritual significance for the Christian listener even if only to cause us to be aware and to check our own motives and actions. Other tracks reveal the loneliness and desperation we are prone to go through when we distance ourselves from God.

Topics Covered

The Picture: reveals there is hope for the wayward, looking back at our lives and
seeing how God has delivered us, also poses the question if things hadn’t happened like they did would we be the person we are today.

Greedy: Tackles greed head on, and reveals that we must learn to be satisfied.

Drama: Avoid the drama grow and build by standing on the solid rock (peep the clever hook/loop of “The Solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinkin sand”

Blue: Inspired by John 15:5, “apart from me you can do nothing” this song deals with what life is like without Christ in it, and the depression and loneliness, for those of us who know him and wander to far away from Him.

Castesystem: Tackles racism and the clever way people disguise it.

Stompin: Being real, bold and steadfast

Rotate: mirrors “The Picture, life before and after Christ, proves that there is hope for the lost.

Hip Hop Life: Shines a true light on what is typically portrayed as the Hip Hop Life, money cars big wheels, and that it is not what it seems, and in fact is meaningless.

Rise Up: Clever metaphoric song about What Christ did for us, and why we should rise up.

Key Tracks
Rotate, The Picture, Blue, M.P.D., Rise UP