by mmog37

First Impressions

During the past few decades, mix tapes have become a very popular way for the Hip Hop artists to create hype and get their name and message out to the masses. On the Holy Hip Hop side, mix tapes are becoming even more popular as a way to promote an upcoming project, or help a new artist break into the game. Typically these mix tapes feature the artist recycling second hand beats and instrumentals from songs that had been previously used or popularized by another artist. Because of the popularity of these mix tapes, the artist who decides to release one using recycled beats actually takes a big risk, double that for the Holy Hip Hop artist, because many of the beats that are being used were made popular by secular artists and the Christian community can sometimes be somewhat inflexible and unforgiving in that area. With that said, I had all of this in mind as I sat down to review the new release by G.A.I.N., The Son In My Eyes. I wanted to make sure that I didn’t let any of my predispositions cause me to not give this a fair review; so, I decided that in order to be fair I would just listen and rate and review it solely on the basis of its lyrical style, flow and content only. So I popped the CD in, put on my headphones, tuned in my “spiritual ear” and began listening and to be honest I was surprised at what I found. I found The Son In My Eyes to be a look into the heart and life of a young man who discovered that when it comes to the choice between “Life or Death” there is only “One Way,” and that is through “The Blood” of Jesus Christ. G.A.I.N also reveals that we must “Beware” of chasing after “Money” and material things, and at the same time shines light on Satan’s “Real Hand” and encourages us to do “Whatever it Takes” to be successful in this “Life With Christ” and that if we put our “Trust In Him” we will be able to “Ride To the End!”

A Closer Look

In my opinion this CD has a dual purpose, outreach (share the gospel message with non-believers) and in-reach (equip, encourage and edify believers). In his own words GAIN desires to reach both believers and non-believers with this CD; “…I would hope that non believers would listen to The Son in My Eyes and hear the gospel and the message of salvation and possibly be encouraged by the story of my transformation. I would hope that a believer would be encouraged and their faith be enriched by the various biblical truths and principles in my lyrics especially for the sake of fulfilling the Great commission.” My response to G.A.I.N. “Mission Accomplished!”

Da Breakdown

From start to finish this project is a personal appeal to accept Christ and live Life for Him. One of my favorites has to be “The Blood;” I enjoyed the hook that featured a modern day hip hop rendition of the old spiritual “Oh The Blood of Jesus.” I also enjoyed “Life in Christ” because it doesn’t try to sell the listener on the Happy Happy Joy Joy times of being a Christian, but it discloses the the inner struggles and battles we face, walking in obedience and declaring that it is not always easy but the true benefit eternal life with Christ far outweighs any thing we might have to sacrifice in this life. Another favorite was “Money,” which was a personal declaration of how the Cash Rules Everything Around Me mentality caught hold of him as a kid, and reveals his new understanding that it is not about money…no longer a servant to money and materialism. The Son in My Eyes was actually a breath of fresh air for me, the entire mixtape flowed from one track to the next and G.A.I.N.’s rugged east coast vocals were a treat to listen to.

Here’s Da Breakdown of the tracks and the topics they cover:

• The Goodness of God, a personal testimony declaring that we can trust God to clean,renew and change our lives (Trust In Him)

• The Cleansing power of the Blood of Jesus (The Blood)

• Walking in Obedience to God’s Word, Life in Christ (Life in Christ)

• There’s more to life than what you see with your eyes, it’s about Life and Death, eternal Life with Christ or eternity in Hell (Life or Death)

• The dangers of chasing money and materialism (Money)

• Commitment, dedication, doing whatever it takes to live for Christ (Whatever it Takes)

• Contrary to public opinion, there is only one way to heaven (One Way)

• Loyalty, discipline, being willing to suffer and die, giving our lives for others the same way Christ died for us (Ride to the End)

• A warning to those who say there is no God (Beware)

• A moving personal testimony of coming to Christ (Real Hand)

Final Thoughts

All in all, I found this to be a solid mix tape, the sound quality was good, it was scripturally sound and the artist had a rugged east coast flow that lures the listener in as he tells his story and shares the Gospel Message. To be honest I think this is a perfect example of a mixtape designed for outreach