Jesus Walks

Hip-hop and rap are some of the few musical genres that typically don't appeal to me. There's just something about the genre that just lacks a lot of depth, in my opinion. I like songs with a message, and that isn't often times found in hip-hop or rap tracks. A lot of artists in these genres aren't so much in it for the music as they are for these fame and fortune. Maybe that's a misconception; maybe that's just how they seem at first glance. But in all honesty, that's how they present themselves, and that representation doesn't make me desire to know any more about them - as people or musicians.
So far, I've found Kanye West to be an exception.
The stuff I've heard from Kanye West - which isn't a lot, granted - seems to have the depth and message that is often times missing from the type of music he sings. And this song of his, titled Jesus Walks, is a perfect example of that. The entire song is about how what he's rapping about - the Lord - isn't something that is typically "accepted" by followers of the genre ("They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus / That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes / But if I talk about God my record won't get played").
The message behind this song is very self explanatory; just take a listen. And really listen. Hear what Kanye's trying to say. The music video is beautiful and also helps get the point of the song across.
I commend Kanye for taking a chance with this song. It's great to see that rappers can sing about more than "guns, sex, lies" ... you know.
This is Jesus Walks by Kanye West.

Kanye West - Jesus Walks Official Music Video

Jesus Walks
Kanye West

Yo, we at war
We at war with terrorism, racism, and most of all we at war with ourselves
(Jesus Walks)
God show me the way because the devil trying to break me down
(Jesus Walks with me) with me, with me, with me ...

You know what the Midwest is?
Young & Restless
Where restless - might snatch your necklace
And next these - might jack your Lexus
Somebody tell these - who Kanye West is
I walk through the valley of the Chi where death is
Top floor the view alone will leave you breathless
Try to catch it, it's kinda hard
Getting choked by the detectives yeah, now check the method
They be asking us questions, harass and arrest us
Saying "We eat pieces of s**t like you for breakfast"
Huh? Ya'll eat pieces of s**t? What's the basis?
We ain't going nowhere but got suits and cases
A trunk full of -, rental car from Avis
My momma used to say only Jesus can save us
Well momma I know I act a fool
But I'll be gone 'til November I got packs to move I hope

(Jesus Walks)
God show me the way because the devil trying to break me down
(Jesus Walks with me)
The only thing that that I pray is that my feet don't fail me now
(Jesus Walks)
And I don't think there is nothing I can do now to right my wrongs
(Jesus Walks with me)
I want to talk to God but I'm afraid because we ain't spoke in so long

To the hustlers, killers, murderers, drug dealers even the strippers
(Jesus walks with them)
To the victims of welfare for we living in hell here, hell yeah
(Jesus walks with them)
Now hear ye, hear ye, want to see Thee more clearly
I know He hears me when my feet get weary
Cause we're the almost nearly extinct
We rappers are role models, we rap, we don't think
I ain't here to argue about his facial features
Or here to convert atheists into believers
I'm just trying to say the way school need teachers
The way Kathie Lee needed Regis, that's the way I need Jesus
So here go my single, dog, radio needs this
They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus
That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes
But if I talk about God my record won't get played, huh?
Well let this take away from my spins
Which will probably take away from my ends
Then I hope this take away from my sins
And bring the day that I'm dreaming about
Next time I'm in the club everybody screaming out

(Jesus Walks)
God show me the way because the devil trying to break me down
(Jesus Walks)
The only thing that that I pray is that my feet don't fail me now
(Jesus Walks)
And I don't thing there's nothing I can do now to right my wrongs
(Jesus walks with me ...)
I want to talk to God but I'm afraid because we ain't spoke in so long

Handlebars

Time to express my deep and passionate love for this song.
I guess I never really appreciated the meaning behind Handlebars before I watched the music video. As soon as I saw the video, everything about the song made sense - the message behind the song was black-and-white.
When you hear the first verse to this song for the first time, you expect to hear a sweet, innocent track without a lot of depth. But as the song quickly progresses, the message behind the powerful lyrics slowly becomes apparent. Before the song ends, the point the band is trying to get across is painfully obvious, and the way it's presented is the way it's meant to be; it's the blunt-faced truth. The lyrics to this song go from making you laugh to making you sick inside - because you realize how hideously true the lyrics really are.
To me, this song speaks of society, and how an innocent citizen with the best of intentions can become corrupted, taken over by power and the drive to always be better than the next. In the music video, the characters and actions progress in the same way technology and society has, and that helps you really get the point the band is making.
But even beyond the phenomenal lyrics, this track has even more to offer. The addition of the trumpet during the later verses and choruses adds a jazzy feel to the song, a really modern, sophisticated sound; and it totally works for the song. The trumpet solo is amazing. It's a good example of what a real jazz musician should be able to do; how they should be able to play something and make you feel it rather than hear it. Kudos to the trumpet player who played that part; it made all the difference in this track!

Listen to this song. Really listen. Realize the message behind these lyrics, how true this message is. Honestly, I havn't heard a song that had so much to tell the world as Handlebars does in a long time.
Here's Handlebars, by Flobot.

Flobot - Handlebars Official Music Video

Handlebars
Flobot

I can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars
I can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars

Look at me, look at me
Hands in the air like it's good to be
Alive, and I'm a famous rapper
Even when the paths're all crooked-y
I can show you how to do-si-do
I can show you how to scratch a record
I can take apart the remote control
And I can almost put it back together
I can tie a knot in a cherry stem
I can tell you about Leif Ericson
I know all the words to "De Colores"
And "I'm Proud to be an American"
Me and my friend saw a platypus
Me and my friend made a comic book
And guess how long it took
I can do anything that I want 'cause, look

I can keep rhythm with no metronome, no metronome, no metronome
I can see your face on the telephone, on the telephone, on the telephone

Look at me, look at me
Just called to say that it's good to be
Alive, in such a small world
All curled up with a book to read
I can make money, open up a thrift store
I can make a living off a magazine
I can design an engine, sixty four
Miles to a gallon of gasoline
I can make new antibiotics
I can make computers survive aquatic conditions
I know how to run a business
And I can make you wanna buy a product
Movers, shakers, and producers
Me and my friends understand the future
I see the strings that control the systems
I can do anything with no assistance

I can lead a nation with a microphone, with a microphone, with a microphone
I can split the atoms of a molecule, of a molecule, of a molecule

Look at me, look at me
Driving and I won't stop
And it feels so good to be
Alive and on top
My reach is global, my tower secure
My cause is noble, my power is pure
I can hand out a million vaccinations
Or let 'em all die in exasperation
Have 'em all healed of their lacerations
Have 'em all killed by assassination
I can make anybody go to prison
Just because I don't like 'em and
I can do anything with no permission
I have it all under my command

I can guide a missile by satellite, by satellite, by satellite
And I can hit a target through a telescope, through a telescope, through a telescope
And I can end the planet in a holocaust, in a holocaust, in a holocaust ...

I can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars
I can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars

Breaking The Habit

This song is absolutely amazing.
I heard it for the first time just the other day ... ya, I know, it's one of Linkin Park's older tracks, off their Meteora album of 2003. Even if I was a little behind the times, this track sure took my breath away. Just a really hard-hitting song! The lyrics are absolutely phenomenal ... wow! What a strong message! I don't even think I have words that can describe how amazing I think these lyrics are ... there's something about them that just hit you so hard. That, paired with the catchy, techno melodies and awesome vocals, just make it an irrestistable track.
Linkin Park - this is a five star song, in my opinion. And the music video? Fabulous as well - I might have to buy it and put it on my iPod :p
Keep up the awesome work, boys!

Linkin Park - Breaking The Habit Music Video

Breaking The Habit
Linkin Park

Memories consume
Like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again

I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize
That I'm the one confused

I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
Tonight

Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more
Than anytime before
I had no options left again

I dont want to be the one
The battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize
That I'm the one confused

I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
Tonight

I'll paint it on the walls
'Cause I'm the one at fault
I'll never fight again
And this is how it ends

I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But now I have some clarity
to show you what I mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
I’m breaking the habit
Tonight

TobyMac - Dare To Be Different

What's the best way to describe Toby McKeehan?? This artist, better known as TobyMac, and his music are anything but ordinary, and I think Tonya Parker Morrison summed them up best in her article she wrote about TobyMac in the American Chronicle (August 22, 2005; read the entire article here):

If Christian pop, hip hop and rap had a child, the offspring would most certainly be Toby McKeehan, better known as tobyMac.

You said it, girl. TobyMac has "wow"-ed listeners of all musical preferences with his inspiring and always fun songs. But what's so appealing about this artist??
I believe TobyMac's greatest strength is the diversity of his music, as Morrison pointed out. TobyMac's songs are one of a kind, mixing hip-hop beats with rap vocals. These are definantly songs you can listen to over and over again, without them ever getting old.

I am a new TobyMac fan; Reno made me a mixed CD of songs from albums Diverse City and Portable Sounds, and those songs have been rockin' on my iPod ever since. Before Reno's enlightenment, I was a fan of some of TobyMac's old tracks; Atmosphere (Remix) and Gone were my favorites, and I still enjoy them. Also a fan of the Christian group Superchic[k], I loved the rap accompaniment TobyMac recorded in Superchic[k]'s song, Stories (Down To The Bottom).
Some of my current TobyMac favs include Diverse City, Boomin', I'm For You, No Ordinary Love, Feelin' So Fly, Ignition, Catchafire (Whoopsi-Daisie), and Made To Love.

But as much good as I can say about this artist, the best way to appreciate TobyMac is by hearing one of his songs yourself. So, here it is, the music video for TobyMac's Boomin' - one of my favorite songs.

TobyMac - Boomin' Music Video



Like whatcha hear?? I encourage you to check out some more of TobyMac's music; this group really is one in a million.
And if you didn't like this song? Don't worry. No two TobyMac songs are the same...do some research, and check out some other Toby tracks. I can guarantee that this artist's diversity will not leave you disappointed.