It took quite a while for Christian Hip Hop to catch up with the mainstream and the market still hasn't managed to match the success of Hip Hop in the general market. There are suspicions about the gangsta lifestyle and images being incompatible with a Christian image and possibly the mainly white market balks in the face of such a powerful black phenomenon. Yet elements of Hip Hop are now pervading the whole of pop culture and the fusion of Hip Hop and R&B makes some purists rage against the dilution of Hip Hop ideals. Christian radio, particularly in America has been pretty slow in backing artists and yet there's some real talent that is as good, if not better than their mainstream counterparts. One such group is GRITS.
Grammatical Revolution In The Spirit are duo Coffee and Bonafide and despite the fact that they originate their music in Nashville rather than either American coast, they have a proven track record over their previous three albums for creating cutting edge Hip Hop music. Unafraid to tackle the big issues, nail the flag of their faith to the mast and push back musical boundaries, this uncompromising duo have now delivered their fourth album and it's a scorcher.
Their albums have always pushed spiritual Hip Hop to a new dimension and The Art of Translation is no exception! Displaying a wide range of musical influences, the album sweeps from the piano backing of "Ooh Aah" to the retro sound of Electro on "Make Room" taking in Jazz, Nu Metal and a string quartet along the way! Then you can add to this lyrics that tackle a wide range of spiritual and social concerns like the challenges of parenthood on "Love Child". Then there's the need for Godly self image and the insidious fake glamor of the entertainment industry on "Video Girl" and the need to develop strong faith in God on "Believe." On the latter song label mate Jennifer Knapp makes an appearance.
Some other highlights?... "Here We Go" is a manifesto statement that GRITS still have plenty to say and are locked on target to create life changing music.
i was born in the cold
moved to the heat
got used to the flame
now i spit it on beat
i was raised in the womb
groomed by christ
with a gift to raise souls from the tomb
please don't assume
we aint tryna take the slot
blow the spot
worldwide still parta the plot
"Ooh Aah" features Gotee label boss TobyMac making a cameo appearance on the album. And the whole track is a prayer to stay on the straight and narrow and stay focused.
it's times like these that make me say
lord if you see me please come my way
leavin bread crumbs for when i stray
rely on sacrifice and the price you paid
feel me like a fingertip
sometimes i fall i slip
my heartfelt desire be more like you
trying not to quench your fire by the things that i do
"Be Mine" is classic GRITS tying in a groove, some acoustic guitar, sweet vocals from Nirva Dorsaint and a rhythmic rhymin' chorus that's immediately soulful and memorable. And it's GRITS getting romantic! Capturing the excitement of a fresh relationship and underlining the spiritual significance of marriage...
who'd have thought my babe was on an island of her own had me smiling on the phone same page different time zones
god's a real character painting caricatures of Christ and his love for the church enduring the pain cuz it hurts when i saw you i went bezerk insane goin looney and cartooney
so sue me you was a vision of beauty truly
thinking of all the charm to inflect upon my behalf
forgive me don't mean to stare but your hair is down to your calf
tell me about yourself your culture is Polynesian
i love when the breeds be mixin our blueprint is in Ephesians
Ultimately The Art of Translation takes a huge range of themes and styles and translates them into a cohesive impacting powerful selection of Hip Hop tunes that capture GRITS at the top of their game. When you think of all the crimes that are perpetrated in the name of Hip Hop, when you think that image rules and bad boy moves and rhymes go platinum in these times, there's something wrong that this amount of talent remains hidden in the underground. GRITS have the talent to hold their own against the best the world has to offer and they have the character and desire to create music that challenges the culture.
To those Christian industry people too blind to see that Hip Hop like this should be blasted out all over the place, it's time to take some radical steps. And to the radio folks who are too deaf to hear that this duo have a sound and a message that deserves to be pumping out on FM, it's time to take some radical steps. Instead of always always always taking the soft approach for fear of upsetting a nice listener or record buyer somewhere. GRITS have the chops to be a Platinum act without compromising their integrity. As they say on "Believe":
still the saga continues
cause most hearts are deceived
if we really wanted truth
we would live and believe in it
5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Andree FariasEver since the rap duo comprised of Coffee and Bonafide (a.k.a. Stacey Jones and Teron Carter, respectively) hit the underground hip-hop scene in 1995 with its little debut album Mental Releases, GRITS has been turning the heads of everybody who stumbles upon their music. The Art of Translation is no exception. As with past projects, Translation finds these Tennessee natives penning SAT-caliber…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Ken MuellerThe rap duo known as GRITS is back with an album that is sure to get notice in the mainstream press and on mainstream urban radio. Thematically this disc treads familiar CCM ground, but this is done through the use of original lyrics and great vocal presentation. The disc starts out extremely strong with "Here We Go" and "Oooh Aaah" but then slows down a bit. Other outstanding tracks on the disc…Similar sounding releases
2003VerbsUnlocked
2005The AmbassadorThe Thesis
2004Cross MovementHigher Definition
2005LecraeReal Talk2003Mark JCity of Pain
2002RaphiCali Quake
