KJ-52, a.k.a. Jonah Sorrentino, brings together an impressive cast of supporting characters for his debut record on Essential Records. Produced by Gotee Brothers' Todd Collins, guest appearances include rap talents Knowdaverbs, Deuce and Phanatik from Cross Movement, Bonafide of GRITS, and Amani. The result is an arresting, commanding experience in urban hip hop music. Mostly East Coast style, this Florida native sounds a bit like Eminem, but lifts up the Lord in his rhymes and even gives an altar call at the CD's end.
To get attention, Sorrentino has taken the liberty to write some new lyrics for dc Talk's song "The Hardway," and recorded it with a bouncy jam, hoping for radio play. Unfortunately this isn't the best cut on the joint. I like the harder cuts like "Do What I Do," "We Rock the Mic," and "It's The S.O.I," with guests Phanatik and Deuce. "Integrity" is a humorous track KJ-52 does with Bonafide. It looks at an interchange between a prideful rapper (played by KJ-52) who comes up against an established one (Bonafide) who answers the boasts of the newcomer by riffing on the need for Christ to be in control of every part of your rhyming.
7th Avenue is the name of the street in a Tampa area ghetto that KJ-52 grew up on and now it is the name of his first record. KJ-52, his label, and fans of Christian hip hop are hoping that his music gets heard on all the streets that he desires to reach with the gospel.
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Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Marcus HathcockIt's been four years now since KJ-52 appeared on the Christian rap scene. Most fans are familiar with 52 for his "controversial" song "Dear Slim," which challenges Eminem's worldview. It all started, however, with 7th Avenue, an ambitious hip-hop album that introduced a skeptical Christian rap audience to a fresh rapper who could preach like Billy Graham with the youthfully appealing style of…HM Magazine #91Reviewed by RockstarYou know Christian hip hop is starting to come a long way when the new emcees are doing covers of old hip hop songs. Hurray! (sarcasm) This project is actually quite nice, stirring into the roots of traditional hip hop. B-boying, emceeing, and deejaying are all fully recognized. There are nice interludes, funny quips, nice lyrics, and a fresh approach to what an emcee should be. KJ has been…ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Dean M.The name KJ-52 reminds me of a cheesy cable channel that shows uneventful, homemade television shows for those who have nothing better to watch. When I heard the first song I thought that's what I was getting: the sound of two guys talking about who the best emcee of all time is, with a corny 80's drum track behind it. The talking continued and it became obvious that the greatest emcee of all…Similar sounding releases
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