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Widely
considered one of the most talented and innovative holy hip
hop artists in the UK, Jahaziel has been causing a stir on
the music scene for almost a decade. His explosive and hard-hitting
rhymes enable his message to impact a wide audience. This year he was nominated in the category of Best Gospel Act in the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards.
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Jahaziel is a man on a mission, his lyrics speaking deep truths,
resulting in him being a positive force. Recognising music
as a powerful communicative tool, Jahaziel knows rap is a
language many understand, and it especially strikes a chord
with the younger generation. Driven by his love for God, mankind
and music, Jahaziel has a heart for people, and specifically
possesses a passion for the youth. With his own experiences
of a life of crime, Jahaziel understands the minds of young
people caught up in street culture and ghetto lifestyle. He
is able to relate to the feelings of hopelessness they face,
and comes to shine a light in darkness. For many years he
has been involved in youth projects, leading workshops and
initiatives in schools and prisons for young men who especially
need reaching. Jahaziel feels a huge sense of responsibility
towards them and desires to encourage and empower youth.
Jahaziel features heavily on the live circuit, co-founding
the London hip hop collective ZionNoiz. He made a guest appearance
on Daniel Bedingfield’s platinum-selling and Grammy
nominated album ‘Gotta Get Thru This’. Furthermore
he has appeared on stage with gospel greats, including Kim
Burrell and platinum-selling US Gospel artist Kirk
Franklin, while having collaborated with UK artists Four
Kornerz and Raymond & Co. |
 Jahaziel
at da
Vision |
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 When I became a Christian I threw away my 50 Cent and Eminem CDs (nothing to do with G Craige Lewis, more to do with the content). Imagine my joy when I heard a rapper with uplifting lyrics who was not only making good music but talking about what was going on in my part of south London. — Clarkyboy |
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Defining his music as God-inspired, it includes a gospel message,
yet also deals with real life issues of the human experience.
He is influenced by reggae/dancehall due to a Jamaican bloodline
and a familiarity with the culture, which is evident in his
music. In addition, his upbringing in multi-cultural London
has enabled him to bring a fresh approach to music. Unafraid
to take risks, Jahaziel’s musical creativity has pushed
parameters and generated a reputation as a pioneer. He is
truly a unique and inspirational individual; an exciting artist
who has captured the imagination of audiences and caught the
attention of the music world.
All these factors led to Jahaziel winning two Oasis awards
in 2006; Best Male and Best Holy Hip Hop Artist. It proved
to be a pivotal year as he also featured on ‘The New
Sound of Gospel’ album, his first official release.
Jahaziel’s first track ‘You Got Yours’ can
be found on the compilation which features some of the very
best in US and UK contemporary Gospel music. This proved Jahaziel
as an instrumental part of the developing diverse sound of
gospel music and created international exposure at a new level.
Since then Jahaziel has been working relentlessly in the studio
to complete his debut album ‘Ready To Live’. |
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| Jahaziel
at Ghetto Glory |
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Ready
to Live: Jahaziel
UK Christian hip hop comes of age with this debut album from
south London's Jahaziel Elliott. Standout tracks include the
anti-gun 'In My Neighborhood', lyrical smoothy 'Trust', and
lively 'Jesus'. Guest artists include Ryan Carty, and Daniel
Bedingfield features on an unlisted bonus track. This album
has been a long time coming, but it was well worth the wait.
Through a process of experience and development, Jahaziel
has been on a personal and musical journey which has caused
him to produce world-class material. Showcasing his advanced
lyricism, the incredible ‘Ready To Live’ will
break moulds and set new standards in the gospel genre, the
worldwide hip hop scene and music as a whole.
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Got
something to say? Please share your comments. |
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You
may have heard of a controversial series of DVDs called The
Truth Behind Hip Hop. These are produced by G Craige Lewis
of EX Ministries, and are proving to be remarkably popular
with young people. However, many take issue with Lewis's claims.
The
Truth Behind Hip Hop Exposed |
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Is it
possible to have holy hip hop? According to G Craige Lewis
of The Truth Behind Hip Hop the answer is no. He claims that
hip-hop is not music, but a religion. However, many take a
different view, believing that the church can use rap music
to reach out to young people.
Holy
Hip Hop |
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Not everyone
agrees with what G Craige Lewis says in The Truth Behind Hip
Hop DVDs. Holy hip hoppers Hazakim felt the need to respond
with a controversial rap called The Truth Behind Craige. You
can read what motivated their response here.
 Hip
Hop Strikes Back |
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Gun
violence seems to follow the rapper 50 Cent, who has himself
been shot nine times, and always wears a bulletproof vest.
Now it's claimed that 'Fiddy' makes a profit out of the misery
of parents who are burying their children.
Is
50 Cent Bulletproof?: Rap Music and Violence |
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