On my 116 (Lecrae, Tedashii, Trip Lee, and Sho Baraka)
Streets of the Philadelphia
Missio Dei
Forward Me
Outro [Thank You]
Almost 10 years of experience in Christian Hip Hop, and even longer as a DJ in the Hip Hop world, are poured into the debut album from DJ Official. Modeled after the popular Mixtape format that floods the streets, DJ Offic... more »ial has created a diverse musical masterpiece with almost every well known christian rapper. Production is all courtesy of DJ Official, and the artist list is too long to mention everyone. Some highlights are Lecrae, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka, Tedashii, Flame, JR, plus about 15 more. East coast, south coast, even the across the pond in London are all contributing to the unique sound of EnterMission. In our lives we all dream of going somewhere to do something big for God. Many times we forget that in our own backyards is a rich mission field waiting for us. EnterMission seeks to awaken the listener to a world in need everywhere. Entering into a mission for the Lord means starting right where you are. Maybe it will take you across the world, but often times there is an opportunity with our own neighbor. We need everyone, everywhere, seeking the welfare of the city and pursuing ministry where God has planted them. What does a life on mission look like? Join DJ Official and a host of influential artists as they explore the issue on EnterMission.« less
Almost 10 years of experience in Christian Hip Hop, and even longer as a DJ in the Hip Hop world, are poured into the debut album from DJ Official. Modeled after the popular Mixtape format that floods the streets, DJ Official has created a diverse musical masterpiece with almost every well known christian rapper. Production is all courtesy of DJ Official, and the artist list is too long to mention everyone. Some highlights are Lecrae, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka, Tedashii, Flame, JR, plus about 15 more. East coast, south coast, even the across the pond in London are all contributing to the unique sound of EnterMission. In our lives we all dream of going somewhere to do something big for God. Many times we forget that in our own backyards is a rich mission field waiting for us. EnterMission seeks to awaken the listener to a world in need everywhere. Entering into a mission for the Lord means starting right where you are. Maybe it will take you across the world, but often times there is an opportunity with our own neighbor. We need everyone, everywhere, seeking the welfare of the city and pursuing ministry where God has planted them. What does a life on mission look like? Join DJ Official and a host of influential artists as they explore the issue on EnterMission.
CD Reviews
From Background to Forefront...
Contend Earnestly | 01/20/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I received the latest CD from Reach Records in the mail about a week ago. I wasn't sure what to expect, but figured that with 18 different tracks and over 20 artists featured, it would be hard to be disappointed. The CD is called "Entermission" by DJ Official. DJ Official is the deejay for the Reach family and this compilation shows off his skills in putting together tracks for all sorts of talents and genres. What I found was that, for the most part, I was very impressed with some of the tracks laid down by the "lesser known" guys in the world of Christian hip hop. What the listener will realize right off the bat is that you get all kinds of tracks when listening to the album. Which, because of this, some will really enjoy some tracks while wondering how others made the album at all. This is not to say that the tracks are weak, but just so different stylistically that it could be of less interest to some while more interest to others. But, this shouldn't be a surprise with an album that has a compilation of artists. Also know, this isn't an album with a bunch of remixes. From what I know of these tracks, most (besides one) are completely new.
Here is the list of tracks, including their artists, on the CD:
1. Enter The Mission - Dr. Eric Mason, DJ Official, R-Swift
2. Show Off - Lecrae & Flame
3. Use Me - Tedashii
4. Streets of New York - J.A.Z. & Magellen
5. Get Busy - Trip Lee
6. Go - H.G.A. & Tedashii
7. Not My Own - Stephen The Levite, Phanatik, Evangel
8. Love Fallen - Gems, Jahaziel, Benjah, Dillavou
9. Nothing Without You - JR & Lecrae
10. Chaos - Sho Baraka
11. Chisel Me - Thi'sl, Json, K-Drama, Tedashii
12. On My 116 - Lecrae, Tedashii, Sho Baraka, Trip Lee
13. Streets of Philadelphia - Mac The Doulos, Young Joshua, Ackdavis, R-Swift
14. Missio Dei - God's Servant
15. Forward Me - Cam
16. Outro (Thank You)
17. (bonus) For My Breakers
18. (bonus) Eyes Open Remix - Trip Lee & Sho Baraka
I will say that two tracks stuck out to me, and honestly believe, that if it wasn't for the biblical content, could be on mainstream radio right now. One is Streets of New York featuring J.A.Z. & Magellen, which DJ Official mixes in some great stringed instruments. The other has an R&B feel with Nothing Without You featuring JR & Lecrae. These two, by far, are my favorite tracks on the album.
One will also notice something completely different from Sho Baraka on track 10 with his song called Chaos. I had no clue it was Sho, and was shocked to find it was. It was more rough around the edges, and one that I ended up enjoying after the befuddled look left my face.
I think overall that the album is definitely a win and one that brings Reach's background man, DJ Official, to the forefront. Not only that, but the album exposes some other talents that might be less known to some. If you are a Reach Records fan, this album will not disappoint. Be ready to hear many different styles, including a raggae feel from track 8 titled, Love Fallen, featuring Gems, Jahaziel, Benjah, & Dillavou.
Not only were the tracks well laid out by DJ Official, but the lyrics follow the lead of the title of the CD so that the listener hears throughout what it means to truly Enter Mission.
Highly Recommended
"
True hip hop lives here
Derrick Stokes | macon, ga | 12/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
""the Christian by identity is a missionary..."
all i got to say is this is probably the hottest cd to come out this year, that i've heard anyway. its up there with Lecrae's REBEL. Reach Records never dissappoints."
Great album!!
Dj Shan | 02/15/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased several songs from this cd to create a "mix-tape" for the youth at my church. I was so impressed at how God is moving! We need this music to reach a young generation...by any means necessary!! I would recommend this album to anyone who wants the Word with a hip-hop flavor."
Reach Records Mix Tape
Matt Blick | Nottingham, UK | 05/23/2010
(3 out of 5 stars)
"EnterMission is less an album BY DJ Official and more a sampler or mix tape on the theme of urban mission featuring Reach Records artists and likeminded friends.
There's a massive variety on display here, which is both a strength and a weakness. If you like hip-hop there's bound to be tracks you love and tracks you hate. EnterMission serves you up everything from "Nothing Without You" (think Pink at her most feminine) to "Chisel Me" (a masochistic sanctification smackdown) to "Not My Own" (imagine speed reading Wayne Grudem while listening to nu-metal).
So, while they may not be your favourites, let me tell you mine
Some reviewers have described "Show Off" (Lecrae & Flame) as cheesy. I don't agree. To me the track is just playful and fresh (rather than fresh from the deli counter) and as fun is not one of Reach's strong points I say kudos to `em.
"Streets Of New York" (J.A.Z. & Magellan) is one of the best tracks by DJ Official evoking perfectly the knife edge tension of a city at flashpoint. The lyrics not only paint the picture in stark colours but motivate you to get out there.
"Go" features some insane speed rapping from H.G.A. (who are these guys?) & Tedashii.
"Love Fallen" (Gems, Jahaziel, BenJah & Dillavou) is the kind of track that shouldn't work but is easily one of the best on the album. Crossing so many boundaries that you feel dizzy, the blend of UK & Jamacian rappers meeting over a sizzling reggae track is inspired.
On an album full of gritty realism Sho Baraka's "Chaos" is the hardest hitting of them all. The backing is a claustrophobic Prodigy (Firestarter) style track, all alarms and skittering beats representing the moral chaos Sho is rapping about. This track is Huge.
Overall there's much to like on this album. DJ Official himself doesn't cast a big enough shadow to give it a cohesive identity but it would make a good first purchase if you're unfamiliar with Reach Records and want to check out the different artists.
"
9.2 out of 10 rating from CrossRap - Gold Medal Winner
S. Feld | 05/05/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What happens when you round up over twenty Christian Rap artists (a handful of whom are among some of the best in the genre) and put their skills to use towards one album?
Allow "Entermission" to answer that question for you.
Though I was left feeling that the project as a whole could have been just a bit more solid considering the "raw materials" with which it was constructed - DJ Official's production still proves itself to be a highly respectable addition to the world of Christian Rap & Hip Hop.
Fans of Reach Records and the 116 Clique will be pleased to find that nearly all of their favorite artists have made their mark on this album. Additionally, as a listener you will also find yourself being introduced to a handful of artists who you may be "meeting" for the first time.
As I mentioned earlier, there over twenty artists on the project, and therein lies both the album's strength and its weakness. On the plus side, we are treated to some amazing collaborations with such a formidable number of artists at work. Yet the other side of the coin demonstrates that having so many different artists on a project inevitably leads to a general lack of consistency.
In DJ Official's defense, I imagine that he was intentionally going for a street sounding mix tape feel and likely wanted to cast the spotlight on some of the new and up and coming artists in the Christian Rap genre.
Overall, "Entermission" contains a handful of songs that should not be missed, and because of this, I highly recommend picking it up. There really is something for everyone in this package.
Stand out songs include: "Show Off", "Use Me", "Get Busy", "Go", "Nothing Without You", "Chaos", "Chisel Me", and "On My 116".
Visit CrossRap for a detailed breakdown of the album where each song is rated individually."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
