Publication date: 15 August 2005
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Another UK Gospel.com Report
Back in April THE 29th CHAPTER had an unlikely win in
the HALCYON SOUNDS-organised 'Battle Of The
Bands'. They were the only Hip-hop group in a rock
band-dominated line up. I had a chat with them then.
At the time I also promised a series articles on the guys,
who are by far and away the most polished, electrifying
live Hip-hop group I have seen (and the HALCYON
judges obviously agreed). Well, here's the second one.
And even as this goes live, 29 are back on the road (this
is the height of the Christian mainstream's festival
season, after all). This feature makes for quite an
interesting insight into a band that journalist and
broadcaster MIKE RIMMER believes are good, but has
not even begun to deliver on their strong potential.
the HALCYON SOUNDS-organised 'Battle Of The
Bands'. They were the only Hip-hop group in a rock
band-dominated line up. I had a chat with them then.
At the time I also promised a series articles on the guys,
who are by far and away the most polished, electrifying
live Hip-hop group I have seen (and the HALCYON
judges obviously agreed). Well, here's the second one.
And even as this goes live, 29 are back on the road (this
is the height of the Christian mainstream's festival
season, after all). This feature makes for quite an
interesting insight into a band that journalist and
broadcaster MIKE RIMMER believes are good, but has
not even begun to deliver on their strong potential.
L-R (standing): DANGEROUS, NAVIGATOR,
L-R (seated): Mr PRINCE, McGLADIUS
L-R (seated): Mr PRINCE, McGLADIUS
Check out the next instalment of the 'UK Gospel.com
meets 29th CHAPTER' story...
meets 29th CHAPTER' story...
First off, congratulations on winning. I imagine it must have been tough; lone Hip-hop
heads right in the thick of CCM and Rock. So what was it actually like on the night...?
I know you had 20 minutes for the set. What tracks did you do..?
heads right in the thick of CCM and Rock. So what was it actually like on the night...?
I know you had 20 minutes for the set. What tracks did you do..?
NAVIGATOR: Thanks bro. It was a good night. There was a good vibe between all the
bands; we had to get on with each other because we were sharing a room together.
The crowd was very mixed in terms of supporters so it was interesting how every
band had a different response. We did stick out though.
NAVIGATOR: We did our opening action/dance intro, 'putting on the Armour of God',
followed by FULL TIME, GET BACK UP, GONNA GET EM SAVED and finished on
WHAT'S THAT SOUND/KNEES UP mix. We managed to pack quite a lot in to that
time.
bands; we had to get on with each other because we were sharing a room together.
The crowd was very mixed in terms of supporters so it was interesting how every
band had a different response. We did stick out though.
NAVIGATOR: We did our opening action/dance intro, 'putting on the Armour of God',
followed by FULL TIME, GET BACK UP, GONNA GET EM SAVED and finished on
WHAT'S THAT SOUND/KNEES UP mix. We managed to pack quite a lot in to that
time.
And the crowd's response...?
NAVIGATOR: Well those who were supporting us
were up in it. Then there were those who had come
to support other groups and obviously they were
trying not to feel it. Then there were those who just
don't know what to do when a rap group comes on
so they just stare. Then there were those who
were up in it. Then there were those who had come
to support other groups and obviously they were
trying not to feel it. Then there were those who just
don't know what to do when a rap group comes on
so they just stare. Then there were those who
weren't supporting anyone but slightly nodded their heads. It was a very interesting
audience...
DANGEROUS: No-one can deny a good beat. Since the dawn of time, rhythm has
made people move. But above that, I think that when we are on stage people see more
than just the music. People are drawn to passion and that is one of the key things that
I think attract people to us... to quote McGLADIUS' lyrics: 'Life-giving truth that'll make
punk rockers conform'!
audience...
DANGEROUS: No-one can deny a good beat. Since the dawn of time, rhythm has
made people move. But above that, I think that when we are on stage people see more
than just the music. People are drawn to passion and that is one of the key things that
I think attract people to us... to quote McGLADIUS' lyrics: 'Life-giving truth that'll make
punk rockers conform'!
Interesting how you describe it. So what about the music appreciation dimension?
Obviously it's primarily a music event, but I don't imagine people will suddenly become
Hip-hop fans just because it about the gospel...
OK, so how do you approach gigs like that in your heads, in terms of the planning of it?
What's the whole 'fish-out-of-water' thing actually like when you're representing
Hip-hop in that kind of environment...?
Obviously it's primarily a music event, but I don't imagine people will suddenly become
Hip-hop fans just because it about the gospel...
OK, so how do you approach gigs like that in your heads, in terms of the planning of it?
What's the whole 'fish-out-of-water' thing actually like when you're representing
Hip-hop in that kind of environment...?
DANGEROUS: We have a formula that works at every show we do... Go out strong
and drop it like it's hot. If you pump out neck-cricking head bangers at shows people
will enjoy them! Win the crowd with heavy beats and blapse them with heavy truth.
NAVIGATOR: To be honest we're used to sticking out anyway, as you know. We are
not your typical Hip-hop crew in any shape or form. It really wasn't a big deal though.
And most of the shows we do are to non Hip-hop audiences anyway, so it's a case of
winning the crowd over in the usual way. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. I
think a lot of people seemed to respect the fact that we're doing something different...
and drop it like it's hot. If you pump out neck-cricking head bangers at shows people
will enjoy them! Win the crowd with heavy beats and blapse them with heavy truth.
NAVIGATOR: To be honest we're used to sticking out anyway, as you know. We are
not your typical Hip-hop crew in any shape or form. It really wasn't a big deal though.
And most of the shows we do are to non Hip-hop audiences anyway, so it's a case of
winning the crowd over in the usual way. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. I
think a lot of people seemed to respect the fact that we're doing something different...
One of the key aspects of your
campaign to get people out to
the event was this thing about
showing people how Hip-hop can
be positive.
Do you think 'gospel Hip-hop' -
don't quite like the term - also
has the same kind of image
problem as mainstream Hip-hop?
campaign to get people out to
the event was this thing about
showing people how Hip-hop can
be positive.
Do you think 'gospel Hip-hop' -
don't quite like the term - also
has the same kind of image
problem as mainstream Hip-hop?
McGLADIUS: I think there is an
emerging debate surrounding
the use of Hip-hop, a seemingly negative and ungodly culture to promote the gospel
message. Often we have young people coming up to us saying "But your rapping had
no swearing in it?" And my answer is often, "Yea, you're right, that's because we want
to fill our bars with the message that will change your life". Particularly within church
circles there have been questions raised concerning the destructiveness of Hip-hop
culture and its use for evangelism. There is a fear that the MUSIC will never be able to
shake off the grip of its negative image...
However, a closer look at Hip-hop music, away from the mainstream will show us that
aspects of Hip-hop music are quite positive. There are a number of entirely different
rap scenes, including the Gospel scene, that are putting out Hip-hop music that is
positive and thought provoking. Break-dancing, rapping, DJing, music production and
other related art forms are very positive and creative outlets to get alongside young
people and build relationships. We find ourselves in a Hip-hop driven youth culture, that
is lost and in need of Jesus.
emerging debate surrounding
the use of Hip-hop, a seemingly negative and ungodly culture to promote the gospel
message. Often we have young people coming up to us saying "But your rapping had
no swearing in it?" And my answer is often, "Yea, you're right, that's because we want
to fill our bars with the message that will change your life". Particularly within church
circles there have been questions raised concerning the destructiveness of Hip-hop
culture and its use for evangelism. There is a fear that the MUSIC will never be able to
shake off the grip of its negative image...
However, a closer look at Hip-hop music, away from the mainstream will show us that
aspects of Hip-hop music are quite positive. There are a number of entirely different
rap scenes, including the Gospel scene, that are putting out Hip-hop music that is
positive and thought provoking. Break-dancing, rapping, DJing, music production and
other related art forms are very positive and creative outlets to get alongside young
people and build relationships. We find ourselves in a Hip-hop driven youth culture, that
is lost and in need of Jesus.
Famous rapper KRS One said, Rap is something you do, Hip-hop is something you live.
THE 29th CHAPTER believes that Jesus transforms hearts and minds and that when
young people accept Him into their lives, Hip-hop becomes something you do and
Jesus becomes what you live.
NAVIGATOR: To be honest, this was the first time we had come across the company.
The company is run by one man, similar to your set up with UK Gospel. From what I
gather HALCYON SOUNDS supports and promotes the Christian music scene
generally. They do everything from events organisation and advertising to band
management. As far as I am aware they are going through some changes at the
moment but the heart behind it is support for Christian music, and that's a good thing.
THE 29th CHAPTER believes that Jesus transforms hearts and minds and that when
young people accept Him into their lives, Hip-hop becomes something you do and
Jesus becomes what you live.
NAVIGATOR: To be honest, this was the first time we had come across the company.
The company is run by one man, similar to your set up with UK Gospel. From what I
gather HALCYON SOUNDS supports and promotes the Christian music scene
generally. They do everything from events organisation and advertising to band
management. As far as I am aware they are going through some changes at the
moment but the heart behind it is support for Christian music, and that's a good thing.
Tell me a bit more about HALCYON SOUNDS itself (the company, not the event)
How does a Hip-hop group get mixed up in something like a HALCYON SOUNDS'
'Battle Of The Bands'..?
How does a Hip-hop group get mixed up in something like a HALCYON SOUNDS'
'Battle Of The Bands'..?
NAVIGATOR: We literally stumbled across it, I think through a link on the Cross
Rhythms website. We had a publicist working for us at the time and she spotted this competition. So we entered without really knowing who we would be up against or
what the competition would entail.
At first it was just another opportunity to
get more exposure and get our name out.
After a while it became a chance to be
representatives for the Urban music
scene in Christian circles.
Rhythms website. We had a publicist working for us at the time and she spotted this competition. So we entered without really knowing who we would be up against or
what the competition would entail.
At first it was just another opportunity to
get more exposure and get our name out.
After a while it became a chance to be
representatives for the Urban music
scene in Christian circles.
And why was it important for you to step
up to it...?
You're probably better known on the
'White' scene than you are the Black one...
up to it...?
You're probably better known on the
'White' scene than you are the Black one...
Yep, definitely, the way God has opened doors for us we have seemed to get more
exposure in very different circles. Doing festivals like SOUL SURVIVOR and meeting
artists like THE TRIBE and TIM HUGHES made our route take quite a turn. We're
working on balancing out our exposure though...
NAVIGATOR: Actually that is not true. Two of our guys are (obviously) white and
their church backgrounds are not black churches at all. The two black guys (MR
PRINCE and myself) came from Elim and Assemblies of God Pentecostal Churches,
which are very multi-racial.
To be honest it does bug us that the wider Christian mainstream has taken so long to acknowledge our style of music as credible and relevant, and it is important to us that
they recognise Rap more, but it is not the central focus of what we do...
exposure in very different circles. Doing festivals like SOUL SURVIVOR and meeting
artists like THE TRIBE and TIM HUGHES made our route take quite a turn. We're
working on balancing out our exposure though...
NAVIGATOR: Actually that is not true. Two of our guys are (obviously) white and
their church backgrounds are not black churches at all. The two black guys (MR
PRINCE and myself) came from Elim and Assemblies of God Pentecostal Churches,
which are very multi-racial.
To be honest it does bug us that the wider Christian mainstream has taken so long to acknowledge our style of music as credible and relevant, and it is important to us that
they recognise Rap more, but it is not the central focus of what we do...
You guys are one of a growing number coming out of the 'Black church' and taking the
music out to the wider Christian mainstream. Why is that important to you...?
Good point, (and my bad). And being a multiracial group you're probably better placed
than most to talk about the black/white/integration issues in the UK church. What's
your take on that...?
music out to the wider Christian mainstream. Why is that important to you...?
Good point, (and my bad). And being a multiracial group you're probably better placed
than most to talk about the black/white/integration issues in the UK church. What's
your take on that...?
However, being full time in this means that the more people that respect and support
this music, the more openings we get to do our thing.
DANGEROUS: Speaking personally this whole race thing always confuses me a bit in
that I get a bit sick of people being so hung up on it. My mum is Argentine and my dad
English, and as my mum used to say I'm 100% English and 100% Argentine. The (US
Hip-hop group) CROSS MOVEMENT put it perfectly: it's 'holy culture' we should strive
for which means colour or race should have no bearing. That does not mean that I'm
naïve to the fact that some people can't see past it, and I've had times in my life where
people told me I had no place trying to do 'Black' music.
But music belongs to no man. God invented Rap and so he calls the shots on who
should and should not Rap (not that everyone listens to Him!). So if he wants a slightly
off-white farmer boy from the country to pick up a mic and rep for him then I'll obey.
this music, the more openings we get to do our thing.
DANGEROUS: Speaking personally this whole race thing always confuses me a bit in
that I get a bit sick of people being so hung up on it. My mum is Argentine and my dad
English, and as my mum used to say I'm 100% English and 100% Argentine. The (US
Hip-hop group) CROSS MOVEMENT put it perfectly: it's 'holy culture' we should strive
for which means colour or race should have no bearing. That does not mean that I'm
naïve to the fact that some people can't see past it, and I've had times in my life where
people told me I had no place trying to do 'Black' music.
But music belongs to no man. God invented Rap and so he calls the shots on who
should and should not Rap (not that everyone listens to Him!). So if he wants a slightly
off-white farmer boy from the country to pick up a mic and rep for him then I'll obey.
NAVIGATOR: I am actually of West Indian and Asian origin (my dad is from Grenada
and my mum is from Sri Lanka). In my experience we have found negatives on both
sides. When Mr PRINCE and I started out we used to do a lot of black church events
and although we were doing Rap music, people could see that we weren't the norm.
Plus we were from West London, which is a very multi-racial area compared to South
and East London. So we felt we weren't taken seriously.
Then on the other hand, as THE 29th CHAPTER developed we found more doors were
opening in white church circles but many in these arenas didn't respect our music, so
we had to battle that. But God has been doing great things to bridge these gaps and
we have seen a lot of development between black and white churches. Ultimately, I
thank God for putting me in a crew with an African, an Argentine Englishman and a
Canadian-born Irishman to represent a Christ culture and nothing less!
McGLADIUS: Well I'm the Irish rapper of the crew; it doesn't sound right does it? And
that's exactly it. That's exactly why I think THE 29th CHAPTER works so well, we
cannot be pigeon-holed and neither can God. I get the sense that people seek to put a
and my mum is from Sri Lanka). In my experience we have found negatives on both
sides. When Mr PRINCE and I started out we used to do a lot of black church events
and although we were doing Rap music, people could see that we weren't the norm.
Plus we were from West London, which is a very multi-racial area compared to South
and East London. So we felt we weren't taken seriously.
Then on the other hand, as THE 29th CHAPTER developed we found more doors were
opening in white church circles but many in these arenas didn't respect our music, so
we had to battle that. But God has been doing great things to bridge these gaps and
we have seen a lot of development between black and white churches. Ultimately, I
thank God for putting me in a crew with an African, an Argentine Englishman and a
Canadian-born Irishman to represent a Christ culture and nothing less!
McGLADIUS: Well I'm the Irish rapper of the crew; it doesn't sound right does it? And
that's exactly it. That's exactly why I think THE 29th CHAPTER works so well, we
cannot be pigeon-holed and neither can God. I get the sense that people seek to put a
label on what side a group is from, and therefore what audience they are going to
appeal to most. I often hear people saying when I'm going to a gig or church, 'that's a
black church' or 'that's a white event'. It is just terminology people use to express what
people should expect from a white or black event. THE 29th CHAPTER represent so
many different cultures that it's hard to know what to expect. We seek to challenge
the cataloguing of music in the UK church in order to appeal to listeners from every
culture and walk of life.
Mr PRINCE: As a crew I think that our racial diversity is one of the greatest
testimonies of the power of God at work in ordinary people. The fact that we can stand
on stages with completely different ethnic origins and yet profess the same truths and
work together in love and unity is a great testimony of the power of God at work. It is
exciting to see the doors of both camps slowly opening, both the Black Majority
Churches and the White Churches. I think the work of organisations such as SOUL
SURVIVOR and initiatives such as SOUL IN THE CITY have been great catalyst in
seeing this happen.
appeal to most. I often hear people saying when I'm going to a gig or church, 'that's a
black church' or 'that's a white event'. It is just terminology people use to express what
people should expect from a white or black event. THE 29th CHAPTER represent so
many different cultures that it's hard to know what to expect. We seek to challenge
the cataloguing of music in the UK church in order to appeal to listeners from every
culture and walk of life.
Mr PRINCE: As a crew I think that our racial diversity is one of the greatest
testimonies of the power of God at work in ordinary people. The fact that we can stand
on stages with completely different ethnic origins and yet profess the same truths and
work together in love and unity is a great testimony of the power of God at work. It is
exciting to see the doors of both camps slowly opening, both the Black Majority
Churches and the White Churches. I think the work of organisations such as SOUL
SURVIVOR and initiatives such as SOUL IN THE CITY have been great catalyst in
seeing this happen.
Interesting points... OK, this will be a good time to check out some background. Let's
take it back a bit. What's the 29 history...?
take it back a bit. What's the 29 history...?
NAVIGATOR: Well, it's a long story but I'll try and keep it brief. I started out with Mr
PRINCE and as a crew called SET APART. We met another brother called Yinka (Not
UKG Yinka), doing a lot of street evangelism together. God gave us the vision for
forming a larger crew with the desire to see the power of God that we read about in
the book of Acts, move in our ministry, hence the name ACTS 29.
We also knew DANGEROUS from a summer camp that we did with his church a few
PRINCE and as a crew called SET APART. We met another brother called Yinka (Not
UKG Yinka), doing a lot of street evangelism together. God gave us the vision for
forming a larger crew with the desire to see the power of God that we read about in
the book of Acts, move in our ministry, hence the name ACTS 29.
We also knew DANGEROUS from a summer camp that we did with his church a few
