Publication Date: June 17 2007
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In an industry currently offering little by way of tangible material reward, many press on regardless.
BLESSED MAN's latest album, COMMUNITY PROJECT, is his fifth release.
BLESSED MAN's latest album, COMMUNITY PROJECT, is his fifth release.
Time to find out why he keeps going...
UKG FIRST PLAY
BLESSED MAN is from that part of the old school that still keeps going regardless.
If you thought gospel music artists have it tough now, here are a few facts from our relatively recent history:
Back in the day (we're talking years, not decades), manufacture, design and marketing cost an absolute fortune. We had no Internet, affordable home CD burners, cheap printing and labelling. No free downloads, no artist websites streaming audio and video, no online radio, Satellite TV channels and certainly no MySpace. Airplay was almost exclusively dedicated to US brand name artists.
Five releases down the line, it seemed like a good time to chew the fat with someone who has seen a change or two in his time - and still goes on strong...
If you thought gospel music artists have it tough now, here are a few facts from our relatively recent history:
Back in the day (we're talking years, not decades), manufacture, design and marketing cost an absolute fortune. We had no Internet, affordable home CD burners, cheap printing and labelling. No free downloads, no artist websites streaming audio and video, no online radio, Satellite TV channels and certainly no MySpace. Airplay was almost exclusively dedicated to US brand name artists.
Five releases down the line, it seemed like a good time to chew the fat with someone who has seen a change or two in his time - and still goes on strong...
WE'LL START WITH THE USUAL: BACKGROUND AND STUFF...
SO: NO 'OLD SCHOOL' JOKES, THEN... YOU'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A BIT, THOUGH, STARTING WITH THE 'VETERANS' BACK IN THE DAY...
...AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO MINISTRY IN THE FIRST PLACE?
SO: NO 'OLD SCHOOL' JOKES, THEN... YOU'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A BIT, THOUGH, STARTING WITH THE 'VETERANS' BACK IN THE DAY...
...AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO MINISTRY IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Professionally, I graduated with a Degree in Biochemistry, so I am from a scientific background in that setting.
Ministerially and in terms of the faith, I graduated with a diploma in Practical Ministry and currently serve on the Pastors Council in my church. Musically, I am from a heavy Hip-hop background. My Hip-hop record collection is very impressive.
I was in a Hip-hop dance crew and was heavily involved in break dancing and body popping.
I started the ministry in 1992 as part of the group 'GBR' consisting myself, G.I.F.T.E.D and ROYALTY.
Ministerially and in terms of the faith, I graduated with a diploma in Practical Ministry and currently serve on the Pastors Council in my church. Musically, I am from a heavy Hip-hop background. My Hip-hop record collection is very impressive.
I was in a Hip-hop dance crew and was heavily involved in break dancing and body popping.
I started the ministry in 1992 as part of the group 'GBR' consisting myself, G.I.F.T.E.D and ROYALTY.
It was when I got saved in 1991. After receiving Christ, I felt a strong passion for evangelism, reaching people on the streets with the good news, but not as a rapper though, I must stress.
I was not a rapper in the world, and I had no intentions of rapping either. The whole rap ministry came about once I was a Christian. I knew G.I.F.T.E.D as a friend and as a rapper before he became a Christian. When I got saved, we started hanging out, and the rest is history baby!!
I was not a rapper in the world, and I had no intentions of rapping either. The whole rap ministry came about once I was a Christian. I knew G.I.F.T.E.D as a friend and as a rapper before he became a Christian. When I got saved, we started hanging out, and the rest is history baby!!
YOU'VE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO SEE SIGNIFICANT
CHANGES IN THE PAST DECADE OR SO...
WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT WHERE THE UK INDUSTRY IS RIGHT
NOW?
WHAT COULD BE BETTER...?
CHANGES IN THE PAST DECADE OR SO...
WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT WHERE THE UK INDUSTRY IS RIGHT
NOW?
WHAT COULD BE BETTER...?
Right now we have products to sell or give away at our gigs.
I remember doing shows and fans would ask to buy my CD, but I
didn't have any to sell them. Now when you come to my shows you will see a range of CDs.
I am talking about five different releases including three albums. But it doesn't stop with BLESSED MAN; the beauty is this is also true for the majority of UK artists now, and this has to be a good thing.
Support from our very own people in terms of airplay. It still amazes me how some DJs still aren't playing any UK material on their shows. This is a shame and can be very discouraging especially for those who have invested so much in the music.
I remember doing shows and fans would ask to buy my CD, but I
didn't have any to sell them. Now when you come to my shows you will see a range of CDs.
I am talking about five different releases including three albums. But it doesn't stop with BLESSED MAN; the beauty is this is also true for the majority of UK artists now, and this has to be a good thing.
Support from our very own people in terms of airplay. It still amazes me how some DJs still aren't playing any UK material on their shows. This is a shame and can be very discouraging especially for those who have invested so much in the music.
SO WHAT'S BLESSED MAN GOING TO DO ABOUT IT...?
I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU THIS: YOU'RE ON YOUR FIFTH PROJECT... WHAT MAKES YOU KEEP GOING IN AN INDUSTRY THAT - BROADLY SPEAKING - HAS FEW VISIBLE REWARDS...?
AND I KNOW FOR A FACT YOU'VE BEEN TO SOME UNUSUAL VENUES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. PRISON, FOR EXAMPLE. WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING WITH THE GOSPEL IN THOSE KIND OF PLACES...?
I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU THIS: YOU'RE ON YOUR FIFTH PROJECT... WHAT MAKES YOU KEEP GOING IN AN INDUSTRY THAT - BROADLY SPEAKING - HAS FEW VISIBLE REWARDS...?
AND I KNOW FOR A FACT YOU'VE BEEN TO SOME UNUSUAL VENUES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. PRISON, FOR EXAMPLE. WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING WITH THE GOSPEL IN THOSE KIND OF PLACES...?
Continue to speak against this attitude with every opportunity that I get. Continue to encourage fellow workers that ultimately it's about what God can do with the music and not to rely on man. If God opens the door no man is able to shut it....
This is ministry, and as such there are souls waiting to be saved through my obedience, so I cannot afford to stop. Even if I do not sell any CDs I will still keep it coming for the sake of just one more soul for Jesus. Always got to save one more for Jesus...
Oh man, it is well received, there is a true hunger out there for some positivity and the
This is ministry, and as such there are souls waiting to be saved through my obedience, so I cannot afford to stop. Even if I do not sell any CDs I will still keep it coming for the sake of just one more soul for Jesus. Always got to save one more for Jesus...
Oh man, it is well received, there is a true hunger out there for some positivity and the
the Good News of the gospel. Gone the days when people will laugh at you if you said you were a Christian. There is a real thirst for God now and we need to capitalise on that...
Respect, in my case. The sincerity and the power of God comes across so evidently when I am
rapping or just talking.
People can feel a real sense of God behind what I am doing, and as such show respect. There have been times when I have visited some unsaved friends in really difficult situations and after praying with them and God moving so mightily during the prayer, they would normally just tell me that they need to receive Christ.
The reason for this decision is obviously due to the fact that they have seen God at work very practically in their life. Basically we need to introduce God to people in the way that they can
Respect, in my case. The sincerity and the power of God comes across so evidently when I am
rapping or just talking.
People can feel a real sense of God behind what I am doing, and as such show respect. There have been times when I have visited some unsaved friends in really difficult situations and after praying with them and God moving so mightily during the prayer, they would normally just tell me that they need to receive Christ.
The reason for this decision is obviously due to the fact that they have seen God at work very practically in their life. Basically we need to introduce God to people in the way that they can
HOW DO FIND PEOPLE ACTUALLY RESPOND TO A CHRISTIAN UP IN THEIR SITUATION..?
...AND THE CHALLENGES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN IN THAT CONTEXT...?
...AND THE CHALLENGES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN IN THAT CONTEXT...?
relate to Him. God is so real and we need to make Him real in every aspects of our life.
Maintaining God's standard at all times in terms of holiness and godly living.
Not to be hypocritical but to sincerely serve God with every aspect of my life. Sometimes this is difficult because as we all know, the flesh is weak. Thank God he has sustained me so far. I must practice what I preach.
Maintaining God's standard at all times in terms of holiness and godly living.
Not to be hypocritical but to sincerely serve God with every aspect of my life. Sometimes this is difficult because as we all know, the flesh is weak. Thank God he has sustained me so far. I must practice what I preach.
..Not to be hypocritical but to sincerely serve God
with every aspect of my life. Sometimes this is
difficult because as we all know, the flesh is weak...
with every aspect of my life. Sometimes this is
difficult because as we all know, the flesh is weak...
AND MUSIC OBVIOUSLY PLAYS AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN YOUR INTERACTION WITH PEOPLE...
A QUICK WORD ABOUT YOUR APPROACH TO DESIGN AND PACKAGING:
ALTHOUGH IT'S STILL AN ISSUE, IT CERTAINLY ISN'T AS BAD AS IT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO.
YOU'RE ONE OF THE FEW THAT'S ALWAYS SPENT DECENT MONEY IN THE PRINTING, DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE RIGHT FROM THE OFF...
A QUICK WORD ABOUT YOUR APPROACH TO DESIGN AND PACKAGING:
ALTHOUGH IT'S STILL AN ISSUE, IT CERTAINLY ISN'T AS BAD AS IT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO.
YOU'RE ONE OF THE FEW THAT'S ALWAYS SPENT DECENT MONEY IN THE PRINTING, DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE RIGHT FROM THE OFF...
I find that people are more receptive to what I have to say once I have established that I am a
rapper. They look at me different...
Yeah man, the standard that God has placed in my heart right from the onset is one where my CDs could easy be placed amongst the well known names and not look shabby.
I have never had any problem with the shops stocking my CDs simply because the product is top quality - I cannot compromise on quality. This is why everything is currently been done
rapper. They look at me different...
Yeah man, the standard that God has placed in my heart right from the onset is one where my CDs could easy be placed amongst the well known names and not look shabby.
I have never had any problem with the shops stocking my CDs simply because the product is top quality - I cannot compromise on quality. This is why everything is currently been done
through my own label. I cannot afford to lower my standards.
It's my third album, and as per usual production is from the usual suspects including SPIRIT LED, SUPER D- LUX and MANTIS, not forgetting some USA input from G.I.F.T.E.D.
Artists featured include S.O.E, G.I.F.T.E.D, PALADINO, NATALIE PHILIPS, ROYAL PRIESTHOOD...
It was the name given to me to call it by the Lord. Now when I look at the whole package, 'Community Project' is the most appropriate name for the album. God knows Best!!!!!
The album addresses some key issues as to what is happening in our community right now. It encourages education and demotes violence, so typically there are tracks like STAY IN
It's my third album, and as per usual production is from the usual suspects including SPIRIT LED, SUPER D- LUX and MANTIS, not forgetting some USA input from G.I.F.T.E.D.
Artists featured include S.O.E, G.I.F.T.E.D, PALADINO, NATALIE PHILIPS, ROYAL PRIESTHOOD...
It was the name given to me to call it by the Lord. Now when I look at the whole package, 'Community Project' is the most appropriate name for the album. God knows Best!!!!!
The album addresses some key issues as to what is happening in our community right now. It encourages education and demotes violence, so typically there are tracks like STAY IN
ON TO THE ALBUM, THEN: AS USUAL, THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF GUEST APPEARANCES BOTH IN FRONT AND BEHIND THE PRODUCTION DESK...
WHY CALL IT 'COMMUNITY PROJECT'...?
WHY CALL IT 'COMMUNITY PROJECT'...?
SCHOOL, STREET LIFE, STOP THE VIOLENCE AND URBAN INSPIRATIONAL...
We're getting the album into as many stations as possible. We're also pushing the street campaign. I'm in the middle of recording a video for the first single and negotiating some distribution deal across Europe.
Definitely need to get out some more albums! I have written so many songs that needs to be released and heard.
I do feel right now that Blessed Records need to step up another gear in terms of signing up artist and releasing their materials. I feel more strongly now that it is time to bless the body of Christ in this manner...
We're getting the album into as many stations as possible. We're also pushing the street campaign. I'm in the middle of recording a video for the first single and negotiating some distribution deal across Europe.
Definitely need to get out some more albums! I have written so many songs that needs to be released and heard.
I do feel right now that Blessed Records need to step up another gear in terms of signing up artist and releasing their materials. I feel more strongly now that it is time to bless the body of Christ in this manner...
AND THE BIG PLAN FOR THE ALBUM...?
AND FINALLY: WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BLESSED MAN...?
AND FINALLY: WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BLESSED MAN...?
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