The seven-member Cross Movement camp has earned high respect from the Gospel hip-hop community for their combination of superb skills, unwavering ministry and intense presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The crew has put forth two projects since 1997 (the Stellar Award nominated Heaven’s Mentality and their latest follow-up to that, House of Representatives, released in late 1999).

This, the third segment flowing from the camp, is titled Christology - In Laymen’s Terms, and serves as the solo debut from Cross Movement member, the Ambassador (aka William Branch).

The first track (let’s call it an ‘introlude’) sums up the overiding theme of the project, as the Ambassador declares in prayer, “I deliberately focus on your Person, and the work of your Son, Jesus Christ.” He elaborates in a subsequent interlude, “We focus in on Christ, the Person, the work, the pre-existence, the incarnation, the earthly ministry and His return.”

Elements of the same Philly-based, East Coast flava that brought acclaim to the two Cross Movement albums are also evident throughout this 21-track (74 minute) project. The Ambassador is variously joined by Cross Movement fellow crew members Cruz Cordero, The Phanatik, The Tonic and Enoch on individual cuts, with production work by lord Maji, Lee Jerkins as well as Branch (but none by T.R.U.-L.I.F.E., whose work characterizes previous CM projects).

There are some changes however, primarily marked by the inclusion of a few softer, more jazzy cuts which include vocal elements by names such as Erica Arthur and Angie (aka Creation) riding underneath the rap flows.

The lyrics and wordplay of each track are works of art, crammed with profound theology that is always relevant and approachable. It’s commendable that the artful, chunky CD booklet includes include the words to every single cut on this piece (excluding interludes). This makes even the reading of them a spiritual journey in those situations where it isn’t practical to play the walkman.

The project is musically versatile (within the East Coast realm), and so masterfully constructed that shining the spotlight on individual tracks seems like an injustice —this is one of those albums that truly deserves to be heard in its entirety. But here’s a sampling of some interesting tracks:

“Hold Your Ground” is a primarily an encouragement for Christian warriors to remain rooted in Christ, and is loaded with scratching from DJ Skillz Spinz and a wildly successful syncopated string-like sample, that provides more silence than beat. The Ambassador takes on the verses with a guest shot from The Phanatik on the chorus. Check these genius metaphors from the cut:

“Products of the City Life” (but yet we live for Christ), is a blunt testimonial track which again demonstrates that orchestral samples when used appropriately, can be phat. The flow runs fast and deep. “I Love You Jesus” takes a slight detour from the other tracks, falling into a smoothed out melodic vibe, with the groove boosted by acoustic guitar and the vocals of Erica Arthur on the chorus as The Ambassador delivers a ‘hands up’ praise flow. Admittedly, that’s just scratching the surface of what this project offers.

The essence of hip-hop is in keeping it real. Considering that the Ambassador delivers profound scriptural truth on every track, always confessing Jesus Christ as Reality, this project is the ultimate in legitimacy in the genre. There is zero confusion that this CD will generate mass appeal to those in the Gospel hip-hop community, and given the right exposure, beyond.

And there’s no doubt that this is the CD to check out if you really want to hear what’s going on in the genre today. You might just be blown away.

Producers: William Branch, Lee Jerkins, lord Maji album release date: November, 1999
Seventh Street Records

— reviewed by Stan North —

---

  All content in GospelFlava © copyright 1999. Any information reprinted
or broadcast from this site must be credited to GospelFlava.com