GospelFlava.com - Reviews - KJ-52 (Collaborations)

KJ-52
Collaborations

KJ-52 is back on the scene with a new label, a new project, and a seriously hot vibe. The Florida native, known for his uncanny vocal similarities to Eminem, has returned to the game with the aptly titled release Collaborations.

With over 16 tracks for your grooving pleasure, KJ-52 brings the truth wrapped in vocal stylistics that will keep your head spinning for a long time to come, helped heftily by production from Todd Collins and several others.

Partnering with a number of friends on this project, KJ-52 begins by connecting with John Reuben on the jazzy, East Coast flavored "The Choice is Yours". This is a remake of the early '90s hip-hop hot track of the same name by Black Sheep. For true hip-hop heads, this track will take you back to some of the formative years of hip-hop while infused with the message that Jesus Christ is the right choice.

He teams with Playdough on "Nursery Rhymes" and slickly incorporates the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb", describing Christ as the risen Lamb.

Nirva Dorsaint joins KJ on "Sonshine" and "Wait For You", one of the few tracks out there to speak of the importance of celibacy from the male perspective. KJ-52 is unapologetic about his stance on the subject and admonishes women to save themselves for marriage while challenging men to avoid playa status and gigolo-like reputations. His comparisons to sexually loose men and dogs in heat is something worth a serious listen.

"Where Were You" finds KJ-52 teaming with Golden Child to speak on the issue of child abuse and parental abadonment. It's a powerful cut that reminds us of the pain that many children experience growing up with an abusive and absent father.

While other collaborations on this project are notable, it's interesting to mention that regardless of the partnership, the skills of KJ-52 are consistently highlighted. He takes this album to address some important issues with a flow that is uniquely KJ-52. "5th Element" is literally five different songs merged together that ultimately offers Jesus Christ to all listeners.

"Industry" may be the most poignant song on the project. Designed as an interlude, the acapella flow talks about how ministry turned to ‘industry’ and how so many have lost their love for Christ in favor of the details of the industry. Here's an example of the potency of this track:

"How and when did it all begin as ministry turned to industry
Cause did Jesus need a manager, record label, distributor,
or even a booking agency?
When troubles came did He call on the name
or did turn to a lawyer to handle it?
Why do we ask God last, ignore the past,
but be the first to ask our management?
Cause next to Him, our glory's dim and comparison truly pales
Why does every move in which we choose seem
to revolve around our record sales?"

Not afraid of controversy, KJ-52 addresses his comparisons to Eminem in a cleverly crafted track titled "Dear Slim". This song is a take on Eminem's "Stan" in which KJ writes a letter to Slim Shady detailing their comparisons. While this track isn't designed to start the next Nas v. Jay-Z war, it is crafted to reach out to Eminem and offer him something he probably has never been offered....the love of Christ.

KJ-52

KJ also shows us his awesome rhyming ability in the track "ABCs and 1,2,3's" where he teams up with Billy Puddles to rhyme an entire song using every letter in the alphabet. It's simply off the hook!! If that's not enough, then there's "47 Emcees" where KJ manages to incorporate the names of 47 rappers in one rhyme. From Busta Rhymes to Ludacris, they're all in there!! This is all done over some slammin' beatbox provided by Boots McCracken.

As for the two hidden tracks on this album, one is titled "Coke Fry Cheeseburger", a fun track that pays homage to that Florida bass that is representative of his home state. The other is a hilarious track titled "Mullet Pride". He teams with Paige Fabrizio and an acoustic guitar to dedicate a track to the infamous mullet haircut.

"Collaborations" will remind the purest hip hop heads why the idiom and art form we call hip-hop is so powerful, and a perfect medium for offering the Gospel. Phat beats, humorous skits, hot rhythmic flow, and deep lyrics makes Collaborations a must-have and one of the best rap releases of 2002.

Producers: Various album release date: July, 2002
Uprok Records

— reviewed by Gerard Bonner —