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 Gift Rap Cross Movement Records brings the first ever full-length holy hip hop Christmas album with Gift Rap.  Now, don’t get it twisted, this isn’t an album filled with hip hop remixes of traditional carols and holiday hymns.Rather, it’s an 11-track offering of all original “feel good” vibes for the Christmas season. This being a Christmas celebration, it's appropriate that there's a bevy of friends joining in on the festivities. Alongside The Cross Movement, to celebrate the birth of the Saviour are an entourage of guests including Rock Soul Entertainment artists J-Silas and Michelle Bonilla, as well as UK’s M.O.D. and languid lyricists Da’ T.R.U.T.H., J.R., Flame and S.O.U.L. The Cross Movement on "Tell You Why" starts this unique project off with the sound of bells jingling and a lyrically scenic walk through the common scenes of the Christmas season —roasting chestnuts, snow and family gatherings. The chorus completes the cut with a reminder of the real focus and purpose for the season “tell you why, it’s Jesus Christ, yeah.” On "Happy Birthday To Who?", the script is flipped in the telling of the nativity story. The light but hypnotic beat brings the lyrics alive while the focus recounts the true
Nestled between acoustic guitar licks and standard kicks, Tru-Life offers a sombre anthem for all those that are missing that 'someone' during the holiday season on "Different Kind of Christmas". He reminds the listener that unconditional love should be passed on during this time of year. Female vocal group S.O.U.L. injects mellowness into "Came Down", a nice integration of rap and vocals, with production from Official. J. Silas writes "Read The Book", a clever blend of syncopated reggae beats amidst rap flows and Michelle Bonilla's ad lib vocalizing. Lee Jerkins' and David Hackley's RockSoul production values ensures a seasonal groove. The Cross Movement's overseas counterparts, M.O.D., add their flava to "The King's Speech". Referencing the British custom of listening to the Queen's speech over the holidays, M.O.D. flips it to digress into the (greater) relevance of our King's (God's) word. Putting a fine point on the true meaning of the real meaning of Christmas, "This Day" closes out the album with a fresh, acoustic (guitar and bass) vocal ballad, featuring J.R. As the third and final offering of the Cross Movement 2004 Release Trilogy (which also includes Cross Movement’s Higher Definition and Flame’s self titled debut, Gift Rap proves to be a great gift for the Christmas holidays, in more ways than one.
Email This To A Friend Cross Movement Records — reviewed by Maria Capulong and Stan North —
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