Shai Linne: Our God is in the Heavens

Man! This song is powerful! I find myself listening to it before work and during my lunchbreak. Our God is just so awesome!

Trip Lee: Satisfaction (Hedonist)

Lately I've been listening to one of my favorite Christian rappers, Trip Lee. His songs are great! Take this one, for example. Trip shows us that wealth, status, and worldly pleasures will never give us the true satisfaction that Christ offers. And he does it to a beat that just makes me wanna bounce! Or at least bob my head...

Lyrics:

Plumbline Collective: Ex (ft. JG Miles and Jay Remnant of iSix5)

 

I love this song because it reminds me where I came from, and that keeps me humble! I may not have been as bad as some of the guys in this song, but I was still "a wretched sinner in desperate need of His grace!" 
The chorus just blows my mind every time:

"I can't believe you died for me!

Ex-hypocrite, fornicator, slave to sin

At the point of the Cross I bow the knee

Ex-atheist, rebel, let the new begin!

You opened my eyes and I can finally see!

Grace through faith Lord, how can it be?

Ex-worshiper of self, I was addicted to me

Ex-hustler... but you set me free"

I Love You

I'm not a big fan of love songs. That's just how I am. But now and then, I stumble across one that I really like (see here and here). :)

Flame: Power

Here's a cool song by Flame that I've been enjoying lately. It's about God's power: some of the amazing things God has accomplished in people's lives, and the things He can accomplish in yours!
Lyrics:

[Chorus:]
He got power man, You ain't never seen it like this
He got power man, His words make the world exist
He got power man, He can turn your situation 'round
I've seen Him do it, do it, do it, do it, do it
[Verse 1:]
I've seen the Lord do a lot of things in my day
Time after time, He blows my mind and He blows my faith
I like to read, and see what He's done in the past
He can do in the present, if His people would ask
I've seen Him shut a whole strip down
Full of strip clubs, now the dude's a Christian now
Wow, now that's power like you've never seen
How He dug in the man, and made his soul clean
Oh, I've even seen Him heal a broken home
Couple couldn't get along, now you be like, 'get a room!'
Man, I'm so impressed with His slate
I want to trust Him more and more, and strengthen my faith
Yes, I hope you know it's true, all power's in God's hands
What can't you make it through, the proof is the God-man
Nobody took His life, but Jesus He laid it down
And three days later, yes, He popped outta the ground
[Chorus]
[Verse 2:]
Now for the record, we're talking about Almighty God
Please don't forget, what He did with Moses' rod
Please don't forget, when He split the Red Sea
What is a light bill, or a deadly disease
What is a marriage problem, or one that's on the rocks
To the One who speaks to storms, and storms stop
To the One who got Lazarus outta the grave,
Not after one, but two, three, four days
He is the Life, and the Resurrection
You give Him your filth, and get His perfection
I'm trying to get you to see, if He can save a soul
Defeat Satan and sin, all else is micro
And if He chooses to not grant a request
It's not because He lacks power, but He's seeking our best
It's not because He lacks strength, but He's seeking our good
Now go and walk through that trial, like Jesus would
[Chorus]
[Verse 3:]
I know some people in my hood, that's been struggling with some things
They've been addicted for so long, they don't think that they can change
Then I tell them about Jesus, and how He can set them free
But they choose to stay away, man now that's just unbelief
But He's worthy to be trusted, He's a keeper of His word
But it's either you don't believe in Jesus, or that's just scared
Now what you're scared of, you shouldn't be scared of your sin
And not trusting in His name, that's the danger you're in
But you ain't gotta stay that way, you can pray and confess
Live a, life of repentance, receive Jesus' best
Himself, His love, His grace, His power
Give you strength in the darkest hour, so you won't be devoured
Give you strength against temptation, because He's stronger than sin
He's much stronger, than your corruption, erupting within
He's much strong, than your addiction to sex or a drug
To alcohol, or a club
Homie, that's what He does
[Chorus]

Samson

The story of Samson, rapped out from Samson's point of view by iSix5. Personally, I really like this song... mainly for this line: "..I grabbed the first thing I saw... an animal bone: fresh donkey jaw..." XD

The lyrics in the video aren't perfectly accurate, but they'll do. Enjoy!

Shai Linne: The Glory of God, Ft. L.E. and Little Lexa

A very cool song I was introduced to lately. It's a little repetitive, but the lyrics are great and so is the music.

There is another version of this song that you've probably never heard before (dons hipster glasses), but it's certainly worth a listen! ;D           (link in case the embed doesn't work)



Professional rappers L.E. and Little Lexa give us their remix.

Andy Mineo VERSES Trip Lee!

Andy Mineo and Trip Lee are two of my favorite Christian Rappers, and the songs below are probably my favorites when it comes to their music. But here on VERSES, there can only be one!

In the Blue corner, with have Andy Mineo with Let there be Light. Probably my favorite song of his. Let's just say Andy Mineo brings a little "white and nerdy" to the world of Christian Rap and Hip-Hop. ;) The lyrics to this song are really good, though.

"We livin' in a dark world, how they gonna know
If we don't put His glory on display and let it show
So let there be light, let there be light,
Let there be light, let there be light"

And in the Red corner, we have Trip Lee with King Like Mine. My favorite song of his (next to Robot). Trip Lee's voice/accent is hilarious, but really fun to listen to. I don't like this song's lyrics as much as I do the music and the message.

"They ain't got a King like mine - on the front line on the scene like mine
Flawless - no he ain't clean like mine
Never has another been seen like mine"

Which song do you like better? Vote in the comments!

Perfect Storm, Ft. Battle Axe

I've been listening to a LOT of good Christian Rap lately. 

This song makes me want to explode! I wouldn't say I've had a hard life, but I have been through some times and situations that might be considered "tough"... and this song really just brings home WHY I had to go through what I went through! WHY He allowed me to suffer! WHY He did it all! He broke me down, but the man He broke down (if a man he could be called) was a horrible, crooked construction of lies and sin. The man He built back up was a new creation, for the purpose of His glory. He continues to refine me, and though the process may be painful, it's all for His Glory. He knows what He's doing, His plan is good, and He will accomplish it. Praise His name.

On That Cross: I Can't Believe You Died for Me!

Move over, Shai... JK. But wow... Flame has got to be one of my new favorite rappers. This song? It's moving. Extremely powerful. You must read the lyrics:

[HOOK:]
When you were on that cross
I can't believe you died for me
Oh Lord you gave me eyes to see
When I was lost
You showed me which way to go
Oh Lord you even saved my soul
When you were on that cross
[Repeat]

[VERSE:]
Yes, the Lord reigns robed in majesty
The
Mountains melt like wax
Before the Lord cause He's Holy
And it has to be
Nothing but pure reverence
By His wisdom
And understanding He stretched out the heavens
Who can
Endure His presence?
Let us make a joyful noise to the rock
Of our salvation
We praise Him with all that we've got
Even
The seas roar
Let the trees of the forest sing for joy as the
Rivers clap before the Lord
In case you've ever
Wondered
Why was it all done?
What is it for?
My Lord the
Stars moon and sun
Even the skies testify to your
Greatness
Revelation 4:11 praise for all your creation
It's all
For your glory
Through your infinite power
Your intricate
Skill is seen through a blossoming flower
But yet Father you
Were pleased to bruise your own Son
So that sinners could
Come and be redeemed
Amen

[HOOK:]
When you were on that cross
I can't believe you died for me
Oh Lord you gave me eyes to see
When I was lost
You showed me which way to go
Oh Lord you even saved my soul
When you were on that cross
[Repeat]

[VERSE:]
We spend a lifetime looking for satisfaction in
Wrong places
But a blind man embraces whatever catch his
Fall
But if he's spiritually blind and can't see that he's
Falling
Then quite naturally this cat a keep bumping into
Walls
But if a man who was also God offered him sight
Said
He could save him from his behavior and sorry plight
And
Give him eyes to see the beauty of God the creator
Would
He take Him by faith and stop putting up a fight?
Would he
Fall to the ground with his face to the pavement?
Just to
Worship the man who was God making His payment
For the
Sin he was born in that made him blind
And the debt he
Accumulated for loving lying
And bringing peace between
The one in which he has beef
And sins against every week
When he's hugging the streets
And bring him close by the
Power of the Holy Ghost
The same God who crushed His
Son 2000 years ago

[HOOK:]
When you were on that cross
I can't believe you died for me
Oh Lord you gave me eyes to see
When I was lost
You showed me which way to go
Oh Lord you even saved my soul
When you were on that cross
[Repeat]

[VERSE:]
Listen...
Every step Jesus took on the way to
Golgotha
Echoed throughout the universe - for you
Father
For the glory of God is of infinite worth
And his
Death'll justify many and bring new birth
And every blow to
His hands every thrust to his side
Every heave on the cross
Is for the glory of God
And now the murderer the prostitute
And even the thug
And average person can now be
Cleansed by blood?

[HOOK:]
When you were on that cross
I can't believe you died for me
Oh Lord you gave me eyes to see
When I was lost
You showed me which way to go
Oh Lord you even saved my soul
When you were on that cross
[Repeat]

This'l: I Ain't Turnin' Back!

Featuring FLAME.

WOW! This'l is an AMAZING Christian rapper... still not as good as Shai Linne, but still awesome. 

But this song? This song right here? It's my new anthem. My theme. I ain't turnin' back. I just got back from the Cincinnati homeschool convention, where I attended talks by Alex McFarland, Scott Klusendorf, and Ben Carson. And I am on fire and ready to do the Lord' Work however I can.

I couldn't find any accurate lyrics anywhere online (all of them had mistakes in them) so I won't post all the lyrics. But there are a few lines that I wanted to focus on:

"I'm through playing games; you can see it in my eyes!"

"Runnin' the same race! We on the same track! For the same God who resurrected His Son! Reflect on what He's done! Ain't no backwards to run!"

"...and I found my purpose. Now my life's a sacrifice, fam I'm livin' worship!"

A burning passion swells within my chest when I listen to this. I'm through playing games. It's time to fight. I ain't turnin' back!

Shai Linne: Regeneration

Whoa-ho!

I absolutely love this song. Shai Linne delivers a beautiful message about the doctrine of regeneration by the Holy Spirit; set to music as always. The music video is really cool and very fitting: it shows reversed photography of things being destroyed, so that it looks like they're being "un-destroyed" or re-made, the same way the Holy Spirit re-makes us through regeneration.

Jesus is Alive!

One of my favorite songs by Shai Linne; very catchy, and very true!
This is my favorite part:

"Criminal minded, you've been blinded
Lookin' for the body of Jesus? You won't find it
We never lack spirit, lettin' you cats hear it
Because His tomb is empty like most secular rap lyrics"

My other favorite line:

"No resurrection, Christianity would've never spread
The disciples weren't stupid guys 
Who would ruin their lives
And then choose to die
For what they knew was a lie"

There is another version of the same song, featuring Lecrae! I personally like the original better, but this one is still cool:

Alone

If there is any song that would make you think twice before condemning Christian rap, it's this one. I'm convinced that it will shake if not shatter all of your negative misconceptions about the genre.

This song is very... emotional. The picture of Jesus painted at the end is very beautiful and moving. I also like how the music goes on softly after the lyrics have ended, giving you time to reflect and meditate on what you've just heard.

Mission Accomplished

Shai Linne delivers a hard-hitting message on Limited Atonement and the efficacy of Christ's death. The typography is great without being showy or distracting, the lyrics are superb, and the beat is pleasant (especially for Hip-Hop).

Shai brings up a few points that I myself have never thought of. "If the election of the Father is not universal, and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit is not universal, then why would the atonement of the Son be universal?" Very good points.

Atonement Q&A with Shai Linne

Shai Linne and Stephen the Levite explore the definitions of some of the words surrounding the doctrine of atonement... set to music!

By the way, I highly recommend checking out Shai Linne's blog, Lyrical Theology.