Customer Reviews

Enter Mission

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I received the latest CD from Reach Records in the mail about a week ago. I wasn't sure what to expect, but figured that with 18 different tracks and over 20 artists featured, it would be hard to be disappointed. The CD is called "Entermission" by DJ Official. DJ Official is the deejay for the Reach family and this compilation shows off his skills in putting together tracks for all sorts of talents and genres. What I found was that, for the most part, I was very impressed with some of the tracks laid down by the "lesser known" guys in the world of Christian hip hop. What the listener will realize right off the bat is that you get all kinds of tracks when listening to the album. Which, because of this, some will really enjoy some tracks while wondering how others made the album at all. This is not to say that the tracks are weak, but just so different stylistically that it could be of less interest to some while more interest to others. But, this shouldn't be a surprise with an album that has a compilation of artists. Also know, this isn't an album with a bunch of remixes. From what I know of these tracks, most (besides one) are completely new.

Here is the list of tracks, including their artists, on the CD:

1. Enter The Mission - Dr. Eric Mason, DJ Official, R-Swift
2. Show Off - Lecrae & Flame
3. Use Me - Tedashii
4. Streets of New York - J.A.Z. & Magellen
5. Get Busy - Trip Lee
6. Go - H.G.A. & Tedashii
7. Not My Own - Stephen The Levite, Phanatik, Evangel
8. Love Fallen - Gems, Jahaziel, Benjah, Dillavou
9. Nothing Without You - JR & Lecrae
10. Chaos - Sho Baraka
11. Chisel Me - Thi'sl, Json, K-Drama, Tedashii
12. On My 116 - Lecrae, Tedashii, Sho Baraka, Trip Lee
13. Streets of Philadelphia - Mac The Doulos, Young Joshua, Ackdavis, R-Swift
14. Missio Dei - God's Servant
15. Forward Me - Cam
16. Outro (Thank You)
17. (bonus) For My Breakers
18. (bonus) Eyes Open Remix - Trip Lee & Sho Baraka

I will say that two tracks stuck out to me, and honestly believe, that if it wasn't for the biblical content, could be on mainstream radio right now. One is Streets of New York featuring J.A.Z. & Magellen, which DJ Official mixes in some great stringed instruments. The other has an R&B feel with Nothing Without You featuring JR & Lecrae. These two, by far, are my favorite tracks on the album.

One will also notice something completely different from Sho Baraka on track 10 with his song called Chaos. I had no clue it was Sho, and was shocked to find it was. It was more rough around the edges, and one that I ended up enjoying after the befuddled look left my face.

I think overall that the album is definitely a win and one that brings Reach's background man, DJ Official, to the forefront. Not only that, but the album exposes some other talents that might be less known to some. If you are a Reach Records fan, this album will not disappoint. Be ready to hear many different styles, including a raggae feel from track 8 titled, Love Fallen, featuring Gems, Jahaziel, Benjah, & Dillavou.

Not only were the tracks well laid out by DJ Official, but the lyrics follow the lead of the title of the CD so that the listener hears throughout what it means to truly Enter Mission.

Highly Recommended

I purchased several songs from this cd to create a "mix-tape" for the youth at my church. I was so impressed at how God is moving! We need this music to reach a young generation...by any means necessary!! I would recommend this album to anyone who wants the Word with a hip-hop flavor.

"the Christian by identity is a missionary..."

all i got to say is this is probably the hottest cd to come out this year, that i've heard anyway. its up there with Lecrae's REBEL. Reach Records never dissappoints.

EnterMission is less an album BY DJ Official and more a sampler or mix tape on the theme of urban mission featuring Reach Records artists and likeminded friends.

There's a massive variety on display here, which is both a strength and a weakness. If you like hip-hop there's bound to be tracks you love and tracks you hate. EnterMission serves you up everything from "Nothing Without You" (think Pink at her most feminine) to "Chisel Me" (a masochistic sanctification smackdown) to "Not My Own" (imagine speed reading Wayne Grudem while listening to nu-metal).

So, while they may not be your favourites, let me tell you mine

Some reviewers have described "Show Off" (Lecrae & Flame) as cheesy. I don't agree. To me the track is just playful and fresh (rather than fresh from the deli counter) and as fun is not one of Reach's strong points I say kudos to `em.

"Streets Of New York" (J.A.Z. & Magellan) is one of the best tracks by DJ Official evoking perfectly the knife edge tension of a city at flashpoint. The lyrics not only paint the picture in stark colours but motivate you to get out there.

"Go" features some insane speed rapping from H.G.A. (who are these guys?) & Tedashii.

"Love Fallen" (Gems, Jahaziel, BenJah & Dillavou) is the kind of track that shouldn't work but is easily one of the best on the album. Crossing so many boundaries that you feel dizzy, the blend of UK & Jamacian rappers meeting over a sizzling reggae track is inspired.

On an album full of gritty realism Sho Baraka's "Chaos" is the hardest hitting of them all. The backing is a claustrophobic Prodigy (Firestarter) style track, all alarms and skittering beats representing the moral chaos Sho is rapping about. This track is Huge.

Overall there's much to like on this album. DJ Official himself doesn't cast a big enough shadow to give it a cohesive identity but it would make a good first purchase if you're unfamiliar with Reach Records and want to check out the different artists.

What happens when you round up over twenty Christian Rap artists (a handful of whom are among some of the best in the genre) and put their skills to use towards one album?

Allow "Entermission" to answer that question for you.

Though I was left feeling that the project as a whole could have been just a bit more solid considering the "raw materials" with which it was constructed - DJ Official's production still proves itself to be a highly respectable addition to the world of Christian Rap & Hip Hop.

Fans of Reach Records and the 116 Clique will be pleased to find that nearly all of their favorite artists have made their mark on this album. Additionally, as a listener you will also find yourself being introduced to a handful of artists who you may be "meeting" for the first time.

As I mentioned earlier, there over twenty artists on the project, and therein lies both the album's strength and its weakness. On the plus side, we are treated to some amazing collaborations with such a formidable number of artists at work. Yet the other side of the coin demonstrates that having so many different artists on a project inevitably leads to a general lack of consistency.

In DJ Official's defense, I imagine that he was intentionally going for a street sounding mix tape feel and likely wanted to cast the spotlight on some of the new and up and coming artists in the Christian Rap genre.

Overall, "Entermission" contains a handful of songs that should not be missed, and because of this, I highly recommend picking it up. There really is something for everyone in this package.

Stand out songs include: "Show Off", "Use Me", "Get Busy", "Go", "Nothing Without You", "Chaos", "Chisel Me", and "On My 116".

Visit CrossRap for a detailed breakdown of the album where each song is rated individually.

This album is outstanding. Definitely some great productions coupled with solid, Christ-exalting lyrics. The summary is on point...to be on mission and to like Paul says "glorify God in the body." The whole album is great, but I particularly like "Get Busy." I highly recommend this album. To Jesus Christ be the glory!

There are two albums that i would give a non-believer in hopes of winning them over to Christ...There are two albums that i would give any christian in order to challenge them and to help them grow in Christ...the first being 13 Letters...and now Entermission...look past the banging beat and beyond the deep lyrics...to me this is biblical theology at is finest put into song...christians by indenity are missonaries...missions arn't just a tribut of arms...missions is who you are as a beleiver in Christ..sent into world to proclaim Missio Dei...i will go beyond saying this is a must have but to say this is essentially tool for every christian to have in their arsenal...

Just got this compilation and I am impressed beyond words. All of the tracks are tough and the lyrical content is on point. although i look for stand out tracks (i love doing mix tapes), the entire cd stands out due to its variety. but if i had to seriously choose, "go" and "on my 116" does it for me. if you like gospel rap or just venturing into the genre (like me), you may want to check this one out.

Brand new from Reach Records, this album is a Banger! DJ Official sets the tone raw and direct - Enter the Mission Field. A mix of artists, styles and beats with one clear message, Jesus hitting streets. This album will make you nod your head it will make you think and hopefully it will encourage you to live it out. From the established artists like Lecrae and Flame to the less known cats like God's Servant, Magellen and Young Josh - every jam is well crafted and pure.

Personal favorites are "Streets of New York", "Chisel Me", "Streets of Philadelphia", "Missio Dei" & "Forward Me" (An R&B track). Pick up this collaboration!

(...)

I love love love this album. I was elated to find that this wasn't just a cd of remixes but of original material by my favorite gospel rap minister! It is complete, and the theme is clear and present on all the tracks, reach record artists have tendency to do this. This album is challenging, you to accept the challenge that you are a missionary by definition as a Christian and it reminds us that our mission field is our own backyard.