Embracing the Rain's interview with Beatlab7

 

 

ETR:  Can you give us a brief background on how your group/CD came about? 

 

Crucial:  Referring to the BeatLab 7 Compilation “Music Meets the Truth” 2007:  My co-producer (saint jon) and I  decided to put out an album that would feature all of our production, along with some awesome artists in ministry from around the country.  I am an artist under Rock Solid Records in Charlotte, NC.  I also head up BeatLab 7 Productionz with my partner, s.a.i.n.t. jon.  We tour and perform at a lot of events and being so heavily involved, it’s hard to put out stuff for “free”.  So we decided that this would be something that we could put out free of charge.  “Music Meets the Truth” can be downloaded at www.beatlab7.com.  No strings attached, just a FREE ALBUM!

 

ETR:  How many people were involved in the making of the CD and where are you all from? 

 

 

Crucial: Well, each of the artists did their part by writing their own verses and recording in professional studios in their areas.  We, the producers, provided the beats.  I mixed and mastered the entire album in my recording studio here in Charlotte (CrossWorks Studio).

 

ETR:  Your words and music are powerful what kind of response have you had to your CD? 

 

Crucial:  The response has been ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!  We just released the album 15 weeks ago (released February 7th, 2007) and have already accumulated over 12,000 downloads now (They just keep going up and up and up, GOD IS DOING GREAT THINGS!)  We continue to receive emails and phone calls from people all over the country and in different parts of the world, who have been truly blessed by the production.  Youth Pastors continue to email us, confirming that they liked the album so much, they’ve downloaded copies for their entire youth!  We have been getting played on many podcast shows and other internet radio stations across the United States, as well as some minor rotation on a few MAJOR radio stations.  People seem to really love the music.  People that don’t even like “rap” are saying that they truly love it and that it has changed a lot of their perspective on Christian rap.  We really wanted to break through barriers with this project, and by the grace of GOD, we have!

 

 

ETR:  Do you plan on coming out with another CD in the near future? 

 

Crucial:  BeatLab 7 plans on doing this every year.  Look out for “Music Meets the Truth” 2008!  As a solo artist, I am working on a new album.  S.A.I.N.T. JON is working on a new album as well. . .

  

ETR:  In the music industry it is mostly about making money. You all have amazing talent and could easy cross over into the secular world of music, how do you resist that temptation? 

 

Crucial:  We’ve been resisting it for YEARS now.  We’ve already had multiple opportunities to cross over and sell out.  To pursue this kind of “calling”, you really have to know Who it is that you serve.  Once you lose sight of that, you’ll lose sight of everything.  We’ve proven several times over and over again that we can’t and WON’T be bought.  I’m sure we will continue to have offers and temptations so we continue to be in daily prayer about what God is doing with our ministry in music.

 

ETR:  Do any of you have any other ministry work that you do or support? 

 

Crucial:  As solo artists, we all go out and perform at youth rallies, conferences, camps, retreats, prisons, the streets, etc.  We are a unified body, we all support each other in the best way we can.

 

ETR:  What do you think is the greatest issue facing young Christians in today’s world? 

 

Crucial:  Struggling with how the world is trying to mold them as opposed to how the Lord is molding them.  The influence is strong these days and it’s getting harder and harder for the younger generations.  There are so many “shades of gray”, it’s kinda hard to figure out what’s considered good and what’s not.  That’s exactly why we gotta stay in that WORD!

 

ETR:  Is there any testimony or other word that you would like to share with our readers? 

 

Crucial:  Be encouraged because the Lord has an AMAZING work to complete in each and every one of us.  God doesn’t waste time.  There is no man or woman alive who is not supposed to be here.  We are all here for a reason; to fulfill a divine purpose.  In everything we do, we should always first consider the will of God.  He knows the desires of our hearts better than we do!  That’s why “It’s better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man”.  Psalms 118:8
 

Embracing the Rain's Review:

 

Beatlab 7’s Christian rap CD “Music Meets The Truth” has tight beats with a positive message about the Truth of God. I feel Beatlab 7 has at least 4 hit songs easily: Who Iz Christ, Peace, Don’t Stop, and G-up. Also, I let my brothers and sisters check out this CD, and they really like the songs (This is the 1^st Christian rap CD we have ever listened to). If they get on a major record label and have the right promotion, they could become big and crossover like Kirk Franklin. Furthermore, the music is very uplifting, inspiring, and encourages the believer to stand firm in the faith and keep your head up. For the nonbeliever, Beatlab 7’s music (especially the song Who Iz Christ) does a great job explaining who Jesus is and why it’s so important to become saved. So, check out this CD because it’s hot and you will be blessed by their music. I hope the best for the Beatlab 7 production team and the various artists.

(You can listen to Beatlab7 here and download their cd free!)

 

Tina Ashford

writer/co-creator
Embracing the Rain

Detroit, MI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crucial's #1 goal is to take his gifts and talents in hip-hop to glorify our Father in Heaven.  Christ-centered, Christ-driven, and Christ-focused; all without compromise.  Crucial has been annointed with a gift to draw the youth and other generations to a solid understanding of Truth and Life, using a language and form of music which is widely accepted among our society today.  Crucial delivers an awesome and inspiring performance that has already grabbed the attention of many lost and confused souls.  Crucial entertains while heavily involving the audience to restore a sense of "family" that should be present in the gathering of all God's children.

If you would like to have Crucial come speak, perform and/or minister at your event, contact Rock Solid Record's promotions agency at 704-995-1183.  You can also contact us here.

Crucial is available to minister at youth events, conventions, rallies, group homes, prisons, chruches, camps, concerts, or retreats.  Due to Crucial's specific and full time calling, this is an honorarium-based ministry.  Any love offering above and beyond the requested honorarium would be greatly appreciated.

God bless you and we ask that you keep this young ministry in prayer as we continue to grow and seek the will of our Lord.

Gripped by His Unfathomable Grace,

Rock Solid Records - "Bringing solid music to a crumbling world"