INDIE CD REVIEWS 138

  Mark J - City Of Pain (Rap/Hip-Hop)

1) Beat Of My Soul 2) My Passion  3) In It, Not Of It 4) Lubric  5) Rock 6) Passing Moments  7) City Of Pain  8) My Peoples  9) National Anthem  10) Lift Up The Banner 11) Distractions 12) Root Of Evil 13) Po' Pilgrim

14) A Slave's Cry 15) Livin' Martyrs 16) Right Revolution 17) April Fool's Day 18) It's A Shame 19) Talitha Cumi 20) Spit A Bit 21) Karat Gold Ave. 22) Club 7 23) Queens To Kings 24) Realness 25) Sundown Wars

Release Date: 2002 Label: Much Luv Records Producer: Anthony DeLano Official Website: http://www.mark-j.com/

Christian rapper Mark J aims his unique musical talent and perspective at praise and worship of God.  His lyrics are strong and determined, yet edgy and unyielding.  In all, there’s a common thread throughout his lyrical performances – God’s constant love and sustaining presence. Mark J, born Mark Johnson, was raised in Queens, New York, the birthplace of the music he would come to love – hip-hop.  As a child, he saw the originators of this music in his very own neighborhood and was enamored by their music, their lifestyles and the instructions they gave to his generation on what life was about.  He spent hours listening to rap, eventually amassing a collection of hundreds of CDs.
Mark J was heavily influenced by his love for hip-hop, although he knew it’s content clashed with his religious upbringing.  But he didn’t know if he believed in God, and the hypocrisy that he felt surrounded him, only fueled his ever-growing doubt.  As a result of this uncertainty, indiscretions during his teen years sent him packing to Georgia.  During a Youth Night Service in 1990 at Community Bible Chapel Church in Atlanta, as Mark J watched films of the “rapture”, God revealed Himself, and it was that night Mark J accepted the Lord into his heart. Born-again and refocused, Mark J gained a new lease on life and knew he was to be used in God’s work. “My prayer was if God can do it, may He put me in position where I can be used for His service.” In 1995, Mark J toured nationally with  “Young Brothers In Christ”, spreading the gospel, sharing their testimonies, henceforth, bringing numerous lost souls to Christ.  Upon their disbandment, Mark J continued as a solo artist, inspired by the work he’d been doing for God’s kingdom, and motivated by faith in what God held for him in the future. Mark J’s debut CD, We Wrestle Not, was released in 1996 by Christ Inspired Only (CIO) Records, followed in 1997 by his sophomore effort, Forever Pregnant.   It was during this year that Mark J collaborated with several Christian artists, most notably, Elle R.O.C., Soul Heir from Mars Hill, and Red Letta from the duo “I Do”, and created the group “Sound of the Rebirth.”  From this ensemble came their self-titled compilation.  With a new record label, Rescue Records, in 1999, Mark J released his third CD, Concept After Concept. The following year Mark J took a sabbatical from his music ministry to focus on a personal journey, specifically his engagement and eventual marriage on July 21, 2001. This same year, Mark J honorably received a Holy Hip-Hop Award at the 1st Annual Hip-Hop Awards for his outstanding work in “using hip-hop to take gospel to the streets.” Having severed ties with Rescue Records, Mark J is currently working on his fourth CD titled City of Pain. This project, due for release at the end of 2002, focuses on visualizing Christ through the issues of today and understanding how Christ brings real solutions to real problems.  Musically, the selections take you on a spiritual journey with its uplifting dramatic recitations laced over R&B/Hip-Hop infused tracks.  With the cautious use of subtle but crisp lyrics, exploring various shaded complexities, Mark J has successfully married the hip-hop he loves with contemporary gospel, bringing to mind the realization of celebrating God-given life at all costs. “…My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psalms 45:1 – No longer uncertain about his destiny, Mark J has mastered just that.

Recording Personnel:

Canton Jones, Precise, Truth, Todd-Bangz, Elle-Roc, Platinum Souls

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