T-Bone
It doesn’t matter where you live, what your background is or what kind of music you choose to listen to – there’s no denying the fact that hip-hop has become the most prevalent form of popular music in today’s culture. It’s a dominant force in mainstream music circles, and the genre continues to gain momentum in the Christian music forum, thanks to the pioneering efforts of innovative artists like T-Bone.
With a musical resumé that stretches out over a 10-year period, FlickerRecords/Boneyard Records recording artist T-Bone is credited with bringing the true West Coast street sound to the Christian hip-hop arena. And he hasn’t veered from that stylistic path on his newest release, Gospelalphamegafunkyboogiediscomusic.
T-Bone’s contribution to the industry has not been merely his longevity (which is a major feat in itself), but also his relevance to the genre and the cultural influence it has on this generation. His career began in 1991 with the JC Crew, and T-Bone followed with a string of innovative solo projects that included Redeemed Hoodlum, Tha Life of a Hoodlum, Tha Hoodlum’s Testimony and the compilation Tha History of a Hoodlum. T-Bone’s audience has continued to expand with his performances as a finalist on MTV’s “The Cut,” and as a guest MC with Kirk Franklin on the ALMO (Latin American) Music Awards. His talents have been in demand on musical collaborations with artists like Carman and Yolanda Adams.
In 2001, T-Bone released his first project in over three years, the critically-acclaimed The Last Street Preacha, which garnered a Grammy nomination and a Dove Award nomination for Rap Album of the Year. The year that followed brought countless opportunities for T-Bone with live performances at festivals and youth conventions across the country, and even a request from rap pioneer KRS One to rhyme on his latest mainstream release, a favor he returned for T-Bone on the title cut of Gospelalphamegafunkyboogiediscomusic.
T-Bone’s latest effort is another musical milestone for an artist who remains focused on delivering an uncompromising message with a fresh, authentic hip-hop twist.
“This album is different than any record I’ve ever made... period,” T-Bone says. “The title says it all. It’s gospel, it’s funky, it’s fun and it makes you want to boogie. I wanted to make a record this time that wasn’t quite as serious as everything else I’ve done. There are some serious songs, but for the most part, it’s going to make you want to get up and dance.”
Produced by his long-time musical partner Chase Gigante, Gospelalphamegafunkyboogiediscomusic does indeed encompass a variety of fresh musical influences. Funky hooks and instrumentation that sound straight out of old school Parliament grooves are scattered throughout the project from start to finish. And for the very first time, T-Bone not only rhymes, but sings on nearly every track, steering the sound into new territory for this trend-setting artist.
“I like to call it ‘funkadelic,’” T-Bone says. “I’m definitely doing some stuff I’ve never done before. The whole record is diverse. It’s a lot different, but it’s a lot of fun.”
Songs like the title track (featuring KRS One), “Dippin’” (a song about low-riding, featuring Mista Grimm) and the boastful “Pop Ya Colla” are prime examples of the fun, energetic, funky beats that highlight this entire album. “Our History” gives props to the other pioneers in Christian rap, featuring “shout-outs” to artists like P.I.D., SFC, dcTalk, Freedom of Soul and the late D-boy Rodriguez, all who had major influences on T-Bone’s music and career.
The high-energy, fun-filled tone found throughout the tracks on Gospelalphamegafunkyboogiediscomusic is representative of what T-Bone says has been one of the best years of his life. Earlier this year he was officially ordained as a pastor, and shortly thereafter married his fiancé, Janeia, in July.
Doors have continued to open for T-Bone in new creative outlets as well. He’s currently filming a prominent role in the brand new Paramount Pictures/MTV Film motion picture, The Fighting Temptations, starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyoncé Knowles (Destiny’s Child). The movie is set to release in 2003, and aside from his character role in the film, T-Bone has also been tapped by legendary music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to perform on the album’s soundtrack.
“There’s a scripture that says, ‘Test me and see if I will not open up the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that you will not be able to contain,’” T-Bone says. “I used to think, ‘Man, wouldn’t that be crazy if that were to happen.’ And now I’m just in astonishment. I just want the Lord to use me to reach out to this generation and to everyone He places in my path. He’s allowed the blessings to come, and I just want to give back.” |
