Thug Love, the latest album from Grammy-nominated southern rap artist Pettidee, goes a long ways in solidifying the fact that there is a hip-hop sub genre of Christian music. What caught me off guard on first listen was the fact that this guy really wants to witness to others. Every song seems to have a positive purpose, with Petty purposely steering away from the common subjects that frequent most rap albums today. I bring up "other" rap albums, because it wouldn't be unreasonable to place Thug Love in the same realm as many other hip-hop albums released today.
There is no questioning Petty's mission, especially after listening to "Never Give Up," in which he raps about the trials in his life only making him a stronger Christian. "Glide Aside," the album's first track, also reinforces Petty as a Christian artist, as he tells his critics to "glide aside" as he witnesses for Christ.
"Butterflies," the most commercially appealing track on Thug Love, is also the most powerful. Dealing with the volatile issues of physical and spousal abuse, Pettidee says this about the song on his website, "[Butterflies] deals with my past and a lot of things that the church doesn't address." I can relate with him on this issue because I cannot remember the last time I heard a sermon about abuse, in fact I don't think I ever have. Featuring Rebecca Covington, "Butterflies" is sure to find a home on hip/hop radio.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most knowledgeable person in the hip/hop field. Still, from what I can tell, Pettidee truly takes "Practice What You Preach" to a whole new level. Combined with irresistible bass-instilled beats, his lyrics go along ways in bringing Christ's words into areas of American culture that Christian music doesn't often go. More hardcore than KJ-52, TobyMac, or the music of Grits, Thug Love will not be as commercially appealing as that of the aforementioned artists, mainly because most of the tracks lack a great hook to garner substantial radio play. Still, off the radio and in the streets, this kind of music is very popular. This puts Pettidee in a unique position to witness to a group of people that would typically not be listening to music containing subject-matter like this, and I feel that this is exactly where Petty wants his album to be.
- Review date: 4/11/06, written by Andrew Shaw
NEEDTOBREATHE's Sold Out Red Rocks Performance Set to Stream Globally May 19 Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:25:00 EST |
Hezekiah Walker Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Love Fellowship Tabernacle Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:15:00 EST |
Alex Henry Foster Announces New Album, "Kimoyo" Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:55:00 EST |
Barbara Mandrell's 'Precious Memories: 20 Hymns and Gospel Classics' Tops Christian Albums Chart Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:15:00 EST |
Patrick Mayberry Earns First No. 1 At Radio With Psalm 23-Inspired "Lead On Good Shepherd" Tue, 26 Mar 2024 15:10:00 EST |
Atlanta, GA's Grungepunks To Release "The Fall Blues EP" Tue, 26 Mar 2024 15:00:00 EST |
Ryan Stevenson Delivers Summertime Vibes with "Just As You Are" Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:30:00 EST |
Demi-Leigh Tebow to release debut book this August Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:20:38 +0000 |
LIFELINE CHILDREN’S SERVICES, GRUPO NELSON PUBLISHERS CO-HOST BOOK LAUNCH AND SIGNING FOR “WHOSE AM I?” Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:49:00 +0000 |
EEM’s Bibles for Kids Initiative to Provide 570,000 Free Bibles to Children & Teens in 2024 Mon, 04 Mar 2024 22:33:43 +0000 |