Now before we start to get too deep with this and the
article starts to take a course that shouldn’t be taken (such as judging an
individual’s faith). Now that is out of the way let’s begin to speak on my
opinion on both of these songs ‘June’ and ‘Unforgettable’ and the video for
‘June’. If this editorial reaches the eyes of Gene Thorton I would like to
inform him that I am a big fan of his music and when I used to listen to
secular hip-hop I would bump a lot of Clipse and they were one of my first
exposures to the genre. Since writing his life-changing book Gene Thorton has
revealed news about his faith and went on to change his stage name from Malice
to No Malice.
Full Editorial After The Jump! (Read More)
Now since then it took a while for him to officially release
any music after delivering the news. Now we did get a glimpse of what the
spiritual changes did to his music. We saw this on his feature on Lecrae’s
song ‘Darkest Hour’, and also
delivered a strong and steady verse that caused a few fans to say hey I like
his approach now that he has the right message and state of mind. It was not
exactly what we seen before in comparison to his previous catalog but it was
very well convincing based on the amount of time he spent away from the
industry. Now what caught my attention was not the metaphors and rhymes but
simply the message that he had on that verse. Before people start bashing on me
for criticizing the amount of spirituality and faith he put into his verse I
would like to say that when you make music for the lord, it’s simple. You’re
legit making music for the lord and worshipping and glorifying his name,
captivating other people with the love you display in your music. What I did
like on the feature was the clarity when he says ‘Forgive me for my past and
the noses left numb, as I'm led down this path to the beat of a different
drum’. And the statement where he says Jesus or the Judge? They both offer you
life, pretty clever way to show the decision that everybody can make between
life in Jesus and life in Jail. Now for the June record, that in my opinion was
shaky in so many ways. I feel like he didn’t deliver when it comes to down to
it lyrically, the beat was not at the same level as his previous work, the
message wasn’t quite clear. May I remind you that this is my solely my opinion,
and my comparison to the elite in the industry because that is where he stood
when leaving it. The Unforgettable record was completely disappointing and very
much a step backward in his long road to make music that is considered worship.
I understand that he is a changed man and I’ve only seen two verses that have
said I am changed, now this song has no message in my opinion and never showed
light in the Christian Hip Hop World, although it was released after June. He
does use explicit lyrics and has no excuse to do so because he hasn’t done it
for the past two records he’s been in. I feel whomever is mentoring him needs
him to step away from the music once more and maybe focus on the word before
stepping back into music. In this song he does speak drugs, money, and sex but
in a fashion where does not boast about but simply warns and does not condemn
it as sin. I honestly think he can do better, and I can see he was trying to
change his musical influences, aligning himself with the likes of Lecrae was
great, now releasing this song not so much. The video for June was not pleasant
to watch, although not being explicit as other videos in the industry are, I
feel like it was explicit in the sense of a Christian music video. I understand
that there is a strong point being made in the video, such as his lack of
happiness and the club scene going on around him. Who ever directed the video
made sure you seen the women in the video, by zooming in on their legs and
bodies inside of the short dresses that every female was wearing. Not saying
that its utterly explicit and horrible but it could have been done in a subtler
manner where it would not distract the viewers but contemplate the theme. As
for the smoking a cigar when you claim you’re changed and new man in Christ, that’s
not excusable and a move that could cost him supporters or even the support
that he needs.
In conclusion I think he needs to work on his messages that
he is delivering in his songs. Maybe be completely downright with the people
and show his love for Christ and it changed his life, I know he wrote a book
and all the stuff is on there, but when you make music it’s different. As a
critic I think he could have done better, although his heart is in the right
place I feel his mind is wandering off back to his roots of hip-hop and it’s
becoming almost like a reflex or automatic reaction inside the booth to rap the
same as before and reference drugs, money, and sex. As a fan, I am disappointed
but I feel he is growing, although he has not showed it yet, I feel the Lord
will touch his heart and get him on the right track to make music that will
save lives and not make us wonder on his spiritual progress.
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