June 2019

Homage – Mary Mary – “Something Big”

June 20, 2019 by Taylor Valery

Christian Music In The Spotlight, Contemporary Gospel, Devine Jamz Gospel Network, HOMAGE COLLAGE, Homage2Heat, Mary Mary, MUSIC REVIEW, Something Big, TAYLOR VALERY, THE WRITER

Seasoned Gospel sistas, Mary Mary, delivered impeccable inspiration with the release of their fifth studio album, “Something Big.” This album has several songs that pull its listeners closer to God, and I’m going to tell you about them.

Album peaked at no. 10 on the US Billboard 200, and no. 2 on Top Gospel Albums. Two US Gospel Airplay singles were released in support of “Something Big”: ‘Walking’ (no. 3), and ‘Survive’ (no. 13).

Of the six Grammy Award nominations this faith-wielding duo has accumulated, “Something Big” earned one at the 54th ceremony for Best Gospel Album.

Production on this album was primarily helmed by Warryn Campbell, of Soul Seekers, with additional production by Gerald Haddon, Jazz Nixon, and LaMar Edwards. Gerold Haddon helped with the piano & strings for the creation of ‘Survive.’

“Something Big” is a genre diverse album, aiming to encourage any good music lover to seek a relationship with Jesus Christ. Elements of hip-hip, R&B, gospel, and electronica are heard throughout this beautiful album. Standout tracks are ‘Something Big,’ ‘Blind,’ ‘Never Wave My Flag,’ ‘Walking,’ and ‘Are You Ready.’

Let me tell you why….

‘Something Big’

Song is a wonderful opener, with incredible energy, encouraging listening to get up and jam to the Lord’s favor. Tina blissfully testifies in verse 1,

Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey everybody, I got something to say / I met this man named Jesus and I ain’t never been the same / You know my heart been changed, my mind been changed / I’m nothing like I was cuz I was stuck on stupid, but now I’m filled with love.

The ‘Something Bigger’ follow-up increases such optimism with added drums, and the lady’s focused flow:

Everybody doin’ that, can’t do it again / Why you mad at me ’cause I wanna do it big? / Don’t think I’m unplugged and I’m disconnected / ‘Cause I didn’t do what y’all expected.

With these two tracks, Mary Mary make it crystal clear that they aren’t wavering in their mission to serve God through their good work in this music industry.

‘Blind’

Christians understand that, when you choose faith, abundant life chooses you. It’s understood that you can choose faith without being perfect in the least bit, so long as you commit to the life-changing journey through Christ. ‘Blind’ illustrates the fact that anyone can go to God, as He doesn’t discriminate. God will instead, reveal you to yourself, inducing an ultimate spiritual awakening, with unconditional love.

‘Never Wave My Flag’

This Timbaland-type tune encourages any believer who may be experiencing hardship, trials, and tribulations to continue trusting the process & purpose God has designed from the beginning.

Songwriting on ‘Never Wave My Flag’ came from the creativity of Mary Mary, Warryn Campbell, Juan Winans, and Matthew Edwards– the latter of which also helped produce the track with Warryn. As a human spirit, finally living for the love of God after years of voluntary separation, the opening verses are extremely relatable:

Seems like I should run away / ‘Cause life is hittin’ me in the face, ay, ay / But I’m here, and I’ll never surrender to fear / Retreat and be defeated, no way, ’cause I can’t, I can’t.

‘Walking’

I totally appreciate this song for it’s humanity, and slow groove. Song simply speaks on the faith walk being an imperfect, yet intentional one. Which, to God, means everything. These lyrics help illustrate just that:

Look at me, I’m tryin’ / Every day, I fall down / Make mistakes, get back up / Try again next time that you see me…[I’m walking, I’m walking, I’m walking now…]

‘Catch Me’

This Juan Winans co-write testifies to listeners of God’s grace. Song explains that though we humans are imperfect, we still can receive the undying love of God through Christ the savior. Lyrics like, “my faith gives me strength” stick out as very understandable.

All in all…

These Stellar Award legends aim to lead listeners to the love of God. A love so undeniable, so unconditional, that we pivot from unfruitful lifestyles to praising God through our daily work. “Something Big” is a phenomenal album, because it helps promote the Good Gospel through good music.

Mary Mary On The Web

Mary Mary Official Website

Facebook

YouTube

Instagram

About The Writer Taylor Valery

Taylor Valery is a Freelance Writer and Music Reviewer with Devine Jamz Gospel Network. Valery is also a professional writer at IAPWE – International Association of Professional Writers & Editors. He is the creator of HomageCollage which is a music appreciation blog created to celebrate the wins of affective artists. Homage2Heat is the new HomageCollage vertical that highlights heatseekers.

See Related Music Review

Jessica Reedy

Album Review – “From the Heart” – Jessica Reedy

June 12, 2019 by Taylor Valery

Album Review, Christian Music In The Spotlight, DEVINE JAMZ, Devine Jamz Gospel Network, HOMAGE COLLAGE, Jessica Reedy, Music Lovers, Sunday Best, TAYLOR VALERY, THETVWRITER

It’s a real pleasure to share my thoughts on the gifted gospel artist, Jessica Reedy. Reedy placed 2nd on season two of Sunday Best, BET’s singing competition. She’s since gone on to create such soothing, and uplifting music that helps spread the wonderful word of God. Her debut disc, “From the Heart” is among my favorite gospel albums to-date.

Album has several relatable lyrics, and a real jamming flow. This devotional disc has features by Soul Seekers, Doc Powell, and Faith Evans. Album also attained commercial success on the music charts, peaking at no. 43 on the US Billboard 200, and enjoying a six week chart run. Additionally, “From the Heart” peaked at no. 1 on the US Top Gospel Albums chart, and no. 5 on the US Independent Albums chart. It’s clear this project had an effect on music lovers, and music critics alike.

I’m both a music lover, and music critic, and I happen to love “From the Heart.” I appreciate Reedy’s vulnerability, vocal vitality, positivity. The album begins with the proud ‘Put It On the Altar,’ and goes right into the optimistic ‘Always’. This type of album opening creates such a vibe, and tells a music lover like me that positive energy is the key.

Next is my favorite track, ‘I’m Still Here,’ which features Soul Seekers (gospel group that includes Warryn & Teddy Campbell, the husbands of Erica & Tina Campbell). Song is in response to God’s presence, His favor, and to our purpose of praise through good work. Song opens with an incredible harmony preceding title lyrics, “I’m still here,” which lead Reedy right into testimony:

Trouble, I had my share of trouble
But I’m still here
Heartache, I had my share of heartache
But I’m still here
Oh disappointments, I had my share of disappointments
But I’m still here
Ooooh lonely nights, I had my share of lonely nights
But I’m still here

If you want to, each day can technically be considered a perilous journey if you’re working toward a good goal. But with strong faith, hard work and determination, our realities will reflect our dreams. The next track on “From the Heart” reminds me of this fun fact. The Claude Kelly co-write, ‘What About Me,’ written in the perspective of the Lord, reassures us all that faith is all you really need. He calls out to us in all of life’s madness, asking us “what do you really want?” and “what about me?” It’s when our wants align with what His are for our lives, that our realities transform. When you know you want what God wants for you, you just fall in love with Him. Just like Reedy shares in the next track, ‘So In Love (So Amazing)’.

At the album’s halfway mark, ‘Doctor Love’ ft. Faith Evans comes over my Apple earpods. This celebratory song makes me feel good for relying on God as much as I do. Song reminds me the love and support I have in such an eternal being. ‘Doctor Love,’ most of all, makes me want to get up and groove. The soulful Faith Evans did a number on this track, starting the song off with encouraging testimony:

If you’re feeling down and lonely
Let me tell ‘bout a man that you should know
He’s got the power every hour
He’s the reason why my face is all a glow

And then the spiritual ‘Something Out of Nothing’ begins minutes later, taking time from the previous praise songs, to worship unapologetically.

More standout tracks on “From the Heart” include ‘Marching On,’ ‘Blue God,’ and ‘Moving Forward’.

I’d encourage you all to press play on the debut album from Jessica Reedy, and then when hooked, toggle over to her latest single, ‘Can’t Hold Me Back‘.

About The Writer

Single Review – ‘Distance’ – DaeShawn Forrest

June 9, 2019 by devinejamz

CHRISTIAN RAPPER, DaeShawn Forrest, DEVINE JAMZ, Devine Jamz Gospel Network, Distance, Featured Spotlight Artist, Gospel Hip Hop, HOMAGE COLLAGE, INSPIRATIONAL SONGS, JOURNALIST, MUSIC REVIEW, Recording Artist, State Of Mind, TAYLOR VALERY

Meet DaeShawn Forrest, an emerging Christian emcee from Antioch, California. With his latest release “State of Mind,” he effortlessly expresses his gratitude for God’s favor. Though only aged 19, Forrest has survived many storms to be able to stand on such an uplifting platform today. His hearing for God’s word grew stronger as he pulled away from situations that didn’t serve his greater call.

Did you know that reconnecting with God isn’t something to be ashamed of? Well, this is certainly true for Forrest in the creation of ‘Distance,’ ft. fellow Californian gospel artist Ms. KJ’nae. He let me know:

“Initially, it felt like I was in an odd space because I began to have this feeling that I was empty spiritually. I had never felt that way before, so I knew it was God from the start. It wasn’t until a few days later that I had went to God in prayer to address the situation. In so many words, the Lord told me that he wanted to use me, but there was a lot of work that needed to be on myself first. However, for Him to be able to work on me, I had to distance myself from the things and people that had my attention. Not distance myself so far to where I become isolated, but to give myself the necessary space needed so I can be able to hear God when he speaks.”

You see, when you press play on ‘Distance,’ song opens with faint keys very reminiscent of the above mentioned. At 0:22 seconds, it’s met with a calm & collected beat, and a meditative flow. Forrest raps about how distancing himself from negativity drew him closer to God. It’s never easy to quit any habit, but it surely is easy to start a new one. Jesus became a great habit for Forrest again, and it’s clear with ‘Distance,’ you must make yourself available to be used for the greater.

It’s a blessing for everyone, that Forrest decided to kill the noise and take seriously his faith walk. He released “State of Mind,” a powerful LP of Christian hip-hop that celebrates the reconnection with, and reliance on God. So, if you’re into positivity, prosperity, and passion, then music by DaeShawn Forrest is for you.

His music is definitely for me; as not a new believer, but reconnector. I’m slowly approaching thirty years old, and I’m not ashamed to admit that my attention has been so fragmented for the past six years. During and after college, I focused on intimate love and relationships, steady chasing external validation versus my God in me. Much like Forrest, I felt depressed and angry, but I kept dreaming. I still heard a voice in the daytime, and at night. And, that voice was a heavenly reminder of my goal in life – to be happy. At the time, what made me happy was the co-dependent relationships I believed I needed for support at the time. I was too afraid to chase my dream of being a happy writer. To me, although I had a college degree, I still needed experience in order to be taken seriously as a writer. No one was taking me seriously at home, Jesus later revealed that was because I wasn’t taking it seriously.

Well, in a fight with my partner at the time, I was staying with my mother for a few weeks. Mom insisted I meditate to keep from having an epileptic fit; so, I did in my way- Deepak Chopra, The Clark Sisters, and Cognitive Transformations on Apple Music. At the time, in my heart there was this constant aching. In my mind, there were so many different paths being revealed like a map. So, for answers I began praying and I mean praying like God is right here in front of me. We started having conversations regularly. His responses to me came overtime, but as I sought, He brought. When it comes to ‘Distance,’ the same is true for Forrest, too:

“Jesus revealed a lot to me about how I oftentimes stand in the way of my own growth causing me to have to mature a bit. When creating the song, it felt necessary to highlight the things that led to me distancing myself because I was in that space for a while. It also shows how important it is to keep an ear out for God especially since we want him to always keep His ear out for us.”

DaeShawn isn’t wrong either. This resonates with me so profoundly because I obviously stood in my own way for quite some time. My awareness was low, my attention was in pieces, my emotions were eggshells, and my faith was nonexistent. I was dead spirit, not a living one. So, for my dreams to come true, I had to believe in myself again. I had to forgive myself for sin. And, I had to come to Jesus.

DaeShawn’s ‘Distance’ demonstrates just how faith walking isn’t easy, but it is rewarding.

DaeShawn Forrest On The Web:

Review Created By Taylor Valery

Taylor Valery is a Freelance Writer and Music Reviewer. He is the creator of HomageCollage which is a music appreciation blog created to celebrate the wins of affective artists. Homage2Heat is the new HomageCollage vertical that highlights heatseekers.

DaeShawn Forrest Up And Close Video Testimony Behind His Song ‘Distance’

Behind His Song ‘Distance’ – One important lesson learned by 19-year-old Christian Hip Hop Artist DaeShawn Forest is that when he needs something from the Lord or needs to hear from the Lord, he must distance himself. That is, distance in the manner of allowing God to speak to him without being distracted. Some say going to your prayer closet; some say meditating; others say disengaging from the world temporarily. DaeShawn simply distance himself so that there is no interference with the relationship he has with God. He positions himself where he can clearly receive God’s word.

Details Behind The Song ‘Distance’

Among many lessons learned from Elders and testimonies at church, Christian Rapper DaeShawn Forrest was told that when he feels God tugging on his heart, it is wise to get in a position where he can clearly listen. “There was a time where I began to feel like something was wrong”, DaeShawn stated. Out of nowhere, I began to feel spiritually empty. It felt like God was trying to tell me something, he explained. “That feeling of discomfort lasted a couple days before I finally decided to go to God in prayer and figure out what was going on”.

“I remember God letting me know that there was work for me to do and that he wanted to use me. However, I would have to distance myself from the things and friends that I love so God could work on me”. Initially, it was tough for DaeShawn to distance himself, he informed. It was upsetting because he felt like he was by himself. When his friends would go out and socialize, DaeShawn stayed home reading and praying. Although he was aware that spending time with God is far more important than anything else, as a young adult in his teens he couldn’t ignore the fact he was missing out on social activity with his friends.

Be that as it may, God showed DaeShawn his mistakes and how they impacted his overall judgement. Thankfully, those moments of self-examination gave DaeShawn the opportunity to better himself. He would later use what he learned for God’s glory. Looking back, DaeShawn realized that being obedient and distancing himself from the distractions was the best decision he ever made. It matured him spiritually! He also moved past the previous pain and disappointments he held on for so long. You can say that DaeShawn got rid of his heavy load while distancing himself. Rather than letting emotions fester and grow bigger, DaeShawn can easily forgive and he’s slower with getting angry. God pushed DaeShawn in the direction he purposed him to be at. DaeShawn had to look at himself in the mirror and examine what was staring back at him. He found out that it was his own doing which prevented him from rising. “I was waiting on God to change my ways and didn’t realized God was waiting on me” explained DaeShawn. It was a hard pill to swallow, but I thank God for giving me the experience of being in the desert 40 days and 40 nights sort of speak. It only caused me to do better in every area of my life.

DaeShawn is thankful that God did what he did to grab his attention. It shows the unconditional love that he has for him. In this ongoing process, God continues to mold DaeShawn in comfortable ways and sometimes in uncomfortable ways. Although DaeShawn might have to distance himself, he is never alone. DaeShawn knows that Christ will never leave him nor forsake him. He discerns and understand that when God calls on him it might require his undivided attention to receive God’s prophetic message and/or assignment.

Receive Music By DaeShawn Forrest

Download the song ‘Distance’ and/or the ‘State Of Mind’ Album by DaeShawn Forrest at:

Spotify