The Revert features Benjah, Black Knight, TJ Pompeo, Deraj, and production by Johnny Juliano, Black Knight, and J Gramm. Available for free on NoiseTrade on January 7, 2014.
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Name Reverts, Music Pushes Forward| Posted January 17, 2014
Roy Tosh (formerly known as 737) is back with his third full-length album. Revert goes hard from the get go. Even though this is Tosh's third album, it is my first exposure to this up-and-coming rapper. It has been nearly two years since Convinced released, but today I am convinced that Roy Tosh will definitely be an artist we will be hearing more from.
The title track, "The Revert," is an ode to Tosh reverting his name back to something closer to his roots. Born as Jeff MacIntosh, Roy is his middle name and Tosh was his father's nickname as well as the last part of his last name. However, there is no reverting his sound; his album is leaps and bounds ahead of his last two albums. The album goes hard with "Pop Off," and "Bass Down Low" kicking things off. "Pop Off" has a very recognizable sample from "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne. These are typical party anthems from a CHH artist and the depth of theology in the lyrics in almost non-existent.
"Lean" features Black Knight and TJ Pompeo. The song differs in style from the first two as it goes a little more West Coast in style. "Vanity" comes next. The flow continues, but this time with true message behind the music. Tosh speaks to the need for reaching fame and celebrity status in our culture today, but rather than searching for these things which may leave us with money, girls, and fame, there is a Father in heaven that can give us something more eternal than these fleeting things.
"Losin' It" is a song of redemption. A song speaking of the challenges we all face as Christians. There is something reminiscent of the psalms of David in this song. Just a man at his wit's end, crying out to God. "Trust" follows in the same vein, thematically. The synth sample throughout sounds like it was taken from "Good Morning" by Mandisa. The song speaks to need to trust God in our darkest times. Regardless of the open wounds from our past, we need to trust in God, and move forward.
Benjah has been a mentor in Tosh's life, and lends his good friend a hand on two track on the album. "Take Me Back" is about the journey we take with God, and the question I know I have asked too many times. "Why do you take me back?" It is simply because of the grace and mercy of our heavenly Father. "Grace" is the second track that features Benjah. This song just speaks to how much Christ loves us.
Closing Thoughts:
It has been said that Roy Tosh is just another white rapper trying to sound like Andy Mineo. There are similarities in style, however, when one knows that Andy Mineo, along with Benjah, were instrumental in the decision to change his name from 737 to Roy Tosh, then one can easily figure out that Mineo is good friend to Tosh and would influence his music.
This is a strong album that fans of Christian hip-hop will be happy to download. The album can be downloaded for free from Roy Tosh's website. The production quality is top-notch and the message of redemption is woven throughout the album. The album welcomes us in with hard beats and leaves us thinking about God's love and the redemption that comes at the cross.
Song to Download:
"Take Me Back" feat. Benjah (Download the mixtape FREE here.)
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