In 2011 Rachael, formally of Souljahz and most recently, The Washington Projects, took a few years off to start a family. This new chapter in her life was essentially the beginning of the making of her new album, Honestly. The process of making this album was unique in that she was now a wife and mother and juggling so many more roles than she had been in the past.
Honestly is authentic and real, as it speaks about life's lessons and what she has been through over the past decade. "So much of my life has changed since I began doing music. During the making of this album I went through a time of major self-discovery, learning to listen to God's voice alone and to trust the vision He's given me. God told me to be honest, so that's exactly what I did. There was no game plan, no gimmicks, just me and the music. It took some time, but you can't rush things that need time to grow. The process of making this record has grown me more than I can put into words. While I thought I was making it, it was really making me."
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An Album that Empowers| Posted August 27, 2014
For a while it was taboo for Christian artists to write songs dealing with relationships or life situations. Rachael Messini has been one to do this even when it was not very popular to do so. She (along with brothers Je'kob and Josh Washington) made waves and blazed trails as the Souljahz. Later, she and Je'kob became to the duo, The Washington Projects. Now, as a solo artist, Rachael releases Honestly, an album that is completely Rachael which is good ol' life music.
Wives who are trying to have a child or woman who had trouble having children will be able to identify to the beautiful "Selah." This touching tribute to Rachael's daughter (named "Selah") has her giving God praise for allowing her to give birth to her against all odds. The song also finds Rachael giving Selah advice for the future.
The beat is so ill on "Falling Together" that your face will frown in musical delight. Rachael spits some nice bars of solidarity and unity for her marriage. Je'kob lends his sister a hand over the banging "Smoking Gun," which deals with the damage that the tongue can do when it is not controlled.
Rachael is not one to give a lot of riffs or runs, and that serves to her advantage. Check out how sweetly she breathes life into the the title track, "Honestly," by way of the lovely vocal stylings. Listen to Je'kob as he subtly serves as a hype man on certain parts of the song. Rachael releases this album at such a perfect time, especially with the recent news of people committing suicide and so many people feeling hopeless. "Free" is light-hearted ditty of Rachael singing of God's grace to do what that the title suggests.
"Better" keeps the empowerment going, but this time Rachael admonishes the single ladies not to settle for the "dogs" (men who play the field), while rapper Beleaf tells the fellas to imagine if there children were treated the way they are treating the ladies. In summation, Rachael tells the ladies to know who they are in Christ while Beleaf challenges the men to check their intentions. Before you claim male bashing, Rachael and Canon send a shout-out to the strong men who are serving God, taking care of their families and their business on "Firemen."
Closing Thoughts:
On Honestly, Rachael delivers and people who are not churched will enjoy the message. Although Christian artists have been accused (deserved and undeserved) of being unoriginal, Rachael has been rapping and singing over beats for a long while now. Although there were a couple of songs where I wished she would have left out her bars rapping, this is definitely an album to support.
Song to Download Now:
"Falling Together" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Monster Sound With Huge Messages| Posted October 19, 2014
Honestly is authentic and real, as it speaks about life’s lessons and what she has been through over the past decade. If you are looking for a female who can sing and rap this is your women. She is great. This album has features from: Canon, Je'kob (her brother), Deraj and Beleaf. The first song is "Honestly". This track features Rachael singing and rapping and has a real Timberland type feel. Second track is Falling Together. This song starts off with her flowing on the beat and going into her singing. This track speaks about her and her man. It talks about no matter what happens they will do it together. As she says "I'll be with you, there is nothing we can't do.) This is a song that all couples need to listen to. Third song is Selah. This song is for her daughter. It's really a beautiful love song from a mother to her amazing daughter. All mothers who have daughters should listen to this. This track has her both rapping and singing. The fourth song is Fireman which features Canon of RMG. This song starts which her rapping and gets in to her singing and then turns it over to Canon. This song has 2 parts to it. Rachael speaks to all the men out there not living right (men in the club, men cheating, ECT.) Canon's part speaks about all the excuses that men have for not living right. If you have ever been on either side of this as the woman being treated wrong or the man acting out you'll really vibe to this. The fifth track is Smoking Gun which features her brother Je'kob. This is another song that speaks on crazy things that happen in relationships. If you have ever dealt with or know people who have dealt with crazy things in relationships you'll understand it and be able to vibe to it. Even if you haven't or don't know anybody who have it will be easy to understand because these problems are all around us today. The sixth song is Dreams which a video was also shot for. Dreams is a real powerful song with Rachael singing and rapping. It speaks on seeing God in her dreams. As she says "You're the only one who makes dreams come true." Basically this song is a anthem saying to stop dreaming about what you want to do and make your dreams a reality. The seventh track is Low featuring Deraj from RMG. This song has a very evident theme that we need God. When we are low and haven't been living how we should we should turn back and call upon God's name. The Eighth song is Better featuring Beleaf. This song is a letter to both Men and Women. This song speaks about how "you'll fall for anything if you stand for anything." On this track Rachael speaks mainly to the women and Beleaf to the men. This song is meant to help women understand how they should be treated and help men understand how they should treat women. The ninth song is Free. This song speaks on how much we need God. As she says " His grace will take your sorrows away." If we aren't honest with ourselves then we can't ever be fully honest with Him. If you are going though problems or know anybody who is the this is a song you and or them need to hear ASAP. The tenth and final song is called Joy. This song speaks on the joy in her life. As she says "It doesn't matter what mess I've made, He loves me anyway." This means no matter what, God will always be there for us. That nothing should ever steal your joy cause God is always there for you. Overall I give this album a 4.5/5 My top three tracks are: 1.Free 2. Falling Together 3. Smoking Gun. Overall I think the production is great! The messages in this album are amazing. This album will help people who are going through any number of things in their life. Pick this album up ASAP. You won't regret getting this album at all.
Fireman| Posted August 22, 2014
Gal this song is just so amazing I love it mmmmmmmmmmmmmmwwwwwwwaa and the combination with Canon Jones is just so incredible. This has been playing in my mind from yesterday and through out today. Yeap we should call the Fireman ...............................
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