Me Against the World: Vol. 2
5ive announced his new album will be released on his new label, Potiphar's House.
5ive and the label will partner with the ministry Soles For CHRIST, a ministry that was founded to help provide shoes to those who are less fortunate. 50% of all proceeds will go to this cause.
5ive explains, "When I was approached by the founder of this ministry, it was a no-brainer. The heart and compassion these young men have for people is nothing but a blessing and I knew I wanted to help aid them somehow in this mission," 5ive said. "As an independent artist (especially being Full-Time) it’s hard at times to do what you wanna do financially to help others, but after praying, I felt I heard the LORD say, 'I want you to sow 50% of your first project this year to them' so that’s exactly what I’m doing."
5ive and the label will partner with the ministry Soles For CHRIST, a ministry that was founded to help provide shoes to those who are less fortunate. 50% of all proceeds will go to this cause.
5ive explains, "When I was approached by the founder of this ministry, it was a no-brainer. The heart and compassion these young men have for people is nothing but a blessing and I knew I wanted to help aid them somehow in this mission," 5ive said. "As an independent artist (especially being Full-Time) it’s hard at times to do what you wanna do financially to help others, but after praying, I felt I heard the LORD say, 'I want you to sow 50% of your first project this year to them' so that’s exactly what I’m doing."
Track Listing
| 1 - #MATW2 (feat. Jordan Lucio and Victorious) | ||
| 2 - #DestinedForMuch (feat. Illuminate, Omar, and Jordan Lucio) | ||
| 3 - #Churchhouse (feat. SPEC) | ||
| 4 - #WitnessGreatness (feat. Bryann T and John Angel) | ||
| 5 - #DontMissYou (feat. Dru Bex and Korbvn) | ||
| 6 - #NoFakeLove | ||
| 7 - #ForeverKing Remix (feat. Datin) | ||
| Video | 8 - #INeedYouMore (feat. J. Carter) | |
| Video | 9 - #StillWorship (feat. GHC Choir) |
Album Reviews
NRT Staff Reviews
2
NRT Staff Official Review
Old School Vibes All Day
What You Need to Know
5ive continues his grind with his latest offering Me Against The World, Vol. 2. This new album from the veteran artist furthers the gospel message to the lost world around us all while encouraging Christians to be strengthened in their faith.
What it Sounds Like
Me Against The World, Vol. 2 is an old school hip-hop album. No trap here. Just smooth east coast rap reminiscent of a simpler time. The project also includes smooth R&B vibes in "#MatW2 (feat. Victorious & Jordan Lucio)" and a nice gospel choir in "#StillWorship (feat. GHC Choir)."
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights
Each song is filled with a focus on God's power to help us overcome whatever we may be facing. In "#DestinedForMuch (feat. Illuminate, Jordan Lucio & Omar)" the verses focus on the greatness in each of us thanks to the saving grace of Christ. On "#DontMissYou (feat. Dru Bex & Korbvn)" the lyrics speak to how the power of Christ helps us overcome sin in our lives. The thing we don't miss in this glorified life is sin.
Best Song on the Record
There is something about a feature from J. Carter that just makes me groove a little more. On "#iNeedYouMore (feat. J. Carter)," 5ive's bars mixed wi...
5ive continues his grind with his latest offering Me Against The World, Vol. 2. This new album from the veteran artist furthers the gospel message to the lost world around us all while encouraging Christians to be strengthened in their faith.
What it Sounds Like
Me Against The World, Vol. 2 is an old school hip-hop album. No trap here. Just smooth east coast rap reminiscent of a simpler time. The project also includes smooth R&B vibes in "#MatW2 (feat. Victorious & Jordan Lucio)" and a nice gospel choir in "#StillWorship (feat. GHC Choir)."
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights
Each song is filled with a focus on God's power to help us overcome whatever we may be facing. In "#DestinedForMuch (feat. Illuminate, Jordan Lucio & Omar)" the verses focus on the greatness in each of us thanks to the saving grace of Christ. On "#DontMissYou (feat. Dru Bex & Korbvn)" the lyrics speak to how the power of Christ helps us overcome sin in our lives. The thing we don't miss in this glorified life is sin.
Best Song on the Record
There is something about a feature from J. Carter that just makes me groove a little more. On "#iNeedYouMore (feat. J. Carter)," 5ive's bars mixed wi...
What You Need to Know
5ive continues his grind with his latest offering Me Against The World, Vol. 2. This new album from the veteran artist furthers the gospel message to the lost world around us all while encouraging Christians to be strengthened in their faith.
What it Sounds Like
Me Against The World, Vol. 2 is an old school hip-hop album. No trap here. Just smooth east coast rap reminiscent of a simpler time. The project also includes smooth R&B vibes in "#MatW2 (feat. Victorious & Jordan Lucio)" and a nice gospel choir in "#StillWorship (feat. GHC Choir)."
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights
Each song is filled with a focus on God's power to help us overcome whatever we may be facing. In "#DestinedForMuch (feat. Illuminate, Jordan Lucio & Omar)" the verses focus on the greatness in each of us thanks to the saving grace of Christ. On "#DontMissYou (feat. Dru Bex & Korbvn)" the lyrics speak to how the power of Christ helps us overcome sin in our lives. The thing we don't miss in this glorified life is sin.
Best Song on the Record
There is something about a feature from J. Carter that just makes me groove a little more. On "#iNeedYouMore (feat. J. Carter)," 5ive's bars mixed with J. Carter's lyrics, all combined with an honest prayer asking for more of God, gives the listener a hip-hop song that can easily become a worship song
For Fans Of
Json, Datin, Eshon Burgundy, Bizzle
Final Word
In a time when the culture is delivering turn up tracks and fun party tracks, Me Against The World, Vol. 2 puts the C back into CHH.
Find it on Spotify and iTunes.
NRT Staff Official Review
Don't Sleep on 5ive
Rapper 5ive, also known as Craig James, has a pretty incredible, radical conversion story of how Jesus met him in a huge way and instantly ended his addictions. Since then, he's been sold-out to God, dedicating his lyrical gifts to a truly unashamed representation of Jesus. A follow-up to last year's Me Against the World EP, this 9-track project continues 5ive's rap campaign against that which would trip up God's people.
What it Sounds Like:
People who aren't hardcore underground Christian hip-hop fans are just waking up to the treasure that is 5ive. People wanting a break from the trap-saturated (dare I say oversaturated) scene will discover an R&B-flavored project that juxtaposes smooth sounds with rapid-fire rapping. It's a combination that works, and yet is not at all commonplace in Christian hip-hop. Featuring the prowess of Jordan Lucio, J. Carter and on several occasions, 5ive himself, you could be forgiven for calling this an R&B album instead of a rap album. On songs like "#NoFakeLove" and the remix of "#ForeverKing," there's no rapping at all, just singing. "#INeedYouMore" is straight-up CHH worship. There are even a couple of good gospel tracks, such as "#StillWorsh...
What it Sounds Like:
People who aren't hardcore underground Christian hip-hop fans are just waking up to the treasure that is 5ive. People wanting a break from the trap-saturated (dare I say oversaturated) scene will discover an R&B-flavored project that juxtaposes smooth sounds with rapid-fire rapping. It's a combination that works, and yet is not at all commonplace in Christian hip-hop. Featuring the prowess of Jordan Lucio, J. Carter and on several occasions, 5ive himself, you could be forgiven for calling this an R&B album instead of a rap album. On songs like "#NoFakeLove" and the remix of "#ForeverKing," there's no rapping at all, just singing. "#INeedYouMore" is straight-up CHH worship. There are even a couple of good gospel tracks, such as "#StillWorsh...
Rapper 5ive, also known as Craig James, has a pretty incredible, radical conversion story of how Jesus met him in a huge way and instantly ended his addictions. Since then, he's been sold-out to God, dedicating his lyrical gifts to a truly unashamed representation of Jesus. A follow-up to last year's Me Against the World EP, this 9-track project continues 5ive's rap campaign against that which would trip up God's people.
What it Sounds Like:
People who aren't hardcore underground Christian hip-hop fans are just waking up to the treasure that is 5ive. People wanting a break from the trap-saturated (dare I say oversaturated) scene will discover an R&B-flavored project that juxtaposes smooth sounds with rapid-fire rapping. It's a combination that works, and yet is not at all commonplace in Christian hip-hop. Featuring the prowess of Jordan Lucio, J. Carter and on several occasions, 5ive himself, you could be forgiven for calling this an R&B album instead of a rap album. On songs like "#NoFakeLove" and the remix of "#ForeverKing," there's no rapping at all, just singing. "#INeedYouMore" is straight-up CHH worship. There are even a couple of good gospel tracks, such as "#StillWorship" and "#NoFakeLove," and for the trap lovers, he even throws a bone on "#WitnessGreatness."
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights:
"That life was put to death when He sent His only son." This simple lyric from "#DestinedForMuch" captures the focus on this record: God's people have been radically saved and the "old person" is gone. He died for new life, so let's get away from that old stuff. Not only does 5ive have so many incredible lyrical moments in this project, but they're often delivered at high-speed... you'll need a few listens. Another standout on "#DestinedForMuch" directly references Reach Records, which has wavered a bit on the meaning of "unashamed" to its growing audience: "When I scream I'm unashamed I'm really talkin' bout the Gospel."
Best Song on the Record:
"#DestinedForMuch" has the fastest wordplay, but beyond that is full of awesome one-liners (like the ones mentioned above) that tackle the whole concept of being destined for much from several angles.
For Fans Of:
FLAME, Tedashii, KB, Canon, Pyrexx
Final Word:
The greater Christian music world needs to wake up to 5ive, who bridges so many musical styles, while providing a lyrical emphasis as overt as any in our industry. This is a great, hard-hitting, discipling piece of music that--bonus!--gives half of its proceeds to a charity that gives shoes to impoverished children. 5ive is the real deal and deserves a listen.
What it Sounds Like:
People who aren't hardcore underground Christian hip-hop fans are just waking up to the treasure that is 5ive. People wanting a break from the trap-saturated (dare I say oversaturated) scene will discover an R&B-flavored project that juxtaposes smooth sounds with rapid-fire rapping. It's a combination that works, and yet is not at all commonplace in Christian hip-hop. Featuring the prowess of Jordan Lucio, J. Carter and on several occasions, 5ive himself, you could be forgiven for calling this an R&B album instead of a rap album. On songs like "#NoFakeLove" and the remix of "#ForeverKing," there's no rapping at all, just singing. "#INeedYouMore" is straight-up CHH worship. There are even a couple of good gospel tracks, such as "#StillWorship" and "#NoFakeLove," and for the trap lovers, he even throws a bone on "#WitnessGreatness."
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights:
"That life was put to death when He sent His only son." This simple lyric from "#DestinedForMuch" captures the focus on this record: God's people have been radically saved and the "old person" is gone. He died for new life, so let's get away from that old stuff. Not only does 5ive have so many incredible lyrical moments in this project, but they're often delivered at high-speed... you'll need a few listens. Another standout on "#DestinedForMuch" directly references Reach Records, which has wavered a bit on the meaning of "unashamed" to its growing audience: "When I scream I'm unashamed I'm really talkin' bout the Gospel."
Best Song on the Record:
"#DestinedForMuch" has the fastest wordplay, but beyond that is full of awesome one-liners (like the ones mentioned above) that tackle the whole concept of being destined for much from several angles.
For Fans Of:
FLAME, Tedashii, KB, Canon, Pyrexx
Final Word:
The greater Christian music world needs to wake up to 5ive, who bridges so many musical styles, while providing a lyrical emphasis as overt as any in our industry. This is a great, hard-hitting, discipling piece of music that--bonus!--gives half of its proceeds to a charity that gives shoes to impoverished children. 5ive is the real deal and deserves a listen.
