“A tree stands strong not by its fruits or branches, but by the depth of its roots.” ― Anthony Liccione
Christian Hip Hop is a blooming tree thanks to the efforts of this man. A founding member of the super group “Cross Movement” The Ambassador with his crew of top notch emcees; Phanatik, T.R.U – L.I.F.E, Cruz Cordero, Enock (RIP), and Earthquake ripped the curtain of the temple of Christian Hip Hop and allowed the masses to experience good hip hop for themselves. It was east coast, grimy, lyric-driven, and WORD based hip hop that sounded like secular hip hop production. Mind blowing for the time. That statement isn’t an indictment of the other pioneers of CHH, it just a fact of the times and shows the growth of the movement.
“I used to date a girl named, “World.”
Sis was real glamorous arrayed up in diamonds and pearls
But now I’ve got a new best friend
Because the world will leave you dry and watch you die in the end”
Like most “greats” The Ambassador was not limited to a group (even though Cross Movement has 7 albums deep) and in fact dropped a solo album in 1999 that many critics and fans consider the “Illmatic” of CHH – “Christology: In Laymen’s Terms” It’s a classic. No debate. It’s albums like this that make me weep for the new generation of CHH artists and fans because like secular hip hop, Hip Hop is a youth game and the youth don’t look back. Shame. With songs like “A Girl Name World”, “Hands in The Air”, “Thug Joint”, and “I Love You Jesus” these are clear examples of how to do Christian Hip Hop right. Production: relevant. Lyrics: on point. Gospel: in there. It’s such an easy formula I don’t understand how so many miss it or rip it?
“My soul thirsted to worship
Scufflin’, tustlin’, my feathers, He ruffled them
I tried to duck Him and tried to get back to my hustlin’
I must have been affected more than I could have imagined
Cause that’s been all I can think about since it happened”
The Ambassador followed that effort up with 3 more solo albums and then ….. nothing from 2014 on. His presence in CHH is missed, as with most of the pioneers, but his gift of lyricism and love of God can be felt in some of the newer emcees like Sho Baraka, JGivens, Taelor Gray and J.Kwest. His legacy lives on for sure.
Albums of note:
Solo: Christology: In Laymen’s Terms, The Thesis
Group: House of Representatives, Holy Culture, Why HipHop?
