Artist description Although Promise has been labeled as primarily a rapper, there are those who describe him as a “prophetic psalmist”. His music reflects a chaotic and violent reality that an apathetic world has become numb to.

Music Style rap

Artist History Many things were predicted, anticipated, and even dreaded concerning the coming on the year 2000. For one man from a poverty stricken, gang ruled neighborhood known as “Vietnam” the year 2000 would culminate with the release of his debut album, “Tell Me What You See” and fulfill a commission that he had received years earlier. Promise was raised in a family of fourteen children and although it was not any means a perfect childhood his mother tried her best to keep the family in church. But Promise’s future seemed dim from the start. He was a victim of sexual abuse at an early age and at 13 he barely survived an accident which left him in a coma for a month. As a teenager, Promise found his way into gang life and into the Grape Street Crips. Drugs, sex, and violence had become a part of everyday life. Promises exploits as a gang member afforded him an expensive lifestyle, but at times he still felt as if something were missing. On his own at 16 and living the high life, Promise had no idea that everything would soon change forever. After an altercation with a rival gang at local nightclub, Promise planned on getting his .357 and returning to settle the matter. As he went to retrieve his gun he heard a voice inside say “go home”, but he continued on. Before he could return another gang members aunt intervened and talked them out of returning. That same night while lying awake in his bed, Promise fell into a trance like state where he witnessed a deeply disturbing vision of his future. In this vision the earth was dark and gloomy covered with disaster and destruction. This was an image of having missed the rapture. It was at this moment that Promise remembered the message of salvation that his mother had preached to him. The next morning he repented and accepted Jesus. Although Promise has been labeled as primarily a rapper, there are those who describe him as a “prophetic psalmist”. His music reflects a chaotic and violent reality that an apathetic world has become numb to. Despite the sometimes disturbing subject matter, his songs always offer hope and redemption. Ephesians 6:12 has become his theme in life and in ministry. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against wickedness in high places.” Promise paints a disturbing, yet real picture of today’s world on “Tell Me What You See” ….to which Jesus is the only answer. Come inside his world and you will see what God is showing him!

Group Members Promise

Press Reviews (The Groove Spot)While not having the most complex flow, Promise still brings deep rhymes full ofmeaning to the culture of Hip Hop. Driven to uplift, Promise paints pictures of artwith his story-raps that touch your heart and mind. Check out "Lustful", "Thanks", and the very deep "Father, Mother,Child". Tight LP. Spot Rate 3 1/2 Reviewed by:Jiddoe (Cross Rhythms Magazine/UK)This is a happening hip hop CD! A righteous rapper, Promise serves up disturbing word pictures of contemporary society and its issues and then into the moral malaise blasts the shining light of truth with the force of a prophet. Stylistically, a lot of this sounds like Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" with its dramatic words matched by similarly effective music. Lyrically it's out on its own, a complete antidote to the usual egotistic violent misogynist rap music that is sadly so popular. Check it out! There's a no holds barred attack on those who legally murder babies including a graphic description of the plight of those babies whose lives are ended by abortionists on "Killers". There's a moving description of the abuse of children and its lifetime affects on those who are damaged in"Father, Mother, Child". "Lustful" obviously deals with overcoming the temptations that so easily divert from a righteous life and in characteristic style Promise explodes all the contemporary myths about the lustful lurve that lures with its promises of fulfilment but leaves the participants permanently tainted. If it all sounds a little heavy, so what? It's all stuff that needs to be said. Other standouts include "Promise Can I Kick It?" and "If I Gotta Die" which both spell out the cost of discipleship. Overall, it's clear that Promise knows what he's talking about since he was miraculously delivered from serious involvement in ganglife and radically saved as a teenager. Definitely one of the most radical rap records I've ever heard! I was particularly challenged by Promise whose album is one of the best Hip Hop CDs I've ever heard simply because of the prophetic power of what he's carrying. I pray that God will use him in incredible ways. (10 squares)

Location Tulsa, OK - USA

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