Urban Redemptoris

Why Catholic Hip-Hop?

People often question my move towards Catholic Hip-Hop, from a more secular sound. So here is the answer:

I started making music about 4-5 years ago. When I say make music, I mean, using a Walmart certified 10$ microphone to record vocals on top of mainstream instrumentals. Seeking to be smarter about my lyrics became my focus, after listening to a local emcees mixtape dissing the current state of Hip-Hop and it’s focus on the highly glamorized facade of hollywood gangsters. 

Long story short, after seeking truth, and hitting near to rock bottom in my personal life, I sought out more than just slick rhymes and man-made philosophies. Turning to my Catholic-Christian faith, I began seeking God and seeing what my religion was all about. However, I was so convicted in seeking the truth, that I sought to question why I believed what I believed, and if any of it was even true. 

After a short journey into the world of Fundamentalism and Non-denominationalism, with a short trip to Existentialism; I found myself yearning for the Eucharist and could not deny not only the rationale behind why God had to exist, and why the God of the Bible and Catholic Tradition had to be true, but through personal experience (yes, tangible proof) I was brought to seek more than the lies and hedonistic lifestyle I was settling for. With the help of Ex-Protestant Pastor turned Catholic theologian, Scott Hahn, through his writings, and help from close friends and a mentor, Miko Sy, I became zealous for the Catholic-Christian faith. 

Back to Hip-Hop. 

My “beef” with the industry and its monopoly over industrialized music grew. Artists that I believed had more talent and more of a message were downplayed, and those who used “shock-value” as a means to advertise their already highly superficial music, which tends to undermine morality a majority of the times and alternate realities, were glorified and praised as gods. Society was getting a heavy dose of lies; the rising suicide rates, divorce rates, teen pregnancies (yes even with all the glorified contraceptives)…[the list goes on] were proof of this [*Note* Not just through the music industry, but listen to the top 40 and you’ll see begin to see my point]. Even the artists that put these songs out got a dose of their medicine; i.e. Brittany Spears, Chris Brown, etc. 

However, what moved me most in seeking to put a message that actually glorified Something (rather SomeOne) worth glorifying, was my own state of decay. 

My motives, ambitions in life, were highly moved by this force we call Hollywood and the music industry. I wanted to make music that would impact me in a positive way, and reflected my own continuous conversion to a God that promises more than the world offers. In comes, Catholic Hip-Hop. 

Through the scope of 2000 years of infallible doctrine, theology and Tradition, the Bride of Christ would motivate me to make music that reflected the Truth it taught An antidote to my disease. Christ was and continues to be the solution. 

However, my music isn’t limited to Catholics. It’s limited to humanity, to those of any religion or lack of. If you are a seeker of truth, then this music is for you. I can’t say that I hold all the Truth, but I rely on the pillar of truth, which Scripture tells us is the Church. 1 Timothy 3:15

I respect all of my Protestant brothers and sisters who convey the love of Christ through their music. “Holy Hip-Hop”, as some call it, needs the full Truth of Christ, however. The only institution that was given this task was the Catholic Church, the ONLY Church to be established by Christ. To spread ALL that He taught, in oral tradition and in Scripture. Matthew 28:20. 

Whether it’s a song about love, social justice, sexual morality, friendships, relationships, the scope of Catholicism is Universally applicable to all of these. I’m not seeking to change others when I’m in most need of change. I’m not seeking to glorify myself when God is the One deserving all the glory. I’m a seeker of the Truth, attempting to convey the Message that was given to me, to us, by Christ, through the Church, to all of humanity. The current Catholic Hip-Hop movement may be small, but the Truth of Christ through His Bride, the Catholic Church, is transcendental. That’s the best part. It’s not about me. It’s something bigger. This goes further than music.

Are you ready to live for more than what you have been settling for? I am.

AMDG. 

- By: Nick “Dy-Verse” Torres

Phatmass back at it

The other night I had the opportunity to witness magic in the making. Phatmass founder, dUSt, was back at it again. This time, he was streaming a recording session with Father Pontifex and C2Six, live on UStream. I was able to listen to one of the songs I am featured on, and watched as Father laid his verse down. C2Six also had the chance to record a hook (Chorus) on the song. The project is near completion, and includes features from myself (Dy-Verse), C2Six, Lê, Sammy Blaze, and many other Phatmass artists. Be on the lookout for that!

It has been a while my friends, but after a longggg break, I plan to be back on my grind with the blogging. At least, I hope so. 

Here’s my latest one: Invictus (Latin for unconquerable). 

The inspiration for the song:

As far as the lyrics, I had most of the first verse written prior to making the beat with my friend, Sherwin Rio. I don’t usually do this, but I’m going to break the rhymes down, explaining the meaning behind them. (Decided to stop at the first verse..lol the second verse is pretty clear)

Sidenote: I attempt to make my lyrics as Scripturally based as possible, and often pray that the Lord guide my thoughts and words to form these rhymes. May the Lord be glorified with this song. Amen. 

Verse 1:

Step into the vision of the king, come and see that

Everybody living is missing what only He has

Love to the infinite digits and then repeat that

Search with eyes of faith, If you wonder where Elohim’s at

We should view the world through the eyes of God, in so we notice how the world(including myself) vainly chases the material, temporal and often spiritually harming things, however only God suffices. Only He can fill that God-shaped hole in our hearts that we attempt to fill with useless things of all sorts, be it pride, pleasure, etc. 

If you search with eyes of faith, you will see that God is there, and His love is infinite. 

Get it soon better get it right

Listen to the tune consume every letter type

Write for a better life Christ is the bread of life 

Ain’t no other way out the grave bring the dead to life

The Scriptures, the writings of the Church fathers, the things our parents tell us, our priests/bishops/our Holy Father are more than suggestions. They’re warnings, words that should convict us. They’re words of power and truth. In the culture of death, these are truly the words of Life. And God speaking through all these mediums is the only way we will gain true life. 

Were headed down a steep hill

Unless we call His name and return to were his sheep dwell

And if your heart just doesnt sleep well

Let your love awaken by a faith that doesn’t seem stale 

Whether each generation is decaying isn’t something I would assert, however, the generation that I’ve grown up with is committing the same mistakes our ancestors have, and in this cycle of sin we destroy ourselves. (i.e. all past major civilizations) Our hearts grow restless, and the faith that we have in God always renews. 

Inhale, it’s a new type of life now

Lights out, the Lamb of God is my lighthouse

Night prowls but the light overcomes the dark

The first line refers to recreation. In Genesis, God breathed on man to give him life. We are a new creation in Christ, therefore we inhale the new life God has given us, just as Adam inhaled the breath of God as he was first created. 

“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.”- Rev 21:23 Is what the next line refers to.

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Is mentioned in there too. 

Over from the start cuz we know He will triumph Our

Father from the heavens will glorify His presence

Crucified, His essence 

Is found in all the suffering 

So we honor Him, cuz that’s we were born to do

We went against the current, but we found and now we know it’s true

We know God will triumph, He already has(through His Crucifixion). The outcome is already set in stone, therefore it’s over from the start. Along with His success at the Cross, we are now united to Him through our suffering and empowered by His graces through this suffering. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

No matter how much we try to against the Truth, we can’t. We found the Truth, and we know God is alive, He is powerful, just and merciful. We know Christ is the Savior of the world. We know the Lord is Invictus. 

I haven’t been disciplined with posting up new Catholic hip-hop songs/bios etc up on here but I hope this small video makes up for it!

I will look def. take some time out to listen to other artists out there for future posts so hang in there!

God bless and Happy Advent!

Happy Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception to our Blessed Mother!

My conversion(or reversion) to the Catholic Faith started simply by crying out for help to our Lord, in the best way I knew how; praying the Rosary.

My mom has always had a great devotion to our Lady, which has always stirred in me a tender affection towards our Heavenly Mother. 

I love our Lady and I pray that one day I may behold her beauty in the New Jerusalem!

Mother Mary, Pray for us. 

Check it out ya’ll… so I came across a list of Catholic musicians on Wikipedia (the best resource on the Internet lol) and was surprised to see a section dedicated to Catholic Hip-Hop artists (including me)!

See for yourself (scroll down towards the bottom of the page):

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Roman_Catholic_Church_musicians&action=submit

This in turn made me want to Google/YouTube/(whatever other search engine) most of these guys up and broaden my knowledge on the Catholic Rappers out there. 

To be completely honest, I was humbled at realizing how I only know a small handful of these artists and realized if I’m going to keep informing you all with Catholic Hip-Hop I better stay on top of my game, not just with my music, but with the various of low-profile musicians who rep Christ and our beautiful Catholic Church. 

Above you will see a video for a man well-known as Paradox. I started listening to a couple of his songs via YouTube and was impressed at the raw talent this artist demonstrated. 

According to his website, the label in which he is currently working with, End of Earth Records, is a non-profit organization; meaning that any and all songs or items that you purchase via his website go to a number of charities. 

As it states, “not only are you getting an earful of solid hip hop, you’re literally helping to address pressing social justice issues, such as slavery and world hunger.”

To check out some of his other material visit his website at:

http://www.paradoxhiphop.com/

(this has various links on the sidebar connecting to YouTube, Twitter, etc etc)

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

Le. A Catholic rapper with his heart set on Jesus Christ and staying loyal to the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. 

I get the privilege of working with this amount of talent. God’s blessed me indeed. 

One of my favorite songs. Ever.

Enjoy. And let’s still shoot for getting 1,000,000 views.

For more information on M.A.S. and links to purchase his album:

http://theroadtomas.com/

An extension to the Universal Christian (Catholic) YouTube Cypher; performed by C2Six. 

Enjoy!