Dee-1Psalms of David II
Dee1 Music (released October 19, 2013)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
New Orleans’ MC Dee-1 made history at the end of 2013 by being one of the first Christian rappers to be signed to a major label, RCA Inspiration.
His most recent release, Psalms of David II, is a good primer for those unfamiliar with his work. The mixtape, presented by MVP and DJ Hektik, is partly autobiographical. Snippets of Dee-1’s life journey appear everywhere on the mixtape, but most especially on “Walking Revolution” and “New Orleans Freestyle,” where he announces that he has been trying to make it since the year of Hurricane Katrina.
The rolling music, seamless changes, and minimal beats are secondary to Dee-1’s confident, elastic delivery, with the exception of some electronic tomfoolery during some of the track transitions. Every word is clear, thanks to spotless production.
In addition to autobiographical rhymes, Dee-1 covers topics such as love lost (“Just Go,” featuring PJ Morton), love won (“Found the One,” with Kourtney Heart), and the regrets of not interceding for a dead friend (“Accountability Partner,” with Alexis Jones and Ambush). The most intriguing rhyme is “I’ll Pay for It.” Produced by Mannie Fresh, the sympathetic selection is about an heir of a billion dollars who decides to use the money to help strip club dancers find better jobs.
Dee-1 has toured with Lupe Fiasco and with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, where he appeared on Chicago’s Lollapalooza stage in 2012. During mixtape interludes, Fiasco and Macklemore offer their props to the schoolteacher-turned-Christian-rapper David Augustine Jr., “the one man army.”
It will be interesting to see whether RCA Inspiration changes Dee-1’s style. One can only hope his swagger gets even better and he receives wider recognition.
Three of Five Stars
Pick: “Walking Revolution.”
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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