NEW MUSIC: Sinner - MR. (Feat. Bonz & Blu Note) Posted by JD on 5:41 PM

I'm not a fan of award shows...none of them, the Grammy's, the BET Awards, the Hip Hop Awards, none of them. It’s probably just me. Have you ever been watching one, and the artist goes up for their acceptance speech, and say those words you knew were coming, "First of all...I'd like to thank God..." Knowing God isn't in any of the mess they're putting out?! No? It’s probably just me. Thing is, I don't want to get into judgment (Mat. 7:1-5), it just strikes me strange that artists can put out such Godless music (James 3:9-10), and lead such Godless lifestyles (Mat. 7:17-19), but still think their success is a "blessing from God"...it’s probably just me. Now I'm not talking the Jay-Z/Illuminati conspiracy theorist nonsense...I'm talking about the artists that profess to have a relationship with God, but the life and music we see and hear doesn't show any fruit of what a true relationship with the King would bear.

But every now and then, a “DMX type” will come along…the cat that has something about him, where you can tell his Spirit man is crying out for God (Gal. 5:17), but the inner battles are more than he can handle without giving himself completely over. It's like I understood X because I used to battle with myself in alot of areas too! Well recently, I heard a song and it gave voice to this inner turmoil. One of my best friends is a "secular rapper," and one of the best I've still heard!! He emailed me a song and asked for my opinion. (I don't think he had any idea sending that email would take us to where we are now, but I think it's a good thing to have this conversation!) I believe alot of these artists do have some sort of relationship with God (via "a belief in"), but the struggle to completely give up their old ways is a constant battle. Now, because I know this dude (the third rapper on the song), I know this is a real record to him, not just talk. It's a conversation we have consistently!

Upon first listen, my mouth was to the ground...like...huh?! But like any song with thought-provoking content, I had to give it a second listen, and third...

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*Now, if you're a super-spiritual, ultimate church'd out person, you might wanna just click to another site now. It's not extra vulgar at all, but I still feel the need to drop the disclaimer!*

Sinner - MR. (Feat. Blu Note & Bonz)



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EF: What up bro! I don't know that's we've ever done this before...what's CRACKIN?! lol

MR: Chillin homie, ya know, trying to stay recession proof out here…grindin, wassup?

EF: Man homie, I'm real good out here!! A'ight look, enough of the jibb jabb lol...let's get into it! Dude, first off, TO ME, the song is bananas!! Dope beat, the hook really sticks with you, and that cat singin at the end…I mean, saaangin!! But let's talk about the concept behind this joint...let's dig into these verses!! Man, when I first heard the joint, I was scratchin my head lol!! Had to listen a couple times to digest the content, see what ya'll was really on lol!!

MR: I'm quite sure you did...as I suspect most religious people will do, especially most Christians! But to really understand this record, you must first have an open mind, I mean obviously and just, ya know, peep out da lyrics and REALLY listen to what's being said. All in all, it's really a confessional song and a plea for others to keep US "the sinners" in prayer, while we all try to better ourselves daily. Bottom line, EVERY individual walking this Earth is a Sinner...from the Pastor to the Pimp! Everybody won't it admit though. I mean, you’ll be hard pressed to find most “saints” being that open about it. The song is not meant to offend anyone intentionally, at least. I think it just gets a message across and will open up discussions on both the secular and gospel realms that I feel are needed and healthy. I mean, even the language in the song is friendly, barring a couple words like "get high" and "niggaz", but that can easily be cleaned up for airplay or performances. At the same time, it’s real talk and emotions spilled out, so why would you want to take away from its authenticity, other than for airplay purposes.

EF: Yea I feel you. There’s definitely an emotional outpouring on the record! Thing is, I'm not THAT far removed from it all y'know...I FEEL it, but it makes me think too!! Like, that struggle is real for a lot of people out here. I think at the end of the day, alot of people really do have a desire to follow God, but that narrow path isn't the "easiest" road to get on when you've been living a certain way for so long. I don’t know…it’s almost like the song is contradicting itself too though y’know. I wanna go to heaven…buuuut, I don’t wanna stop living this way. Feel where I’m coming from?

MR: I feel you man, lol...it's just as an artist, you gotta speak and touch on things where most people can relate to them. Contradiction is a human trait...I mean, we ALL mean well, but sometimes do the opposite...vow to not do it again, then do it again (ie, getting drunk, sex, etc...). Everybody's not saved, but everybody is most definitely a sinner! Now whether you feel that being a sinner is a bad thing or not, ultimately that’s YOUR walk, not necessarily the next person’s. Cuz trust me, there are some people out there who feel there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the way they’re living and will prove it to you, lol. Some try to do better, some don't at all...but SIN is the common denominator and prayer is definitely needed for all of us! The record comes with controversy similar to [Kanye West’s] "Jesus Walks," Nas' Nigger album and Hip Hop is Dead album, "Like a Prayer" by Madonna, and so on. From controversy comes discussion, from discussion comes understanding, and from understanding comes solutions. The bottom line is, with everything that is going on in this world and the state that it’s in, along with our individual lives and not to mention MUSIC in general, this record is definitely needed. Plus, at the end of the day, this record is personal to me, so any discussion on how I’m feeling, feedback positive or negative is great for me, lol. Keep talking…I just might get more interviews out of this, lol. Seriously though, this record wasn’t conceived on where it could go, marketing wise, it just so happens that everyone can relate to this and religion is always a hot topic of debate.

EF: Now let me say this...on the hook it says, "Say a prayer for me, I don't wanna go to hell when I die..." Now you and I both know, there's only one way to the Father, one way to salvation. And that's a trust and belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins... So with that being a known, how does "...I just wanna go to heaven when I die" work?

MR: That line, along with the whole hook in general, is coming from a heart of guilt. Someone that KNOWS and not ignorant to the truth of what it takes to get to heaven, however, deterred by the good evils of the world, which can cause such a distraction that it’s easy to forget WHO you are OR Why you’re here. That line, is a cry from a soul that it is extremely weary of God’s inevitable wrath for those that choose to live opposite of HIS law. For instance, remember when you got caught by your parents doing something that you KNOW you shouldn’t have been doing? LOL…you know a whoopin or some sort of wrath was about to go down and at that point, you start coppin pleas like “mama I won’t do it no mo…I don’t wanna whoopin, blah, blah” OR, you just got caught, red-handed, cheating on your lady or something and you immediately get on some, “I’m sorry…I just want us to be like it was…I’ll do anything, blah, blah”. It’s at this most humbled state that we find ourselves, crying out to “spare the rod” per say, while knowing that the repercussion is Just. It’s crazy man…to be human is to err, fa real!

EF: Yea bro, I definitely feel you on that. I guess, more than anything, my question is…If, for the most part, people know that their lifestyle is wrong and there really is a yearning to be closer to God, why not just do what it takes…as hard as it may be?

MR: Well, you know, that’s the difficult part. It’s an everyday process. It’s no different than trying to kick ANY habit for that part. We’re talking about years of unlearning, ya know? It’s not easy at all and that is why constant prayer is needed. It’s also good that God is a God of mercy, so He understands our human fails, but He’s also not to be taken for the fool either. C’mon, there’s no “getting one over on God”, lol. But yea, if everybody could just turn from their old ways and reinvent themselves as this new creature cold turkey, then Church or Religion at all wouldn’t be as big a business that it is now…ON the real (waddup Big Russ!)

EF: I see you got the boy Bonz on the record (What up Bonz!), did you go to him with the idea...how did that collab come together?

MR: It’s crazy, cuz, this was a personal record for me and I really thought no one would feel me on that hook, lol. I have to credit my man Blu Note, who rapped the first verse, for encouraging the record. We were just going thru a beat CD I had with some tracks from a few producers and this one in particular was from a cat named Cash out of St. Louis. We got to that beat and I was like, “I got something to that one already…skip that one”, lol. It was like 4 of us at Bonz’ studio and we couldn’t catch a vibe to nothing else, so Blu was like “what you got to that one beat”? I really didn’t want to kick that hook…for one, it was personal and if dudes wasn’t feeling it, I would take it personal, lol. I finally let them hear it and they was feeling it off the rip, like “let’s do THIS one”. I wasn’t trippin on anybody else getting on the song at all, especially, once it was established that they liked the hook. I ain’t gone lie, I was kind of shame to let them hear it, because as a man, it brings your vulnerability to the forefront. But, ultimately, that’s what makes great artists GREAT! We really knocked it out in no time! Blu really set the tone with his first verse and Bonz added the soulful spice that it definitely needed. It’s crazy, cuz, hearing Bonz rap, you wouldn’t imagine that the boy can blow like that! He came up in singing in the church and it definitely shows on this track…both him and Blu are incredible talents man, waddup!!! N.A.M., North Atlanta Movement Baby!!!

EF: Right! Cause I NEVER would have guessed that that was Bonz singing at the end of the record! That part is really moving…lol, but it’s probably just me! So let’s wrap this up, where do you see the record going? (Cause I can already see the video!!) And what’s next on the agenda for MR.?

MR: Oh yea, we’re definitely getting a video, a couple for that matter, together for this song. If no other record needs a visual, THIS one definitely does. You need to get up with me and chop up on some ideas for the treatment on it too! Though I didn’t see it initially upon recording the song, I see this song challenging and crossing a few music barriers and genres. As far as for MR., 2010 is presenting itself to be a promising year. I have an album I’m working on now, that I won’t give a release date for, because I’m aiming for perfection with it. However, I will be putting out music all year virally and performing on the road. I’m connected with N.A.M. and we are a collective of different artists from all over that represent the Northside of Atlanta. We are making a lot of noise right now and look to be making a whole lot more this year…it’s coming, watch!! Other than that, It’s still 7th Day, Zero 2 Sixty/Rare Breed in this thang… (FREE Da BRAT and the Big Homie Crook!!)

EF: Where can the people catch up and keep up with you my dude?

MR: You can keep up with me at www.facebook.com/mynamemister, www.myspace.com/mynamemister, www.mynamemister.com, www.twitter.com/misterripley, or just google “mynamemister” or “MISTER Already Famous” and you’ll get more information than you need, lol!!

EF: Well, my prayer for you cats bro…that God’s voice and the plans He has for your lives would become more and more clear to you, and that your hearts would move closer to Him! God’s best for ya’ll bro!

MR: ‘Preciate it homie! Thanks for the interview and stay blessed!!



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JD
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