The Bodega

This one isn't for everyone. It may not be your cup of tea, but I ask that you read it all before you make your decision to stop reading my posts. This is a promotion for a friend. I have this platform at my disposal and this time I'm using to help out a friend.

It may not be your type of music, it may not be your scene, and it may not be something you're interested, but I think it's worth checking out. I have a friend, who has released his first hip hop album called the Bodega. His name is K Wylin, and I have become a believer.

I was raised on rock and to this day, it is where my heart pulls me. There's a lot of rappers out there that make me sick. They hurt my head with their insane lyrics, horrendous messages, degrading messages, violent images, and just plain irresponsible. Now, not all of them are like this, and I acknolwedge that, but there are those that the above accurately describes and it gives the genre a horrible name. It is the reason I stay away from it.

Then there's my friend. I can tolerate him. No, scratch that, I appreciate him. His works, talent, lyrics, message, and poise separate him from a list of wannabes and pretenders.

Last night, at his release party, my wife and I, who are not hip hop fans, sat and watched him perform and we heard several of the songs from his new album, and many times during the night, my wife and I would lean into each other and say, "I liked that." The songs were fun, both lyrically and musically. He's up front that his album is a message between him and God, and that every song was inspired by his faith in Jesus.

I admire his talent, his passion and his heart for people. A few of his songs he had released a few years ago, and to him, they were very arrogant and egotistical. He told the crowd last night that they came off as though it was about him, and how awesome he is. He took the time to rewrite the lyrics to illustrate clearly that the point he was making is that he is awesome, but only through the grace of God. I loved the originals, but love the newer ones too.

If you know him, one of the phrases or words you will hear him say repeatedly is, "I appreciate you," or "appreciate." It's not just a word or expression to him, it's what he feels, genuinely. Obviously he wants this to be his career choice, but his goal isn't to make a million dollars year, or sell ten thousand units a week. His goal is to have the opportunity to reach that one person that doesn't know Jesus and encourage him to see that his life has meaning and he can something more than he is.

His words are encouraging, he message is strong, and his personality is approachable. What more are you looking for?

That's one of the many reasons that he is different than other hip hop performers out there. He understands that he is not the focus, his songs aren't the focus, but rather it's his message that should be the focus. One of his songs, entitled, Giving Children Hope, is about the responsibility that we have in the society we live in to get kids off the streets and away from the gang lifestyle and to give them the hope that they can be more than murderers and thieves.

K Wylin understands that his job is not just to sell records and pursue a career in hip hop, but that he also has a responsibility to his faith and to the people that listen to him. He isn't positioning himself as a role model, but rather showing listener who they should look to as a role model, and that is Jesus Christ. He is modest, entertaining, humble, funny, talented, and more.

So, where you're a fan of hip hop or not, and I know there are many, if you're looking for something with positive messages and entertaining songs, look to K. Wylin. I'm not just promoting this because he's a friend of mine, but I believe in what he's doing and believe in what he's promoting.

Kwylin.com is his website
You can buy his album the Bodega on itunes.

Until next time
P