Reminiscing on the message of Lauryn Hill’s “Superstar,” I find myself questioning the motivation behind artist’s music a lot today. Especially hip-hop. What began as an actual alternative to violent demise and despair at the hands of the inner city, and transformed into a balanced voice for those unheard, is now a manufactured soulless noise, mostly littered with the same capitalist goals which sought to cripple its constituents. What used to be common place is now harder to find.
But oh what joy one discovers when a diamond is found in the rough. Today’s gem is BJ the Chicago Kid’s full-blown testimony on “His Pain.” The soulful hymn laments on the unconditional grace we experience everyday, despite the sins and valleys we go through. The storms that may cloud our faith, and the single ray of light that keeps hope alive.
Hallelujah.
Stay on the look out for BJ’s debut Pineapple Now-Laters Feb 14th.
