What Separates the Amateurs from the Pros Too many Christian hip-hop artists I meet have no patience. They get all amped up about a new single they are going to drop or a new album they are planning and they are gung ho! After a few hours in the studio, they lose motivation, they lose their drive. "Why is this not working?" They frustratingly ask. Then they get mad, "why doesn't my stuff sound like this or that?" Or they complain that they don't have enough money or time. That is a bunch of bologna!
What it is, is they have no patience. Rome was not built overnight. When you began your training as an artist, it did not come overnight. You did not practice for a year and sound like a pro. It took you years. Why not, then, look to the people who have been doing music production for years, people who have been in the game to help with your project. I mean, if you're going to represent the Lord, then represent Him! If he's called you to minister through music, then do it to the best of your ability; don't rush it to just get something-out...don't cut-corners because you need to keep-up with the artist down the block...listen to those whom He has placed around you with more experience and what they have to say, advise, etc...they are there for a reason: God put them there!
I have been practicing my delivery, patter and writing for years. I have fallen and I got back up and became stronger each time. It takes trial and error to get good at this stuff. Paul says in his letter to the Colossians (3:17) - "Whatever you do, do it all for the Glory and Honor of your Lord Jesus Christ." Do you really want to represent Jesus with some half-way done, mediocre production and lyrics that were thrown together on a napkin while you were eating at the local Taco-Bell? Doesn't the Lord deserve the best you have to offer; even if means taking more time and spending more money? "Well, if I spend more time, I'll run out of money and then I'll never get my message out..."...yada, yada, yada...I've heard it all before and you can keep it...I mean, whose message is it really?...and who always has the right timing? Paul speaks about this in his letter to the Phillipians (4:13) - "I can do all things through Jesus Christ whom strengthens me." So, don't give me this I can't afford it or I don't have the time excuses for your uninspired and mediocre releases. I don't care how often other artist's release stuff, it's not a race against anyone, but rather, isn't it a quest to produce something that is going to reach those that need to be reached?
If you understand music and production enough to even be in a studio, then why not pull-back, not release something till it's completely ready for release and ride with the Lord much more quickly than most.
What we, as Christian Rap Ministers need to understand is that once you drop something, it's dropped and there's no retracting it. So, when you drop it...really drop it! Like the bomb it is! Through prayer you'll find the right guidance.
For example, what works good for one artist's hook and sound might not work good for another. That is why you need to understand who you are, whom God has made you and what direction He is leading you. If you don't understand these three aspects yet, then, you may need to spend some more-time in prayer than in the studio. You see the key to reaching the sick, is giving them the medicine they want and need...even if they don't know they need it.
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