NashvilleHype!

New Direction.  That is what caught my eye today.  So me being me, I had to ask exactly what direction this was going in?  Okay, so if you have never heard of Steven Cooper, maybe you would be familiar with his stage name, “Lyrycyst“. He is a proclaimed rap/rocker.  Rap? In Christian music? Why sure and if you have not listened to it you should. You get as much, if not the same amount, of “God’s Word” in it too.

Lyrycyst states, “When I first started I knew rap had several stigmas and one of my goals was to change the way people thought about it. People always complain that they can’t understand the words, there’s never much of a positive element, and the music is often a boring loop pattern. As I’ve grown as an artist, I’ve sought out to change all three- rapping in a clear way people can understand, making the content clean and relevant to the issues of the day, plus setting a standard for the innovative arrangements and creative music tracks. Because of these three things, I’ve seen people who never really listened to rap or hip hop before stand behind something they never thought they would.”

In the last six years this singer/songwriter has literally worked his way tooth and nail to get where he has gotten today. With over 300 live shows on his resume, some being alongside fellow artists Relient K, Jeremy Camp, and Toby Mac it is nowhere but up from here.

In his October 2007 release of “Masquerade” he delivers messages of the troubles in todays world, being lonely, obesession with celebrities, political division and the closeted subject of abortion. One of my personal favorites is “What If I” which is sung with Dove award winner Rachel Lampa. Abortion is a topic that is kept under the table in many places but when you listen to the words of this song, it makes you feel like taking a stand with many of us who are against it. Lyrycyst says, “I believe anyone can personally feel the pain of the issue because if our parents chose abortion we wouldn’t be here!”

Today Lyrycyst talks of what I would like to say is “a fresh breath”. Sometimes when this industry makes all the calls over and over and literally confines you to what they think you should be, a “breath” is a good thing to have to stay alive.

He states, “Since the beginning of this year I have felt the need to go in a brand new direction as an artist. Lets face it, I’m not your cookie-cutter christian artist, and sometimes it’s easy to get sucked into having to look and act like one. I’m determined to be the artist that I feel God has called me to be. I want to make the music I feel He wants me to make, whether the subject matter is controversial or not. I want to carry an image that represents who I am. I am determined to take my message beyond the christian market. If Eminem can say what he believes in, then so can I…”

Some people might think this would be a bold move for an artist to make. Yes, frankly it is and I think it to be a brave one. After all being a singer/songwriter is all about being who you are right? If you are who everyone else wants you to be then you have lost yourself in an imaginary life. I don’t care to say how sad that would be to realize you lost yourself after it was too late!

He further says, “The biggest part of what I’m saying is letting God take me where he wants me to go, instead of always being concerned with what the industry is looking for. I have no intention on every leaving my message behind, it is my foundation in everything I do.” Mega kudos for stepping up to the plate Steven Cooper-ahem-LYRYCYST! Be sure to mark your calendar for April 20th and head down to Rocketown in Nashville during GMA week to check him out!

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