After a three year hiatus T-Bone returns to the music business with "The Last Street Preacha." T-Bone is known as a pioneer in the hip-hop genre dating back to his involvement with JC Crew in 1991. Back in 1991 there was very few artists willing to take the chance with hip-hop, and the general public thought the "fad" would pass.

Now ten years later hip-hop is still going strong. Its possibly the most influential music today. Kids of all ages find themselves turning to rappers like Eminem, Dr Dre, and N.W.A. for role models. Secular hip-hop artists in general reflect on glorifying sex and violence in their lyrics, and their concerts and personal lives have portrayed values that the church has battled with for a long time.

Even though hip-hop has found it's niche in the secular world its still struggling in the Christian market. Many Christian radio stations shy away from playing Christian hip-hop because the sound is so close to its secular equal. Additionally the style of hip-hop is not be popular with the general public. I believe that many parents just shut off when it comes to hip-hop.

So with all that and the added pressures of "company" business how does one survive? Well for T-Bone it meant taking some time off for himself. T-Bone was mentored daily by his Pastor and he undertook several mission trips. T-Bone still maintained a high profile in the Christian media as a host of "Real Videos" on Trinity Broadcasting Network. This hiatus gave T-Bone a chance to grow spiritually. "My heart is now more than ever for ministry," T-Bone affirms.

T-Bone is a straight up person who tells it like it is. "When I preach, I don't beat around the bush, I tell you straight up exactly how it is. I'm a very blunt person. Kids these days aren't going to listen if you don't come right out and be straight up with them," explains T-Bone. This straight up attitude coupled with his past experiences make T-Bone an incredible advocate for troubled youth. In "Up On Name" T-Bone raps "we reach thugs that gang bang."

T-Bone believes that "The Last Street Preacha" has the chance to be a "ground breaking" album. The album has rhythm and rhyme and God's Word. Parents should give T-Bone a chance and encourage their kids to try this alternative. They'll like the rhymes and you can feel good knowing that their receiving a positive message.

T-Bone wants to be an example not only for the fans but for other artists. T-Bone states, "I think too much of the time, we get too caught up in the music, too caught up in entertainment and forget about ministry. Its called Christian rock, Christian rap, Christian music. The word Christian in front of it means we represent Christ and that's what we need to do."

My Top Picks:

"Wipe Your Tears" - This is a song about trials and tribulations in life, and that Jesus offers love and protection.

"Conversions" - Awesome rasta-rap chorus. This is a story about how T-Bone is going to spread the Word in all areas, "every alley crack and ghetto curb, wit' the beat and verbs anointed by the mighty God I serve."

"Street Life" - Looking for God in the ghetto, and hoping for a way out.

Web Resources:

• www.houseoftbone.com
• www.flickerrecords.com
• www.hip-hopzone.com
• www.godshiphop.com
• www.streetwizdom.com