Search - Trip Lee :: 20/20

Fire!!

Monergist | Los Angeles | 05/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album goes hard. All sixteen songs are God glorifying. There is even a song glorifying the Holy Spirit. A lot of us forget that He (Holy Spirit) is apart of the Godhead, and that He deserves just as much honor and worship as the Father and Son, They are all equally God.



I give this CD five stars, but there are a few cons I will mention. Number one, Trip is from Texas, but his myspace says he's living in Philly. That said, Trip should have done more of a down south flavor, with more songs chopped and screwed. There are two songs with the chorus screwed, but no whole song chopped and screwed, which is surprising for a person from Dallas.



Also, he didn't do a song with Da Truth, or Everyday Process, which is not a big deal; it just would've been tight to here a new collaboration with them.



Those miner things do not take away from the album at all, I just hope he does more of a dirty south rhythm next go around. I'll rate the songs as usual (5/5 being the highest score), and give a brief description. Trip is very doctrinally sound, which is blatant in number 15(Eye's Open), and I give a more in debt description of the songs lyrics below. This album was truly produced by the hands of Almighty God.



1. 20/20 Intro 5/5 - The intro is cool, the beat is tight. It sounds like Sho Baraka does the speaking in this introduction. Trip is rapping about the difference between this album in contrast to the world's albums, and how his goal is to introduce the listener to God, and not himself. You will find that this is the theme throughout the whole album.



2. Superstar 5/5 - Most people have already heard this song on Trip's myspace page. It's still bangin. For those who haven't heard it, this song is basically taking the eyes and ears off the artist, and pointing them towards Jesus. Instead of being like the world and glorifying self, this song glorifies God, who is the real Superstar.



3. Real Vision ft. Tedashii 5/5 - This song has more of a southern flavor. The chorus is chopped and screwed. It's one of my favorite songs on the album. There was only a minute snippet on Trip's myspace, but now hearing the whole song, I like it more. Tedashii went hard too, sometimes I don't be feelin Tedashii's verses, but he came wit' it this time. This song is about seeking out sound doctrine, something we all need to do. Also, it is a refute of the prosperity gospel, and how heretical it is. They exhort us to study the Word for ourselves, and not just blindly follow behind our pastors, but match what we learn with scripture. Trip and Tedashii also magnify God in this song, and preach about God's Sovereignty.



4. Inexhaustible 5/5 - This track has a real tight beat. And the lyrics are better. The lyrics are about how we serve an infinite God who we cannot fully understand. We are reminded that we are finite and cannot fully comprehend our Triune God.



5. Who is like Him? 10/10 - This song is crucial! The beat is COLD!! Especially the break down when they take out the synthesizer. Who is like the Lord?(Ps 35:10) Nobody! Isaiah 40:25 makes it clear. This is my favorite song on the CD. Lacrae and Flame did a song on Crae's album "After the Music Stop's," called, "The King," in which they talked about Jesus being the King of king's, and how rapper's needed to stop all the non-sense of trying to crown themselves because of their money and cars. This song is similar, but better.



6. We Told 'Em 4/5 - I like this song, it has a unique robot sound effect. The beat sounds like a Timberland beat, I was never much of a fan of him when I was in the world. The lyrics are about not only professing to be a Christian, but also showing it. Like James said, show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith, by works (James 2:18). Don't get it twisted, salvation is by faith alone, but our faith should produce good works.



7. Cling To You ft. Shai Linne 5/5 - This is a nice and laid back track. The piano set's it off. Shai Linne is on point. This song was also on Trip's myspace page, but it was only one minute. Hearing Shai Linne's whole verse makes the song sound different now. The lyrics are about praising God during pain, suffering, and tribulation, even if it doesn't ease up. That's probably one the hardest things to do as a Christian. This song is also one of my favorites. Oh yeah, Trip did good singing the chorus.



8. Relief 5/5 - This track is laid back as well. It has an old school feel. The relief of course, is only found in Jesus Christ. Has a tight string bass solo at minute 2:25. Some old school cats had to produce this, or some young cats that had some parents who were into the Isley Brothers, and Al Green.



9. Behold the Spirit ft. Tedashii 5/5 - Glory to the Holy Spirit. As I said, we often forget about the Holy Spirit. But are reminded of Him with this song. That just lets us know that the Holy Spirit does a perfect job in teaching all Christian's to glorify Jesus. He doesn't try to attract any attention to Himself, but in all the Holy Spirit's humbleness, let us not forget to take time out to thank the Holy Spirit, and worship Him as well. He's God, and He is responsible for A LOT, including the scriptures, regeneration, our sanctification process, convicting us of sin, giving us gifts, moving the prophets to speak the oracles of God, teaching us everything we know (love, etc), and most important, leading the sheep to the Master, Jesus, teaching us about Jesus, and showing us how to glorify Jesus. Like Trip said, there's plenty more to say about the Holy Spirit's work and Person, He is also infinitely God.



10. Satisfaction (Hedonist) 5/5 - Christian Hedonist is a term coined by Pastor and author, Dr. John Piper. Piper is one of Trip's favorite teachers. A hedonist is someone who seeks for pleasure, usually through sexual means. Piper invented the term Christian Hedonist for all of us who seek for pleasure in God. This song is about finding satisfaction in our LORD, and being intimate with Him. As Piper say's, and also what Trip copies, He (God) is glorified in us, when we are satisfied in Him.



11. Come Close ft. Flame, and Sho Baraka 4/5 - This song is cool. The beat is tight. I just took a point off for Flame's verse. I know he's from St. Louis, but that's no excuse to rap/sing like Nelly. Flame has a distinct sound and rap style, but not in this song, he really sounds just like Nelly, which I wasn't feelin'. Anyway, they all tell the story of God, from the beginning of the bible, till the end, of course a very condensed version. I like Sho's verse; he's a comedian (How u durin'?). Hearing Sho' say, "we continue the family business," made me feel like I was in the mafia, and Jesus is the God Father, and all the Christian's preach the gospel, continuing the family business He started.



12. Who He Is ft. Lacrae, & Cam 5/5 - I noticed that on a lot of the songs, the producers use the "warning" sound effect. Just Blaze is known for using it all the time. Crae's verse was tight, as usual. The beat goes good with Cam's singing. This song is about presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to God; for all that He has done for us. That's reasonable right? (Rom 12:1-2).



13. Intimacy ft. Diamone 4/5 - Of course Diamone had to get on one of the tracks with her gracious voice. She sounds cool with these type of laid back songs. I took a point off for the "Na, Na, Na's" at the end, you'll hear when you listen. Hey, you might like 'em:) This is a worship song, and it's about being with the Lord, and longing for His love all day.



14. True Security 3/5 - Although this song has good lyrics, I wasn't feelin it too much. Maybe it's the beat. It sounds better when all the instruments are turned off, and it's straight percussion. It has a depressing Viola playing the whole time. True security is only found in Jesus, and Trip describes three individual's who are looking for love in all the wrong places, and how we need to pray for people we know in those situations.



15. Eye's Open ft. JR 5/5 - I'll be honest, at first listen I wasn't really feelin' this song, then a second listen, I paid closer attention to the lyrics. Trip mixed a lot of Calvinist/Reformed doctrine into this song. JR does the singing, which is good.



This song is about Trip, or actually all of us, from birth till conversion. He was born in 1987, just like my little sister. He speaks about being born dead in sin, blind, dark hearted, incapable of doing good, being a sinner as a child, and how he inherited his depravity from Adam (Total Depravity).



He then goes into the work of Jesus on the cross, and attributes all, that is, %100 responsibility of his salvation to the glory of Jesus Christ (Monergism). He talks about how he (Trip) was predestined, and Unconditionally Elected by God, and resurrected from the grave. Trip mention's that God loved and chose him not based on anything about, or in him, but according to God's good pleasure and purpose.



He also talks about how God gave him something within, dragged him out, with grace he wouldn't resist, this is the doctrine of Irresistible Grace. He then says's Jesus died for all He would save, this is the doctrine of the Limited Atonement. And lastly, goes on to talking about persevering till the end, Perseverance of the Saint's of course. He say's he's confident if he's in Christ, he will make it till the end. The whole TULIP doctrine is in this song, I'm sure he did it on purpose.



16. Hip Hop 5/5 - A good way to end the album. Has a screwed voice for a piece of the chorus. He raps about rappers, who lie to get shine, and how hip-hop is just ONE of the tool's we should use to praise God. Cool Beat. We use the music, it's doesn't use us.



Well. It was a long review. Sorry. But some people want all the details before they spend their money. I purchased the MP3 album, so I couldn't tell you if I missed out on any Hidden Track's.



This CD is filled with Praise, Worship, Sound Doctrine, Preaching, Evangelism, you name it, it's got it. I encourage all my brothers and sister in Christ to purchase a copy, and support Reach Record's and Trip Lee for this effort. And even unbeliever's, who haven't accepted Christ, or Lukewarm Christian's who are straddling the fence, pick up a copy for some encouragement.



A worker is worthy of his wages. Usually it's hard for artist to top or match their first albums, but clearly nothing is impossible with God. "20/20" to me, is a much better album than "If They Only Knew", and makes clear that Trip is growing closer to the Lord.



Don't be boot leggin either!! lol, God see's it.



Jesus is God.

"

What a leap!!!!

kbspence | Huntsville Alabama | 05/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""If They Only Know" was a great freshman release. But this sophomore attempt????? CRAZY!!!!!! All 16 songs are banging! The beats are fantastic; on point! However, I focus on the lyrics...and the lyrics are superb! You can feel Trip's emotions when he flows. He really reppin' the Lord Jesus Christ on this one! The featured artists blended together perfectly! I can listen to this front to back all day. Trip! You outdid yourself on this one !!!! My Favorite songs so far are:

Cling To You---I can relate so much!

Superstar----I love the lyrics and his emotion

We Told Em----All around fantastic

Relief---- what a beat! Lyrics are on point!

Come Close----"like 'How youuuu doing?!'" you gotta listen to know where i'm coming from

Who He Is

Intimacy-- I love Diamone's voice!

True Security-- a superb story teller and the beat is crisp!

Eyes Open--another great story!



You must cop this CD! You WILL be blessed!



"

Huge blessing for a Christian hip-hop fan

Shannon Wolosiewicz | Royal Oak, MI United States | 10/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been listening to Christian rap since I found out about the Cross Movement and Grits around 1999. Since then, there has been a series of ups and downs within this indsutry but overall I think the progress has been good. To me this album exemplifies all of the hard work artists like this have been putting into their lyrics, the production and their commercial appeal. The tricky part is being as commercial as possible while being truthful, relevant and obedient to the Lord. The point is to get as many people exposed to the Gospel as possible without compromising the message or the quality of the sound. I think guys like Trip Lee, Flame, Lecrae, Tedashii, Da Truth and The Cross Movement are definitely doing that. This album was the best Christian hip hop album I've heard so far and gives me so much hope and excitement for the future generation of fans. I want this bumpin' in the city where I live instead of the crap they keep puking out on the radio. This is quality hip hop regardless of the genre but is made so much better by the fact that it gives glory to the Lord and encourages others to do so."