An Interview with Holy Hip Hop Musician M.A.J.O.R.S

Infectious hooks, head-bobbing beats, and ill lyrics-that's how Holy Hip Hop musician M.A.J.O.R.S. brings it. But he knows it's not just about making people bob their heads; it's about touching their hearts.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, this Atlanta based artist is on a mission: God's mission to heal hard hearts. He's bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of a Holy Hip Hop pill. It's not a bitter one for listeners prepared for a change.

In October 2006, he was featured on the internationally distributed EMI Gospel CD, Holy Hip Hop: Taking the Gospel to the Streets, Vol. 4. But M.A.J.O.R.S. says that his mission to deliver positive music through hip-hop hasn't always been easy. He's fought hard, trying to get his voice heard. Despite having doors shut in his face, he also released his debut CD "Major League". He continues to use his love for hip-hop to spread the gospel throughout the world.

The music is important to M.A.J.O.R.S., but it doesn't overpower the message and ministry. His goal is to use hip hop music as a bridge between the church and the streets.

He sees it as an opportunity to help people turn their lives around and get on track.

While music is what he's known for, this talented musician is also a husband, teacher, and great mentor. He's involved with the GODZ GUY Network, which empowers young men to live forward thinking, forward-moving lives.

Additionally, he will be performing at the nationally-televised Miss Christian Teen Spirit Pageant in Atlanta onApril 13, 2007. It's easy to tell the youth love M.A.J.O.R.S.

So what did he have to say in a recent online interview? Keep reading to find out.

Keishia: Hey, M.A.J.O.R.S. Thanks for taking the time for this interview. How did you get your name?

M.A.J.O.R.S.: Everywhere I went to perform, cats were like, "We haven't heard Christian rap like that before." So people start calling me MAJOR. On the days I went out to witness, the majority of the people didn't want to accept Christ. So I took MAJOR and put a S on the end, and the Lord gave me the idea one day... I was in the house and he said: MAJORS means Must Accept Jesus Our Righteous Savior. So ever since that day, 3 years ago, it's been M.A.J.O.R.S.

K: That's deep, man. So who would you say has been your greatest influence and inspiration?

M: Mygreatest influence besides Jesus has been Apostle Paul because when I read about Paul and who he was before Christ came into his life. He was one who knew about Christ, but because of politics, he didn't want any part of Christianity. And when he saw Stephen get stoned he felt he was doing GOD a service by killing believers. So when Christ met him and he was converted, he was a warrior for Satan. But, he became a general for Christ. One of my favorite Scriptures of Paul is 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

My other inspirations are people who aren't saved because it's a joy to carry on the blue print Christ left in Matthew 9:10-13. We have to remember everybody won't accept Christ. They aren't rejecting us but they're rejecting him. So I love winning souls for the kingdom.

K: Yeah, Matthew 9:10-13 is one of those passages that keeps me in check, for real. Sometimes it's hard for mature Christians to remember that Jesus came to help sinners-not the perfect-but people who want a better life, and don't know how to get it. So, what do you hope people will get from your music?

M: My goal is that people who aren't saved will receive my music because I break the word down in a way that they can relate to it. On the other hand my music can relate to the church because majority of them know the Scriptures without me having to say it in my rhymes.

K: Okay that brings me to this: How do you think Holy Hip Hop is viewed by Christians?

M: Well most churches don't agree with it, but they've come to realize in order to keep our youth, we have to bring them to the church. I've always questioned how do people say they have the Holy Spirit but
K: That's a good point. I never really thought about it that way... How do you think secular audiences view it?

M: The secular world say we don't have it and we're wack because we preach the gospel in rap form. But you know, I was like them 4 years ago... before I got saved. They just don't know what they're saying because when you're in darkness nobody can see the light until they submit to the one who reigns.

K: So which musicians do you listen to?

M: I listen to everybody. Kirk Franklin, Flame, LeCrae.... I also listen to secular artist because a lot of times I write against what they say. Sometimes I also hear them give God the glory on one or two songs on their albums, which is cool because we can't judge them. The majority of them are sick, and we have to be light to them by loving them without compromising.

K: Yeah, I hear you. Now, what's your story? How did you come to believe in Jesus Christ?

M: Like most people I was raised in the church, but I wanted to totally live the life. So when I left Jacksonville, FL-- where I'm from-- after getting in some trouble, I moved to Atlanta by myself. That was my "road to Damascus". It took me to leave Da Ville. I didn't have anyone else to call on, and I found myself broke down calling on his name and he was there to receive me.

See we have to deny everything about ourselves. That's the way he picks you up. Man some of the hardest people become the greatest witnesses for the kingdom.

K: Yeah, that's true. You mentioned Paul before... As Saul, he was one of the illest, hardest guys out there. I think God works that way today, too. He can take the hardest heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh. That's definitely how I know any hip hop musician-or anybody for that matter-can become a follower of Christ. His Spirit can take that "hard" image and turn it for the glory of God. So, now that you are a Christian, how has it changed your life?

M: I look at people and situations differently instead of going off on people that push my buttons... I've learned to be more passionate and loving. I mean just thinking of others... like I feed the homeless, go to the prisons give away clothes. So you know I try to be more like Christ everyday.

K: So you mentioned people pushing buttons... I can identify with that... When you are facing difficult people or a big challenge... or you're just discouraged, what keeps you going?

M: You know... when I get discouraged, I just read my word, and I look at everything Christ faced before he got to the cross. Nothing I go through or will ever go through will be worst than what he faced. He did it all for me. That's what keeps me encouraged.

K: I hear you... How has being a Christian Hip Hop musician made you stronger in your faith?

M: Seeing people of all ages and races get saved because the music draws them... then the Spirit of God and the word break the chains of bondage in their lives. So that builds my faith up every time I pick up that mic.

K: That's real cool... The Spirit can go where none of us can... So how long have you been rapping?

M: I started rapping in 1999, doing secular. Then 2002, after getting saved in 2001, I started rapping for the Lord. Then in March 2005 I became an ordained minister of the gospel.

K: Wow, that's great! So now you're a minister, too... But how did you know being a hip hop musician... or artist... is your calling?

M: I knew this was my calling because even when I was doing secular hip-hop, I couldn't get away from talking about the Lord in my songs. So after getting tired of dealing with the music and the industry, I decided I was going to do it for the Lord. I tried it my way for the longest. So in 2001, I didn't rap for a whole year, then the Lord began to deal with me after going through the cleansing process.

K: Okay, this one's for the young heads... The ones just starting out... Do you have any advice for Christian musicians who want to get into Holy Hip Hop?

M: My advice to artists who want to do Holy Hip-Hop is don't just perform--minister in the church all the time, because you don't want to box God in. That's an area to minister, but it's not your primary area. So, minister to the Jews (Christians) on the way to the Gentiles (unsaved people).

K: Okay, any upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

M: Well in October of 2006 I was featured on Holy Hip-Hop Vol.4 that's distributed by EMI Gospel. It's in stores now: Wal-Marts and Christian Book Stores everywhere.

I started my own label Divine Order Music I also have a internet radio show called the Takin' Flight Show that comes on every Wednesday from 7-9pm & Saturday from 12-2pm & 9-11pm on www.wepraise.fm.

Also, I'm working on a mix tape, and I'm working with a lot of artist on there albums.

K: That's a lot going on! So, if somebody wanted to book you, what is the best way to reach you?

M: They can reach me by email at Jonah_Starr@hotmail.com, www.myspace.com/divineordermusic & takinflightradio@yahoo.com. Thanks.

K: No, thank you. I'm glad you took the time to answer these questions. I hope a lot of people will see how hip hop culture can be a positive thing with the right spirit behind it.