Artist Spotlight: Lyrycyst

By Andre Mullen

Unlike some of his peers, Lyrycyst isn’t trying to protect his alter ego, Steven Cooper.  He is a man on a mission who intends for his listeners to get to know him through his story, the story of a revolution.  This revolution is chronicled in his striking debut album, American Dream.

Lyrycyst uses various instrumentation to create a sonic landscape that is unlike the average hip-hop album.  Utilizing guitars and other string instruments, Lyrycyst takes the listener on a musical journey that talks about various life experiences and testimonies from a God perspective. With his rapid fire tracks and a delivery to match, Lyrycyst confronts the falsehood of the music industry in songs like Showbiz and New Hit.  In What If I, Lyrycyst addresses the issue of abortion from a personal viewpoint.  With simple, yet powerful piano chords, Lyrycyst explores the question of what would have happened if his own young mother would have aborted him.  On Devil Eye, violin strings provide the foundation as Lyrycyst enlightens the listener to the tactics of the spirit of lust.

 

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Family Force 5

By Julie Cook Hess

I had the unique experience of interviewing guitarist Chap Stique a.k.a. Derek Mount of the unorthodox and fun band Family Force 5. This Atlanta group has accumulated quite a resume with performing on national television programs such as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Attack of the Show on G4 as well as performing on The Warped Tour and The Cornerstone Festival’s main stage.

Mr. Stique gave some very amusing and detailed answers to my sometimes odd questions. If you ever have the chance to see them live, I highly recommend it. This has definitely been the most fun interview I’ve ever done. Continue reading for Chap’s deep thoughts on hairstyles, jerk bands and weight loss programs. 

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Looking at the Film Industry Through God’s Eyes

     This is my first article for The Christian Pulse.  Shall I be afraid to be controversial?  Nah!  Jesus always told it like it was, or he used a parable which did the same.  If we are called to emulate our Master, should we not also learn to speak the truth with love?  Here I come with the question that will no doubt bring a rainbow of responses.  Is it a sin to watch movies?   Asking that question in a forum for films might seem like blasphemy or heresy.  Hopefully you all checked your stones at the door.

      In the recent past, certain groups have placed movies on the forbidden activities list.  Most people today would consider that Puritanical. Should we as Christians pay any heed to such "man made" rules?  My answer is no . . . and yes. Think I'm waffling or sitting on the fence?   Not even close. The "no" applies to movies in general.  There is absolutely nothing in the Bible that forbids movie watching.  However Jesus said that men shall give an account of every idle word they speak in the day of judgment.  It might be argued that every idle moment is also a cause for concern.  How we spend our free time has to be an issue for someone who abides by the scriptural passage which says "if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged."  In other words, using contemporary vernacular, police yourself so you don't get busted.  Would I be out of line to suggest people should pray about watching a particular movie (or TV show)?

         Jesus said you would know Christians by their fruits.  Can we apply the same criteria to movies?  The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.  If a movie promotes those things, can it be wrong to watch it?  My own personal barometer is this:  does it bring me closer to God or would it distance me from Him?  Movies of the latter category would definitely be avoided, whereas the former category would be acceptable.  Movies that do neither are in the gray area.   If there were enough good movies which fed our spirits, then we would not have to consider the other types.  Can we humans ever agree unanimously on the pigeonholes that movies should go into?  Not in our lifetime.

     The biggest rap against "Christian" movies is probably poor quality (acting, cinematography, and scripting).  I think God will be raising up people who will produce quality films that impact lives and win people to Christ.  Unfortunately money drives the process.  Whenever such a film is produced, Christians need to support it.  God's calling is upon the filmmakers, but falls just as mightily on film supporters. Sending missionaries to Africa is not the only way to support spreading the gospel.  Movies have tremendous impact on people's view of the world, but only if they watch them.  May I be audacious and suggest that people who produce Christian movies need to rely on prayer to help them create something that brings glory to God, fans to the turnstiles, and thumbs-up from reviewers? 
 

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Emergence of New Revenue Sources

As audiences continue to access free media and pay for less and less entertainment, new forms of revenue are developing, but they are unproven. This is a tough time for a lot of the entertainment industry especially music, but movies are really in the same boat. These days you see Christian music festivals popping up as less revenue is derived off of sales. Today, it’s purely appearance fees and tickets sales as artists have to tour constantly to generate revenue.

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Artist Spotlight: Eternity Now

Eternity Now's first CD Shape My Life is driven. They bring a message of hope for believers and non-believers alike.  As you listen to the tracks, you can't help but get the feeling that no matter where you have been in life these songs are speaking to you. This is a powerful CD that you will want to play over and over again until you know all the words to every song. This is one of those CDs that will bring back memories from defining moments in your life.  Anyone will be able to relate to these songs about struggles, emotions and triumphs.  The song "Leap of Faith" centers around God's Grace and it will touch a common cord in all of us when Roam asks, "Do I take a leap of faith or stay where it is safe?"  "Jesus Please", which I think is my favorite song, is a soulful plea of help for us to get it right.   This is a band you are going to want to get to know. The songs are masterfully written and the group puts their heart and soul into this CD. Eternity Now is a solid band with a Christian message that all people will be able to relate to and enjoy. To learn more about this artist, visit: http://www.myspace.com/eternitynowmusic

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