01 - How Do I (Intro)duce That Which Speaks for Itself?
[To Flo Rida's Dirty South.] An introductory explanation of the purpose and focus of the project.
02 - It's Either Us or the Rocks'll Do It
[To Young Jeezy's Standing Ovation.] An exploration of God's majesty and sovereignty, concluding with the proper response as His creation.
03 - the Essentials
[To T.I.'s What You Know.] A mission statement and commitment to place God's desire for my life above the opinions of man.
04 - Every Breath Could Be My Last
[To DJ Khaled's Go Hard.] An anthem for believers who are giving their all to further the cause of Christ.
05 - Purpose in Partnership
[To Kanye West's Can't Tell Me Nothing.] Inspired by Mark Driscoll's Radical Reformission.
06 - Job 40:3-5
[To Mike Jones' Mr. Jones.] Trash-talking about prominent figures in the Body of Christ is a bad idea; prayer that reflects a trust in God is a better one.
07 - That Green Gentleman's [Nowhere to Be Found]
[To 50 Cent's I'll Still Kill.] As a Christian I grow in grace and knowledge, but some things never change.
08 - Miscalculation of Titanic Proportions (These Sparks Had No Air, feat. Bridget Hermano)
[To Jordin Sparks' No Air.] A song of repentance and devotion from a fool who all too often underestimates Christ's importance in his life.
09 - Still Waiting on a Valentine
[To Ace Hood's Ride.] A testimony heavy on wordplay. (Anyone familiar with BarlowGirl and their music should pay close attention.)
10 - Lost (My Life) in Translation
[To Young Jeezy's I Luv It.] What can you use to threaten or intimidate a man who is already dead?
11 - Emulating a Rapper May Not Be Such a Bad Idea; Just Exchange the Object of Your Affection
[To Jay-Z's What More Can I Say.] People like to paint rappers as immoral criminals. In God's eyes, though, we all are.
12 - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes -- So Don't Bother Asking for a Fifteen (feat. Bridget Hermano)
[To DJ Khaled's Out Here Grinding.] Rest assured that any interaction you ever have with me has ulterior motives. This is another anthem for believers.
13 - If I Could Choose Where It Will End... (feat. Bridget Hermano)
[To Smitty's Died In Your Arms.] Heavy on imagery, an allegory for the condition of my life when Jesus rescued me. The 2nd verse paints the picture that inspired the track.
14 - the Good Die Young
[Lyrics]
[To Eminem's Mockingbird.] Too many women don't know their worth because they've been fed lies by weak and cowardly men. This song's for you.
15 - There Are Only Two Words on My Resume
[To Lil Wayne's You Ain't Got Nuthin'.] Religious legalists and full-blown sinners are actually in the same boat. Sadly, I belong to both camps.
16 - Reputation in Representation, not Recitation (feat. Chubby Moolah & Bruce G)
[To Young Jeezy's Put On.] As Christians, we are representatives of the heavenly city living within an earthly city. The first two verses are the representatives of the latter, the final verse a cry from the former. (Chubbs and Bruce got off on this track!)
01 - Emancipation Ultimatum
[To Eminem's Till I Collapse.] This song is twofold: a Christian perspective on the common rap claim along the lines of "I'll never go away!", and a surrendering of my words to the Holy Spirit's influence. Without Him, they're useless.
02 - to Set the Record Straight
[To Fort Minor's Remember the Name.] A lot of people are talking about Jesus these days. Here are a couple things to check for to make sure they're talking about the real one. (2 John 7-11)
03 - Chapter I: N.atural I.nfatuation's C.hance O.ccurrence L.evels E.xpectation (the IRS is After Me Again, feat. Bridget Hermano)
[To Plies' Shawty.] There are two conversations in this song: my emotional appeal to the person who's captured my attention, and my justification of my feelings to Wisdom.
04 - Identity (No Sweeter Name)
[To Lil Wayne's A Milli.] A shameless celebration of the name of Jesus.
05 - G to the (Double) O, D
[Lyrics]
[To DJ Khaled's I'm So Hood.] You ever stopped to think about just how good God is? He--knowing before the foundations of the earth that we would blow it--makes a plan to send His only Son to accept a punishment on our behalf that we rightly deserve, and then initiates relationship with us because in our sin we're blind to Him. Insane, really.
06 - Legitimate Ignorance is Bliss, Otherwise It's Just Stupidity (feat. AC Galeon)
[To Mario Winans' I Don't Wanna Know.] Dedicated to those of you who think you have a legitimate beef with the Creator of the universe.
07 - from the Least Likely Source
[To The Game's My Life.] Taking a page from David's book: "strengthening myself in the Lord".
08 - Chapter II: the IRS Part 2 (the Terms of This Trade Were Agreed Upon, Remember?)
[To 50 Cent's Ayo Technology.] Too often as Christians we find ourselves longing for the sin that was destroying our lives, instead of enjoying the freedom afforded us by Christ. We are too easily satisfied.
09 - Sorry Sir, You Sounded Like Someone Else
[To Lil Wayne's Shoot Me Down.] Sometimes God decides to check our motives by asking us to lay down the very thing He has given us. This song is an expression of the tension between my passion for writing, and my desire to glorify God in every aspect of my life...even if His plan doesn't involve me rapping.
10 - V is for Ventilation
[Lyrics]
[To Lil Wayne's Lollipop.] A mixtape track in the truest sense of the term. I like this beat, and needed a long instrumental to air some things out.
11 - Insulting Your Intelligence is Never My Intention, Jesus
[To Lil Wayne's 3 Peat.] A friend of mine asked me for advice, then ignored it and decided to sin anyway. The following is both a letter to the individual in question, and a prayer of repentance for treating God's counsel the same way in my own life.
12 - Chapter III: All That's Good in Me Finally Triumphs...But It's Not Pretty (Blame Me)
[To Lil Wayne's I'm Me.] No synopsis necessary.
13 - They're Empty, Too
[To T.I.'s Whatever You Like.] Anything this world offers to satisfy us is a lie. Jesus is the only person or thing that fulfills. Check out Ecclesiastes 1:8 & 2:24-26.
14 - It's In All of Us (feat. Bridget Hermano)
[To Bow Wow's Outta My System.] PROBLEM: Contrary to popular opinion, we are all sinners.
15 - There's Only One Selfless Enough to Stay Standing on That Pedestal
[To Nas' Hero.] SOLUTION: Jesus Christ.
Hidden Track - Unfair Really, 'cause It's Got Nothing to Do With Me
[To T.I. & Jay-Z's Swagga Like Us.] As Christians, we have Biblical truth and an avenue of communication with the God of the universe. As a result, no one--on the corner, Wall Street, a stage or elsewhere--has swagger like us.