With a music career that has spanned over a decade, Christian Hip Hop artist FLAME adds an 8th album to his discography. His last album, Royal Flush, released in 2013 and garnered a Dove nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year.
The album included hit single, “Start Over” which received nearly 2 million views on YouTube and radio play on contemporary urban stations. This summer, hip-hop fans will be able to get there hands on FLAME’s newest album titled Forward.
Forward is set to release July 17, 2015. “The world is changing at such a rapid speed that it is important for us to evaluate what is happening and to consider what would be the best way to move Forward. In this album, I discuss the global climate as well as the climate in America and how we can move forward by engaging culture with the gospel,” stated FLAME.
Sonically, Forward is true to hip-hop with little fusion from other genres. The album includes a variety of hip-hop styles from bass heavy to contemplative tracks. “One of the first things you will notice is that there aren’t many features on the album. I had so much on my heart that by the time I felt like I got everything out, there was little room left,” he chuckled. “I think people will be listening to the album for a long time with all of the content that’s in there.”
Themes include the necessity to move forward, which is communicated in songs “1st Freedom,” “Know the Times,” “Positively Eternal,” and “Believe That,” a bass heavy track with a live performance feel. Songs such as “Move Forward” and “We Gon’ Reign” provides the listener with motivation and encouragement to move forward in the midst of challenges. The album also includes the song “Let it Shine” featuring a powerful performance by Dove-nominated gospel artist Melinda Watts.
