Tru-Life - 'The Journal Vol. 1'

• Style: Gospel Rap
• 17 songs
• Released: 2005

My favorite track was the latin-tinged "Steppin' Out," which unlike many of Tru-Life's secular counterparts, honors the sancticty of marriage and chronicled a story that probably plays out on a daily basis all across America.

The highest praise that I can give this release is to share what happened in my office as I was listening to it. Two of my 16 year old son's friends came in my office to say hello. These aren't kids of faith, but they're good kids none-the-less. One walked right in and asked what I was listening to. The other one stood at the door, dancing, before taking the CD cover from his friend. They both wanted to know all about the artist and commented how he must be "really new" since they hadn't heard him before. Both boys were amazed that what they were listening to was gospel rap.

You just don't get better than that.