DO YOU KNOW DA VERBS?
An interview with hip hop legend, Verbs

So, are you hip to the Verbs? Well, if you aren’t- carry on reading and even if you think you do know him, you’re sure to learn something new about him... Uncompromised, humble and, of course, mighty talented, Verbs is the ultimate example of what Christian music should be all about - using your gift for His glory and not your own. Verbs, has recently released his new album, “The Groundwork Theory”, after a break of a few years. We found out more about him, his Faith, his music and his extensive mission work in South Africa...

Q: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview for us, we really appreciate it and look forward to hearing the scoop on you and your music. To get things started perhaps you’d like to introduce yourself to the uninitiated. Who are you and what is your claim to fame?
A: Lol! Well not entirely sure if I have reached my claim to fame or what exactly that may be, but most people may know me from the music I've done. Just an emcee committed to Christ, looking to see God's Kingdom expand and I use the medium of Hip Hop as one of the tools to propel the message. I like to describe myself as an authorized dealer of livable Hip Hop music.

MUSIC RELATED

Q: The official bio is that you’ve been rapping since you were 12, is that true and what was it that attracted you to Rap music in the first place? How did you land the job of dancer for Grits and when did they notice you could rap too?
A: Correct. I started writing at the age of 12, and it was actually the same week I came to the Lord at a summer camp. I was always into the music, but I was more into B-boyin' back then and never really thought about rhymin'. I met GRITS when they were still tour dancers for DC TALK and they had came through my city to do a concert. I was able to get backstage and we chatted a bit, but most of our conversation was based on the fact that we were all emcee's so they knew that I did music as well. The dancing part was more or less a way that I could get out on the road and do some songs as well.

Q: Your first album “The syllabus” was released in 1999, what was it like to be recording for the first time and where did you get all the material?
A: Recording was a whole new experience in itself. I was pretty green to the game, but was definitely excited about being in the studio to do a full project. A lot of the material from “The Syllabus” had been stored for about 3 years before that and much of it was based on learning life and how God tells us to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Q: What has since happened to your dreadlocks?
A : Well, most of those are in a box for keepsake, but if times get hard I may start selling them on keychains :-)

Q: The thing I notice about your work even early on is your honesty in facing up to issues and challenging people, like on ‘If I were mayor’ for example, where you tell the dirty mouthed secular rappers to play their CD’s for God one day, how have people reacted to your lyrics?
A: Most of the response has been positive and I believe it is because at the core of the lyric is truth. We all know you can wrestle with it, try to avoid it, but at the end of the day it t still remains what it is.

Q: After three albums with Gotee you then dropped off the map a bit, what happened and where have you been the last 5 years?
A: Just living life. Moved to Africa for short while, found a Queen there that I convinced to marry me, did a few more shows internationally and trying to recalibrate for the next season.

Q: Tell us a bit about your newest album, released independently last year entitled "The Groundwork theory", what is it all about and who should listen to it?
A: I think everyone who can get it should listen to it and then get it for everybody who doesn't know about it, LOL! I am very pleased with the record, I think people will appreciate the musical and lyrical side of the record.

Q: What would you say is the quintessential Verbs song, that one song you think sums up who you are?
A: I don't know if there is one song that I would say could be that song since I think they are all representative of who I am.

MINISTRY RELATED

Q: How do you view your role as an artist, someone to entertain people or more of a modern day prophet/ preacher?
A: I think anytime you are on a platform, especially doing music, you are seen as a entertainer, but I believe when your art is not just art, but lifestyle that’s where the power comes in and people are preached to by what you say and how you walk out what you say.

Q: Do you believe music has the power to influence its listeners and do you hear many stories of lives that have been touched by your own work?
A: Most definitely it influences. Every artist I would think has a story to back that up. Most of the time people would tell me how they were encouraged by a song. Many parents come up and say just how much they appreciate us for making music that speaks encouragement to their young ones.

Q: It’s obvious to any one listening that you have a great love and respect for God, how did you become a Christian?
A: Met the Lord on a mountain at a summer camp one year. He brought peace and purpose into my life and though I may have made some unwise decisions during the span of my life, I've never turned back. God's grace is sufficient, but not to be taken lightly or for granted.

Q: Does your church support your work as an artist and do you feel its right that artists stay accountable to their local church?
A: My home church is very supportive. It is very important for that home church/artist relationship to be nurtured as both understand each other's purpose.

Q: What do you think of artists who are in the Christian arena but skirt around the issue of name checking God in their music?
A: Honestly, it can be an all day debate on that issue. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. I think if an artist or label is strategically trying to not use the name Jesus, since you can say God and that's not shocking, then wherever the strategy takes them I hope they are able to praise Him without conviction. On the other hand, I believe there are artists that are masters at communicating a gospel message effortlessly and may only mention Christ once, but you feel it and get it.

Q: How do you deal with the pressure of being someone who others look up to?
A: I don't really think about it much. I just try to live according to the manual.

SOUTH AFRICA SPECIFIC

Q: Tell us about your work in South Africa, how did you get started on your trips down here and what is it that keeps bringing you back?Whereabouts has your work been concentrated?
A: My first trip to SA was to the Mother City in 2001. At the time, we were supplying the music for a short term mission team. Later that year had a chance to come back through to Jozi for a two week stint. Then in 2003, I actually camped out in CT for over 5 months working with a sister church to my home church here in Nashville. Most of what I do in SA is go out to the schools and encourage students about purpose and destiny for their lives. I also like to jump in to anything else I can while I am out there.

Q: What are some of the things that have touched you working in Africa?
A: Really it is the people that I love, the people are people friendly.

Q: Do you find the way people approach you here is different to how you’d be treated in America?
A: It is a little different, because most are curious about what is going on and what life is like in the states.

Q: Kan jy enige Afrikaans praat?
A:Um, no. Only a greeting or two.

I hope you tell every fellow American you meet that you had to fight lions and terrorists and sleep in a grass hut while you were in SA, we have to reinforce the myth to make sure they don’t all flock down here once they know how great it is!

FINAL QUESTIONS:

Q: How can anyone who wants to find out more about you or listen to/ buy some of your music get hooked up?
A: At this point, it is available on i-tunes, still trying to get distribution out in SA. www.myspace.com/verbsinternational is my current web presence.

Q:Any final thought or scriptures you’d like to share with readers?
A: Love God, seek (look around for) the Kingdom, and don't cheat yourself out of an abundant life in Christ Jesus. Blessings to you the reader.