Meet Stephen the Levite...

It's really fantastic that Christians now have access to plenty of really good, quality rap; where the beats are just as tight as mainstream secular rappers and, most importantly, where the rappers aren't afraid to preach strong; challenging Christian messages and don't compromise in any way or shy away from serious issues that need to be dealt with.Here's you opportunity to meet one such rapper ...Stephen the Levite...So, take a read as he gives us all the details of his life and music...

Q:Maybe; you could start off with a bit of background on yourself and your early life?
A: Well, I grew up in a small town-turned-city called Temecula. It's about an hour north of San Diego CA, where I was born.  My parents stayed married for 22 years, so my younger brother and I grew up with both of them. I was introduced to Hip Hop through Heavy D and MC Hammer (I didn't know any better).  My parents kept me away from the stuff with the parental advisory stickers on it so; I didn't get into what everyone else was listening to until later.  Around Middle School and High School, I started getting into Wu Tang, Mobb Deep and "The Wake Up Show" with all the underground and East Coast Hip Hop.  My brother and I use to record the radio on tape, back when the stuff on the radio was still dope.  I was a "good" kid though; I was quiet and tried to be careful about who I hung out with. I didn't like getting into trouble so, I stayed away from people who did. 

Q: When did you discover your passion for music and more specifically; rap?
A: I don't know; I think I always loved music. My mother use to put me to sleep by putting headphones on me when I was really little.  I think my desire to rap hit in elementary school though. My brother and I used to spit some rhymes our babysitter wrote for us (she wanted to be a rapper too).  I didn't actually start writing my own stuff until High School though;  I was provoked to rap by somebody who I thought was a "wack" emcee at the time.  I felt like somebody at the school needed to write some stuff to take him out, so I started writing.  I don't think I was all that great before I graduated, but it started something for me.

Q: And when and how did you become a Christian; what made you decide to make that decision?
A: Well, I had been a part of a youth group at my church since, maybe, freshman year of High School. I was there faithfully; but I wasn't a believer. I thought I was meeting my religious obligation by attending and I thought I was a good person because of my sheltered up-bringing.  It wasn't until I tried to get rid of my secular music that I realized that I was I sinner and I couldn't change myself.  By God's grace, I had a dope youth Pastor who was intentional about building a relationship with me and giving me the gospel. So, on the night of March 19, 2000, I came home from youth group and threw away all of my secular hip hop - tapes, CDs, posters, magazines, all of it.  Then I prayed, and read my Bible and, for the first time, it didn't seem like I was just talking to myself, and the Bible actually started to make sense.  Since then it's been on and my life totally switched up.

Q; So; maybe you'd like to tell us more about "Redeemed Thought" and how the whole group was started? Is it correct that it started out with 8 members?
A: Yeah, that's right, we started with 8 members, and of that 8, I was the last one to get picked.  It started at Calvary Chapel Bible College, down the street from my old house in Temecula.  Basically, two brothers named Matt Christian and Mike Thornburg were bringing together all the Christian rappers on campus so that we could put on an event they were calling "Edification Night".  So really, it was just suppose to be this one night event.  I forget who came up with the name, but I guess for the sake of having a stage name, they came up with "Redeemed Thought".  "Edification Night" was the only show where we actually had 8 members. After that, 2 or 3 of them weren't even at the school any more. That was in the Spring Semester of 2001 and by the end of Spring Semester 2002; there were only 3 of us. Only muzeONE and I were willing to move to Philly (Philadelphia) and that's when most people began to hear about "Redeemed Thought."

Q:How and when did you get given the opportunity to start recording "Redeemed Thought" projects because you started with a couple of EPs?
A: When there was still 3 of us, one of our fellow-students offered to record us. So that's how "The Body of Christ EP" was done.  The quality wasn't all that great. He had never recorded Hip Hop before, and we had no recording experience, but it did what it did and God was glorified.  We gave it out for free, sometimes in ziplock bags, and brought a bunch with us to Philly when we moved.  Every once in a while I still get questions about it.  It wasn't until we met DJ Essence, who moved to Philly a few months after we did, that we started recording for "Truth, Beauty, Goodness."

Q: What made you decide to do your solo "Stephen the Levite" project "To Die is Gain"?
A: I had been writing for a solo project since back when we were still in California.  Wu Tang kind of made it popular for a group to do solo projects, but still be a group, so we always wanted to be able to do solo projects and still be a group.  Plus, the timing was perfect... I had all these songs I was writing and muze was taking a break because he had just got married and I had a lot to say.

Q; Why did you feel led to use a performing name and choose "Stephen the Levite"
particularly?
A: You know what, it wasn't until I met Shai and Tim years later that using my actual name even seemed like a normal thing to do, but mine doesn't sound all that cool any way.  I picked Stephen because at that time, in Bible College, I was hype about Acts chapter 7.  I was like "I wanna be like that guy!". I thought Stephen had one of the most Christ-like characters in the Bible.  Even though he was just serving tables, he brought the word with conviction, and I wanted my rhymes to have that same kind of passion and undeniable wisdom.  I picked Levite, because I noticed that in the OT, the Levites were the only ones allowed to sing in the choir at the Temple.  So, I was trying to say that I was chosen to do music.  I had a conviction that there were some who weren't chosen to do music doing music anyway and I wanted to make a
distinction.

Q:Are you planning on releasing a new Stephen the Levite album anytime in the near future because "To Die is Gain" was released a couple of years ago?
A: That depends on how you define "near."  I'm starting to put together another project now.  I have almost all my topics and beats outlined and picked out. I have a name for it and a concept and all that, but I just haven't had the time to write.  Around the time "To Die is Gain" dropped, Epiphany was just starting and I was beginning to reprioritize the local church and my need for involvement.  Then I met my wife, started courting, got married and Epiphany kept growing.  All of a sudden I had 2 new priorities that trumped over Hip Hop. So now I'm learning to delegate responsibilities at Epiphany and make more time for myself to write. So, it will be a while, but I'm hoping I can at least the writing done maybe half way through the year. We'll see what the Lord does.

Q: And are you still performing and doing projects as part of the "Redeemed Thought" duo?
A: Unfortunately not. Since we've both been married, our lives have grown in different directions.  At one point; we lived together, worked together, were members of the same church, and you didn't really see us apart from each other.  But as time went by, we would hardly see each other because those things weren't in place any more. Redeemed Thought was what it was because of the chemistry we had on and off stage. It's hard to maintain that when you don't see each other and, on top of that, you're growing.  The last song we wrote together took us about 2 weeks as opposed to the usual 2 days because we were sending each other voice mails back and forth instead of just sitting in a room together.  I couldn't imagine writing an album that way and eventually it had to end.  There's no beef or anything like that, we still talk, but it'd be incredibly difficult to try to work together the way our lives are right now.

Q: So, do you use music as a tool to teach and get people saved or do you use music as a tool to get people attracted, for example in a street outreach, and then once you have their attention; give them the gospel?
A: I'd say both. I definitely use it as a tool to teach and preach the gospel. I don't see the point of wasting words and I'm not motivated to write unless it's something I'm passionate about.  So, I'm always trying to persuade or encourage people from or about the scriptures; believers and non-believers alike. I'd also say that Hip Hop is attractive simply because of the beats and the sound.  Most people don't really catch the lyrics until after their heads are bobbing. 
Either way, even though the gospel message is in the music, I'm going to break it down again between songs to make sure it's clear.  Sometimes, especially for those who don't really listen to Hip Hop, the music is a distraction from the lyrics. Some people just want to dance and they don't listen so you have to stop the music to get their attention.   

Q; Are you aware that you have a huge following amongst prominent Christian rappers in South Africa?
A: I had no idea. I've received emails and talked with a few of them, but I still have no idea how many people they speak for.  Either way it's encouraging to know that people on the other side of the globe are being blessed and convicted by something the Lord put out through you.  It's crazy.  

Q: With so many Christian rappers esteeming your talent and content do you find that the pressure of living upright becomes even harder?
A: The sense of responsibility is definitely greater, but praise God for the promise of sanctification! I feel like there's a lot of things I said on the last album that I've just recently gotten to a point where it's something I practice.  When I said it, it was just a strong desire or conviction, but now it's life.  I'll also say this too, I've found freedom in living your life openly before the community of faith.  I wrote the song "The Darkness" based on my own experiences. At Epiphany, we stress the idea of biblical community based on Acts 2:44; when everybody knows your business, there's no more darkness to hide in. That's when iron sharpens iron and all that sin you didn't realize you had is available for scrutiny and confrontation.  So, there's pressure, but there's also freedom when there's a community of believers around you for
accountability and growth if you're willing to submit.

Q:How do you feel about Christian rappers using current secular trends in hip-hop in their music where it is obvious to the listener that they have taken the idea from the secular scene?
A: I think it adds to the old reputation that Christian rappers used to have for being unoriginal. 
Personally, I think Christians should be original; we have the Creator of the universe to rely on for creativity.  There's no need to steal ideas from the world; but I also think that sometimes it's
debatable whether or not somethings are creative or just stolen. Some people think everybody sounds like somebody. The human mind likes to find ways to make things relate, sometimes when there is no relation.  Ultimately, I hope the gospel gets across without stumbling anybody or making Christians look corny.

Q: Where do you draw inspiration from when you sit down and write a rap?
A: Usually from an idea or concept the Lord has me meditating on.  Whether it's something I've
experienced in light of a Biblical  world view, or something I've been convicted about, or something I've seen that's provoked me to angry. Whatever stirs my passions enough for me to feel like the world needs to hear it; I consider it in light of scripture and try to put it on paper so they can. Sometimes, though, with all of that passion, it still takes the right beat to pull it out of me.  Either way, it's hard for me to just regurgitate something I've just read. I need time meditate on it, put it to practice, see some visual examples, all of that kind of stuff; that way I can right freely.  I can't write freely when I'm not confident in my understanding of the topic.  

Q: Would you say that there is any one particular song of yours that sums up your life and what you are all about best?
A: Depends on the day of the week I guess.  Right now, I'd probably say "My Funeral Soundtrack".  On another day I might say "What's Your Proof?" And chances are, on the upcoming album, I'm gonna end up writing something that better describes where I am in my walk now.  But now I'd say "Funeral" just because of the message of the gospel being foundational in the song and the celebration of our hope in God's promises.  If nothing else, I hope you could say I'm about getting people exited about the whole gospel, even the parts we haven't experienced yet. "Funeral" has the kind of fearlessness that laughs and rejoices in the face of death, and that's what I hope by God's grace, is something people will see in me...  that's one of my passions.

Q: For you; what is the best part of being in the Christian rap music industry?
A: It's actually kinda tough sometimes.  I'm not really the type to get too discouraged about the state of things, so I never think about giving up just because I don't like what I see.  Plus, most of what I see is the good stuff about it that I surround myself with.  I guess the best part for me is not feeling like I'm a part of it.  Christian Hip Hop is such a small part of my life right now that I don't feel like it defines me.  My involvement in the industry side of it is minimal.  But I think the
biggest benefit is having a platform and being able to make the things God has put on my heart accessible to so many people and hearing about how it's benefited others.  It's dope to be able to serve others and feel like God is making good use of you.

Q:And when you're not writing; recording or performing raps- how do you occupy your time?
A: I try to make alone time with my wife a priority. I work a 9-5, Monday through Friday job, just like most people do and I'm heavily involved with my church, so I spend a lot of time serving and in fellowship with my family there. I also spend a lot of time at the computer now-a-day and it seems so much of what I do is done through the internet.   

Q: Could you give us one random fact about yourself that people may not know?
A:When I was young an ice cream truck ran over my BMX bike.  He gave me a ride home and I cried like a baby. That's about as random as it gets.

Q: What other music artists do you enjoy and find inspiration from?
A: Some people already know, but  I listen to a lot of Christian metal and hardcore. So, I enjoy Living Sacrifice and Norma Jean. A lot of "To Die is Gain" was inspired by Living Sacrifice's "Conceived in Fire" LP.  "Send your Regrets", "The Martyr" and "Reach for the Sky" all have concepts or phrases that showed up on "To Die is Gain".  But when I'm in the mood for Hip Hop, I enjoy pretty much all of my peeps on Lamp Mode, CMR and Reach Records.  I have a favoritism towards those that I'm in fellowship with, so Shai Linne, Trip Lee, Da' TRUTH and my Pastor, Ambassador, tend to have a special place on my playlist. Oh... and Lecrae's recent LP "Rebel" is a beast too.

Q: So, apart from "receiving hate mail for making controversial statements about false teachers as well as starting a Christian hardcore thrash metal band."  (According to your biography ) do you have any other future plans and hopes?
A: LOL.  Actually, the last line on all the original bios on LampMode.com were not supposed to be taken seriously.  I think Esso did them as a joke while the website was still under construction and didn't plan on them staying there... it's hilarious. But really, right now, my main thing is discipleship.  I want to train up some emcees. I want to see the cats I'm discipling now making disciples. In the next couple years, wifey and I want to start having kids and discipling them.  For me, right now, success is succession.  I just want to continue growing and modelling something worth replicating, and not only that, but see those who follow do it better than I did.  Anything I do, at this point, have those goals in mind. I know I kind of said that on the track "Legacy", but back then the vision wasn't as clear as it is now. The words are the same, but the meaning, and the means to attain it are totally different now.

Q; Any chances of a trip down to our beautiful country; South Africa; anytime?
A: I hope so, but I'm a struggling Christian rapper, barely making it with my 9-5.  It's going to take God's providence to make a trip like that happen and so, I guess I'm waiting to see if He will... I'd love to come though. I've never left the American borders and I'm waiting for an excuse and there's no better excuse than missions.  It'd be good for me to see life outside of America. 

Q; And finally, do you have any final messages or scriptures to leave people with?
A: Just a quick something that has been rocking me, is how foundational and central the gospel
message is.  Everything you need to know as it pertains to how you should live is found in the gospel.  Whether it's wives submitting to their husbands, reconciling with a brother, a man initiating a courtship with a woman, how to do missions, dealing with your co-workers, etc. It's all modelled perfectly by Jesus in the Gospel.  That means that the gospel informs and fuels our
sanctification, just as much as our justification.  No believer ever gets to the point where they don't need the gospel and without the gospel all other doctrines fall apart.  Spiritual gifts, is probably the best example. In fact, here's some homework for the readers: Read 1 Cor. 12-14 and meditate on why Paul put 13 right in the middle. And if you got some extra time, you might as well read the whole book. LOL
Oh, and check out: dawhistleblower.blogspot.com.  All of my lyrics are there and you can ask questions, comment or whatever.
Grace and Peace