It's Weekly digest time, folks! Here's what's good at The Oracle.
We're looking for loyal, dedicated team members so get in touch if you're interested.
Don't forget to invite friends, colleagues and clients to the site - it's all about sharing!
video of the week
Best of the week's blogs
ESHON BURGUNDY ON THE BLOCK
I’ve recently had the opportunity to interview Eshon Burgundy, who was once signed to Humble Beast, but has decided to pursue the independent route once again. Besides music, we discussed many topics such as race, politics, & former addictions. The interview is very thought provoking and allows fans to understand Eshon’s heart behind such important matters.
Concise & to the point, Eshon currently has a lot going on in regards to new music and a new clothing line that should be releasing sometime soon in the near future. Choosing to avoid any political talk which I respect, he opens up about his past addictions and reveals that there’s an explanation soon to come. Beyond music, Eshon is a busy man who relies on God to balance out his responsibilities as a husband, father, & artist.
In 2015 Eshon Burgundy unleashed The Fear of God. The record explores what it means to fear God, and the ways in which our sin shows that we don’t fear God as much as we should. I recently got to ask Eshon about the record, and also what the fear of God means to him.
SAM: Eshon, can you briefly share how you came to know Christ?
ESHON: I came to know Christ at a very young age. My mother shared the gospel with me and taught me to pray when I was probably 3 years old, although it wasn’t until I was 19 when I began to understand God’s mercy and love.
SAM: Where did you record The Fear of God, and how long did it take?
ESHON: I recorded most of the album in Portland, Oregon at Humble Beast’s studios over a period of about nine days.
Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman in Black PantherWALT DISNEY STUDIOSBy the time we revisit the waterfall in Black Panther, about 75 minutes into the film, every viewer understands the stakes of the place. Warrior Falls is Wakanda’s ceremonial proving ground, a spectacular but deadly setting that maintains the status quo of the fictional African nation. Earlier in the movie, T’Challa (played by Chadwick Boseman) claims the mantle of king by defeating a challenger, the hulking M’Baku (Winston Duke), in single combat at the site. It’s a moment that lays out the various political powers at play in this secluded country, and the value still placed on tradition even though Wakanda’s technology has reached unparalleled heights.
The return to the falls is spurred by Erik Stevens, a.k.a. Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), an outsider raised in the United States who is seeking to claim T’Challa’s throne. A forgotten cousin whose dad was killed by T’Challa’s father for threatening to expose Wakanda’s innovations to the world, Erik is an interloper, but his royal blood allows him to declare a challenge. On the day of the fight, he’s dressed not in formal Wakandan attire like his opponent and the rest of the onlookers, but in his U.S. military fatigues and armor. When handed a traditional spear, he splits it in half by kicking it.
Mr. Del closes out 2018 with a new single off his newly released Black album.
"My 20 year old nephew always says "On God". He says it so much that I decided it needs to be a song," shares Mr. Del.
He continues, "You need to understand the power of anything being "On God". We need to see His power in 2019, like never before. I felt it was my duty to give us a new Kingdom Anthem with my brothers Canton Jones and Uncle Reece."
Audio: Mr. Del "On God (feat. Canton Jones & Uncle Reece)"
Los Angeles-based shop Union is one of the originators in this crazy thing called streetwear. As such, it’s only right one of the leaders should be selected to apply its vision to an Air Jordan model. When the opportunity presented itself, Union capitalized on it by crafting one of the year’s best capsules. The vintage-styled sneakers bring together color and material references from Jordan Brand’s heyday in the ’80s and ’90s, meticulously mashing them together in weird, working harmony. What may look like Frankenstein shoes to the average person are actually two well-done homages to the model that started it all.
2. Travis Scott x Air Jordan IV
Travis Scott had the best year of any rapper releasing shoes. His second Air Force 1 collab with Nike was well received, but it was the “Cactus Jack” Air Jordan IV that had people everywhere chasing “checks over stripes.” Riffing off the old color scheme of his hometown Houston Oilers, the ASTROWORLD rapper’s collab came draped in a blue suede that felt familiar yet fresh at the same time. Black accents, a red sockliner, bits of paint splatter, and Scott’s nickname stamped on one of the heels completed the look. We can’t all be lucky enough to stumble across a pair at our local outlet, but at least the “Cactus Jack” can still be had for fairly reasonable prices on the secondary market. Read More Here
Jam The Hype Jam the Hype
Eshon Burgundy will never fold even in the cold!
The NFTRY founder recently dropped a track titled “Never Fold,” which is Eshon expressing his commitment to serve The Christ through everything life throws at him.
Genius described it like this:
Eshon Burgundy’s sole music release in 2018 is “Never Fold,” a song committing his life and his music to God’s glory instead of his own comfort, safety, or prosperity. He acknowledges that by being a Christian rapper, his career and fame will hit a ceiling, but if he “folds” or conceals his love for the Lord, he is giving up control of his life to the industry – to people who are not trustworthy like God.
Each hook brings up the story of Peter’s denial of Christ. When Jesus was
Admit it: Christian hip-hop has not always had the finest reputation. Clumsy vocal delivery, cliched lyrics, and the cheap production are just a few common problems. The latter in particular can be a serious obstacle for groups who cannot afford the royalties that can come with sampling other artists. That means a fledgling act can either assemble a live band (which can be costly) or program its own beats and hooks (which can sound contrived).
Sackcloth Fashion does a little of both, and the result is a fine debut. Something for Everyone to Hate sometimes finds itself propelled by live drumming, such as on "Spoon Fed Gospel."
The kicks are inspired by the classic cartoon character Stewie Griffin’s outfit from the TV show “Family Guy,” featuring an animated graphic print on the upper. Only a handful of pairs are rumored to be in existence. Read More Here
in focus
We upload mixtapes, freestyles and new music daily.
The Oracle brings you the best Christian Hip Hop news, interviews and performances from the biggest names in the rap game.
Download The Oracle Network app and don’t just listen to music, be a part of the culture.
Want to be In Focus? Get in touch.
THINGS we found along the way
Do you agree?
One of NBA die-hard fans' favorite past times is debating who is considered to be the greatest player of all time — AKA "the G.O.A.T." — but it is a rare occurrence that a player makes such a bold proclamation, himself.
However, when that player is LeBron James, the odds of one sharing such a sentiment is unlike any other.
In an excerpt from the latest episode of ESPN's More That An Athlete series, James gave specific reasoning as to why he considers the Cleveland Cavaliers' historic championship over the Golden State Warriors in 2016 the determining moment in him chieving G.O.A.T. status.
"That one right there made me the greatest player of all time," he confidently said. "That's what I felt. I was super, super ecstatic to win one for Cleveland because of the 52-year [championship] drought. And then after I stopped [celebrating], I was like, 'That one right there made you the greatest player of all time.' Everybody was talking how they were the greatest team ever assembled, and for us to come back the way we came back, I was like, 'You did something special.'" Read More Here
Malachi @ The_Oracle_Mag
Comments