Review – Big R “Let’ Em Go”

Remember what they asked about Jesus? “Does anything good thing come out of Nazareth?” The people of the town couldn’t believe that such a powerful and influential person could come out of a place not meant for producing anything prominent. Well, I’m sure that’s what heads will be thinking when they hear of Big R, aka Pastor Macon. “Can any good thing come out of North Carolina?” Yes, someone has stepped up to the plate hailing from the “Dirty South” doing it right for Jesus. Big R makes it quite evident that one of his goals is to put “North Cakalac” on the map with a fat slice of Jesus Christ.

Homeboy is not new to the Hip Hop game by any means. Big R was a former member of the group Holy Rollaz where he was teamed up with Mayhew R.W. Cuthbertson. He actually started rhyming when he was 12 years old! But now, older and much, much wiser, Big R has stepped out in faith with an amazing, first solo project titled “Let’em Go.”

Let’em Go has 14 strong tracks and all with the outstanding production of very well known gospel production genius – Tony Stone of T. Shep Productions.

The song an emcee chooses to open his album is very key. It sets the tone for the whole album. Choosing the wrong joint to drop can throw the whole album off, and you better have some good jams on there to redeem it if you’re gonna impress the listener! Fortunately Big R pulls this off easily. The very first thing that captures your attention when this album opens is the sound of a fairy or celestial sound effect. The song is called “Round N Round.” You’re immediately invited into the world of Big R – the Christian rapper – where he is basically telling you that you are about to be taken for a ride of Christian lyricism. “Round and round they go, where we stop – no-one knows, Yo, It’s God time!”

The next track on this project is one of my favorites. It was a great choice after “Round N Round.” You go from a celestial, mysticism to a soulful, contemporary spiritual, with that church feel. A “big ups” to Tony Stone for getting down on the organ on this one. Do you remember the song Hezekiah Walker made called “I’ll Fly Away?” Well, this is the hip hop version in a sense, but it is completely original. The hook is very catchy. I commend Big R on this song because you don’t find too many emcees singing their hooks. He actually sings quite of few of them on this album. The brother has talent – no doubt.

Moving on… the third track is “Ain’t Givin’ Up.” With so many singing “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child, it’s good to hear someone say they’re not giving up on the Lord and His faithfulness no matter what. Check this line out…

I ain’t giving up / You can beat me down to the ground and I’m quick, up off the ground / Go ahead man, take your best shot / I hold my spot like a dot / Whip me on my back / Act like you like that / Stomp me on my toes / Bust me in my knee caps / Even if I’m crawlin’ I ain’t givin’ up / And even if I’m falling it still ain’t enough

That sounds like someone determined to stand their ground “come hell or high water” (Who came up with that phrase???). We need men and women of God willing to live and die for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s encouraging to know that people still want to serve the Lord with all of their heart.

Another one of my favorite joints on this piece is “Can’t Nobody.” Initially, to be honest with you, I didn’t like the hook at all. But then I grew to like it and it is now one of my favorite songs on the whole album. Isn’t life funny sometimes? I think Big R flows his best on this song. Don’t get me wrong, the boy can flow, but the lyrics to this song are on point. Listen to the way he flows on the first verse and you’ll see why I’m feeling it. It’s not your normal, straight forward flow, but he stepped out the box with it. I love when emcees just let loose and do what just feels right. That’s what Big R did on this one. Again, the chorus is playing upon one of those ol’ down home church songs we used to sing when I was young and attending a Baptist church. It went something like, “Can’t nobody do you like Jesus, Can’t nobody do you like the Lord.” In essence, this song is original as well. I’m telling you folks, you’re just going to have to peep the album and see for yourself.

It seems today that many are making songs dedicated to their wives. “Genocide” came out just a few months ago and Precise had a song on there dedicated to his wife, and Big R also has a song on here dedicated to his “boo” called “Wifey, Wifey.” Some of the lyrics on this are comical, and they were meant to be. For instance…

Wifey, wifey / Holds me nicely / Melts like butter when she smiling at me / Eyes real chinky like Chinese at me / Early in the morning breath kind of stinky (laughts) / But I don’t even care about that / And what you do for me I do for you right back

When I first heard that, I was like “oh know he didn’t!” I let my wife hear it and she was the same way. But, we knew he meant it for fun and that it is a testament to the fact that they have a secure relationship. I’m sure he won some points with his wife on this one. I hear she’s having a baby too. Congratulations Big R!

I’m not going to tell you EVERYTHING about the album. I have to leave a little to the imagination. You can also check out some clips for yourself on his website. But, I will tell you that another one of my favorites is “I’m Cryin.” This one is the kind of song that you can just pump in the ride and just cruise too. The beat has that gangster feel. At the end, Big R even invites you to hit them switches if you’ve got’em. The song reminds me of “We Worship You” by Ambassador. Men need to be more present and visible when it comes to unashamed worship. Big R worships the Lord on this one from a perspective of “I’m a man and I’m not ashamed to cry out to the Lord and tell Him that I need him!” We need the Lord. That’s why so many men face the challenges they do today. They are too fearful of what others think about them and don’t cry out to the Lord. Hey, if you want something bad enough, you need to forget about everyone else and go for yours! Loose that man and Let’em Go!

This album is one that every believer, young and old, needs to have. Get it today! Big R, you get my approval on this one mein! Great job!

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