Christian rapper/songwriter/singer Crown One brings a perfect blend of secular music with Gospel/inspirational themes on his new project, The Crossover. The 12-track body of work reframes the often stereotyped image of the Gospel rapper with a nuanced and balanced view. Crown One opts for a mix of modern contemporary sound with an R&B/trap flair while the underlying message stays the same throughout.
The project closes out on a high note with two Latin-tinged jams. First is the upbeat guitar-laden “Sazón,” featuring EliEzer O.R. Fusing Latin sounds with contemporary pop and hip-hop, the duo craft a celebratory track underpinned by sublime melodies and heartfelt songwriting. This is followed by “Mocktails Only,” a mid-tempo jam that sees Crown One teaming up with J. Reborn and together they take us on an exotic ride as they bask in the sun and enjoy the blessings bestowed upon them. Other notable tracks include the summer-tinged “Elevate,” which evokes positive vibes and highlights God’s little miracles that help put things in order. The hard-hitting “They Know” is about following God’s word and allowing him to be in control of one’s affairs. “Big Grace” is a full-on testimony on wax as Crown One delivers a praise and worship-influenced performance alongside singer J-LEW
As a rapper and storyteller, Crown One is more adept with the pen and blends heartfelt tales with a spiritual angle, taming them with catchy hooks, which somewhat eases the passage of the message. Overall, The Crossover, will appeal to a wider audience due to the choice of sounds, but more importantly, the positive message that captures the life of the everyday man finding his spiritual footing in an unforgiving world.
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