About Us    Need Web Design? 

Congratulations on the completion of your latest project "In Conjunction". The production is tight, it contains both smart and spirited lyrics, and it is evident that you are both a biblical teacher and a lover of Hip Hop. What was your intention in putting together this album? Thanks for the love Sis! With "In Conjunction", I'm really trying to challenge the Body to come together just like Paul talked about in I Corinthians 12. A human body is lot more functional when the hands and feet a working together. The Body of Christ is no different. When we come together and do what it is God's called us to do individually, the Body as a whole benefits collectively. There are too many ministries trying to stand alone like little islands. There is power in unity and numbers. We've got the numbers, now we just need the unity. 

I'm really feeling track # 5, "Kingdom Grindin'" featuring Tha GIM. Who are some of the other people that you worked with on this project? Artists? Producers? All of the features on this album are people that I can actually call my friends. Torch, who joins me on "Chop It Up" is a friend of mine from waaaaaay back. My man Damon O' (better known as DJ D-Lite from 3rd Coast Fiyah) blessed me by appearing on 2 songs from the album ("Call on You" and the worship track "I Press"). DJ 1 God joins me on "Hold Up!". Having 1 God on the album was a real treat for me because I've been pouring into him for several years. He used to be a part of a local secular group here in Houston, but a couple of years ago, the Lord got hold of his heart. He told me that the Lord was leading him to step away from that and he wanted to put it down for the Kingdom. My response was "That's cool, but you need to be discipled". He agreed and for the past couple of years, we've been journeying together through the scriptures and through life. DJ 1 God and I are fraternity brothers that went to college together. JB Real is another young cat that I've had the privilege to sow into. He's an up and coming emcee from North Carolina. And last, but definitely not least, is my sister Shekinah. She brings it on "Language of Love". We knew some mutual peeps through our fellowship with The Yuinon, and got connected that way. 

I've got a slew of producers on here as well. Again, these are people that I can say I know beyond their producing skills: Lostbeatz from Houston, Octavia Harris from Portland, Fatherz Chyld from Dallas, DJ Triumph from Miami, J-Soul from North Carolina, 4SightSounds from Harrisburg, PA, Spectacular Productions from Massachusetts. Roc is my older brother & Statz is my younger brother. They both are hailing from Dallas. My man Decadez from the Bay Area produced "Kingdom Grindin'". Theory Hazit from Ohio blazes a few tracks on the album. My man Len from the Dallas/Ft.Worth area produced "It's Sin". My dude J. Lynn James (JJ), also from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area produced "V Club" & "Omega". Lastly, my good friend Todd from Vegas produced "The Red Sea Experience". 

You're discography goes back to 1999. What can you tell us about recording your first rhyme, and how your style has changed from then to now? The first song I ever recorded professionally was a song called "Holy Ghost Party". The biggest change in my style from then to now would be the maturity of my craft. Back then, I didn't know anything about putting together a song, much less an album. I just knew how to tell a story through rhyming. Nowadays, I'm more concerned about the content of the song being the focus of the song. 

You are already well-known as Excelsius the "rapper", and many of us have come to know you also as a minister and gospel preacher... Why have you chosen Hip Hop as a conduit for your message? I didn't pick hip-hop . . . it chose me. As far back as I can remember, hip-hop has always been a part of my life. I had been rhyming for 12 years before I committed to do it strictly for the advancement of the Kingdom. So, when I gave my life to the Lord, He essentially took what I was already doing and transformed it into something that would bring glory to Himself. It also really started to make more sense when I saw how it was reaching some close family and friends that were not saved. From there, the stage was set. 

Your website for Joined at the Hip Ministries IS "edifying, encouraging and enlightening"! What can you share with readers about your online ministry and why they should be connected? The online ministry allows us to interact with a large number of people simultaneously. Through the weekly email devotionals we send out, it's almost like we get the privilege to (in the words of Flame) disciple at a distance.

As far as being connected goes, that's the foundational key to our spiritual growth. Many American Christians are what I call "Renegade Believers". Anywhere else in the world, being a believer is synonymous with being connected to a local body of believers. Not necessarily here though . . . you rarely find these Lone-Ranger Christians in other countries. 

This direct expression of America's rampant individualism leads many to be unconnected, therefore negating the need for accountability or commitment. It's as if they haven't been taught that the Christian life involves more than just believing; it also includes belonging. We grow in Christ by being in relationship to other Christians. That's the essence of "being connected". God never intended for His children to grow up in isolation. Earlier, I talked about how with this album, I wanted to challenge the Body to come together just like Paul talked about in I Corinthians 12. Think of it like this . . . any organ that gets detached from the body will not only miss what it was created to be, it will also shrivel and die quickly. The same is true for Christians that are unconnected. 

What should new artists know about "rockin' the mic for Christ"?

1. Reppin' the Lord through hip-hop is a calling. If God has called you to it, you'll know.

2. There is a distinct difference between ministering and performing. 

3. With the privilege to serve Christ and the Body in this fashion comes responsibility. When we don't represent the Living Christ to the Dying World, our witness is blown.

Is there anything else you would like to share with readers? Read Colossians 3:16-18.