Mr. Del, former member of the multi-platinum, hardcore rap group Three 6 Mafia, has been an essential source of Hip Hop music. He’s an unstoppable artist and producer, a powerful Minister, and an innovator in the genre. His non-traditional approach to Gospel meets society's need for a REAL Hip Hop artist BOLD enough to proclaim the pure, uncut, unadulterated Word of God through music.
Mr. Del’s art imitates his life. “Life motivates and inspires me to write,” Mr. Del says. By getting into a zone and meditating and reflecting on the Word and how it relates to his life, Mr. Del constructs lyrics
that aren’t for entertaining, but for piercing the heart of the listener and igniting life-changing actions. His own challenges in life, as with many Hip Hop artists, made for a journal of entries that have morphed into his latest album THRILLA (Holy South / Universal Music Christian Group).
THRILLA is an acronym for THE REAL ANOINTING. On this album, Mr. Del allows people to see more of his personal life. “THRILLA shows more of a deeper, transparent side of me,” he agrees. THRILLA allows the listener to submerge into the heart of an artist who has overcome weakness and is now refined and stronger through Christ.
THRILLA is Mr. Del’s deepest, most musically diverse project to date. The project exudes bold lyrics, hot tracks and a style that is undeniably Mr. Del! His single “Spread the Gospel” features rap mate Mali Music. The duo sync up to create a hot street mix with a taste of reggae spice while continuing to assert a powerful positive message. Mr. Del the rock star? When teamed up with IroCc and Canton Jones, yes! “Rock it Out” brings these three heavy hitting uniquely identifiable voices together to further demonstrate the extensive musical scope of THRILLA and Mr. Del’s anointed talent!
Mr. Del exposes his lyrical journal for complete viewing on “Don’t Do It” and complete transparency seeps through on the track “My Life Rated ‘R’ (Real).” He lays it down as real as it gets releasing descriptive memoirs of life growing up with an abusive stepfather, life in the streets and a torn soul. But beyond the beats and lyrics, God's grace is sufficient enough for your weakness and through your weakness and pressing, out of that comes an anointing.
Influential Artist
Undeniably there have been challenges coming from hard core Hip Hop to Christian Hip Hop. The Christian Hip Hop genre is not widely accepted on the platform in which gospel singing is a traditional foundation. This can affect the promotion and visibility of the genre such as not having an identifiable radio format. Most notably, Christian Hip Hop artists usually come from a different culture, which sometimes, due to church tradition and lack of education of this culture, is not accepted or causes controversy in some religious doctrines. So what is the biggest misconception that Christian Hip Hop artists face? “That we and what we do is not of God,” answers Mr. Del. Regardless of the perceptions of others and lack of support from the body of Christ, Mr. Del doesn’t let those small hurdles limit his ministry and mission. “I am not bound to the Christian and Gospel box. My orders are from God himself,” Mr. Del explains. “So with Him there is no limit. I didn’t come here to lose.”
Mr. Del is dedicated to continue his work in Christian and Gospel music - building the Kingdom – Of One Body. “I want this industry to not be so segregated,” he stresses. “What we see is that Christian represents Caucasian, and Gospel represents African-American. This isn’t a true representation of the Kingdom.” This continues to motivate Mr. Del to be an influencer as he has been influenced by Hip Hop trend setters Russell Simmons, Diddy and Jay-Z. Mr. Del wants to inspire lovers of God and to continue to motivate other artists to not follow the way of the world, but follow the example of Christ.
Powerful Minister
Mr. Del’s true mission is to impact the world greater than Hip Hop music could ever impact it. As a minister of the Word and God’s anointed Hip Hop Apostle, Mr. Del can also be found each Sunday and Tuesday serving as the pastor of the church he founded, City of Refuge. City of Refuge started as a Bible study on the campus of the University of Memphis and truly meets a generation where they are as a non-traditional, non-religious radical movement that empowers uplifts and edifies the body. Being influenced by Pastors Greg Powe, Bishop I.V. Hillard and Bishop T.D. Jakes, this Hip Hop Apostle’s growing youthful Memphis-based church is reaching the world via podcast, planting churches and traveling in crusades across the country.
Hip Hop Innovator
Mr. Del’s discography reflects the escalation of a talented artist and an extraordinary producer. The Future, released on EMI Gospel, debuted at #15 on Billboard’s Gospel Chart and featured production from heavy hitters Organized Noise. Hope Dealer was another Billboard chart topper that fused in the styling’s of jazz master Kirk Whalum and producer giant Drumma Boy.
Mr. Del masterminded an extraordinary collaboration of Grammy nominated artist Canton Jones, Inspo-soul songstress Lisa McClendon and newcomer Ramona Jones. This history making super group combined the ingredients of R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop and Soul and the life source that has cleansing power – the Blood of Jesus – to create a project called Gumbo Red!
Mr. Del has also worked with veteran multi-platinum artist Salt of Salt n Pepa and Dove Award winning Christian Pop group Out of Eden. Mr. Del is committed and impactful and has revolutionized the sound of Holy Hip Hop.
