Veteran rapper Benjiman's recent sophomore release, S.K.R.I.P.T. (Spreading Kingdom Realities In Perilous Times) is featured as one of HearItFirst.com's picks for the hottest hip hop records this year in their Hip Hop Holiday Prize Pack contest.

Hearitfirst's Hip Hop Holiday contest showcases a select group of artists, providing free mp3 downloads and biographical information on each artist while offering listeners the chance to win a prize pack of CDs and t-shirts from Benjiman, KJ-52, Xross, John Reuben and more.

Free Benjiman downloads include the cut "Eh Oh" and soundclips of all 14 tracks on S.K.R.I.P.T.

Produced by Brandon Bee (Amber Pacific, Jaime Jamgochian, Stacie Orrico), S.K.R.I.P.T. features collaborations with Sparrow Records recording artist Shawn McDonald and indie artist Paul Wright (formerly of Gotee Records). Although there's no denying that Benjiman easily falls into the rap category, elements of his music take it beyond that simple classification. Building on an R&B foundation, he adds in "rapcore" elements, creating an extraordinary fusion of R&B, rap and rock. S.K.R.I.P.T. is already garnering favorable reviews.

"This is a very tight and professional release, with a nice contrast between heavy, rock-oriented rap and smooth, soulful hip-hop," says Christian music website JesusFreakHideout.com. "Benjiman...is putting out music that can compete with the best, and it's great to have him back."

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Benjiman was inspired by Christian rock pioneers Petra and dcTalk. He found a passion for reaching people through music and began his career performing around his small hometown of Lacomb, Ore. One day he received a call to rap for a little-known band named Callbox, who later changed their name to Kutless. On that group's first album, Benjiman rapped on a song called "Pride Away," which led to further collaborations with Kutless and Falling Up. Eventually, he signed a recording contract with BEC Recordings in 2004 and his first solo release, Activate, climbed the charts with the Top 10 hit single, "Trace of Love" and the Top 20 hit, "Activate." That project paved the way for several nationwide tours and a myriad of festival performances.

Now a familiar face at big festivals nationwide such as Creation, Spirit West Coast and Joshuafest, Benjiman feels called to reach out to the churched and the unchurched. "Rap is a universal language that opens doors to many audiences," he says. "My ministry is to reach kids who no one else will talk to. After my live appearances, I often end up talking to kids with troubled pasts; they gravitate toward me. I'm able to show them that they are not alone and that the Lord loves them. I have met with kids who were going through serious trouble. Somehow they came to one of my concerts, and God ministered to them through the lyrics."

Benjiman's S.K.R.I.P.T. is available on Save the City Records, a division of Rain On Me Productions, LLC, and distributed through Bema Direct Distribution. For more information on Benjiman and his new album, S.K.R.I.P.T., visit savethecityrecords.com or myspace.com/benjimanactivate.

HearItfirst.com is an online community dedicated to the artists and the fans of Christian music. For more information on Hearitfirst's Hip Hop Holiday contest, visit hearitfirst.com/hiphopholiday