Todd & Troy Collins started Beatmart two years ago to raise the quality level of Christian urban music, and they have made a very strong showing, it must be said.
Beatmart Recordings boasts the most active release schedule of all Christian hip hop labels with Pettidee, Japhia Life and Rob Hodge showing up all over the R&R Rhythmic charts. "Strength in Numbers" is their second compilation album in their two years and it features straight up hip-hop with a heavy Scripture focus. There's a lot of solid teaching going on in these dope beats, and I think the Collins brothers and their team can be proud of their significant accomplishments.
Soul P's "Keep It in Motion" opens with that throbbing fuzzy bass line so familiar to the crunk crowd. This track and Japhia Life's "Empty" start things off on the mellow side, but once Pettidee's rough growl fills the air things heat up quickly. The upbeat "Uh! Oh!" uses a banging synth loop to get your neck bobbin' and it's all over for "the haters." Fresh Digress uses a veritable stew of cooked sounds to back up his upbeat rhymes until North Philly's Rob Hodges swoops in with his hard hittin' beats and takes things back to the street. "The Love" features Bobby Bishop's classic tongue-twisting and sly zingers, although I still gotta work to get past his odd tone. Soul P comes back strong with the R&B flavored "In the City," rich with descriptive rhymes and oh that low bass vocal! Best track on the project is Japhia Life's poppin' "By Myself," percolating with cultural references and a banging hook. JL calls out all the fakers on this one, right on time. Pettidee's "Nah Nah" is another certified banger and Bobby Bishop's heart shines through the shimmering autobiographical "These Walls," and the funky beats of Fresh Digress' "Rise and Shine" close out nicely with an upbeat reminder to keep the Lord first. Beatmart, keep on doing what you're doing for the Kingdom.
