From the opening groove of club track “We Workin,’” announcing the “new era,” Grits (Grammatical Revolution in the Spirit) makes it clear they’re still holding their heads up high. With good reason: they are the best-selling Christian hip-hop group of all time, approaching sales of 500,000 in America. What’s impressive about this feat is that many of those albums were sold by the duo themselves, one on one with fans they meet on their almost year-round touring schedule. Teron “Bonafide” Carter and Stacy “Coffee” Jones are pretty upfront about their dissatisfaction with the current music industry scene, calling for a “complete overhaul.” They boldly express their frustration in “Ambitions,” detailing the ugly motivations behind the industry players. Coincidentally, “Redemption” will be their last record for their long time label, Gotee.
But it’s not all fierceness on “Redemption.” Guest appearances include contributions from Pigeon John, Brainwash Projects, btwice, Antonio Neal, Iz, and even underground icon Can-I-bis adds a level of depth to these expressive songs. Grits offers a helpful word to the “shorties” on “Holla @ Ya,” an R&B-flavored track that addresses what real love does and does not look like. The flute-enhanced “Memories” shares poignant family memories from back in the day of “grilled cheese and pigs feet,” and making forts out of bedspreads strung across the room. These creative brothers accept the “natural progressions” with faith and trust. As always, Grits injects a strong Scriptural message to their lyrics; the disturbing “Soul Cry” is the strongest example. Its looming vibe threatens upcoming terrors against the frightened repetitive refrain, “help me help me” and the programming touches build to a thundering crescendo of confusion. Grits offers the Biblical solution of Christ to the terrifying effects of sin, presented powerfully and dramatically.
The infectious rhythms of club track “Heyyy” highlight the band’s superior flow chops against some slammin’ beats, and “Right Back” brings a solid R&B groove back for the warm closer, their rhymes tight over a bed of rich hooks. Seven is the Biblical number of completion, and Grits brought it all home on "Redemption," out November 21st.
