I’m for Real

Description

I’m for Real is the debut album by the American hip-hop artist M.C. Ge Gee (a.k.a. Genie Rodriguez), released on Frontline Records in 1990. The album was produced by David Ebensberger.

M.C. Ge Gee was the first ever female Christian M.C. to release a solo album, motivated by her brother, D-Boy Rodriguez, who contributed vocals, programming and scratching to her albums. She was born in the Bronx and raised in Dallas, where her parents run an inner-city youth outreach that was the subject of the book/film The Cross and the Switchblade.

I’ve been waiting for this. M.C. Ge Gee is the first female rapper in contemporary Christian music, and the title of her first album is on the mark.

Real she is and more. Younger sister of the late D-Boy Rodriguez (who co-wrote seven of the 10 tunes), Ge Gee’s own rhymes speak of savior and salvation with so little heavy-handedness (nor “Christians only” exclusiveness) that few qualms can be raised over boomin’ ‘I’m for Real’ amongst any rap aficianado.

Ge Gee and producer David Ebensberger show they have learned the lessons of ’70s horn funk on the opener, «Let’s Fight Back», as they cop an early War-like groove. The lady’s foray into Florida bass, «Try This One», is supervised on turntables by D-Boy, and though it can’t match Magic Mike for sonic thunder, this one still pumps.

Harder core in strictly hip-hop flavor are a cover of kiddie hymn «Jesus Loves Me» that knocks DC TALK’s outta the boat, thanks to a drum program not dissimilar to James Brown’s ubiquitous «Funky Drummer». The title track is a fierce duet with D-Boy, and slightly mo’ pop is «Go Ge Gee» with a backing track reminiscent of M.C. Hammer if he hung on the street more.

Rocking as those are, there are more surprises. «Jazzin’ it Up» ranks alongside Gang Starr’s best work in the jazz-rap idiom, and «Latino Style» drops a relentless salsa-house fusion. Maybe breaking new ground among Christian and secular rappers could be the South American lilt in «Unity» and the reggae-calypso shadings of «You Can Make a Difference», both showing Ge Gee’s softer lyrical touch.

Which isn’t to say the goil’s soft. It’s easy to tell she has been listening to supreme femme rappers like Latifah, Antoinette and Lyte, incorporating her own tough, godly stance in the bargain. Though ‘I’m for Real’s production lacks some grit, secular crossover possibilities are brimful, and this sister has juice to spare. On the strength wit dat. [Jamie Lee Rake, CCM, November 1990]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/im-for-real/388452429)

CD tracklist:

01. Let’s Fight Back
02. Try This One
03. Jazzin It Up
04. Jesus Loves Me
05. Unity
06. Latino Style
07. I’m For Real
08. You Can Make A Difference
09. Loving Him In Return
10. Go Ge Gee

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Frontline Records.

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