Born with the Gift

Description

Born with the Gift: John 3:16 Factor is the fourth album by the American hip-hop group P.I.D. (a.k.a. Preachers In Disguise), released on Frontline Records in 1992, distributed by FMG Distribution. The album was recorded by Paul Allen and Poppa Tank at Vanguard Recording Complex in Detroit, Michigan; and was produced by Sons of Thunder Productions. Mixed by Allen, Tank, as well as P.I.D. (tracks: A4 to A7, B1, B4, B7).

P.I.D. just get better at upholding Christian street-level rap on ‘Born With the Gift’. If the gift in question is salvation, re-birth is the route still. However, these Preachers In Disguise have surely matured in relating faith in the same sly manner as their Black Islamic competiton in beats and rhymes. The strategy of self-reference mingled with culture bonding metaphors and similes and gospel-jazz-funk invention make this the trio’s most satisfying set to date.

Satisfying radio programmers and listeners should be «What Love Won’t Do» and «Tell Him…!» The former’s smooth Peabo Bryson sample and live femme bgv’s are ripe for play ‘tween Christian “pop” radio’s better bear ballads. «Tell»’s choral loop and churchified fonkeyness could put more gospel DJ’s in the Preacher’s posse.

Neither tune distracts from P.I.D.’s head bobbing appeal for booming woofers, but plenty else plumbs even greater depths. «Sleepin’ with the Enemy» speaks of recent group and marital troubles besetting the group of late. New member King Solomon J. pontificates in a blues style for «Solomon’s Porch». His son P.S. Jay gets in licks for other King’s kids craving a Christian Kris Kross. «Peace and Prayers» sends shouts out to favorite secular influences while «Holy Roland Patches» keeps goin’ like an Energizer with a full guest list.

P.I.D. doesn’t use its art as a vehicle for simplistic explications of Scripture. It’s deeper than that, and more fans of Christian pop rap might want to check the group’s Gift. No refunds, G! [Jamie Lee Rake, CCM, October 1992]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/born-with-the-gift-john-3-16-factor/310043029)

CD tracklist:

01. Intro – 1:49
02. Born With The Gift – 4:02
03. Goin’ Off – 2:58
04. Sleepin’ With The Enemy – 1:20
05. Now Who’s The Sucka – 2:48
06. To Kill A Mark-N-Bird – 1:51
07. Word – 0:30
08. A Piece Of Chicken – 2:25
09. What Love Won’t Do – 3:32
10. Holy Roland Patches – 5:11
11. Here We Come – 1:05
12. It’s Every Man For Himself – 3:41
13. Tell Him…! – 3:07
14. Positively Rising – 3:26
15. Solomon’s Porch – 2:05
16. Peace And Prayers – 3:28
17. Many Styles – 3:28
18. P.S. Jay (Child Of God) – 0:57
19. Peace To The Preacher – 1:50

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

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