St. Michael - Rap CD: PICK
IT UP (Christian Rap)
Michael Kapneck started out being a
child with a happy, comfortable life, growing up as one of four
children with his Mom and Dad in an upper class / rich neighborhood.
At the tender age of 9, Mike's life was drastically turned upside
down, emotionally and economically, going from a very comfortable
life to a rough life.
Mike tried to escape from this unhappy
reality by turning to dangerous elements in the inner city street
life, which existed in his new neighborhood. Mike soon turned
toward an illicit life of crime, drugs and violence. Following
multiple overdoses and a conviction on drug trafficking charges,
Mike wound up in the slammer, which probably saved his life.
While serving his time in jail, Mike
met the Lord through His Word for the first time in his life,
when Mike picked up a Bible and read it. He accepted Jesus Christ
as his Lord and Savior, and through mentoring by life long criminals
and daily Bible study, Mike began the process of changing into
a new creation in Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:17). Through the
power of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, Mike turned from self-destructive
ways, caused by his anger, his profound loss and his need for
self-medication.
Instead, the Lord put him to work. Mike
set for himself some positive goals, starting a musical ministry
for his Savior, Jesus Christ through Mike's considerable musical
rap talent. Taking the stage name, St. Michael, which reflects
his dedication and love for the Lord, Mike Kapneck as St. Michael
provides a refreshing rap message of the hope, love, support,
faithfulness believers have in Jesus Christ, stressing how much
we all need Him. He gives his personal testimony about what
Jesus means to him, and his own struggles in walking in the
light and what his life was like before he met Jesus.
In working through his own pain, Mike
Kapneck wrote a rap called DADDY, which is a song that "goes
out to all the fathers in the world whose bags are full, yet
their hearts are empty." While the song explores all the hurt,
anger, sadness that abandoned children feel and live with, he
also raps about his street experience, his jail time, and how
becoming a believer in Jesus, set him free from his anger. He
ends the rap with a personal message to his father.
"(ST. MIKE) " DAD IT DOESN'T HAVE TO
BE THIS WAY. GOD SHOWED ME THAT NO MATTER WHAT A MAN DOES HE
CAN BE FORGIVEN AND I FORGIVE YOU."
One of Mike Kapneck's goals is "street
teachin', hoping to reach those in gangs and troubled youth,
who are much like his old self, who are on the road to jail
or an early death. In his emotionally charged rap songs, he
points out in plain language the sins of sexual immoraltiy,
self-medication by the way of drugs, street crime and violence,
as traps set by Satan, which lead to eventual death on the streets
or jail. He then explains the freeing, power of belonging to
Jesus, our Lord and Savior. (SECRETS, PICK IT UP, NEVER MAKE
IT, SOCIETY, THESE R THE DAYS, J'S SOLDIERS)
His ministry and his gospel message
to reach out to troubled youth is badly needed, in such places
as Los Angeles, where as of November 21, 2002, 17 people have
died as a result of street violence in the time span of only
7 days. His rap, J'S SOLDIERS, calls "Bible Holders, Social
Molders, All J's soldiers" to "stand hand in hand," to reach
out to "the souls that are bent".
The CD ends with a most energetic outreach,
alter call song, ST. MIX, done Christian rap style; a la St.
Michael, with high energy rap, interesting background rhythms
/ percussion, hot rock beat, electric guitars, great synthesizer
work, that all really cooks!.
Lyrical Sample: OH YEAH YAWL, I'M FEELI'N
IT, YOU'RE FEELIN' IT? SOMETHING IS MOVIN' IN THE ROOM!! (rumbling
effect of electric guitars) (Hard rock beat begins)...............
Who is it? JESUS... WHO? (that's right) JESUS....WHAT?(that's
right).... JESUS....YEAH!(that's right!).... It's never too
late to get with.... JESUS. Pick it up, that's what's up, pick
it up that's what up....St. Michael picking it Up!
ST. MIX repeats some of the themes found
on this CD, intermixed with energetic praise rap. 1)Daddy so
sad "G," Better repent, before you D.I.E, DADDY so sad "G",
You're gonna be hatin' Satin......2) Life chasin' stars from
bar to bar, pushin' the nostrils only so far, getting social
scars, yeah I'm not ashamed to share the game "pain".
Samples of St. Michael's Rap Songs
PICK IT UP - (CD Title Song)
Introduction: I don't know man, there
are so many struggles,(pressures) these days. the only time
I feel better is when I cry out. Jesus! Help me Lord I have
forsaken you again Father.... MY SON, YOU MUST....
Chorus: Pick up ya cross an follow me,
together we'll part and sea, J & General G. Charismatic, spittin'
ah spiritual automatic.....Direct connect to Da MAN no static....
(An unbeliever's view): 1 (First stanza)
- A Jesus piece ah never bring ya piece, Life's on lease, we
never own it so, chill with the bag bangin, crack slangin, braggin
bout sales, tags, a new Jag, jails smokin crack, watchin holes
open in ya life like old rags, that's right......
(Talks about spiritual warfare): -(Second
Stanza) Satan's mission, he's fishin', with a street nine, cheap
wine, Who's the mad dog, dog. Devil stalkin', you think, that's
the Heni talkin', kill um, smoke it, Just another hit, lights
out, cast straight to the pit, It's never to late to get wit
- Hey J, Son a "G", You really there for a wretch like me, I
wanna see! I've killed, deceived for mills, slept behind bars
in my window, sold indo and much mo!!!! Chorus.
2 (second stanza) - (Burr) I'm cold,
Gospel bringin' a chill to the hill, fillin' the void of a pill,
dom, the bomb. I'm spiritually on... The Holy war not Nam...2002
with Osama, ah soldier, fightin' by His shoulder, sayin' no
to the bolder, put childish ways behind me since I'm older.
Out in the open lover, that's what it takes to recover. (1st
Corinthians 13:1-13)
Definition my religion, soul fishin',
Helpin' sway decisions on how we're livin', on how we're livin',
By given' time to needy, PRAYIN' FOR THE GREEDY. OH YEAH! I'M
feelin' spiritually speedy ate the word wheatie, never needy.
(God) Hawww, I know you are weary my Son, you must guard your
heart, the wellspring of life.- Chorus Come on yawl, feel me
on this, don't be shy, feel the love from the Man above, St
Mike PICKIN' IT UP on the spiritual flip, peace
* SECRETS - One of his most personal,
powerful songs, a favorite of this reviewer. Nice backup vocals
by Bianca Holman
The first stanza reflects on his childhood
and what happened to the boys he hung out with after they all
entered the hard core drug world around the age of 14.
First Stanza: Silly games, all fun when
ya young, no guns, on the run from no one, 1st time, 1st puff,
at the park after dark, flashlight tag: David, Greg, Tom, Mark.
Dungeons N Dragons, we imagined, being fighters, elves, magic
users not drug abusers, social losers, boozers, from 14 to morphine,
it's a dream, a nightmare. Lord, it ain't fair, screamin' spiritual
warfare, Tommy got the chair, David's slate states "Always Loved,"
Mark is servin' life from an under cov., Greg's on his back,
I'm beatin' on his chest from ah sack. Ah beat smack, hooked
on crack, runnin' packs, cali back, New York, DC, 8 a key to
CBD, no commissary, behind bars gettin' scary, from bankin'
to shankin, How's ah poor white kid ever gonna make it?
First Chorus Hook: Never knew what He
was doin' to me, D3 treat me, it's the disease see, Just a young
"g" on the run, getting fun, getting bun, Preacher I don't know
about G's son. Cause....
First Chorus: Never knew what I was
doin' to me, I was young, dumb, full Ah I'm older, getting over,
life as a soldier, stories we hold alone in the cold, All life's
secrets never told.
The second stanza tells of his rocky
struggle without God, and how he found Jesus, after Jesus found
him.
Lyrical Sample :.....He's there..footsteps
in the sand, sad its the plan, livin' life without the man,
free will, getting lower with each pill, I feel the death chill,
I'm alone...Doin' it on my own, thinkin' life's about a cell
phone, pleasin' bone, pleasn' self destruct, just like that,
on my knees He (Jesus) struck....swapped despair for luck, spent
my cake foolishly "tapped"grace! His love doesn't cost ah face.
Thank you God!
Second Chorus: Never knew what He was
doin' to me, J helping me see the evil "G", just a young plea,
getting real, see on the run. Never fill the void son, He made
the moon stars and Son.
Third stanza speaks about opposition
to the gospel message, and explains what is most important -
your relationship with the Lord. Jesus will be coming back to
this world as Lord of Lords, King of Kings and all will be judged.
Sample: "Lookin' the other way to all
the signs knock. Apoc"o"lipse, revelations, it's the state we're
in, "earth-soaked with sin.... Near the end see, 5, 10, 20,
NOR YA MONEY its about ya end "G", NO ONE IS JUDGED WITH FRIENDS
B."
Third Chorus: Never knew what He was
doin' to me, I'm eternally servin' "G," Helping you see the
evil "B", Just a young plea, getting real see, off the run,
fill the void son, stay true Christian...
* NEVER MAKE IT - A favorite of this
reviewer, aimed at youth on a self-destructive path of drugs,
violence, crime which sooner or later leads to either jail time
or an early death. He offers them a life-saving alternative,
Jesus Christ. A great rap which is excellent "street teachin'".
Chorus: We're never gonna make it, Never
make it, Never make it, We're never gonna make it. It's a fact
unless we quit. Can Ya make it? Can Ya take this?
Lyrical Samples: I went from a crook
to a King, listen to the story while I sing. Down in the Dumps,
Doing bumps, takin hits from chumps, getting social lumps. Tryin'
to fulfill my wants. (his old life). I'm just another man, I
am, not Son of Sam...This is a holy jam..... ........Yeah I'm
after souls, street teachin' if you want call it preachin'.
Quit Leechin', the Bloods gone....Its on!!! What's gonna protect
ya till the mornin' my son, That gun?! The sin is anger, rage,
livin' life like ya on stage. Wishin' you looked like a kid
on ah magazine page. It's not a phase, it's a mess goin' out
before ya.Been blessed, the Biblical test. Chorus.
2) I'm not back, I never went anywhere,
kinda like the man upstairs, the way he loves and shares...To
think there's really force that cares..... Settin' up road flares...
"Look" ahead, that's you dead, empty bed.. covered by red, for
ah ride, die, some clothes, a Hoe......we need the Holy Ghoooooost!
J.E.S.U.S. who needs a bullet proof vest, a soul that can finally
rest, with the trinity on my side, leavin' watch tower tongue
tied. God I'm pumped, just got spiritually jumped, whipped the
devil outah me J & General G, makin' a full blown man see, partin
the secular sea in this GO, NO GO...De-mons on the run, from
the Sun/Son, the ONE next to None - Word His gun, charismatic,
spittin a spiritual automatic Makin' Satan sick (St. Michael)
The eternal last verses, sixteen bars from beyond the stars,
it's heaven not mars, the inferno burnin' from within settin'
a blaze to all sin, within Him we truly win. (Yup!)
SOCIETY-
Lyrical Samples: Man, I'm struggling
these days...What's up these broads, what's up with my job,
Man, what's up with me?
Chorus: Society's got me livin' on my
knees, Need the help of Jes's we believe "us," Paid with blood
not DUBs, "What," Yeah, that's right. to free us. (Hebrews 9:11-15)
Still in pain, social game for gain, branded in my brain, pullin'
her main in the Rain, takin' the blame, For shame on you, we
ain't livin' true, to who? Thought by now you knew, get a clue:Blues
Clue, Huh!: Anger, lust, greed, drivin' ya to smok a blunt,
speed, the need for dees, end up dead. "Attention: All souls
without a soul" at the club sellin' rolls, "Want One"? Russian
Roulette with the social gun, PUN intended, stick aorund you're
gettin' offended, finally learning what the Man intended, It's
love, love, not gonna get it from an under CUV... Lock that
ass to Ya past, counting court dates, grains ah sand thru the
hour glass, maybe it 'll come quick, next ah kin cryin' came
this week.
THESE R THE DAYS -
Lyrical samples: Every day you're denying
you're dying... Jesus is real ya know. Feel Him feel you.
Chorus: THESE ARE THE DAYS TO PRAY, DON'T
DENY WHAT I SAY LET YA HEART LEAD THE WAY...TO A BETTER DAY.
HANDS TOGETHER AND PRAY, "THANK YOU JESUS WHO FREES US."
Life chasin' stars from bar to bar,
pushin' the nostrils only so far, getting social scars, yeah
I'm not ashamed to share the game "pain" backed up in my brain,
blood stained. The deed, my needy, my greedy, contemplating
over a bag ah seedy, in the city, thinkin' cruddy, can't be
alone, hotel phone, yellow pages goin' escrow tryin' to get
ah- ya know, Ho. "What's up!!" Perpin like I'm what...the white
nut, the right cut, pills to the gut, Satan's rut. Chorus.
Change ah heart, change as fate, ah
new state, Life's sweet, one the street, life's lessons teach
"What I preach," what He gave me, unslaved me, and saved me,
couldn't quit, I admit. Day day, night, night, things getting
down right sinister, ugly, prayin' to the one above me, I don't
care if yawl don't love me, feel the love from the one above
"G", No shame livin' for his name, puttin down the paper game....its...kids
killin', baby villains, makin' pennies not millions, locked
up, spillin' soul sellin' at the goldern gates yellin' raising
hell N..... Don't celebrate His B-Day, If its the way, ya say,
better day, put ya hands together and pray, these are, these
are, these are.... Chorus.
J'S SOLDIERS (backed up with a catchy,
syncopated synthesized beat).
Lyrical Samples: ATTENTION MEN! Chorus
(rapped with a chorus of men, military style): BIBLE HOLDERS,
SOCIAL MOLDERS, ALL J'S SOLDIERS, SONG FOR YAWL (you all) LIVIN'
OLDER. TIME TO STAND HAND IN HAND....WHY? CAUSE RIVERS AH BLOOD
DIVIDE THIS LAND BY THE HAND AH MAN. BIBLE HOLDERS, SOCIAL MOLDERS,
ALL J'S SOLDIERS, SONG FOR YAWL LIVIN' OLDER. TIME TO STAND
HAND IN HAND...WHY? CAUSE JESUS BLOOD WAS SPILLED BY MAN
What? You ain't gonna listen, cause I'm
Christian, Just another Bible thumper, soul fishin', keepin'
kids out ah prison, His mission, livin' What you givin? How
You livin'? What you hittin'? Yawl got no sentiment for a souls
that's bent, Life for rent, wonderin' where it all went. Show's
St. Mike know how it go. DRESSED UP. MESSED UP, FAKE HOES, TO
CHECK THE NEW FLOW.... I was once blind, now I see....Its time
to take off them glasses "G", dilated, My O My, Eniolated,G
ain't gonna tolerate it... ...See, eternal, infinity, where
you gonna find knowledge don't cost a penny, what annie up,
That's what up, Life aint gotta to so rough (Nah!) TIME YAWL
STAND TALL REPRESENTING J & G'S CUT. - Chorus
(Raps about spiritual warfare: See EPHESIANS
6:10-13; 17) What you want, it's real, this ain't ah stunt,
Ya heads the ball, D's(Devil) getting ready to punt. Game time,
man's blind, stick to J's line, Pass the Words, my bond, spiritually
on. The Mission, I'll keep sayin' it, soul fishin', eternally
livin' J's soldiers truly givin', helping those spiritually
bent. Now remember men, IT'S ALL ABOUT SERVING HIM SO THAT WE
MAY GET IN. (James 2:14-26)
Reviewed by: Julie Carr / ChristianMusic.com
CD produced by: Eternal Entertainment Corp. - Record Label (New
York, Washington DC / Palm Beach) 535 Southlawn Lane-Suite A3,
Rockville, MD. 20850. Phone: 888-937-9242 FAX: 301-299-4783
Contact Joseph Judge III
at STMICHAELSRAP@cs.com