R-Swift – Soapbox (Cross Movement Records) Release Date: 06/24/08
Philly hip-hop soldier R-Swift continues to propel the revolution forward as his sophomore project for Cross Movement Records hits the streets with a resounding slam on June 10th. The highly focused, seasoned performer brings the same edgy, gutsy application to SoapBox that sent his debut offering, Revolutionary Theme Muzik, straight to the souls of listeners with a bullet.
R-Swift is driven by his mission to take the gospel of reconciliation to the nightclubs, the corner cyphas, the underground hip-hop spots, and anywhere there are ears to hear. His straightforward message does not shift with the scene but remains the same always: Christ crucified. Taking his cue from the famous street orators of Hyde Park, London, who since 1872 have stood on wooden soapboxes to draw passing crowds into fiery public discourses on issues of faith, R-Swift boldly employs his evangelistic gifts of lyric writing and preaching to turn out 15 smoldering tracks of equal fire and intensity. True to form, R-Swift doesn’t hesitate to send forth an arsenal of truth that will pierce hearts and stop us in our tracks.
“Like the Hyde Park speakers, I’m using my platform of hip-hop to address the social ills of society from a Christ-centered perspective,” says R-Swift. “It’s me on my soapbox, talking about the murder rate in my city on “Killadelphia,” and the filth that is burying our country on “American Soil.” His passion is palpable as he speaks of “American Soil’”s message of challenge. “We want God to protect us from any harm or danger, but we fail to reverence Him in our everyday lives. We put Him on the back burner, but then we hurry to bring Him out when our high school and college campuses start getting shot up.”
R-Swift has earned the right to be heard, as a soldier willing to follow his mouth with his faith. The former member of the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Men’s Choral was an award recipient of Concerned Black Men Inc., a featured performer at the William Ross Scholarship Banquet, and is currently involved with Philly’s Youth Study Center, a detention center for youth offenders, where he ministers the Gospel.
Ever striving to tell the untold and reach the un-reached, in accordance with Isaiah 58:12, R-Swift tackles the gritty issues of our day with both style and substance. The fierce flows of “Breatha” and rolling string samples of “Lifetime” address the futility of thug values, “Gone” decries through its sultry rhythms man’s tendency to look for completion outside of the Lord, while “American Soil” rips through the hypocrisy of a nation that wants God only when convenient. R-Swift moves with ease between a 70s homage track, “Good Mourning”, and the fresh, rolling arrangements of “Freedom.” Phone messages from k-Drama, FLAME, and Teddy P serve as interludes, and guest artists like Mac the doulos, Lecrae, Iz-Real, J.R., and Michelle Bonilla inject their own rich styles, adding to the illustrious vibe and opulent texture of SoapBox.
R-Swift is set up for a steady diet of serving and touring this summer, as well as eagerly anticipating the birth of his son in August.
Soapbox comprises the following tracks: 1. Stage Fright 2. In Session 3. Good Mourning 4. Freedom 5. Breatha (featuring Mac the doulos & Lecrae) 6. Message 1(k-Drama) 7. The League (featuring Mark Arther, Phien-X Zekaryah, Monty G, Young Josh, & Ackdavis) 8. Gone (featuring Sarah Rodriguez) 9. Killadelphia (featuring Terry Did’um) 10. Lifetime (featuring Iz-Real) 11. Message 2 (FLAME) 12. American Soil 13. Re: Love Letter (featuring Michelle Bonilla) 14. Me on My Soapbox 15. Message 3 (Teddy P)
R-Swift’s SoapBox will be available June 10, 2008 on Cross Movement Records and distributed by Provident-Integrity Distribution in the CBA market and by Sony BMG in the general market.
Download and Share R-Swift “Good Mourning” from Soapbox (Cross Movement Records)
R-Swift on the Road:
06-10 – CLC Book Center – Philadelphia, PA
06-11 – CLC Book Center – Northfield, NJ
06-12 – CLC Book Center – Moorestown, NJ
06-28 – Six Flags – Chicago, IL
07-17 – TBA show with Flame & Ambassador – Sayreville, NJ
08-09 – Truth or Die Campaign – Detroit, MI
08-12 – Truth or Die Campaign – Nashville, TN
08-13 – Truth or Die Campaign – Nashville, TN
08-14 – Legacy Conference – Chicago, IL
08-15 – Truth or Die Campaign – Dallas, TX
08-17 – Truth or Die Campaign – Dallas, TX
R-Swift Soapbox Track List
1. Stage Fright
2. In Session
3. Good Mourning
4. Freedo
5. Breatha
6. Message 1 (k-Drama)
7. The League
8. Gone
9. Killadelphia
10. Lifetime
11. Message 2 (Flame)
12. American Soil
13. Love Letter featuring Michelle Bonilla
14. Me on My SoapBo
15. Message 3 (Teddy P)
