Music
Press
Eric Crowder and Jahmy Hines make up Catch 2. These two Los Angeles area emcee's put it down on their self titled debut. They were in same neighborhood and they were pulled out of the world at the same time and were saved on the same day. 'In The Name of the Lord' would be something you would expect musically from the likes of Tupac and other West Coast MC's. But they spit holy lyrics lifting up the name of Lord and bless His name fo' sho'. The jazzy funk track holding 'Messiah' together is really tight. Catch 2 brings the flow again and again like 2 anointed machine guns and punch holes in the devil's kingdom. They leave no doubt as to who is Messiah. Can you raise the roof and shout hallelujah??? It's not about all the things you might have in this world. But have you 'Got Christ?' This track has some smooth vocals from Michala Peterson. The beat is tight over this needed message for our day and time. They start off with a court room style intro on 'Truth.' And then they proceed to break it down with the truth. The truth shall make you free. The beats for this track would be something you might expect from No Limit back in the days, it's tight. And they definitely bring the spiritual applications to their message and are not ashamed to speak the Word. 'Everyday' is probably the tightest track on the CD. The melodic hooks and beats are bangin' and just take you in. 'Ready' is my favorite. Talking about being ready when the Lord returns. It starts off a simulated news broadcast reporting about the rapture of the church. The track is minimalized but fitting to the message drawing attention to the lyrics and delivery. I kept repeating this track it's hot! And the message is on point. Things get really funky on 'Can't Give Up.' This is another bangin' track from this anointed duo. Every track tells their story and shares their testimony, but 'Slave to Sin' puts it down. This is best message track on the whole CD. This is a MUST listen! Imagine what would happen if Parliament-Funkadelic got saved, filled with Holy Ghost, became a church band and added 2 MC's? Well, this is closest thing on the track 'Give Him All The Praise.' Recorded live at their home church Bethany Community Church in Northridge, CA. This song has flavor and then some! Definite MUST listen too. The 'Truth-Remix' is super duper hot! A nice final note from this duo. The remix lives up to and exceeds the original and is soooo tight! Young people get this one! Parents buy this one for your kids. The brothers in Catch 2 have delivered a brilliant and needed recording for Gospel Hip Hop. - Rob Montgomery, ManHunt.Com
When you buy a CD, the first thing that grabs your attention is the cover of the project. From that cover, you oft are able to form an opinion about the nature of the project and a lot of times about the quality of the project. Now, speaking as a reviewer, when I opened the Catch 2 press kit, I was immediately impressed with the care they had taken to package it. The CD cover immediately said to me that these were 2 young men, serious about offering praise to their creator! What I did NOT expect was the nature of the album. This is a hip-hop project!! Why did I not expect it? Well, their attire was definitely not what you would call "hip hop gear". I expected a more r&b type of project. Now that we have dealt with external aesthetics, lets talk about the project itself! A pleasant mix of the old and new. For those into secular hip hop, you will recognize the stylings of Run-DMC mixed with Tupac mixed with a little Kool Moe Dee mixed with a little Busta Rhymes. They break up the tracks with a few interludes that are well thought out and produced well. They have quite a good mix of tracks, however, I would have to say that my favorite would have to be "Everyday"! I don't know what it was about it but this track started the uncontrollable head bob even as I began to type. Lyrically, these guys have a lot to say and they weave and wrap their rhymes around their musical tracking tightly. Give Catch 2 a listen and you will find something for you!! - Robert Kennedy III/Kay3 Music.Com
As one of the best releases of 2003, Catch 2 has a little something that’s guaranteed to get your attention. I have gained a newfound love for churches that step up to the plate and recognize young people with a talent and help them. This project is executive produced by Bethany Community Church Outreach Inc. and that is just wonderful. For that alone you can double your membership especially when the church congregation is willing to stand behind a recording financially. The album is definitely a lyrical contribution that will not go unrecognized for long. Singles on the album include “In The Name of The Lord�, “Messiah�, “Got Christ�, “Truth�, “Dream� and 6 more tunes. There’s not really a difference when it comes to their style of rapping, but the lyrics make all the difference and show these young men are indeed in the game for the love of Christ. They quote passages directly from the Bible with passion and expertise and it’s easy to see they’ve studied their craft and skill. - THE CLEMENTYNE MAGAZINE
When I first heard Catch 2’s CD, I admit I thought it would be just like the other Gospel rap group CD’s I’ve heard lately …boy was I wrong! From the first song, these men were out of control! This was going to be somethin’ different somethin’ the gospel industry wasn’t ready for. Know this….Catch 2’s debut project linked their name with the words “Holy Hip-Hop� and saints will remember them for a long time to come. These fellas do an exceptional job with fusing gospel, hip-hop and R&B together to create a project that is inspirational, encouraging and easy to listen to. Although it’s rap, this project isn’t clouded with the typical loud bass and complicated drum lines. This project is easy on the ears and works wonders on the soul. It makes you wanna call their label and ask about tour dates with B.B. Jay and T.Bone! My favorite songs on this disc include: Got Christ-One of those songs that everyone needs to hear from time to time, Dream-Most people will be able to relate to this song because the message is soo powerful. The Greatest Love- This song was unbelievable! It puts everything back into perspective! If you feel yourself backsliding or in doubt, #11 is it! Can’t Give Up and Slave To Sin are just a few other songs that I find off the heez! Everybody may not like them but I find them on point! - The Gospel Zone Music Review
And there's the pitch!...It's Catch2! This energetic duo delivers an enjoyable and blessed project. Rap and hip-hop are genres in which an artist has to be on point or they can forget it. Catch2 handles this task with ease. They don't lose sight of their main goal, which is to exalt the name of Jesus, and they deliver a comparable yet unique sound to the genre of rap, thus conquering Christian rap. The project receives five thumbs up in all categories: Sound Quality, Vocal Quality, Lyrics, Originality, and Presentation/Album Design. In Ya Ear's favorite picks: Give Him All the Praise, Can't Give Up, The Greatest Love, Dream, and Got Christ - IN YA EAR! MAGAZINE Brooklyn, NY
NuFlavaMag.8m.Com London England’s leading underground Urban Publication & short Music Review site. Catch2: Self-Titled Gone are the dayz when folk would only hear rap or hiphop from a mainstream artist! Reel! because this genre is way too strong for that kind of seperation. We are delighted to present to you one of the finest rap duo'z to appear to the rap indie scene a group that cannot be slept on due to their explosive hard hittin' lyricz that are fo' sho' "one-of-a-kind"! To know how these folkz came to be is to listen to the sound they come out with. Itz popular for young headz to bounce and feel rap production but, this particular rap project is expressed best from itz lyrical point of view. Each track will have you fired-up both inspirationally and mentally. This is also one genre that is hard to be a true representative but, while "Catch2" release, expect massive changez to occur in your daily life. What a fantastic project to own. Heart Felt Trackz: 4•7•10•13 Listening Rate:9/10 Vocalz: 8/10 Production: 9/10 - NuFlavaMag.8m.Com
Discography
Catch 2, first full length CD, 2002
Unlocked, single for "Pursue Your Dreams" Compilation, (nominated for 2007 Stellar Award)
Still Here, Second full length CD, This summer 2007
Photos
Bio
Eric Crowder (E Miracle), 25, and Jahmy Graham (Jah Muzik), 23, grew up together in the impoverished areas of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, California amid the negative influences of neighborhood gang life. Initiated into the same gang on the same day at the young age of 13 and 12, E Miracle and Jah Muzik participated in a life of drugs, sex, violence, and criminal activity.
In his adolescent years, Eric became a product of his environment as he witnessed his mother engaged in narcotic sells, his father incarcerated, and the influence of gangsters and thugs in his neighborhood. Gang banging at the young age of 11, Eric sold drugs, engaged in pre-marital sex, gambled on a regular basis, and created a criminal record for himself. His run-ins with the law include: petty and grand theft, grand theft auto, breaking and entering, possession, and drug sales on school campuses. Eric also indulged in various drugs, hard liquor, and smoked cigarettes. He did just about anything to get high in an effort to run away from the realities of his negative lifestyle.
The product of separated parents (who later divorced) at a very young age and influenced by the negative lifestyles of his father and older brothers, Jahmy was destined for a life of crime and failure. Jahmy was caught with a loaded gun in the fifth grade and was expelled from his elementary school. Jahmy participated in drive-by shootings and was arrested on an attempted murder charge at the tender age of 14. The charge was later reduced to Assualt with a deadly weapon, and he served almost two years in a juvenile detention center and boot camp.
As partners-in-crime, Eric and Jahmy participated in countless unlawful activities. But now as partners in positive music, they are changing the way people see rap music.
With their lives headed for despair and destruction, the grace and mercy of God stepped in right on time. On May 16, 1999, Eric and Jahmy were invited separately to the same church, Bethany Community Church Outreach, by two different individuals. Miraculously, both Eric and Jahmy were converted and born again on this day together. By committing their lives to Christ, Eric and Jahmy were rescued from a path of spiritual and physical destruction to a life of truth, fulfillment, and praise for the Word of God.
The testimonies of Eric and Jahmy are amazing. Today, Eric sings in the choir while Jahmy plays the drums and the bass guitar at their church.
They regularly reach out to their generation to help young people in similar situations to those of their past to change their lives for the better. They visit, perform for, and give motivational talks to incarcerated juveniles and prison inmates to spread their message of hope and change.
In 2000, they created the Christian rap group Catch 2. The name Catch 2 was derived from their personal testimony that God reached down to “catch� both Eric and Jahmy out of destruction at the same time. Using rap music and God’s message, Catch 2 is on a mission to “catch� as many people as they can regardless of race, creed, color, and lifestyle.
While they are busy building their independent label, Catch 2 Records/T.H.M.B.G. Ent. Inc., both are staying busy with other activities. Eric attends school and maintains an impressive construction and carpentry career. His future goals include a clothing line and franchising.
Jahmy is a full time college student, currently working toward his B.A. and MBA in Business, Spanish, and Management. Post B.A./M.B.A., he plans to pursue a law degree.
They are the proud husbands of two beautiful Christian women, Manon Crowder (Eric) and Nzinga Graham (Jahmy). Jah Muzik is now a producer in addition to continuing to write and finish the final touches on their up and coming Sophomore full release.
With "Still Here" slated to be released this summer, they are aiming to go international. For more info and to buy their first CD, please visit www.catch2.com, www.myspace.com/catch2 or www.cdbaby.com.
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