FTF

Fire Proof? That's right. FTF (Fighting Temptations Fa' Sho) take on the mantle figuratively, with reference to the fiery furnace episode experienced by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego —not affected by any fiery darts the enemy throws at them, thanks to the blood of Jesus Christ.

Take a listen or three, and you'll know that there's another meaning too. You better be fireproof yourself, as this seventeen-tracker blazes hot with its Southern flames, exploding lyrics and New Orleans bounce-ability. Call it one of the hip hop flashpoints of the year, in fact.

The FTF duo of Dr. Cheddar (aka Jerome Singleton) and Fila Phil (aka Philip Anthony) bring their considerable experience to the table, with production from the likes of DJ Dickey, Blaq Gold, Jinx and Gold Fingaz.

Dr. Cheddar explains the production connections: "DJ Dickey did the majority of the production. He's an original part of F.T.F. Dickey's lyrics used to run circles around Fila's and myself's lyrics. Beats are just half of Dickey's efforts. God is doing something with Dickey right now, but yall just hold tight! The rest of the production was just God's favor for F.T.F. We knew Jinx for a while and that was automatic and Blaq Gold is GrapeTree's house producer, so that worked out well."

Tracks such as "Seen It All" and "Bout That?" make their mark with their considerable ability to make you move and latch rhymes into your consciousness. Typical throughout the project is the dry rattle of percussion and piano loops that back tight flows that find a pocket between song and recitation.

Guests pop up on "Ryda" (with Prime Minister) and "Live By, Die By" which has some added vocals from Glenn Morris. And on "Real Woman", Cheddar and Fila Phil flip the script on the standard woman-diss found on the other side of hip hop, and offer a tribute instead.

As for tracks that speak the most to FTF themselves, that would be the last one of the CD ["One Way, Shaggi! (Paradise Or Da Snake Pit!)"]. Cheddar says, "we witnessed the Holy Spirit live in action, giving an invitation to heavan. It wasn't written on earth, but it was manifested here for us all. Next would be "Fire Proof?". It talks about the death, burial and resurrection of our Messiah, Friend, and Lord —Jesus!"

"[And finally, there's] "Murdered My Pain"; while mixing that song the Holy Spirit allowed me to see a CD sitting on the mixing board in front of me, and the CD moved from side to side. And the Holy Spirit said that "Murdered My Pain" would do [just] that on radio stations worldwide. This really happened."
- Gospelflava.com