Kaleb Starr

Kaleb Starr and one of Holy Hip Hop's elite Dj I Rock Jesus enter into the kitchen and begin cooking the classic, Heart Music Chronicles. As you place the Cd into the deck, the first note the smoke begins to come off. The intro I'm Back, Kaleb Starr says It's time to change the game up a little bit, And I thank homie has a good shot with this one! As the intro finishes I'm in Kaleb Star world now. As the sample comes on It's hard to believe I am a child of God, I know I'm in for a treat Track 02. For the Father is just that, he blazes this joint and it's just one more reason why holy hip hop needs to be in units in each store across the U.S. Track 04 Treo Whistin, The bass drop had me from the jumpoff and Dj I Rock and Kaleb just place the stamp on it! I gotta skip to track 07 Eyes, Kaleb slows down and gives you a blessing. The message from the track is that now that my eyes are open, I can see where I came from and how unworthy I was at that moment. But God's grace was still sufficient Amen brother keep those tracks coming, Kats in the streets have to hear that message. And track 08. I Remember is the perfect track to compliment the last. Kaleb goes in further about his past. And strips away the worries and the cares of what people thank and gives a message to those who need it. Oh!!! had to get to track 10 So Gone ripped by Kaleb on one of my favorite R&B beats it's one of them joints you cut up and mob the city with! Well I'm not going to leak to much, but you get the idea and there is more than enough to leave to secret in this 25 track mixtape. I love this joint it has alot of diversity and it can go in the deck day or night good times and bad. And that's good music Kaleb with the help of Dj I Rock Jesus pull off a upset to the enemy! Heart Music Chronicles is just that a journey through the heart that I personlly loved!!!

- YNJ Records

Kaleb Starr and one of Holy Hip Hop's elite Dj I Rock Jesus enter into the kitchen and begin cooking the classic, Heart Music Chronicles. As you place the Cd into the deck, the first note the smoke begins to come off. The intro I'm Back, Kaleb Starr says It's time to change the game up a little bit, And I thank homie has a good shot with this one! As the intro finishes I'm in Kaleb Star world now. As the sample comes on It's hard to believe I am a child of God, I know I'm in for a treat Track 02. For the Father is just that, he blazes this joint and it's just one more reason why holy hip hop needs to be in units in each store across the U.S. Track 04 Treo Whistin, The bass drop had me from the jumpoff and Dj I Rock and Kaleb just place the stamp on it! I gotta skip to track 07 Eyes, Kaleb slows down and gives you a blessing. The message from the track is that now that my eyes are open, I can see where I came from and how unworthy I was at that moment. But God's grace was still sufficient Amen brother keep those tracks coming, Kats in the streets have to hear that message. And track 08. I Remember is the perfect track to compliment the last. Kaleb goes in further about his past. And strips away the worries and the cares of what people thank and gives a message to those who need it. Oh!!! had to get to track 10 So Gone ripped by Kaleb on one of my favorite R&B beats it's one of them joints you cut up and mob the city with! Well I'm not going to leak to much, but you get the idea and there is more than enough to leave to secret in this 25 track mixtape. I love this joint it has alot of diversity and it can go in the deck day or night good times and bad. And that's good music Kaleb with the help of Dj I Rock Jesus pull off a upset to the enemy! Heart Music Chronicles is just that a journey through the heart that I personlly loved!!!

- YNJ Records

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Look, he turned my frown upside down. Cross on my back, couple jewels in my crown.” Bass pours through the speakers as the chorus smoothly flows with the swaggerific down south / west coast type beat. ‘2 HANDS UP’ is a great song and introduction to the group and their music. It is subtle enough to break the ice for first time listeners too. The group is called Holy Gang, and their album is ‘Surrender: 2 Hands Up’.

‘MORE’ is the perfect single track. With a mid-west instrumental and a beautifully sung hook, this song is an anthem of triumph and would be best experienced played out loud in your vehicle with the windows rolled down of course. Everyone needs ‘more’ of this song and it’s message of hope in Christ. Track 4 is appropriately called “HELL NO” as their mantra goes “Heaven yes, Hell, no!”. This song displays the Holy Gang’s east coast style and allows them to show their lyrical skills.

After three songs, we’ve already got a taste of Holy Gang’s diversity and range of style including their lyrical delivery as well as their instrumental selections. The best thing about Holy Gang is their ability to preach and share the truth without sounding preachy. In their music they have the ability to talk with their listeners as opposed to talking at their listeners. Even with cheerful and uplifting songs such as “WHEN I LOOK BACK”, they are able to express the ideal lyrics for mainstream sounding songs. The lyrical content for such tracks are testimonial and simplistic, which makes it appeasing for any listener. Most of the songs on ‘Surrender’ are around 4 minutes, which is long enough to get the point across, and it’s short enough to keep the flow going without over doing it.

When it comes to playability, you can enjoy ‘Surrender: 2 Hands Up’ in quite a few different ways. First, the music and the style is best experienced with loud booming sound systems, especially those that can handle the bass. The second way to enjoy this album is lyrically. Holy Gang holds it down like righteous gangstas not afraid to boast in the cross. Their rhymes are filled with good words of encouragement as well as punch lines that will catch your ears and make you smile.

At first I was skeptical about their style and direction, but after hearing the entire project as a wholes, I quickly changed my mind and realized how well put together this album really is. It is diverse and unique, yet familiar enough to enjoy with each listen. Altogether, this album is a great album to own, whether you play it as a whole or have it’s songs included on a mixed playlist.

Out of 5, I give this project a 4. After hearing ‘Surrender: 2 Hands Up’ a handful of times, there are only two songs that I don’t love. Those two songs, I would rather trade them out for the two bonus tracks, which are a part of my favorites. Their most noteworthy songs are: “BUT GOD”, “WHEN I LOOK BACK”, “MORE”, “2 HANDS UP”, “I AIN’T GOING BACK (Bonus Track)”, & my favorite track of all my favorite tracks is “HOLLA BACK”, which is a wonderfully ear pleasing way to end the album.

- da south

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Look, he turned my frown upside down. Cross on my back, couple jewels in my crown.” Bass pours through the speakers as the chorus smoothly flows with the swaggerific down south / west coast type beat. ‘2 HANDS UP’ is a great song and introduction to the group and their music. It is subtle enough to break the ice for first time listeners too. The group is called Holy Gang, and their album is ‘Surrender: 2 Hands Up’.

‘MORE’ is the perfect single track. With a mid-west instrumental and a beautifully sung hook, this song is an anthem of triumph and would be best experienced played out loud in your vehicle with the windows rolled down of course. Everyone needs ‘more’ of this song and it’s message of hope in Christ. Track 4 is appropriately called “HELL NO” as their mantra goes “Heaven yes, Hell, no!”. This song displays the Holy Gang’s east coast style and allows them to show their lyrical skills.

After three songs, we’ve already got a taste of Holy Gang’s diversity and range of style including their lyrical delivery as well as their instrumental selections. The best thing about Holy Gang is their ability to preach and share the truth without sounding preachy. In their music they have the ability to talk with their listeners as opposed to talking at their listeners. Even with cheerful and uplifting songs such as “WHEN I LOOK BACK”, they are able to express the ideal lyrics for mainstream sounding songs. The lyrical content for such tracks are testimonial and simplistic, which makes it appeasing for any listener. Most of the songs on ‘Surrender’ are around 4 minutes, which is long enough to get the point across, and it’s short enough to keep the flow going without over doing it.

When it comes to playability, you can enjoy ‘Surrender: 2 Hands Up’ in quite a few different ways. First, the music and the style is best experienced with loud booming sound systems, especially those that can handle the bass. The second way to enjoy this album is lyrically. Holy Gang holds it down like righteous gangstas not afraid to boast in the cross. Their rhymes are filled with good words of encouragement as well as punch lines that will catch your ears and make you smile.

At first I was skeptical about their style and direction, but after hearing the entire project as a wholes, I quickly changed my mind and realized how well put together this album really is. It is diverse and unique, yet familiar enough to enjoy with each listen. Altogether, this album is a great album to own, whether you play it as a whole or have it’s songs included on a mixed playlist.

Out of 5, I give this project a 4. After hearing ‘Surrender: 2 Hands Up’ a handful of times, there are only two songs that I don’t love. Those two songs, I would rather trade them out for the two bonus tracks, which are a part of my favorites. Their most noteworthy songs are: “BUT GOD”, “WHEN I LOOK BACK”, “MORE”, “2 HANDS UP”, “I AIN’T GOING BACK (Bonus Track)”, & my favorite track of all my favorite tracks is “HOLLA BACK”, which is a wonderfully ear pleasing way to end the album.

- da south

YNJ Entertainment would like to welcome, and introduce to some, Cincinnati’s own dope slinger turned rhyme slinger…..Kaleb Starr. Kaleb’s name is composed from Caleb the bold warrior in the Bible & the star that lead the wise men to the Messiah’s place of birth. Kaleb Starr is just a name that represents being that BOLD LIGHT that leads people to where Yahshua is. Both having the same mission….the streets/lost, YNJ & Kaleb Starr have come together to deliver the medicine that K. Starr has brought.

- holy culture

YNJ Entertainment would like to welcome, and introduce to some, Cincinnati’s own dope slinger turned rhyme slinger…..Kaleb Starr. Kaleb’s name is composed from Caleb the bold warrior in the Bible & the star that lead the wise men to the Messiah’s place of birth. Kaleb Starr is just a name that represents being that BOLD LIGHT that leads people to where Yahshua is. Both having the same mission….the streets/lost, YNJ & Kaleb Starr have come together to deliver the medicine that K. Starr has brought.

- holy culture

Hey everyone, I’ve decided that it’s time we do a little bit more with this ministry, by keeping this website up to date with album, and track reviews, along with bible verses and even thoughts on different passages.
I am going to do my best to update at least twice a week.

So to start this new idea off on the right foot, I’d like to talk about an album I just received in the mail today.


Kaleb Starr - No Matter What

I put this in my cd player while I was working on a few different things, and every track just seemed to jump out at me in a different way, the whole album is great. Its so new that I still haven’t been able to really take the whole album in, but I find myself playing a certain track over and over again. Track 4, “Na Na”. It’s a track on the subject of The Rapture (or the second coming, and last judgment, or to non-Christians, “the end of the world”). The subject is touchy to many, some don’t even want to hear about it, and skip revelation (the book in the bible that describes it in detail) completely! Well it’s not something to miss, and not something to skip, it’s also not something to fear, but something to actually look forward to as Kaleb Starr illustrates in this amazing track.
Instead of taking the path of straight scaring you to faith, as some people do, he empowers you to faith, but doesn’t shy around the fact that the rapture is the end and your either goin to heaven of hell in that time with lyrics like:

/ Why you livin for a tomorrow that might not exist /
/ You think that lifes hell black? You gun wish for your worst times back /

But I’ll stop talkin now, just download the track and listen for yourself, listen for the power you got over the devil and hell when you got Christ on your side.

- reality hip hop

Hey everyone, I’ve decided that it’s time we do a little bit more with this ministry, by keeping this website up to date with album, and track reviews, along with bible verses and even thoughts on different passages.
I am going to do my best to update at least twice a week.

So to start this new idea off on the right foot, I’d like to talk about an album I just received in the mail today.


Kaleb Starr - No Matter What

I put this in my cd player while I was working on a few different things, and every track just seemed to jump out at me in a different way, the whole album is great. Its so new that I still haven’t been able to really take the whole album in, but I find myself playing a certain track over and over again. Track 4, “Na Na”. It’s a track on the subject of The Rapture (or the second coming, and last judgment, or to non-Christians, “the end of the world”). The subject is touchy to many, some don’t even want to hear about it, and skip revelation (the book in the bible that describes it in detail) completely! Well it’s not something to miss, and not something to skip, it’s also not something to fear, but something to actually look forward to as Kaleb Starr illustrates in this amazing track.
Instead of taking the path of straight scaring you to faith, as some people do, he empowers you to faith, but doesn’t shy around the fact that the rapture is the end and your either goin to heaven of hell in that time with lyrics like:

/ Why you livin for a tomorrow that might not exist /
/ You think that lifes hell black? You gun wish for your worst times back /

But I’ll stop talkin now, just download the track and listen for yourself, listen for the power you got over the devil and hell when you got Christ on your side.

- reality hip hop

One of hip-hop's well beaten paths is that of dope slinger turned rhyme slinger. Not surprisingly, Christian hip-hop is not immune to this phenomenon. The Lord has called many a street denizen to the recording booth, with powerful results for calling people to Him.

Put two checks next to Kaleb Starr's name, one for having survived the streets, and one for having a great testimony for the Creator. His latest release, The Dedication, uses personal stories, attention-grabbing lyrics and dope beats for ministry.

According to KalebStarr.com, the artist takes his name from Caleb of the Old Testament and the star that led the three wise men to baby Jesus. The origins of his name seem fitting, as he lays out his loyalty to the Lord, his survival ethic and his desire to lead on the album.

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“They Wanna Know” details how he wandered in the wilderness of street life for a number of years, “selling anything” across the country, as reported on his MySpace page, and sleeping anywhere he could catch rest, from park benches and parked Expeditions to roach and rat-infested motels with cracked ceilings. “Yesterday” paints a picture of the emcee cut off from his love, “only touching my girl through palms and letters,” implying a stretch of incarceration. “If sin was getting married to Satan I'd be the best man,” K. Starr quips on the track (which also features Brothatone and Fly Guy), on this lost period in his life.

On “They Wanna Know” The Cincinnati MC recalls thinking about how he came from a good life and suburban origins and was not really meant to be a hustler. The song has him close to tears thinking about the turns his life took, but the moment of desperation is fleeting, as he convinces himself not to cry around his clique. Like his namesake, Caleb, he was eventually delivered from his wilderness. “Police missed me, but God put out an A.P.B.,” he said.

“I'm Okay,” with the 70's soul sound that graces many classic hip-hop tracks, reveals the struggles K. Starr faced after initiating a relationship with the Lord, namely getting back on track after backsliding. “The whole time worried that the devil was right/and God was going to leave me 'cause of the sin I can't fight/but he been so faithful, stuck with me through the mess/I'm OK, pondering every step/through this walk, I've made so many mistakes/but, uh, I've got mercy, and I've got grace,” he says. Chalk up this one as a classic inspirational track, as K. Starr goes in with personal, heartfelt lyrics over the beat adorned with strings, wah-wah guitar and a cooing female soul sample. “Bravehearted,” with a rocking head nodder of a beat, turns up the lyricism in a shout-out to fellow Christians. Kenny Mathis and Vigilant guest star on this track.

While most of the songs discuss how God changed Kaleb Starr's life for the better, he does change the subject on “Neva Too Much,” offering this jewel of encouragement for others wanting to evolve from a broken place: “Praise your way out, 'cause man, the devil lied to you/my God, he'll open up the sky for you/joy cometh in the morning, I been cryin' too.” “Love Stories” also offers advice. After an extra-long chronicle of romantic conquests in his past life, K. Starr settles in to say that sacred love is more effective at filling in the holes in one's heart.

If you're a sucker for the early Kanye West production sound like I am, this album will fit nicely into your collection. Many of the songs are laced with sped-up soul samples and dramatic instrumentation, the kind of sonic landscape that Talib Kweli might call home. A couple songs, “Ay Yo” and “84 Pills” (which loops the theme song for TV show “The Office”), sport a more Midwest/Southern flavor, however, offering a teeny bit of variety.

K. Starr is certainly a talented MC, with a knack for emotional storytelling and the ability to launch a barrage of entertaining metaphors and turns of phrase on the release. Ironically, though, content is also the primary stumbling point. Although his story of salvation is captivating (the album doesn't even touch on him getting kicked out of the Navy, something mentioned on his MySpace page), it would be nice to hear more of how he lives now as a more mature Christian, and what lessons he has for those who want to walk in his footsteps. Additionally, the release doesn't offer a selection of Bible verses for fans, who might be hungry for salvation, to look up. True, not every Christian rapper does this, but it's always helpful, especially when K. Starr's primary intended audience is people who don't typically see the inside of a church.

Regardless of any need for more discussion of applying Christian values, it is clear that God has his hand in Kaleb Starr's life, as he is a survivor of some pretty rough circumstances. That he not only survived, but also found his way to God in one piece and is more than willing to discuss it, is definitely to God's glory.

- Da South

One of hip-hop's well beaten paths is that of dope slinger turned rhyme slinger. Not surprisingly, Christian hip-hop is not immune to this phenomenon. The Lord has called many a street denizen to the recording booth, with powerful results for calling people to Him.

Put two checks next to Kaleb Starr's name, one for having survived the streets, and one for having a great testimony for the Creator. His latest release, The Dedication, uses personal stories, attention-grabbing lyrics and dope beats for ministry.

According to KalebStarr.com, the artist takes his name from Caleb of the Old Testament and the star that led the three wise men to baby Jesus. The origins of his name seem fitting, as he lays out his loyalty to the Lord, his survival ethic and his desire to lead on the album.

{loadposition contentad}

“They Wanna Know” details how he wandered in the wilderness of street life for a number of years, “selling anything” across the country, as reported on his MySpace page, and sleeping anywhere he could catch rest, from park benches and parked Expeditions to roach and rat-infested motels with cracked ceilings. “Yesterday” paints a picture of the emcee cut off from his love, “only touching my girl through palms and letters,” implying a stretch of incarceration. “If sin was getting married to Satan I'd be the best man,” K. Starr quips on the track (which also features Brothatone and Fly Guy), on this lost period in his life.

On “They Wanna Know” The Cincinnati MC recalls thinking about how he came from a good life and suburban origins and was not really meant to be a hustler. The song has him close to tears thinking about the turns his life took, but the moment of desperation is fleeting, as he convinces himself not to cry around his clique. Like his namesake, Caleb, he was eventually delivered from his wilderness. “Police missed me, but God put out an A.P.B.,” he said.

“I'm Okay,” with the 70's soul sound that graces many classic hip-hop tracks, reveals the struggles K. Starr faced after initiating a relationship with the Lord, namely getting back on track after backsliding. “The whole time worried that the devil was right/and God was going to leave me 'cause of the sin I can't fight/but he been so faithful, stuck with me through the mess/I'm OK, pondering every step/through this walk, I've made so many mistakes/but, uh, I've got mercy, and I've got grace,” he says. Chalk up this one as a classic inspirational track, as K. Starr goes in with personal, heartfelt lyrics over the beat adorned with strings, wah-wah guitar and a cooing female soul sample. “Bravehearted,” with a rocking head nodder of a beat, turns up the lyricism in a shout-out to fellow Christians. Kenny Mathis and Vigilant guest star on this track.

While most of the songs discuss how God changed Kaleb Starr's life for the better, he does change the subject on “Neva Too Much,” offering this jewel of encouragement for others wanting to evolve from a broken place: “Praise your way out, 'cause man, the devil lied to you/my God, he'll open up the sky for you/joy cometh in the morning, I been cryin' too.” “Love Stories” also offers advice. After an extra-long chronicle of romantic conquests in his past life, K. Starr settles in to say that sacred love is more effective at filling in the holes in one's heart.

If you're a sucker for the early Kanye West production sound like I am, this album will fit nicely into your collection. Many of the songs are laced with sped-up soul samples and dramatic instrumentation, the kind of sonic landscape that Talib Kweli might call home. A couple songs, “Ay Yo” and “84 Pills” (which loops the theme song for TV show “The Office”), sport a more Midwest/Southern flavor, however, offering a teeny bit of variety.

K. Starr is certainly a talented MC, with a knack for emotional storytelling and the ability to launch a barrage of entertaining metaphors and turns of phrase on the release. Ironically, though, content is also the primary stumbling point. Although his story of salvation is captivating (the album doesn't even touch on him getting kicked out of the Navy, something mentioned on his MySpace page), it would be nice to hear more of how he lives now as a more mature Christian, and what lessons he has for those who want to walk in his footsteps. Additionally, the release doesn't offer a selection of Bible verses for fans, who might be hungry for salvation, to look up. True, not every Christian rapper does this, but it's always helpful, especially when K. Starr's primary intended audience is people who don't typically see the inside of a church.

Regardless of any need for more discussion of applying Christian values, it is clear that God has his hand in Kaleb Starr's life, as he is a survivor of some pretty rough circumstances. That he not only survived, but also found his way to God in one piece and is more than willing to discuss it, is definitely to God's glory.

- Da South