Knine

- Reviewed by Jonathan A.
Knine is a Milwaukee native that got saved in 1999. He is now the co-owner of Regardless Entertainment -- the label that both of his albums are under. Knine released his sophomore album in August 2005, it is titled "Born Again" and it is jam- packed with talent. Following his first album titled "Regardless," released in 2004 that put him on the map, Knine came out with full force on his encore production. On the cover of "Born Again" is his son Kam wearing Knine's hat and chain and holding his father's cell phone and wearing the same outfit as his father. It is supposed to signify the fact the he has been born again and now he is just like a child in Christ.

Alright now, enough with the background info. Let's get down what you guys really want to hear about -- let's talk about the new album.

First off, the production by producers Tony Stone, Anthony Montgomery and Rob Hodge is impeccable. If the two albums were to go head to head I would say that the lyrical content and the creativity is pretty much equal because Knine is Knine and he is pretty much doing what he always does. But the production took a step up. "Regardless" was entirely self-produced by Knine. Not that he does not have talent as a producer -- he produced four tracks on this CD: "I Don't Love You," "Switch," "Lazy," and a track that I was very impressed with titled "Better Place." However, the production on some of the tracks on "Born Again" are breath-taking. Some of those tracks include "In My Shoes," "It Don't Matter" and "Dime."
This album has everything: funny moments, serious moments, sad moments. The best thing about this album and about this artist is his creativity and the vast array of topics that he chooses to talk about. For example on this album he talks about how life changed in the late 80's when crack began to be pushed in the streets on the track titled "Crack Came." On one of my favorite tracks "Dear Cuz," Knine says that he tried to write a letter to his cousin who is on lock down but Knine can not write it so he puts it in a song. The song pulls your heart strings because it talks about his cousin's kids and his cousin's baby's mother. These are topics that have never been touched on any gospel rap album that I have heard. Then on "Lazy" the man of God talks about how lazy he is and how he knows that God wants to use him but he does not work as hard as he needs to.

There is an obvious distinction in this man of God's style. There are some rappers that talk about one thing such as repentance, or hip-hop, or how hard the streets are, and that is cool for them but I appreciate Knine for his variety. Another thing that I like about his second album is that it does not sound like the first one, although Knine does touch on certain topics again. He talks about how it was back in the day as a kid, and how secular rap is empty and repetitive. But the way Knine presents it in this album makes it fresh and new. Also, this young man threw a little twist in there by having a spoken word poet, Raw Word on two of the tracks. Raw Word does a good job. It is good to have songs that do not have the standard format of 3 verses with a hook in between. This is definitely an album that you can purchase for your unsaved friends and they will develop respect for gospel rappers. One thing that you get when you hear his sophomore album is that Knine is not soft and that he is real -- he says in "Dear Cuz," "I am far from soft." You hear the authenticity of his lyrics throughout the whole album because the songs are hard hitting and you just feel like what you are hearing is legitimate and straight from his heart. In "Brought Me From" He said "I open up my life like a magazine, and write songs about the things I have seen." I appreciate the fact that he does that because he really ministers to people that have gone or are currently going through the things that he has gone through.

One of the things that I have seen some people shake their heads at about "Born Again" is that Knine says the "n" word in "In My Shoes," and he uses the street term for whore in "Bout Time." There are Christians that feel comfortable saying those words and there are some that are not. I think that it should be the personal opinion and conviction of each individual and it does not take away from the excellence of the album.

The Milwaukee native was aided in his effort by great voices from Lisa McClendon, Torey Issac and C-Note. Also Salt is featured on "Never Alone." Other standout tracks are "These Eyes" and "Doin It." I believe all gospel hip hop fans definitely have to pick up this CD; it promises to be a delight to anyone who listens.

DV's comments: Knine is the most talented emcee I have heard in Christian rap -- and I've heard a lot of them over the past few years I've run Altared Lives Radio. His delivery seems unassuming, but you're will find yourself mysteriously drawn into the scenes that he describes and the stori - Altaredlives.org Jonathan A.

Written by Larosa
Monday, 12 December 2005


Knine - Born Again
(Regardless Records)

Knine released his first album without as much as a blip on the radar from most of the holy hip-hop fans. I'm one who always has my ear out for the newest talent, and I'll be the first to admit that I didn't even hear about Knine until earlier this year, even though my man had been on the grind for some time. I first heard him on DJ I Rock Jesus' Live Mix Show, and from there I started to inquire about this artist and found his website. Well, after getting his label Regardless Records fully up & running, hooking up some great production & collaborations, and securing solid distribution (via Koch Entertainment), Knine is ready to release his sophomore album aptly titled Born Again.

After mailing out a free mixtape to promote his album to anyone who wanted one, the anticipation for this album was built up to immense proportions, at least in my eyes anyway. Once I heard the mixtape, I was looking forward to copping Knine's Born Again album, and that's exactly what I did on August 23. The first thing that I noticed was how meaningful the cover art was; it was a perfect depiction of being "born again," especially when you compare it to the back of the CD. The back has him in a chair wearing jeans, a white t-shirt & a white Braves hat; then on the album cover, there is a child wearing the same outfit, but the hat is so big that it's covering the child's head. With that, I was excited to rip the plastic off and start listening to the music.

Once I got the CD into my car stereo, I was immediately impressed because the album started off with a very bangin' track titled "Bout Time" produced by Tony Stone (who provided the majority of the beats for this project). The song starts off with Torey Issac singing "It's About Time! Somebody give them something new// Somebody start speaking the truth..." and after the hook, Knine comes in spitting fire. And from this point forward, the rest of the album does not disappoint as it offers many more tracks that are right in your face bringing banging beats and fierce lyricism.

After listening to the album a few times, I started to notice that Knine stays very close to home with his theme of being born again. With this album, the majority of the songs speak a lot about Knine's life growing up with his parents and how he was able to escape from his former life of running the streets and always getting into trouble. He uses several tracks to illustrate where God has brought him from and show where God is taking him now that he's given his life to Christ. A few of the tracks that specifically speak about his past would include "Bout Time," "Brought Me From," and "Doin It" just to name a few. With each, you get a look at the good and bad of Knine's life growing up, and constantly keeping the focus on how Christ kept him through all of it to see his life today. One of the tracks that touched me the most is when he talks about how his neighborhood totally changed when "Crack Came." This is a track that features Lisa McClendon on the hook, and Knine goes on to tell the story of how his aunt & uncle got hooked on crack, and depicts how their lives totally changed after getting a taste of the addicting drug. It shows just how real the streets really are, and how blessed Knine was to make it out of that life. Another notable track here would be "Dear Cuz" featuring Nureau Ink's C-Note; this track is in the form of a letter to a cousin of his who is in jail, and he details how his life changed since seeing his cousin go to jail.

Another resounding theme throughout the album is trying to keep people from leading the same kind of life that he led when he was younger. One track that comes to mind here is "Better Place," where Knine speaks about a perfect world that resembles heaven; he tells the kids to think of a place like this instead of trying to get to the club and running the streets. "Switch" is another track along the same lines, which speaks of getting away from the ways of the world and finding a new partner in Christ. Knine produced the beat for this track, and it's absolutely sick; I just can't get enough of this track.

"Never Alone" is the lead single from this album and it features both Lisa McClendon and Salt (from Salt-n-Pepa), with production by Rob Hodge. This is a song to the ladies about how they are never alone if they have Christ in their life, and lets them know that they don't need to settle for just any old man that comes their way; this song urges them to raise their standards and to wait for that man of God to come into their lives. This track is definitely going to make some noise and I look forward to hearing this track being played on several radio stations across the country.

After several listens, I'm very pleased with the project! I really didn't know what to expect when I heard this album; I mean, it's one thing to hear someone rap over secular be - Sphereofhiphop.com

G-Zone Review: Knine “Born Again” -Regardless Records

Written by Ebony Grimsley
Created on: 8/22/2005


Regardless Records and Alliant Music Group delivers the heat with the cd release of Knine’s second album, “Born Again”.

Making history by being the first rap artist to be distributed by Koch, a secular national distribution company, knine proves that “Born Again” is not another lame cd by an Christian attempting to make rhymes and beats match. From the first track to the seventeenth, the cd has a temperature that is well above boiling point on the Fahrenheit scale.

Every word in each song places a vivid image to topics such as drugs, guns and abuse. But don’t be fooled as the positive messages of the importance of family, being positive, focused and abstaining from sex rings even louder. By addressing the poor choices of the past and the benefits of being “Born Again” the entire album speaks volumes to the unsaved and saved. “Brought Me From”, “Dime”, “Automatic” and “So Glad” grabs a hold of the spirit man in the young and old with ease. “Lazy” has the raw sound that the rap enthusiasts will love to blast and yet knine turns around and gives the spoken word fans a taste of his poetic skills on “In My Shoes”.

Executive producers Marquis Foxx and Marvin Hampton enlisted artists such as the legendary Salt (of Salt-N-Pepa), Gospel music’s own Neo-Soul artist lisa mcclendon and C-Note of Neuro Ink. Already established as one of the first singles from the album being aired on secular radio stations, knine collaborates with Salt and Lisa on “Never Alone” and again with Lisa on “Crack Came” while C-Note raps with him on the track titled “Dear Cuz”. Each featured artist brings his or her own style and flavor, which blended nicely with Knine’s.

It is just not enough to want to be on the shelves next to Scarface, Master P, Kurrupt, Warren G and a host of other secular rappers, but your lyrics, hooks and beats must equal or surpass those artists to be taken seriously. Knine’s album does just that. As a true rapper his direct in your face lyrics on life’s lessons and overcoming obstacles brings to the listeners the realness of the street life and growing up in an inner city alive. Tracks such as “Bout Time” and “Switch” address the need for a change in guard on the Hip Hop scene from the secular rappers. The cd has been birthed to accomplish that very task.

Does every track have the name of our heavenly Father in each chorus? No. Will you find scriptures lining each cut? No. Does it minister just the same? Yes. Is it one of the top 3 cds to release this year? Yes. Have you gone to the local discount or music store to grab your copy of “Born Again” yet? If the answer is no, leave the computer and walk, run, bike or drive to pick up the cd.

Release Date: August 23, 2005
Regardless Records

Ebony T Grimsley is the owner of Above Promotions, a publicity, marketing and promotions firm, and an Associate Editor for TheGospelZone.com. - G-Zone Ebony Grimsley

Knine got my attention on the first track from his CD “It’s About Time”. Then I listened to the second one and could not stop listening. Lyrically, this brotha pours out his heart on this CD. I never always likes Holy hip hop, but in recent years I have gotten to like some of what I hear not so much for the beats but for the lyrics that speak real-life experiences. For this CD, I’ll give this an “A” for realness. Holy hip hop artists are to be commended for their creativity whether or not you like their God-given gifts. This CD is one worth listening to, and I commend this brotha for putting it out there the way he did. Knine is on the Alliant Music Group label, the home of such artists as Lamar Campbell. Daryl Coley & Claudius Craig among others. I wish him well with this project and look forward to more in the near future
- ensoundentertainment.com

After reading on message boards that many were unable to find “Born Again” by Knine, I was a bit leery about whether or not I would be successful in finding it myself. I went to Wal-Mart and went straight to the Rock/Pop/R&B because that where I had heard it could be found. I looked through the K’s. “I don’t see it. Hmm… This is where everyone told me it was. I wonder if they put it in the Gospel section?” I was about to be crushed for a minute, because I didn’t see it. But, there it was! There were two of them in the back of the row.

So, now I’ve heard the album. One thing that I immediately recognize is that Knine is not a man who has had an easy life – even while a Christian! He tells of many of his faults and shortcomings on this album. From yelling at his kids, putting his work before family, packing gats, being lazy, to having done poorly in school as a child and more. You get an open invitation into the life of Knine. It really makes you wonder how this guy is even serving the Lord and reppin’ him as strongly as he is on these tracks! You think to yourself, “How did this guy come to know the Lord???” After you've heard the CD a few times, you being to feel as if you knew Knine from way back when. Almost as if you had grown up in the same neighborhood and went to the same high school back in the day.

“Born Again” is not an attempt to make a hardcore, “gospel gangsta” album. To sum it up in one word, Knine just brings the “real” on this one. I enjoy listening to every track on this piece. This one will get heavy rotation by me.

Starting off with the introductory track “Bout Time,” Knine pretty much tells you what you can expect on the rest of the album.

It’s about time somebody gave em something new • Somebody start speaking the truth • It’s about time somebody gave em something real • somebody give em something to feel • It’s about time somebody put em up on game – somebody stop rapping the same.

He’s basically addressing secular hip hop artists, telling them that their music lacks substance. It does nothing to instill good values within anyone who listens to their music. It's a challenge to them to start making stuff that will bless folk. He boldly uncovers the lie that God had anything to do with them writing their lyrics. I guess that address songs like "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West, hunh? It's about time somebody started speaking the truth, and that’s what Knine sets out to do with next 16 tracks.

The next track is “Brought Me From.” On this song Knine talks about some of his childhood experiences, things he thinks no child should have experienced. One thing he mentioned that stood out to me was when he stated that the Milwaukee Police Department, DEA, ATF and FBI were watching the drug activity going on within his house. Evidently there was a drug bust because he was embarrassed by his mother ending up on the news. Someone else was involved too, but you'll have to pick you up a copy of the album.

“Doin’t It’ is another flashback track in which Knine takes you back to his childhood. This one is more of a happy song because it talks about how good things were when you were a child. Every woman was your mother, riding bikes to the candy store, being in the house before the street light came on, house parties, playing spades and all of that! It took me back too, because my childhood was very similar. I appreciate this song a lot.

We then move on to “Dime,” a song in which Knine talks about personal struggles within his life as a Christian. It basically talks about how rich he would be if he had a dime for every time he messed up, repented, made promise he didn’t keep or what have you. That's not really the point he's making though. The real point is that he has not been perfect and is going though - from what I can tell - a Romans chapter 7 experience. We've all been there. This is really a strong desire to want to live holy. Guilt and condemnation try to come upon you, but thank God that there is no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. No-one should continue in sin, but it’s good to know that God’s grace and mercy is always there to forgive us. That’s not implicitly the message conveyed by this song, but I would have that one could come to that conclusion for themselves though.

"It Don’t Matter” is a song I really like. One of the producers, Tony Stone, did his thing on this one. The beat is hot! The point conveyed is one that I can take to heart.

“It wouldn’t matter if you turned out the lights on me • take me to court and hang double life on me • Lock me down in a 5x11 like 24/7 • As long as I go to heave like Christ homie, it’s nothing!

This is how many Christians need to be in their heart and mind. They need to have the heart and mindset that says “come hell or high water, I’m sold out for Christ!” It’s encouraging to hear Knine on this piece because it lets me know that he’s sold out for the Lord. I can appre - Zee from HHH design