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This Gospel rap duo featuring Joseph "JSIII" Smith III and Michael "Gifted" Upshaw named Q.W.E.S.T (Quintessential Wisdom Edifying & Seeking Trinity) offers Christian music to inspire, uplift,and impart religious wisdom and positive values cloaked in rap's popular sound making it palatable for todays troubled youths who are in dire need of Christian values. All ages.
Prophetic entertainment Records. www.pe-records.com;CD/$10 - Georgia Family July, 2006
Written by LaRosa Johnson
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
Atlanta, Georgia is quickly becoming a hot spot for quality Christian rap & urban gospel, much like a few other spots like Houston, St. Louis & others. I mean, you've got the likes of Lil' IROCC Williams, Canton Jones, Mark J, Mars ILL and a host of other emcees and crews who are putting it down for the Lord. There is one crew from the ATL that you probably have not heard much about, but their name is Qwest, which stands for "Quintessential Wisdom Edifying & Seeking Trinity." This is a two emcee duo who has released their debut effort titled Keep It Moving in Faith released independently through their label Prophetic Entertainment Records.
Now, like many new crews, I had no clue as to what to expect from this project and I wasn't feeling too confident after looking at the rather bland and photoshop-ish cover art. But I gave the crew a listen and was pleased with what I heard. This duo of JSIII & Gifted has a very distinctive east coast flow with a lot of additional vocals that are more urban and gospel in nature, which makes for a very interesting blend of music. The song "Thank You" featuring the vocals of Gaylon Stanfield is a perfect example of this; the beat is pretty laid back and Gaylon brings urban gospel singing on the hook while these two emcees offer up thankful rhymes to the Lord who has given them so many blessings. There are quite a few songs like this on the project, including "What Would U Do?" (a song asking what you'd do if you knew you only had so much time left to live) and "I Got Ya Back" featuring Duane Draines (a song dedicated to their wives). They also break away from this vibe and have more hip-hop style tracks like "Dial Up Christ" and "Let the Son Shine In."
Content wise, Qwest has a propensity for making sure that every song glorifies Christ. In some areas, this is a good thing; but in others, it seems a bit forced and the songs just don't sound good at all, and probably could have been left off the project. "Think of Him" is one of those songs that probably didn't need to be on the album. In terms of their vocals and rhyming, I would have to say that it's pretty average all around; the delivery was pretty basic and got pretty dry after a while, as they could have stood to change things up a bit more. The lyricism could have been a little stronger as well since most of the rhyme schemes were similar and provided little to no variation between songs. Production is much of the same, except it is probably more below average than average. Sure, it fit their style, but it just too simple for my tastes.
Overall, this was just a pretty okay album. They have a passion for making sure the gospel is in their music, but at points I felt like they had just started rhyming. Sure, there were some high points, as highlighted above, but for the most part I was left wanting more from this project in all areas. With some more work on their lyricism and delivery, and teaming up with a talented producer, I think they have a chance to have a better second release, but this one could've used more work
- Trailblazin Ministes
We enjoyed your ministry
and we look forward to working together in the future. Thank you for allowing the Father to flow through you.
Be encouraged and continue to keep it real.
Our church is unique in many ways. And we are blessed to be.
Journey Beyond The Familiar,
Pastor Troy
- Greater Word Deliverance ministry
To QWEST,
We really enjoyed your ministry at our Youth Explosion. We really appreciated the way you ministered and were there not just for entertainment purposes.
God bless you,
Denise Mauldin
- Fellowship Restoration Church
Gospel Rap Duo,
Q.W.E.S.T., Puts a
Positive Spin on Rap
by Barbara Fatkin
A local Christian musical artist, Joseph Smith III, and his partner from Atlanta are doing their best to change the negative image of rap music. With their debut project, Keep It Moving in Faith, the gospel rap duo named Q.W.E.S.T.(Quintessential Wisdom Edifying and Seeking Trinity) have succeeded in combining a hip sound with edifying lyrics. Joseph Smith III and Michael Upshaw recorded this CD as part of their mission to win souls for God’s kingdom through their music and lifestyle. Smith resides in Warner Robins and attends Christian
Fellowship Church, while Upshaw lives in Atlanta. They have created a new independent
record label named Prophetic Entertainment Records as an outlet for gospel and positive messages uplifting the name of Jesus Christ.
“We want to take Christian music to a higher level and keep it there as a focal point and not a
side bar,” said Smith. The Christian gospel rap duo have performed at the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Douglass Theatre, and Dooly State Prison, among other venues.
The CD features the songs, “Thank You,” “Shake the Devil Off,” “I Got Ya Back,” and “Dial
Up Christ.” For anyone who enjoys rap music, this CD will not disappoint, and the positive
messages on each song recorded on Keep It Moving in Faith will thrill the listener’s soul.
Here’s hoping that more musical artists will turn away from the “bling bling” culture of
rap music and embrace the Word of God.
The CD is available at The
Lamb’s Well, Harvest Christian
Bookstore, and also at Christian
Fellowship Church in Warner
Robins for $10.
Gospel Rap Duo,
Q.W.E.S.T., Puts a
Positive Spin on Rap
- His Voice
Discography
Keep It Moving In Faith Debut Cd
Photos
Bio
Q.W.E.S.T.
(Quintessential Wisdom Edifying & Seeking Trinity)
Some musicians begin their bands and their record labels in a home garage, or basement studio, but Joseph "JSIII" Smith III, driven by his passion for making music, began while a Sophomore at Purdue University. A native of Miami, Florida, who has lived in Georgia since 1994 has a long history of involvement with the music business. A Disc Jockey on college campus and in night clubs around Lafayette, Indiana and Atlanta, GA who continued in the business as an “on air personality” at Radio Station WRFG-89.3, in Atlanta, Georgia.
JSIII, founded Mindstate Entertainment Records in 1995 and assisted the careers of several independent secular artists. Music is in his head, hand, feet, heart and mind. He is connected to his passion. In music, he finds his joy, his peacefulness, but secular music was not his calling as being an instrument for the word of God has taken over.
Today, JSIII proudly professes the most high, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as his sole inspiration for living. His God giving talent to write/produce/perform music to minister the word and spirit filled messages has shined brightly. Recently married to his wife Sharon with children Letisha, Alexandria, and Ronny he lives for God and his family. He proudly attends Christian Fellowship Church in Warner Robins, GA, whose founder and Pastor is Bishop Harvey Bernard Bee, where he currently resides.
For this artist/producer/songwriter, a new independent record label “Prophetic Entertainment Records” was created with Michael “Gifted” Upshaw. This newly formed label will be an outlet for Gospel/Positive messages with a strong emphasis on the business side of the industry, whereas most artists concentrate on performing. "To maintain longevity in the business, artists must have knowledge of all aspects of the business, which will allow artists more creative control, and an outlet to pursue other facets of the industry," states JSIII.
Michael Upshaw aka "Gifted" was born and raised in Detroit, MI. By the time he became a teen aged boy, he'd already faced many challenges and hardships. With God's love, mercy and strength he was able to overcome more than most people would ever have face. With drugs, violence and death being rampant Michael joined and served honorably in the United States Marine Corps.He is a devoted, loving husband to his wife Priscilla and a wonderful, nurturing father to their three children; Imani, Michael Jr. and Isaiah. They currently reside in Atlanta, GA where they attend Trinity Chapel, where Bishop Jim Bolin is senior pastor.
God has commissioned and enabled Michael, aka "Gifted" to minister through music. His lyrics are anointed by God and identifiable. He, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, is able to reach the often unreachable.
God has ordained "Gifted" and "JSIII" to form "Q.W.E.S.T." (Quintessential Wisdom Edifying & Seeking Trinity). They are passionate about the calling that God has placed on their lives and are determined to fulfill His perfect Will. Their mission: to win souls for God's kingdom through their music and lifestyle.
Music helps us create many emotions, to enjoy life, and to relax. “At Prophetic Entertainment Records, we have the unique opportunity to impact our world with many positive contributions in the future. We stand poised to teach and entertain worldwide audiences taking all forms of Christian music to a higher level and keeping it there as a focal point not a side bar.”
“Keep it Moving in Faith”
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