Sterling Anthony
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Sterling Anthony

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Sterling Anthony brings his hip-hop gospel to his roots with Columbia performances"

It's got a hip-hop beat.
But the music of Sterling Anthony doesn't stop there. It offers hope. It offers humor. It offers hallelujahs.
The Atlanta-area disc jockey turned rapper/producer/songwriter has transformed from a celebrity in the secular world into a true mouthpiece for God. He now is a teacher, too, helping to reach young people.
His CD is available in selected outlets in Columbia. And in June he will be bringing his sound and expertise to Greater Columbia, to his roots of sorts.
The artist formerly known as DeJay T-Bone "The Left-Handed Bandit" is the grandson of a noted Greater Columbia pastor, civic leader and Democratic Party official, the late Rev. C.J. Whitaker. His mother is Jackie Whitaker McCollum.
This year, Sterling Anthony released the groundbreaking project "The Big Setup," a chronicle of his life and experiences. The CD provides songs from true stories, such as, "I Am Not Ashamed," to spirit-filled party anthems like the reggae-influenced "One-Two-Three."
As DeJay T-Bone, Sterling Anthony spoke with GoForth! Enterprises in 2000. He was writing Christian poetry back then and was featured in the Poetic Perspectives column that ran in Black News.
“I write Christian poetry because I feel uneasy when I try to write any other way,’’ he said back then. “Have you ever had something that troubled your spirit so much that you felt sick? Well, that’s me with secular rap. I guess I spent so many years corrupting people’s heads with Satin’s music, I feel like I have some making up to do. I have been a DJ for 13 years and a majority of that was spent in clubs, house parties and making mix tapes. I hope people who remember me from back in the days will see me now and see the change in my life and be inspired to do the same.’’
Sterling Anthony first broke into the entertainment world in 1990 as DeJay T-Bone, a local Atlanta disc jockey who was known for his energetic stage presence and the ability to capture and control any crowd, his press material says. At the age of 15, he was the first African-American to control the DJ booth at Golden Glide, the Decatur, Georgia, legendary roller skating rink, where he was the first person to incorporate live mixing and scratching into the skating sessions.
In 1998, Sterling Anthony walked away from the DJ profession after being faced with several life or death situations in the clubs and returned to his Christian rap roots by rededicating his life and his musical talents back to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In "I Am Not Ashamed," Sterling Anthony faces that past and lets his former home boys know who is in control of his life now. He gives hope to others, that they can overcome with Jesus Christ. His humor is shown in the title song
"The Big Setup," which features a recording of Sterling Anthony as a child.
And the hallelujahs ... well, they're in just about every song, including "Praise 101."
He is going international with a mission trip to Jamaica in July (for more information, go to www.sonicbids.com/sterlinganthony2). But in June, he will be bringing his hope, humor and hallelujahs to Columbia. The following appearances have been confirmed:
*Saturday, June 11, 2005: Second Nazareth Baptist Church, 2336 Elmwood Avenue. Sterling Anthony will teach one of the breakout sessions on Holy Hip Hop/Rap music as part of Youth Empowerment Weekend June 9-12.
*Sunday, June 12, 2005: 11:00 a.m. service, Temple Zion Baptist Church,
1174
Heyward Brockington.
Also, "The Big Setup" CD is available at the following outlets in
Columbia:
Manifest Disc and Tapes, Boozer Shopping Center, 1563A Broad River
Road; Truly Blessed Hair Salon, 1168 St. Andrews Road; Sounds Familiar, 4420 Rosewood Extension; Sounds Familiar, 7252 Parklane Road; Shepard's Corner Christian Bookstore, 6740 Garners Ferry Road; and Founders Bookstore 1244, Columbia International University; 7435 Monticello Road.
Sterling Anthony is proving his words from 2000 still hold: “It does not really matter if you are young or old,’’ he said then. “I try to make sure that if you only heard my song one time, and you were not saved, you will be able to get something from it — i.e. I’m saved, you need to be saved, people who follow Christ are not boring, this music is just as good as what you are shaking to in the clubs, etc. I love to see a person who has already formed an opinion about Christianity get excited when I’m on the microphone!"
- By D.W. Rogers / GoForth! Enterprises


"MUSIC REVIEWS - The Virginian-Pilot (Friday, July 29, 2005)"

Let’s face it; most Christian rap is, well, corny. The formula is pretty standard – artists stammer through wholesome lyrics as they struggle to keep up with secular samples. Sure, the genre-mixing is a ploy to introduce nonbelievers to Christianity, but don’t artist know that God’s name and echoes of the latest Lil’ Kim hit don’t mix?
Finally, someone uses common sense. Sterling Anthony praises God with little help from secular influences. The 15-track disc is jam packed with tunes that glorify God’s love. The Christian rapper proves God’s word can stand all by itself.
He openly acknowledges that Jesus Christ bled and died on the cross for his sins as he raps about God’s mercy. “I Am Not Ashamed” finds the rapper bragging about God’s love for him when he runs into old friends. It’s clear. Sterling Anthony believes in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. As he so eloquently puts it in “Think About It,” “the Trinity rocks.” He throws it up to the Trinity with a little reggae flavor on “One-Two-Three.”
Sterling Anthony flows for Jesus, and he does it well. He wrote and produced the entire album and tells us why in one of his tracks: “You just gotta get it right, so you can see the light, and this is why I write.”
- By DeAnne M. Bradley


"Christian rap hops into Savannah: Rappers praise God in Hip Hop fashion"

Dejay T-Bone remembered rapping in Statesboro, in a club where he saw a man being beaten. Ten guys jumped on the one and bottles became weapons. He felt badly about it, saying the music he played condoned it. "Tear the Club Up," rappers would shout. "Hit a M.F." He thought about the bar scene Saturday as he prepared to sing his own rap songs for anyone who would listen. He wanted to share softer lyrics set to the same hard beat called rap:
“Release yourself from your old ways."
"If he can change me, what can he do for you?"
But in a genre of supposedly growing Christian Hip Hop, no one was showing up. It was noon at Lake Mayer, the time the free show was supposed to have started and the only thing starting was a soundman still hooking up microphones. Teams scrambled on the basketball court, but no one was claiming seats on the grass like they would have for classical music in Forsyth Park across town.
So the 25-year-old Dejay T-Bone, whose working-man's name is Sterling McCollum, hung out with college buddy Robert Russell, another 1998 Savannah State University alum who would help sing on stage. The friends were hopeful someone would show up. Eventually. And if only one person came, that would be enough. Crowds don't mean anything, they said. They've played for hundreds and they've played for tens. They weren't there to show off skills. They were there to minister. They would minister in the same clothes young Hip Hoppers wore: shorts stretched to the mid-calf. Sneakers with white tennis socks. Big T-shirts and floppy hats. And they would minister to the same rapid rhythm Hip Hoppers loved.
But Dejay T-Bone would alter the words a bit, from violence and sex to changing your life around like he did when he grew tired of living the club scene and seeing friends locked up. When he realized God holds him accountable. They're not forcing it on anyone, they said, they're just putting it out there to show an alternative, that life is about choices.
Wherever the people were at noon, they rushed the stage two hours later when a minister who doubles as a rapper finally climbed up there and offered a prayer to bless the concert and fill singers' lungs with air. He invited them to enjoy the event that was coordinated by Shawn Manuel and Meschelle Joyce of Gospel Impact in Hardeeville. They came to lift up the name of Jesus Christ, prayed minister Eddie Velez of Atlanta. The God we serve, he said, allows us to use the gift of Hip Hop music to glorify him. "God is lifting up rappers all over the nation. He's using these vessels to reach the Hip Hop culture."
Those standing on the grass wore jeans that bagged at the ankles, looking as if they needed a good hemming. But around their necks dangled crosses half the size of the stage mics. Gold or silver, it didn't matter. And more than one showed up. There were probably closer to 100 or so, most of whom were scheduled to sing or dance: Jah Squad of Birmingham, Ala.; Lady Kross of Pittsburg; Camp Quest of Jacksonville, Fla.; Elle Roc of Atlanta and Yet Another Praise from Savannah.
They had hoped to reach such teen-agers as 13-year-old Armanda Rivera of Savannah, whose mother persuaded her to go. Some rap she listens to at home is violent, the youngster admitted, but she knows it's only entertainment. "At home, she plays all her rap music and I can't stand it," said her mother, Susan Rivera. "You know, the bad language, talking about women and sex and the gang banging."
Saturday's rap was more positive, mom said. "The music is the same but the lyrics are different. I can play this all day and not feel bad that my kids are listening to things they shouldn't. "I wanted my children to know there is good rap out there."
By 4, Dejay T-Bone gripped the stair railings leading to the stage and prayed he wouldn't trip during his 10 minute gig.
While up there, he held the mic close to his mouth like a radio talk show host and first thanked God. Then he rapped his songs. "Come on, come on, IIIhhh know I've been changed." But when he returned to the grass, his thoughts were more secular. He huffed as he talked about fizzling out up there, about not being able to hear the music and how hopefully things will go better once his album is out. Many of the other groups have albums, he said, so their songs are already known.
It could have been better, the self-named perfectionist said. And although perfectionism may not be realistic, it keeps them striving to do better.
If he were to pray just then, what would he say? "Thank you for the opportunity," he answered. "For any opportunity we can get to minister to the people." - Ann Stifter (April 2, 2000)


Discography

"Personification" from the album "Sounds Of The Rebirth" - Eyewitness (1998) **

"I Do" from the album "The Experience" - IDo (2001)**

"This Is The Time" from the album "One Accord" - The Living Stone Project (2004)

"The Big Setup" - Sterling Anthony

(** Sterling Anthony appeared as Dejay T-Bone "The Left-Handed Bandit")

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Sterling Anthony could be best described as a quiet storm. The Atlanta-area disc jockey turned rapper/producer has transformed from a local secular celebrity into a true mouthpiece for God who is making his way nationwide.
The artist formerly known as DeJay T-Bone "The Left-Handed Bandit" first received notoriety in 1990 as a local Atlanta disc jockey that was known for his energetic stage presence and the ability to capture and control any crowd. At the age of 15, he was the first African-American to control the DJ booth at Golden Glide, Decatur Georgia's legendary roller skating rink, where he was the first person to incorporate live mixing and scratching into the skating sessions. As DeJay T-Bone, Sterling Anthony was also a member of Atlanta's J-Team, a group of local DJs and emcees headed by mix tape pioneer King Edward J, which included Atlanta icons such as DJ Smurf, MC Shy-D, DJ Kizzy Rock and Playa Poncho.
Sterling Anthony credits Atlanta, the city known as "the new Motown of the South," for advancing his musical as well as his spiritual gifts. It was at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in 1988, where Bishop Eddie L. Long is senior pastor, when he first discovered an interest in what is now known as Christian rap. A vacation Bible school talent show would be the stage for Sterling Anthony, New Birth's first Christian lyricist, rapping over the sounds of a beat-box provided by another youth. Sterling Anthony started a buzz throughout local area churches, which led to numerous appearances at youth rallies and Sunday services. But over the years, his zeal for Christian rap would be overshadowed by the quickly emerging secular hip-hop scene and his passion for spinning vinyl in a live party setting.
In 1998, Sterling Anthony walked away from the DJ profession after being faced with several life or death situations in the clubs and returned to his Christian rap roots by rededicating his life and his musical talents back to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Sterling Anthony realized that he could be a mouthpiece for God by reaching the ears and hearts of those seeking God but were stagnated by the carnal desire to be entertained. He believed that hearing a sound that entertains yet feeds the uncompromising word of God would help babes in Christ grow in understanding of the high calling and mature Christians reaffirm their faith.
Fast-forward to 2005: Sterling Anthony releases the groundbreaking project "The Big Setup", a chronicle of the life and experiences of this DJ turned rapper/producer. This CD promises to be one of the most influential collections of songs, not only for the saved but the unsaved as well. With a wide variety of songs from true stories, such as, "I Am Not Ashamed," to spirit-filled party anthems like the reggae-influenced "One-Two-Three," The Big Setup has something for everyone.