KJ-52
by Trisha Bleau

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

KJ-52: I see the group¹s hip-hop ministry as a three-fold mission. In a battle there are three types of soldiers: One that stays behind and builds up the army; the one on the frontlines; and the one that goes behind the enemy lines, like the Navy Seals. I'm building up the church kids to go deeper in their walk, building up the body of Christ. I'm part of an inner-city ministry where we'll go to the projects and set up speakers and just rap. I consider that the frontline ministry. The army's with me, but I'm engaging the enemy right on. When we get opportunities to perform in clubs I'm like a navy seal, I'm behind enemy lines. I don¹t have the Body of Christ with me. A Navy Seal goes behind the enemy lines to knock out the power and then the front lines come in.

CS: What does your name mean? Where did you come up with it?

KJ-52: KJ is an acronym for Knowledge is Justification because when you come to knowledge of Christ you are justified from your sins (Romans 10:9) and in that we find completion. The 52 part (which is pronounced five-two not fifty two) is from biblical numerology, it is an equation that ties into the KJ acronym. If you study scripture you'll find that five and two can represent grace or provision (hence the 5 loaves and two fish that were used to provide food for the masses in the feeding of the 5,000). In that miracle Jesus took the very little that man had and multiplied it to completion. God took what little I had to offer in myself and multiplied a gift (hip hop) for his glory. The name came about while I was starting Sons of Intellect up and was seeking to change my old stage name. I was trying to distance myself from some of the old things that were associated with my old rap name. I believe that God gave me a new name just like he did to Paul, Peter, or Abraham to represent a new thing that he was going to do through me. I really didn't begin to understand the deeper meanings behind it until much later on.

CS: Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten? The future?

KJ-52: In some kind of ministry (probably inner city) preaching, teaching or pastoring. As far as 5-10 years who knows? The last 5-10 have been the craziest of my life who knows where God will take me.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change you?

KJ-52: Yes I do but staying accountable with my pastor really helps that out. As far as success what is success? Big bank account, large car and tons of record sales? I'm not sure if that will ever happen in this type of music....ha ha. Seriously success can be a dangerous thing but I've seen that God has been developing me slowly so as not to be overwhelmed with too much at once.

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

KJ-52: No we definitely like to be personal with the audience, in fact a lot of people trip when they just see me hanging out before and after the show at my table...as if it was a weird thing. It's almost expected for entertainers to be big headed or unapproachable, but I try to be like Christ...out with the people.

CS: Do you make it a goal to use your music to minister to people? Or do you just write for the sake of writing and performing?

KJ-52: Some songs are written with the performance aspect in mind and some are written to deal with an issue (i.e. to minister to people) everything though I try to write based on what the Spirit of God is giving me. Recently though God has been showing the importance of writing songs that deal with where people are at, not just songs that are a good artistic expression.

CS: What is the message you are trying to get across with your music?

KJ-52: I think it depends on the particular song, obviously the bottom line is God. He is the foundation and basis for everything I do, but I approach my music like the Bible. The Bible deals with all kinds of issues and I try to approach my music like that.

CS: What is the biggest thing you have learned from performing and ministering through music?

KJ-52: That it's not GLAMOROUS AT ALL!! Actually I've seen what a powerful tool music and hip hop is. I can go to the worst inner city in America and perform and minister and then turn around and go to some back woods hick town and see tremendous results. Hip hop can cross all socio economic, racial, regional and musical barriers and when it's anointed by God it's a very powerful tool.

CS: What is the hardest thing about ministering through music?

KJ-52: There's actually a couple, being away from my wife, being misunderstood, financial struggles, being looked over and under appreciated....whine whine whine...etc.

CS: What is the funniest thing you have seen while touring?

KJ-52: The fact that there is always a dirty truck stop and a McDonalds in every town in America. There is always one kid at every show who wants a free CD. There is always two girls in the front of the audience who never stop waving their arm back and forth the whole show. And no matter where you go you can always find a country station on the radio.

CS: Do you write your own music?

KJ-52: Definitely but I let other people make my beats

CS: Where do you get ideas for your music?

KJ-52: Ultimately I believe God lays the ideas on my heart but specifically sometimes it will be a vibe of a beat or an idea (issue) I just feel needs to be addressed. Sometimes it's based on a hook I've wrote or simply me building off the vibe of someone else. It really comes from a lot of different sources.

CS: Do you ever get criticized for your lyrics?

KJ-52: Not really ever, I think there was a couple of people (actually it was just one person) who felt that I didn't say Jesus enough but really I haven't encountered criticism.

CS: Who are some of the groups you have performed with and what did you think of them?

KJ-52: We've performed with a lot of secular groups over the years (go to www.kj-52.com and read the background section for more info.) but my impressions of them was not very good. We've also performed with just about every Christian rap group out there at one time or another and actually I've seen better shows at a lot of Gospel rap concerts. Probably because the focus is different.

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

KJ-52: Right now I'm kind of considered the staff evangelist at my church, but since touring is not as hectic right now I'm trying to get back involved in the youth and children's ministry.

CS: What is your musical background? Did you take lessons to gain the musical skills you have now?

KJ-52: My old youth pastor taught me how to play the drums, but I don't think there are any lessons you can take to be an emcee.

CS: What is the latest news? Any new CD's to be released soon?

KJ-52: You can check out a rapcore song that will be in the new Carman movie on my website, it's called "12th Round Knock Out". www.kj-52.com

CS: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?

KJ-52: Get rooted in Christ now, don't wait to be sold out when your older that day will never come. Know why you believe what you believe, be radical and on fire! I got saved when I was 15 and represented Christ on my campus all through high school, it was worth it! I ended up missing a lot of the stupid trouble that my friends got into because of my stance for Christ and my friends respected it. Enjoy your youth, you only get it once.