Da Preacha Man is actually Al Nezy, an Arizona youth minister. He had been involved in gang related activity as a young man, and decided to get an anti-drug, anti-violence message out in the form of his CD, entitled Living Life God's Way.
Performed in the West Coast "gangsta rap" style, Nezy follows the form of most of today's hip hop: samples from previously recorded tunes, usage of loops (although this may be more budget-related than by choice), and choruses that take a phrase and repeat it enough times so that it is permanently embedded within your brain.
"Our Father" is a spoken word piece that delivers The Lord's Prayer over a drum dominated soundtrack. "The Wicked Shall Be Doom" is the single, and is done in the style of Dr. Dre. "What's Going On?" is a commentary of street life spoken/sang over the Marvin Gaye song. The loops on the vocals here are particularly monotonous -- the catch phrase is repeated at least thirty times.
"It's Time" portrays a dream where the singer experiences the judgment of God. "Psalm 91" features the vocals of Debbie Candelaria, and is one of the stronger tracks here.
As a white, Generation X-age listener, I probably am not a member of Da Preacha Man's target audience -- but I call 'em like I see 'em. Living Life God's Way does nothing for me musically -- anyone who is adept at using a computer could program the sound track here -- Nezy uses Acid loop libraries from the Sonic Foundry programs. He turns the occasional good phrase with some creativity to his rhymes but the effect is mostly lost on me -- I imagine he is much more effective with his listeners -- young, street-smart, city kids who want an alternative to the rap they hear every day.
2.5 tocks
