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The Church Rap Revival (Circa '85) EP

by 7X3=21

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1.
Guest of Honor (At The Seems) 02:24
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Guest of Honor (…At The Seems) Do you have the time to hear me graph the rhyme Of a classic kind, class in mind, kids please get in line, free sample time I write a rhyme, then I stamp and sign, made official mine You spit your rhyme, yeah, that’s a lamp vs sunshine Sometimes my style goes off the wall, like a landline And once the script gets writ, it gets flipped like a tramp-o-line I meant trampoline, cancelling’s part of my master plan I can’t believe, fans willing receive that rabid rambling I guess they’d rather…save time like an ampersand But if the game is rigged, hold up now, that would be tampering These memories make it hard to breath some canvas jeans Like campus teens, I’m on my own, and working towards my dreams So when they scheme… I choose to shake it off like some tambourines The life I lead, I like the grant’s when green Wait, what does he mean? Reality Is split at the seams Reality Is split at the seems Reality Is split at the seams Reality Is split at the seems I mean it all, cause like a champ I’ve seen So many scattered Scenes and shattered dreams, There’s no sadder thing Let’s have gathering of all affected Let em speak their peace, release their grief I listen carefully, then say, “I’m please to meet…and here’s a treat” Proceed to teach em how I reach elites with this form of speech No need for these formalities, please take a seat Reality Is split at the seams Reality Is split at the seems Reality Is split at the seams Reality Is split at the seems
2.
Fan First (Why Is He Like This?!) 03:11
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Fan First (Why Is He Like This?!) Hey Party people how do you feel I got style, finesse and stress appeal The less you feel, the less you may need to heal …but still, that ain’t no way to live I prayed they’d give me a second chance to seal The deal, so watch my spread love at will The love for skill, the love for the sense of detail I focus on the purpose, not the purchase at retail Soundscan, stream counts, all the routine tools Fools use to abuse the game, and seem cool Meanwhile, I study style, break every line down Or zoom back, fully extract the full impact Unbound creative limits, compromise unfound Have fun when young, till I’m old and rundown Right now…I didn’t need no fountain of youth What I spout in the booth, amount’s to mountain of truth Why is like this?! He’s a Fan First One white lie, I’m sitting in a chair at a desk Appearance a mess, not even properly dressed But probably fresh, that we’ve grown expect Or am I wrong? Circle A or B to select I means to collect more than some measly respect I aim to tap into your soul and cause a chilling effect But chill for a sec, that’s just a goal that I set To push myself to the limits, whether or not that it’s met It’s all in my head, perfect place to merge with memories Then turn it to energy, that burns in the inner me Entering new phase, centering new things Pick up and go to explore some new scenes 2 pair of blue jeans, 3Xs more shirts Time to write rhymes, drum machine in the man purse Can’t hurt, to get a recharge from the experts So headphones on, yeah, I’m always a fan first
3.
Hood Diamond 03:28
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Wanna know what’s raw to me Reese T; Nuti Pack- Tear Gas LP A masterpiece, currently still unreleased That has to be a travesty at least I’m at peace, playing old tapes on the boombox I value innovation, and I doubt that will soon stop Give props, but rip shop whenever the mic’s mine Night time’s when I write rhymes, Defy time The process I’m lost in triggers endorphins Synth and organ, drums…a healthy portion Each Word important, rewarding when thoughts are forming Imploring MCs to heed the Robot warning Danger will, earn ya disrespect like Dangerfield Change your field vision, and range of skill The brain can build a whole new world, that’s real Sign and sealed the fate of the pain I feel …now Imma need a moment to chill We all bleed, we all get a call, some heed Others turn away too afraid to see The maitre’d, didn’t ever come from me To some degree, I never live comfortably Constantly, mold reality to a new shape My true state of being’s almost ready, so just wait Unveiling the unfailing, what a compelling run Become numb, til me and the drum become one But what lopsided, some inspiration still not cited Give me time, I just have to yet to write it Set alignment, never no threat of lying Spirit didn’t break, but I think it died trying The high science of reviving, look at him, he’s thriving He’s rhyming for good times, working on good timing You can find em writing till he’s flanked by wood lining Stay shining, jewel in the ruff, hood diamond
4.
Reasonable Expectations 03:09
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So I look deeper, way beyond surface layers Circles, squares, try every angle, COMPARE Try to come pairs, with people for the moments we share I bleed care, the kind of loyalty that’s rare But I’m not perfect, I would never claim I was Blame the flood of emotions, on life in flux Sometimes it sucks us in, and drains our blood A parasitic sort action that some call love Numb from gut to heart, and the brain is buzzed You think ya different, naw, you’re the same as us There ain’t ENOUGH time explain it all I paint it all in the songs that share we y’all And some I don’t, others some may not condone But I’m alone, thinking of the ways I’ve grown The days feel long with no one to share them with I stare in space, drift into a barren rift Adjust my steering, time to make my way back in Traction picking up, and now it’s time for action I fashion, my choices on the front and the backend Since back when, the world made a deal of my black skin Or brown skin, if you want it down to the fraction Those asking, yeah, I know it’s straws I’m grasping For me, it’s 2-14-23 Can you guess who's sitting here right next to me? No one, ho hum, I guess I’m still not ripe, that’s not right, right?? Oh, I’m not this world’s type Fine, take flight, pilot right here, take a right Land down on this planet, let’s have some fun tonight It’s fun to write a fantasy to improve life I been through quite a lot of things these last few years Faced some fears, also had to taste some tears Shed some peers, that’s the pain that pierce Change our gears, watch for the smoke to clear I’ll look for you through the smoke that clears
5.
Bucket O' Fries 02:12
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Give me the scraps, too much satisfaction’s a trap I need a trapper keeper for safe-keeping these raps I sleep and take naps, travel new realms off the map Trace the tracks of the pack, then I quickly react No turning back, instead I walk my own pathway That’s not passe, cast clay, reshape till my last day That has a…perfect ring like circus scenes Certain things get em all in awe, they scream Applause, then leave, then return, new trick up sleeve Pick up a leaf, rhyme about the way that it breathes Hard to believe, but that’s not so odd to achieve A constant relief you wouldn’t expect to from me Except to receive notice of the coldest degrees Most quoted MCs, trajectory? Just blow in the freeze The topic is neither here nor there,, the optics will please The octaves will leave your ears like they’ve been deceived Like picking a lock, you got listen close, I’m distraught Emotions are caught in something I don’t know how to stop So here’s a thought, my mind is like a fine resort Check in, and relax cause the track’s endorsed Guaranteed what you need, if your need is me Needlessly, if not, well, I guess we’ll see How about now? How ya feel? How do ya be? Howl and scream, or whisper in your wildest dream Wild in my teens, then 21, it got more extreme I’m talking bout the rap names of my various teams Precarious things, bewildering, I like to explore Hungry for more, this is just a rung in my lore Hung to the floor with scrolls of all I do adore My shot’s always sure, I guess it’s just my aim that’s poor Don’t shuck and jive, duck and hide, that’s sucker sized I suck at lies, I keep it hands-on like bucket fries
6.
The Church Rap Revival (Circa '85) 05:15
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The first or second time, that I ever rocked the mic live Was in Sunday morning church, please let me describe It was 1985, Summer or Spring time With my friends outside, on the cool-out vibe Boombox blasting all that latest jams Cardboard in the driveway, yeah, BREAKDANCE Then, my sister came out and said the phone was for me I looked around, saw my crew and said who could it be She said, ‘I can’t tell you that, but this can They said can I speak to Kevin, and my name’s Roxanne’ Roxanne? Whose trying to play with me, man Understand, it’s ’85, Roxanne is the jam SO I said…let me go and see who this is? The local town prankster or some meddling kids Whoever it is, I simply plan to settle quick Ask em their schtick, listen a bit, then CLICK Phone gripped, ‘Hello, whom I’m spoken to?’ She said’s, ‘My name’s Roxanne and I heard about you Heard your the local rapper that I need to met If that’s true, let me know and I’ll continue to speak’ I was shocked to the core, how she know about me? Roxanne Shante knows about 3D That was my crew’s name, we had some local fame Rhyming at lunch tables and basketball games Anyway, I confirmed I was the person she sought When she continued, a very important lesson was taught This was different Roxanne, she ran a church program To get more youth involved in trying to learn god’s plan She said, she had idea she’d to propose That when they had their youth service, my group could compose A special song about their program and what it provides Which she described, then gave some time to decide…
7.
Reserved Skepticism [Doubtful Demo Mix] 06:17
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My motto is...bottle this energy quick Moderately slick, hits like a Lottery pick You gotta be thick-skinned when you fall for the trick Appalling and sick, something I could fix with a brick Building blocks, then stop, watch the passer byes The mask disguise, matching when they plaster lies He has survived, but never got to cash the prize I slashed the price, still they got the last surprise Cast your eyes upon the sky, SEE HOW HIGH We can fly, now sound your war-cry Sure I would like to get my fair shot I care a lot about the way I share the plot This is NOT a drama on a modern run I pondered some, discovered, the genre’s none Wander, run in the field of life under the sun White numb, eyes wider than the sight of a...gun Reserved judgment until I get more intel Been failed viewing my life thru a thin veil Sin sells, and pawns get lead like pencils Hence, hell’s on earth, well, it all makes sense now Since child-HOOD I was always a pen pal Write down my thoughts, sign my name, then send out Write back, or match up words to a tight track Sidetracked trying to get someone his life back White-Black, I’m talking bout me, that’s a ripe fact Pipe packed…give relief like a ice pack …or a nice stack of wax with the right tracks Escape reality but it soon slips right back I sat in the same place when I wrote that Write rap, and hope someone might quote that So sad how art is a ends to means A end to dreams, unless your will intervenes He’s a skeptic, also…things…easy accepted A mastered method, a way to my expand my efforts Hands pull levers, thought pull plans together Advance and tether my dreams, til they answer better A cancelled letter of intent, change of weather Strange endeavor, the kind of thing that brings the pressure Kings and treasure, philosophers with dreams to measure Scenes of desserts, lost and we NEED a exit Beaded necklace , I bought down beneath Texas These be extras, something to increase the texture Or take me naked, vulnerable, I keep sacred I keepsake it, keep patient, but man for Pete sake I would never fake it, to make it more clear to your ear Here’s a better statement You’ll be waiting forever for my replacement One of one, for better or worse get it done Hit and run, home-base under the hidden sun
8.
Guest of Honor (At The Seems) DUB Version 02:24
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9.
Fan First (Why Is He Like This?!) DUB Instrumental 03:11
lyrics
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Hey Party people how do you feel I got style, finesse and stress appeal The less you feel, the less you may need to heal …but still, that ain’t no way to live I prayed they’d give me a second chance to seal The deal, so watch my spread love at will The love for skill, the love for the sense of detail I focus on the purpose, not the purchase at retail Soundscan, stream counts, all the routine tools Fools use to abuse the game, and seem cool Meanwhile, I study style, break every line down Or zoom back, to fully extract the full impact Unbound creative limits, compromise unfound Have fun when young, till I’m old and I’m rundown Right now…I didn’t need no fountain of youth What I spout in the booth, Amount’s to mountain of truth One white lie, I’m sitting in a chair at a desk Appearance a mess, not even properly dressed But probably fresh, that we’ve grown expect Or am I wrong? Circle A or B to select I means to collect more than some measly respect I aim to tap into your soul and cause chilling effect But chill for a sec, that’s just a goal that I set To push myself to the limits whether or not that it’s met It’s all in my head, perfect place to merge with memories Then turn it to energy that burns in the inner me Entering new phase, centering new things Pack up and go to explore some new scenes 2 pair of blue jeans, 3Xs more shirts Time to write rhymes, drum machine in the man purse Can’t hurt, to get a recharge from the experts So, headphones on, yeah, I’m always a fan first
10.
Hood Diamond DUB Version 03:28
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11.
Reasonable Expectations DUB Version 03:09
buy track
12.
Bucket O' Fries DUB Version 02:12
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13.
The Church Rap Revival (Circa '85) DUB Version 05:15
buy track
14.
Reserved Skepticism DUB Version 06:17
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about

Produced, Written, Performed, Recorded, Mixed, & Lived by 7X3=21
Cover picture is of me around the time of this story, Circa 1985.

This 7-song EP touches on some of the serious life issues that I often talk about in my music, but it leans a bit heavier into my oddball sense of humor. I’m just having fun on these…even as I navigate the chaos.

The title track, “The Church Rap Revival (Circa ’85)”, takes us back to 1985, and my second time ever performing live as an MC, and I thought I was going to meet Roxanne Shante!!!

Spoiler Alert: …I don’t meet Roxanne Shante. I want you to know that, so when you hear the song, you can feel my pain in real time…ha. I was and remain a huge Roxanne Shante fan, particularly for her raw skill with improv rhymes, or as she called it, ‘the gift of gab”. Thus, this song is partially dedicated to her, but it’s also the story of why my second time ever performing as an MC, was in church in Fort Riley, Kansas, where I was living at the time.

To fit the vibe of “The Church Rap Revival (Circa ’85), I kept all the other songs pretty lighthearted, and leaned into my oddball and “supposedly” eccentric sense of humor. Those songs are pretty much all built on some sort of low brow/silly punchline, something that I generally don’t use, but sometimes that side of me sneaks out…

BUT, that’s the not the song I’m sharing here in this post. This is “Hood Diamond”, and it might be my favorite song on the EP, and there are a few reasons why. One, the scratches are from the first record I knew to have sounds made just for scratching, and more importantly, my mentor, DJ Pill used that same record in a DJ battle in 1985 that his crew, the House Rockers, won first place in, which I was there to witness. So, I’m just making another reference to 1985.

Also, I start the song off giving props to some underground Chicago artists that I’m a big fan of, Reese T and Nuti Pack. Technically, Reese T is a part of Nuti Pack, but he also did a lot of solo material as well. All of their 90s music was only stuff that was demos passed around on tape, and some other rare CDRs. I was lucky to be doing my thing at the time and they sent me their music semi-regularly.

The “punchline” for “Hood Diamond” lies in the song title, and I get to that at the end of the second verse, and it has layered meaning, that I don’t fully explain, so it’s up for some interpretation. But also there is a “wait for it…” moment if you wait to the very end, where I do explain one part of it…keeping us in that 80s mentality.

Some of my other peeps from back then: Jamie Jackson, Eddie Wilkes, Lisa Finley, Darrel Green, JP Barber, Garret, Eddie Love, Ursula, John, Frankie a.k.a Golden Gloves, Lonnie Calbert, Errol Cooper, Derrick Hill, Shantelle, Maya Salahu-din, Jean, Clem (R.I.P), Albert "Nikeski" Wiliams, Ralo, Talisha, Marsha Lacy aka Playmate, Trisha Caldwell, Christy Gilmer, Cathy and Cathleen Cole (the twins!, Wikiki Dawson, Danny Anderson, Tyrone, Bernard Sledd, and the whole Fort Riley/Junction City, KC Hip Hop scene circa ’84-’85. Oh yeah, and the Fort Riley Chapel.

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released May 21, 2023

Produced, Written, Performed, Recorded, Mixed, & Lived by 7X3=21
Cover picture is of me around the time of this story, Circa 1985.

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3Wisemen Entertainment Minneapolis, Minnesota

3Wisemen Entertainment is the brainchild of Kevin Beacham, and is the over-arching brand for his various ventures of the past and present; Stories About Songs Podcast (Coming Soon!), Time Travel Radio, RedefineHipHop, Redefinition Radio, Caught In The Middle Magazine, etc... ... more

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