R.I.C.H.–what does it mean and is this album about money? Is this another rapper who’s going to talk about himself and floss yet label it Christian music? These may be some questions you have but Richie boldly dismantles each question as each track goes on. He begins with “They Call Me R.I.C.H.” where he clearly states he’s resting in Christ’s hands and as if he knew the haters and the oh so great critics of CHH/HHH were going to come out of the woodworks he states, DON’T HATE!! As one of many brilliantly produced  beats comes rocking through the speakers he begins stating who he is in verse one, what his purpose is in verse two and even his opposition in verse three. Track one drops a little two-cents on what direction you think the album may be going in however, by the time track two, “Praying For The Youth” comes into play, you’re already at the edge of your seat waiting to be poured into. The youth are at risk, we all know this although some may ignore this truth and yes although many artists are speaking about it nobody makes you feel it the way Richie does. What many artists hint at in one line, this emcee decides to undo and expose in entire songs like “Prayer For The Youth.” On this album you’ll find some well-crafted punchlines but for the most part it’s not how he’s spitting it but what he’s spitting like “Do Wut It Do” when he says…

“In the streets they serve the god of glocks and techs, in the clubs they serve god of drugs and sex/ In the music world all they serve is money and pornography/ Got ‘em all bowing down to a bunny/ Growing up, cuz the god that you serve is in the bottle/ Growing up cuz you wanna be the next top model/ You in fashion girl, but anorexia is the god that’s ruling in the fashion world/ There’s the god of false religion, god of positive thinking and the atheist god tells him that He ain’t existing/ Listen, I’m the voice of the believers/ The God that I bow down to, his name is Jesus.”

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This verse alone is on some Moses-caliber-exposing-the-Israelites-for-bowing-down-to-a-calf-type-of-emceeing. I can’t even recall the last time I heard an emcee expose specific sinful behavior for what it is in rhymes as oppose to just spitting about “sinful behavior.” Many artists now a days are talking about how awful sin is and how we must kill the flesh but Richie goes into the actual sins that are robbing God’s people and still have the prodigal’s at bay. In addition to “Do Wut It Do” you’ll see him expose it even further in songs like the dirty-south infused “Can’t Take It With You” and “Who You Represent” and the mellow “What The World Needs Now.” Some other songs I want to get into are the two that have me in tears everytime I hear them, the first being “MRI.” First and foremost, it grieves me that not enough CHH/HHH emcees speak about the God who heals. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever and so He is still healing yet it’s rarely spoken about. Richie comes through with the testimonial and skit-like “MRI” where he shares his own testimony of possibly having a brain tumor. I won’t go into it too much as to not ruin the dynamic outcome of the song but on the second verse after the break it personally makes me rejoice after I play it everytime. It’s this reviewers favorite song on the whole entire album. In addition to the heart-striking lyrics and theatrics, at that, the beat is beautifully crafted as the sample echoes “nothing” into the background which emphasizes the message with an exclamation point or two. As he finishes depicting the reason we can even be healed it leads me to nine tracks down the playlist to “Salvation 101.” Now I’ve heard the story of the crucixion and Jesus’ ministry many times in songs and they’ve been done well, extremely well but the point of view on this song with no hook at all will give you a different outlook on that day on calvery.  Without giving you too much, here’s a little glimpse of the 6-plus minute track.

“Wheezing, breathing/ He was badly beating/ Bleeding, dripping/ The blood never stopped spilling/ A drip dropped on the soldier, it was odd/ Cuz that soldier confessed ‘this is the Son of God’/ I looked back at Him and his body looked ruined/ He said ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they doing’/ That’s when I begun to feel strange/ For the first time in my life I realized I could change.”

By the end of the track you’ll be fiending for Salvation 102 and quite possibly on your way into the Holy of Holies wanting to praise the Son who has risen!! The power in these tracks, the anointing on these tracks are something I personally feel is missing in this industry. Yes what people are spitting sounds good and it’s truth but there’s a difference when there’s anointing and favor. This album is not only great but it’s powerful and anointed. Again, Richie’s heart is clearly shown as he speaks about his conerns as an “Independent Artist” and “Patiently Waiting” and of course his heart for the great city of NY on “New York, New York.”

Production on this album emphasizes his lyrical genius on each track. Music fans will enjoy the nice blend of pure East Coast production as it’s blended well with the popular Dirty South sound of the 3rd Coast. Now onto the auto-tune that is garnering much talk. Simply stated…it works for him. His voice is raspy as it is so in addition to the dope lyrics, tight production, the auto-tune emphasizes this meaty album.

Thinking on the low-lights of the album, none come to mind except I miss Richie’s classic “Raggamuffin Hip-Hop Vol. 2” dancehall reggae days where he had you hype as ever as he showed off his roots a bit. Maybe we can look forward to that on the 3rd gem as I was looking forward to at least one song with a little of that sprinkled in it.

In conclusion, if you don’t have this album I’m wondering if you’re in Glory with the Father because this album is a lifeline for many lost souls and compromising Christians (check “Who You Represent). This album is soaked in truth, it’s rugged and it’s raw, it’s anointed, it’s simple yet astonishingly profound…uh oh, I’m about to say it…it’s a classic. Take that one to the bank and cash it in and indeed you’ll end up being R.I.C.H!