The Ambassador is back with his fourth solo project titled STOP THE FUNERAL.  Returning from the very public and abrupt halt to his music ministry it is only fitting that this project would be highly anticipated once he announced his return with the “The Ice Breaker". With an album cover and track listing of artist features that will pique the interest of both supporters and skeptics alike Ambassador has made it clear that there are some new things in his life as well as new music. So should we stop the funeral or go forward with the funeral procession? Let’s get into the track listing and find out.

1. A-M: This track is one of the singles from the project and in many ways serves as an Intro.  I appreciated the fact that this was not an apology song or a reintroduction of a new and improved Ambassador. It is a statement that says nothing has changed. The hook declares “It’s The A-M reppin' the I A-M.” Amba states that he is not only representing Christ but he is also a recipient of His grace. It has a southern bounce to it with 808’s, snares that flam and roll and stabbing orchestra hits.

2. Get With Us featuring Sean Simmonds: Thick synth and organ chords immediately grab your attention along with some punched up kicks and claps on this one.  The ministry in the song is on point. No matter the mistake in your life no matter the struggle it has never required us to shed our blood. God wanted to be with so He sent His Son to shed His blood and “get with us” in every way. Tempted at all points He was sinless and became like us so that we can become like Him.  This is a good song and a banger indeed but not what I expected from this collaboration of artists. I was left a little disappointed only because of being familiar with the vocal ability of Sean Simmonds and it was not really showcased on this track and was somewhat hidden by the  vocal effects. Believe it or not my disappointment is actually a compliment.  However, the collaboration still works well.

3. Mind Made Up: This song is a double entendre in many ways as the main line in the hooks states “It just wasn’t my time”.  Even without “the fall” of Ambassador many were already questioning the relevancy of this CHH pioneer.   This song reminds us that the Father is sovereign and He has the final say on the life and death of an individual and the life and death of a ministry regardless of the circumstances. Ambassador encourages all of us to have a mind and resolve to “Grind til he takes us home.”   The beat knocks hard with blaring horns a thumping kick and strings that complement the seriousness of the message.

4. Pop Pop Pop: The project makes a switch musically which is a welcomed change from the southern banger style of the previous tracks but still carries a more serious tone.  This is a fun track that begins like a smooth R and B song then abruptly switches.  The music and lyrics complement one another as Ambassador discusses our ability to settle and cruise along in sin without a desire to move unless God abruptly chastises us and burst our bubble. The message is simple yet powerful, REPENT!

5. Up and down featuring Charmaine*: The project seems to hit its stride with this track and seemed a lot less “experimental” as  Ambassador seems to find more of a comfort zone. This track was released as a single from the project and rightfully so as it has HIGH repeat value and features the vocals of Charmaine on the hook. The song is filled with reality and encouragement. It is a reality check that the believer is not exempt from struggle and trials but we are in fact the best candidates for it to show God’s power and give Him Glory. With lines like, “You can go from stacked like the Miami Heat then / overnight it’s over like God’s plan for Cleveland” it is a clear reminder to be content wherever we find ourselves. So be encouraged.

6. Favor featuring Canton Jones*: I’ll say what others are thinking and get it out of the way. Not many would have envisioned two artists such as Ambassador and Canton Jones collaborating. The collaboration is a surprise and it is surprisingly good. It is a banging southern anthem with 808’s and blaring horns. It is an example for many to follow and shows that when it comes to certain aspects of theology we can be on opposite ends of the spectrum but we can all agree that every believer benefits from the Favor, Grace and Mercy of God. No, this song is not about receiving “favors from God” and acquiring materials goods as some might have expected from the title and featured artist. Canton Jones delivers the hook in the standard Canton Jones fashion with a cross between singing and rhyming. We are reminded of the famous quote, “If not for the Grace of God there go I”.

7. Bring You Out featuring Melissa T: Bring you out brings a dose of Boom Bap with it. Melissa T. delivers a flawless hook that complements Ambassador’s lyrical assault on the beat. This track bangs hard from the jump and it never lets up and neither does Ambassador with his flow. I was reminded of Deuteronomy 6:23 when Moses addressed Israel and said to them “He brought us out from there (Egypt) in order to bring us in, to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers.” Ambassador becomes a type of Moses on this track and speaks of the fulfillment of Moses word’s through Christ. Lines like “When they ask me how I overcome / I tell them that Jesus is the only one” communicate the victory of every believer. It should be noted that this song has the perfect placement in the place list.

8. Talk this Way: First you’re a mess, then a message and then a messenger.  That is the message that is delivered on this track that is infused with electric guitar, live drum fills, lush piano and string chords. This song will leave you feeling empowered and unashamed. You’ll realize that failure is not the opposite of success but success is overcoming your failures. The musical production emotes well in each section of the song especially the third verse. This song will connect to every believer that has been through a test and in the end the testimony of God’s goodness is revealed. The hook speaks the following: "You been through something you can talk this / Aint been through nothing you can’t talk this way/ Only if you know Him can you talk this way / Don’t know where you going you can’t talk this way". This is sure to become a personal theme song for many listeners.

9. Crumbs Ft. Jessica Reedy*: Ambassador slows the project down and lets you catch your breath while he recounts the stories of three memorable Biblical characters. The song takes the Biblical accounts from Mark 7:24-30, Luke 7:1-10 and Mark 5:25 – 34. Ambassador explores his story telling side and cleverly shows that a crumb of faith will be honored by Jesus and a crumb of Grace from God is more than enough to conquer sin. The production of the track proves that less can be more. It is a minimalist beat with east coast kick and snare with a tad of west coast swing on the timing and has a stabbing bass line that moves the track along.  This track has repeat value and would make the Bible Story man himself K-Nine proud. It is often said that a “good preacher” can help you visualize the text. That being said, Ambassador is a preacher par excellent and with Jessica Reedy on this collaboration she is the choir assisting in the service with her jazzy vocal delivery on the hook. If her name sounds familiar it is because she was a contestant on BET’s Sunday best. These two joined together to craft a song this is an everyday best.  

10. Trust in Him featuring Mali Music*: This by far is one of the best collaborations on the project and in CHH as a whole. Ambassador employs the vocals and lyricism of Mali Music and the two do not disappoint us. This production makes this a complete Trifecta! Mali “Mr. Challenge Me” Music cleverly articulates the need trust in the Lord for strength as he sings an intricate hook that seems to float over the track in the clouds while Ambassador locks down the flow and rides the track perfectly. The production is an obvious throw back to music from the 1970 – 1976 eras and captures the mood and feel of that time of music without employing the use of samples. Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes would be proud of this production and if you listen closely the producer uses just the right amount of record static in the appropriate way to give the track the proper ambience. There is more happening in this track than can be commented on in this space. This is by far a standout song and sure to be a favorite of many.

11. Nothing Like Us featuring Ryan Stevenson and Charmaine*: I was excited about this particular collaboration. For anyone that ventures outside of CHH and is familiar with Ryan Stevenson and Charmaine then you know that it is a song to be excited about. This is not an odd style for Ambassador either. Those that loved the “My Clothes, My Hair” collab with J.R. will appreciate this song. From the jump the track gives you the feel of a cool Sunday afternoon drive in the spring. This song is an easy pick for a video that has crossover appeal. Ryan and Charmaine blend simple harmonies and Ambassador flawlessly delivers his verses.  The song speaks of The Father’s goodness and reminds us that He is not like man. He is not like us and His love will never waver or bend and this reason enough to praise Him!

12. Your Love featuring Michelle Bonilla and KJ-52*: This is a great collaboration between three stellar artists. This is easily a Dove award nominee song and would render well as a live performance. This is Gospel music at its best. It proclaims the good news of the limitless love and redemptive power of Jesus Christ. There’s not much to say about this track other than listen to it and let it minister to you and bring you to a place of brokenness and amazement at the sacrificial love of Jesus.

13. Put it Down: This track is a praise party anthem and will work well with any live audience. The beat is filled with a heavy kick, 808s and plenty of sound effects. However, after such a heartfelt song as your love I felt this one could have been placed higher in the track listing as it felt a little out place in this order. It has plenty of metaphors that will connect with regular listeners of secular music but also brings the point home of no one being worthy enough to boast except Christ with lyrics like, “Of course on the corner there is swagger like us / cause the matter is we all got a swagger like dust.” Still with great lines this song almost felt like it did not belong and had to grow on me. It did not get skipped after repeated plays of the project yet I did not feel that the listeners would have been disappointed with a thirteen track project.

14. The Reunion Cypha*: This track has God's Servant, J.A.Z., shai linne, C-Lite, and Cruz Cordero with DJ Wade-O facilitating the track over a banging East Coast Back pack beat. Do I really need to write anymore? I mean really…do I need to write anymore? No hook. Just bars of goodness. All artist delivered standout verses and repped the King! This was the perfect way to round out the project with Ambassador clinging to the roots of his musical style. I have one word…REPEAT!  Well two words…REPEAT OFTEN!

I think it is safe to say that we can stop the mourning and close the casket! Yes, stop the funeral and celebrate the re-emergence of The Ambassador into CHH. This project is a must have for the loyal Ambassador supporters that have awaited his return to music and ministry. With a new label, Xist Worldwide/220 music and production from the likes of Kelvin Wooten, Lee Jerkins, Cheesebeats, Raymond Castro "Rayrock", Alex Medina, David Hackley, Richard "sage.muzik" Roach and IsRael Musiq this project should introduce Ambassador to a new group of listeners as well. Indeed change is good!

The project has many high points and several stand out tracks. The one criticism would be the number of tracks with Ambassador flowing over what is typically a track crafted for an artist with a southern style and flow. Oddly enough I have to give credit on this same point because not many east coast style artists would have stayed true to their vocal delivery. It could be tempting to switch up the flow and say “I can do this too” and change his rhyme style. That said it was great to see this artist branch out into new sounds and experiment without it feeling too forced. The project also contains less East Coast boom bap tracks that avid followers of Ambassador may be looking forward to. Stop the funeral has several songs that will completely grab the listener and only a few that would have to grow on them. There were no tracks to skip in my opinion and I feel that musically and sonically that this is a purchase worthy project.  

From a ministry point of view this project is a must have for everyone. It is filled a balance view of sin, redemption and grace. It has a testimonial feel to it and in true Ambassador form it testifies of Christ and emphasizes our need to view Christ as the measuring stick for righteousness and not our own “rightness”. I believe that Ambassador has found his second wind and I’m looking forward to seeing him finish this race.