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Joe the 4th Man’s hip-hop hope
Topics: Bakersfield, music, Bakotopia.com, Joe the 4th Man
Posted by Chase Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:36:42 PDT
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Joe the 4th Man’s hip-hop hope
Local rapper's ultimate goal is to reach the masses with a message of salvation

By Chase Brockett, Bakotopia staff

Christian rap artist Joe the 4th Man recently released his first full-length record on Broken Chain Records, an independent Christian label founded by Brother Ig.

Aiming to bring revelation of the realities life holds once the party stops through lyrics wrought of a secularist turned born again Christian, Joe the 4th Man - aka Joseph Gomez pours his soul into his music in every imaginable sense.

Having his name inspired by the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace with a fourth man (Jesus), Gomez is primary composer of all of his songs.

“Everything is possible through Christ because I’m nothing without him,” said Gomez. “I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about somebody - who can change anybody.”

Much of Joe the 4th Man’s material reflects on the hollow sense of self that drugs and alcohol had to soothe prior to his newfound faith.  As is seen with many evangelical artists, Gomez’s music is a personal attempt to “reach the masses with a message of hope and salvation.”


Above: Joe The 4th Man

The debut album, titled “You Were on His Mind,” is sure to serve as the middle ground between those who want the rap/hip-hop genre without any of the negative imagery often portrayed in much of today’s popular radio offerings.

The music itself is what you would expect from the genre - drum loops, repeating hooks and rapid fire lyricism. For the most part, although “innovative” wouldn’t be the term to describe it, this first offering by Joe the 4th Man has the potential to grow into a worthy musical adversary.

The chorus to “You were on his mind” becomes a bit noxious without a stronger musical accompaniment, but the verses express his ability to flow lyrically.

Overall, this album is an alternative for those who enjoy the genre but have because exhausted or put off by consistent material secularism of mainstream rap music.

Parents need not worry about surprise content popping up during the course of the album, they will be satisfied with the positive messages going out to the new youth - Christian or not.



Four minutes with Joe The 4th Man

How did you get involved with Christian rap music?

I believe this is my calling. I use to rap about girls, drinking, partying. But when I accepted Christ into my life, my life changed! I started to see young kids doing what I used to do, and it hurt me because after the music and party ended, there was still an emptiness inside me. After I accepted Christ in my heart - that emptiness was filled. Now I don’t have to drink or turn to drugs to feel good or suppress that misery. I do it because I want to show and tell people of a better way of life so they don’t have to go through what I went through and what our parents went through.

Do you write and arrange all of your own music?

Yes, I do all my own music arrangements, composing and writing. All this is possible through Christ because I’m nothing without him. I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody, about somebody who can change anybody!
What is the ultimate goal of your music?

My ultimate goal with my music is to reach the masses with a message of hope and salvation. Somebody may be reading this and can relate to what I’m saying and is looking for a better way of life or is tired of the same old same old. Praise God when my full length album comes out through my label Broken Chain Records with help from Brother Ig and goes nationwide. Believe me folks, I got the answer and I’m taking it to the world!

Visit: www.myspace.com/joethe4thman

Also printed in Bakotopia Magazine issue 31: 6/26/08

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Comment From: an1ok1joe

I like the line " “I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about somebody - who can change anybody.” That is incredible and incredibly true for all Christians!