NEW ROMAINE VIDEO!

Review of Romaine's New Album

On his 11 song new release Let ‘Em Hear It, Josh Romaine blends infectious rap beats, an array of up-and-coming artists, and an aggressive Christian message, into one cohesive collection. Perhaps the frequent complaint against so called “Christian rap/Holy Hip Hop,” is that there is a total lack of originality, which leads to tired rap clichés being awkwardly tossed together with “shout-outs” to the Almighty, and barking celebrations of “Jee-zus, what what!” This bizarre relationship is typified by replacing the traditional “When I say ‘hey’ you say ‘Ho!’ Hey, Ho, Hey, Ho!” with “When I say ‘Jesus’ you say ‘Christ!’ Jesus, Christ, Jesus, Christ!” As an artist, reviewer, and fan of good music in general, I am happy to report that Josh Romaine’s CD is free from such offenses. In its place are clever and engaging lines such as these five from the song “What Do You Do” Featuring Sonny Duke and Joski.:
“Cause evil is a hierarchy and I’m battling the prince Bulldoggin’ like Gonzaga, with the dagger in the trench Trying to make this ungodly image stagger when I flinch If I smile he’ll take a mile so I can’t let ‘em have an inch Put me in the game coach, put that sucker on the bench.”
Each track in the collection has its own flavor and style, from the anthem-like beats of “Renegades for the Lord” and the title track “Let ‘em Hear it,” to the politically-charged words of “We’ve All Seen Struggles.” There’s even an up-lifting “girl-power” song called “Beautiful” written by Sarahenity. On tracks like “Pay the Price” we’re treated to delicious couplets such as:
“They’re left for the wolves to devour It’s the first chapter in the final hour”
Josh Romaine has fused the rap formula, with his own personal witness, to create what he’s dubbed “music with a message.” What struck me most about this CD, was not the artwork and graphic design, although those are done very professionally; and not just the abundance of clear, uncompromising quotations and references to Scripture, although that is impressive as well, but rather, Josh Romaine’s sincerity in every element of the music. With his obvious sincerity and commitment to his craft, I would not be surprised if you end up hearing the infectious rap beats of Let ‘Em Hear It on the radio, or seeing the videos on youtube. Until then, you can always purchase the CD on shuarecords.com, or at local shows when Josh Romaine is performing in your area.
If you haven’t heard Josh Romaine’s style of rap before, go check him out. If you have, then you know why his first Christian-themed album is entitled “Let ‘Em Hear It.”
Review by Judah Israel Michael, Lyrical Evangelist www.judahisrael.com

Romaine's Bio

Since his birth music has always been Josh Romaine’s passion. At nine months, Josh carried a portable radio around with him, dragging it from room to room, listening to music. By the age of five Josh was spending hours at a time mixing tapes with his friend Carlos. Driven at an early age to make music, who would have thought he would have come this far? In the spring of 1990, Josh and his mother moved to Washington State where his mother had taken a promotion. Josh finished middle school and continued his education at Richland High School where he was active in drama, wrestling and track, but his passion for lyrics and beats shined through. This created a connection with his English teacher, Mr. Bixby, who encouraged Josh to write what he was feeling on paper. When Josh would write, the words would come out as poetry, leaving his mom somewhat suspicious of his literary works. She would ask, "are these really your words Josh?” amazed at his authorship. Josh graduated in 1995 from Richland High and hit the road to the big city of Seattle to pursue his life in music, but a call for help from his family brought him back to the Tri-Cities. In answering the call for help tragedy struck Josh in 1997 when he was left for dead on the streets of Kennewick. While attending a party, Josh fell out of favor with a fellow rapper for being White. The rapper proceeded to assault Josh to the point of unconsciousness, causing two frontal lobe hemorrhages, massive swelling and most tragically no speech pattern. At 3:45 in the morning Josh's mom received the call no mother would want to receive: Her son was seriously assaulted and she was needed at the hospital! Seeing her son beaten unconscious, lifeless, motionless and beyond the point of recognition, Liz Romaine summoned some friends of hers who were prayer warriors to hold vigil over Josh. Through pray and God's divine intervention Josh's slow but fruitful path to recovery began. Josh's belief in the power of prayer had made a broken man whole again. The recovery was a long process and the event changed his outlook on life. And from this turn of events, Josh decided to record Mortal Struggle his first album and his second album This is How we Roll. Even with these two successful and passion filled records, Josh's life was still left some-what empty, with lingering effects of self-doubt. In the fall of 2005, Josh thought all his hard work was finally going to pay dividends when he was given an offer by a major financial backer to finance Shua Records. He thought he had finally “arrived.” However the joy was short lived due to everything from communication to politics. Thinking he had finally fulfilled his dreams, only to have it fall through was a tormenting ordeal for Josh. Visions of negativity and self-doubt began to consume Josh. In the end, Josh dealt with the adversity the only way he knew how...Josh pulled his car over and prayed. Through the comfort and guidance of Jesus Christ Josh realized that the first two albums he did were for himself, but the next one and the others that followed had to be done for the Glory of Jesus Christ. Josh had to create “Music with a Message”, not songs about money, sex and drugs! This conclusion sent an overwhelming but comforting feeling from Josh's spine, to his soul. He now knew the reason and purpose for the God given gifts he had received. Through his music he could build a ministry. Shua Records Ministry could not only bring people to the Lord, but it could also make their lives better. With entertainment, testimony and charity work he could do the good he was so striving to achieve. With this revelation he had finally and unequivocally became Romaine... ”Let’em Hear It” in stores now… -bio provided by MADMedia- ...more info 2 come!