Below Paradise

Audio Mixer: Carlton Lynn.
Photographer: Caleb Kuhl.
Looking at the world from a different angle has long been one of Tedashii's strengths. Here, on the title track of Below Paradise, he suggests he grew up in paradise, but the hard work needed to keep his neighborhood in that category faded away. It's not the first time the Christian rapper has used the "three fingers pointed back at you" theory, but it still feels fresh and thrills, as does the rest of this inspired effort. "Dark Days, Darker Nights," with Britt Nicole, and "Catch Me If You Can," with Andy Mineo, are the autobiographical numbers to pick, but they also bring up the album's minor issue, which is too many features to fathom. Otherwise, this is Tedashii with his provocative and "no apologies" stance in full effect, and when it comes to that hunger for change, few other artists can make it so palpable. ~ David Jeffries