I have read 3 books lately that have been rocking my heart and mind like an earthquake and flooded me with thoughts like a Tsunami. They have had such an effect on me that it has taken me a few months to really talk about them.

Ok 2 of these books hit me harder than the 3rd one and I would like to recommend them to you. Ok so here goes some short reviews.

The first one I would like to present to you is "Unchristian: What a new generation really thinks about christianity and why it matters" By David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons


I really liked this book because it was based on some research to find out the attitudes and perceptions of people about Christianity in America, now whether such research is 100% accurate is questionable but for the most part if one is honest their findings do hold a lot of water and can apply in any context. This is a good book and a reality check. It is definitely humbling to know what people who are on the outside looking in really think about Christians and Christianity and there are real stories that will definitely strike a chord with any Christian really ready to face reality about how their attitude and conduct could be blocking people from seeing what Christ is really about. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

The next book I've read lately that has an ENORMOUS effect on me is "Imagine: A Vision of Christians in the arts" by Steve Turner



I found out about this book when I was on twitter and Sho Baraka the American Christian rapper tweeted about it. I bought it immediately and if you are a Christian who is a singer, rapper, producer, songwriter, dancer, sculptor, poet, instrumentalists or even if you're not, YOU NEED THIS BOOK IN YOUR LIFE! For many of you it will give you a perspective that will SET YOU FREE from certain legalistic thinking when it comes having a creative gift. I say this especially if you have been in a church that is very strict and legalistic.

One thing I have learnt is when it comes to the creative arts, the church doesn't for the most part know how or where to place those who have been blessed with creativity
(unless they are evangelical and using their gift as a tool of evangelism that is) In this book you will have a lovely and fresh perspective on this from Steve Turner and also a little history lesson to show you that the issues of secular vs scared have been around for a long time and for Christians you will see how this split and conflict originated. Take this from me, YOU NEED THIS BOOK IN YOUR LIFE! It's like when I see the same old positive/inspirational music vs gospel music discussion/argument break out all I think now is stop the talking READ THIS BOOK then come back and discuss! I highly RECOMMEND this book, it is a fun and enjoyable read, you won't even know when you get to the end because it is so engaging and gripping! Get it today!

The last book I recently read that really made an impression on me is "British Black Gospel" by Steve Alexander Smith


I think this is a great attempt at trying to trace the journey of gospel music genre in the UK to where it is today. I had been crying out to know what had happened before and this book answers a lot of my questions. Also it showed me that all the issues that exist today in the gospel music scene have appeared before. Nothing is new under the sun really. The whole desire to crossover into the mainstream, the conflict of traditional vs contemporary styles of music being incorporated into gospel artist's sound and more or less every kind of issue that springs up now has been around for years and years. It was very interesting and I recommend this to anyone ESPECIALLY gospel artists of today. You HAVE to read this book and know what came before you.

Anyway I think a separate blog about where my head is at now with everything I am learning needs to be done another time. I think I might even video blog it because as folks say "it is a lot"

Next on my reading this list is:

The Mis-Education of The Negro by Carter Godwin Woodson
The Business of Urban Music by James L. Walker, Jr. Esq
Velvet Elvis: Repainting The Christian Faith by Rob Bell

I have been thinking about the phrase “Perception is everything” and I have come to the conclusion that it is a true statement yet deceptive at the same time. This statement is not a matter of right or wrong and that is the amazing thing about the statement.

Someone would say “but isn’t our perception wrong sometimes, so how can perception be everything?" Well, saying that only highlights how important perception is, our perception being wrong or limited only highlights the value of correct perception.

Think about it, why is it that in this media saturated world that how we appear in the eyes of others is so important? We want to appear successful, important, beautiful, clever, attractive etc but why? It seems how we appear to others affects how we see ourselves and this is why we place so much importance on how we are seen. In this case, perception is everything because of how we appear to other people.

I once walked down Sloane Street in London and on that street you have all the big designer labels with shops. Fendi, D&G, Gucci, you name it, they were all there lined up and the thought hit me “vanity is big business” I mean do people buy these expensive things JUST because they are quality products and look nice? No! they buy them because they are status symbols that make you look important and successful and it seems self esteem is magically built into those name brands because almost everyone else has emotionally invested into this magically inbuilt high value tied into them.

As I walked down the street further and got to Knightsbridge which is where Harrods is, I noticed that a lot of people were rocking the new Beats by Dre headphones. You know those ones that cost over £100 that I personally don’t think really sound better than others that don’t cost as much. Somehow because people have bought into the image of it, they were willing to part with a lot of money. Is this really about them sounding WAAAAAAY better than cheaper earphones or is this an image and status thing? Your answer depends on who you are and if you’ve bought into the idea that they are superior or if you’re kind of skeptical like me because you tried them and didn’t really hear anything more amazing than some good old Sennheiser headphones.

If you want to further see how the phrase “perception is everything” has such truth to it, think of the whole idea of branding or watch how we present ourselves in the digital social networking worlds of twitter, facebook and all the others. Look at how we celebrate when we get more followers on twitter, it makes us feel more important when our numbers increase because people say “well he/she must be important if he/she has over a million followers and this other guy has only 100” It does make you think doesn’t it? What make us think this way?

Look these pictures below of some amazing 3D street art. It looks so real doesn't it? But we all know it's not real, if only we could see many other things clearly for what they are.

I love reading and I came across this from a book by Steven Covey called "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" I am going to get this book!!!

Each of us tends to think we see things as they are, that we are objective. But this is not the case. We see the world, not as it is, but as we are—or, as we are conditioned to see it. when we open our mouths to describe what we see, we in effect describe ourselves, our perceptions, our paradigms. When other people disagree with us, we immediately think something is wrong with them. But, sincere, clearheaded people see things differently, each looking through the unique lens of experience.

This does not mean that there are no facts. But each person’s interpretation of these facts represents prior experiences, and the facts have no meaning whatsoever apart from the interpretation.

The more aware we are of our basic paradigms, maps, or assumptions, and the extent to which we have been influenced by our experience, the more we can take responsibility for those paradigms, examine them, test them against reality, listen to others and be open to their perceptions, thereby getting a larger picture and a far more objective view.

I wrote this 2 years ago and with everything that is still going on I feel like I wrote it this morning



It was the usual early morning Sunday service, a well dressed usher welcomed me with a smile and guided me to a seat. The atmosphere was charged with emotional expressions and outbursts from the people who had already assembled. As the music gathered momentum, the praise and worship leader spoke with such gusto: "He woke you up this morning! Give Him praise!! Praise the Lord somebody!!!"

A few people responded with the same enthusiasm.

"Can I get some worshippers in the house this morning?!!!!! Praise the Looooooorrrrrrrrd!!!!!" He continued.

He spoke in an unknown tongue for a few seconds with such a look of rapture on his face and as if on cue, the music built more momentum, and the people responded with even more outbursts and frenzied shouting.

As I looked around I thought to myself, "Is God really in all of this?"

Before now, I would never have permitted a question like this to cross my mind, but, recently Ive been questioning a lot of things.

Most things dont seem to add up any more. I didnt just want a quick fix, and a simplistic, well rehearsed kind of answer. I had mastered the Christianese and Church lingo and had become very fluent with the Pentecostal language but, I still felt like something was missing. I honestly felt like everything was like a well rehearsed show. I had come too far; I wanted something real not a substitute for a West end show. I guess I wanted God. My conclusion after a while was that everyone gathered for the same reason, hoping that they might perhaps encounter something bigger than them.

The man of God might have a "word of knowledge" for our situation that will solve our problems, we might "sow that seed" and "reap the harvest" we've been longing for, we might one day be blessed and ride that car the man of God drives, we might "fall under the anointing" or be "slain in the Spirit", or maybe "the wealth of the wicked that is laid up for the just" might become ours right after the service. God does move in mysterious ways after all

I guess ministers must be under a lot of pressure to "deliver God" to the people but the truth is God or "His move" cant be manufactured. God responds to something deeper. God responds to faith.

It is written of Moses that he endured as seeing Him who is invisible (Heb 11:27) Human beings however, prefer a more visible God not a God who seems too shy to be more demonstrative of His power. When you point people to the old rugged cross and tell them the cross is the ultimate display of Gods love and power you can almost hear people say, Really?

The saying that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with God has almost become another cliché. "How do you have a relationship with someone you cant see?" some may ask. If only we were alive during the days of Jesus, at least the Word was flesh then, some others lament. Jesus was accessible, He even spoke with sinners. I guess this is why some people place "men of God" on pedestals. They cant see God but they can see the man. They are the visual representation of what most people in Church aspire to be like. If you are looking for evidence of God they are that evidence most times to devout believers, they are to them living proof, so much so that when its time to worship God, it becomes difficult. True worship is faith in God who though is invisible, is very real.

Have you seen how different the welcoming of a "man of God" is totally different from the welcoming of the God of the man? Its a hard pill to swallow but it is true! You hear the cheers and the applause veering to a point of adulation and adoration. We have, sometimes unknowingly put these men on a pedestal that puts them under undue pressure. We have given them more honour than they are due. We have projected our expectations and unfulfilled desires on to them and in waiting so long for our breakthrough which we normally only understand in material or monetary terms, it looks like the man of God and his gospel of prosperity is the proverbial carrot, held in front of the proverbial donkey.

"Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron and said to him, come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him" (Ex 32:1)

The Christ we believe in has ascended into glory and will return soon with a shout of triumph (I say soon because thats what the scripture says a thousand years to God is like a day it doesnt feel like soon to us!) He has left us His Spirit until He returns. I confess that like many others, I would love a more visible, more demonstrative God in the world. I would like it to be more obvious to everyone that God is real. When disaster strikes whether it is a natural disaster or one that is man made, I groan within and would love God to be more active in the world. Coming closer to home to my own personal life, I would love God to answer my prayers faster and supply all my needs according to His riches in glory but, like we know it does not always happen like that. The temptation is to try and help God or find a kind of short cut to what you feel is Gods blessing.

The children of Israel had encountered God beyond any shadow of doubt. They had just witnessed God bring them out of Egypt. They had seen miracles, signs and wonders that we will probably never see in this life time. They had seen God part the red sea and they had walked through on dry land. This is the kind of God we all would prefer to witness! A God that demonstrates His power, swallows up His enemies and shows up with mighty manifestations of His glory. But alas, their leader Moses was up on the mountain for too long as far as they were concerned. To them, He delayed coming down from the mountain When we think God is delayed or slow to come through, we feel itchy to do something to make Him feel more real and obvious to us. In this age of instant messages, instant coffee, emails and fast food we cant see why God cant get with the times. The children of Israel demanded a god and Aaron gave them one. They fashioned for themselves an idol made of gold, the same gold God blessed them with when they left Egypt! Such is the pressure on leadership to manufacture God or His move. Aaron gave into that pressure and gave the people what they wanted.

I look at the Church today and I see the same tendencies. We associate Gods blessing primarily in monetary terms. Being blessed equals being rich. If you are not wealthy or well to do you are not living the abundant life Jesus spoke about. We forget things Jesus said like, "a mans life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" or "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" or "woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation". These are things Jesus said. We dont want to hear that because we have bills to pay! Buildings to build for God! Most of us are from poverty so the prosperity message is an extremely profitable product for those who propagate it. We want the crown without carrying the cross. Or rather I should say we feel we have carried the cross for too long and we want our crown NOW! Our fascination with material prosperity is almost the same way in hip hop culture young people are fascinated with bling bling.

The way people look up to Jay-Z and 50 cent is the same way people look up to men of God The only difference is that men of God are wealthy because they have, as most believe, tapped into the blessings of God (or maybe they have gotten wealthy off making the people believe that when they sow money into their lives we will reap financial blessings from God) while 50 cent says he will get rich or die trying even if it is through propagating a glamorised negative image to willing consumers and impressionable youth. In both situations people are buying into an image that carries the idea of what it means to be successful and prosperous. These images of success are all about getting rich when you get down to the bottom line.

We give tithes to rebuke the devourer, isnt the blood of Christ enough? The devourer has been rebuked! The blood of Christ, which speaks better things than the blood of Abel, constantly rebukes Satan and silences his accusations. We sow seeds of money into lives of the men of God hoping that the same anointing will rest upon us hmm! I recall in the Bible when a man named Simon offered money to some Apostles to receive the power of the Holy Spirit Peter told him, your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter for your heart is not right in the sight of God (Acts 8:20&21) We already have an anointing from the Holy One is that not what the scripture tells us? so what is this making the FREE gift of God into a commodity all about?

Our minds need to be renewed and really know what the New Testament or covenant holds for all those who are now in Christ and for those who we seek to bring into the Kingdom of God. We need to go back to the word and be like the people of Berea who after hearing Apostle Paul preach received the word with readiness and searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so ignorance is inexcusable. If Apostle Paul held a meeting I doubt if any of us would go back and search the scriptures though, we would probably just take his word for it!

The church of Laodecia in the book of Revelation was called lukewarm because they said, they have become wealthy and have need of nothing not knowing that in the Lords eyes they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (see Rev 3:15-18) many of us are far from being rich and wealthy, having need of nothing but that is what we aspire to be. Dont get me wrong, I believe God wants to bless us financially, but the things we hold in high esteem are abominable to God. He counsels us to buy from Him gold refined in fire that you may be rich. I believe that represents THE FAITH once delivered to the saints. This faith is what will matter in the long term. This faith is what will last past this life into eternity. The genuineness of our faith is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire (1 Peter 1:7)

I dont think God and faith is missing in the church. I just think the golden calf gets in the way sometimes. The golden calf of the promise of material prosperity is sometimes placed on the altar only God deserves. The "men of God" who embody this and espouse this "prosperity gospel" are propped up on a pedestal and worshipped with such blind devotion that it is digusting. The golden calf needs to be knocked off with the truth of Gods word, written on the tablets of the hearts of believers who keep their eyes and ears open to the truth.

Here is a song I did that goes with the blog above. It was something I released on my "Deleted Scenes Mixtape" that was originally on "just as I AM: The Prequel" but because I sampled Queen's "Let me live" I had to remove it.

I don't think anyone is disputing that the gospel is the most important message we have to give. I don't think anyone is saying positive messages other than the gospel is what will eternally save anyone.

I just don't get how it is an either, or situation. We give the gospel AND positive messages like Jesus healed the sick and fed the hungry while seeking to eternally save their souls by giving his very life. If those things weren't important then Jesus would've gone straight to the cross and wouldn't have bothered to show compassion in that way, I mean why did he heal bodies if he knew that it wouldn't eternally save them?

Positive messages are only positive gas if folks are saying that these positive messages like "silence the violence, increase the peace" or "put it (guns) down" or "help haiti" or "help pakistan" (because of the tragedies there) or whatever positive message other than the gospel is what is going to save them eternally and I don't think anyone is saying that. That would be giving false hope but who really believes that stopping violence saves you from judgement in the after-life? Come on now! Lol! Who preaches that being charitable in a time of tragedy to the less fortunate reconciles one to God? Please show me these people!

Giving the world the gospel message is not the only message we have though it is the most important. We all have different assignments as well as the general mission of giving the world the gospel. So if seeking to impact my community in a positive way means it is positive gas to some then so be it, I stay inhaling that positive gas while giving the gospel because it doesn't have to be either, or.

Let me tell you a secret, giving positive messages and seeking to positively impact your community through action opens hearts and doors to the gospel message that you have for them. You know why? It shows you're human and identify with the common problems of this world that affects us all. It's called being socially relevant. Speaking against social injustice, giving social commentary on current events, encouraging people to be thankful and grateful, comforting hurt people or just showing you're a human and no better than anyone else helps you connect and gives you more credibility when seeking to tell people to repent and believe the gospel.

I don't know why I get the feeling that because some folks are more socially aware and want to positively impact their community that they are sometimes seen as shirking the responsibility of sharing the gospel. Both approaches go hand in hand. If that is positive gas then please pass the gas my way let me inhale it deeply. Lol.

I remember I was tweeting on twitter (http://www.twitter.com/karlnova) and someone tweeted that Michael Jackson just had a heart attack and was being rushed to the hospital. I even saw someone put up a link to a picture of him getting to the hospital. It was all surreal like I was seeing it happen in real time. I mean that's just crazy! I guess it's the digital age we live in, instant information, instant reaction. Then it was reported that he had died long before even CNN dared to confirm it. To me he is the greatest entertainer. I know many might not understand and I am not even one to go overboard with things like this.

This blog is me feeling scared that if I don't write something you will stop visiting my page so I am going to just ramble on because if I am sticking to keeping it all the way real, I have to confess that I haven't been feeling very inspired to blog lately.

It's not because I couldn't have just thrown something random out there, it's not because I have lost my writing mojo either, I mean I have been in the studio recording a lot lately and I have had to come up with lyrics on the fly. Off the cuff I seem to pull words out of thin air because the demand for them in the moment is strong.

It's not because nothing has been going on in my world or the world at large that I have found it hard to blog. I mean the other day I was part of a video shoot. I was featured on a song and a video was shot for that. It was pretty exciting. I really don't know how it will turn out. I hope it's good!

Also the collective I am part of, GK Real (http://www.myspace.com/gkreality) got nominated for 2 UMAs! (Urban Music Awards) We were nominated in the best gosopel AND best group and I was pretty shocked about that! I feel some other people deserved to be nominated not us but there were are (http://www.urbanmusicawards.net/uk_vote_now.php )

we are even up against JLS, N Dubz, Roll Deep in the best group category which I'm sure we won't win and I'm not even mad at that because to be honest we didn't get into music for awards at all. I mean we never even thought of all that! Besides when we got nominated in 2008 and went for the award show at the indigo 02, violence broke out and I saw blood flow from people stabbed with broken bottles of alcohol so I am not too keen on the UMAs.

I don't know what it is, maybe it is bloggers block? (errr that would probably be writers block right? but since I can still write lyrics maybe I don't have writer's block? LOL) Is there anything like that? I don't know.

Ok until I find a flow again, that is all.

These are 2 of the best adverts for football I have ever seen! World Cup Fever has officially taken over *shivers in the corner clutching Nigerian, Brazilian and English football kits"

Today was a beautiful sunny day in London and I was out in my area. I have this spot where I love to go and sit and listen to music, write or just reflect. I'm not gonna tell you where it is, unless you ask nicely! lol hahaha!

All these pics were taken on my Blackberry, I touched them up using photobucket! cool huh?

Do you have a spot?

I came across the following in a blog (http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/blogs/seven-stories-rule-world-matt-haig) and it made me think:

Are there any new stories, or have they all been told? The British literary critic Christopher Booker, has argued that there have only ever been seven basic plots, as follows:

1. 'Tragedy'. Hero with a fatal flaw meets tragic end. Macbeth or
Madame Bovary.
2. 'Comedy'. Not necessary laugh-out-loud, but always with a happy ending, typically of romantic fulfillment, as in Jane Austen.
3. 'Overcoming the Monster'. As in Frankenstein or 'Jaws'. Its psychological appeal is obvious and eternal.
4. 'Voyage and Return'. Booker argues that stories as diverse as Alice
in Wonderland and H G Wells' The Time Machine and Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner follow the same archetypal structure of personal development through leaving, then returning home.
5. 'Quest'. Whether the quest is for a holy grail, a whale, or a kidnapped child it is the plot that links a lot of the most popular fiction. The quest plot links Lords of the Rings with Moby Dick and a thousand others in between.
6. 'Rags to Riches'. The riches in question can be literal or metaphoric. See Cinderella, David Copperfield, Pygmalion.
7. 'Rebirth'. The 'rebirth' plot - where a central character suddenly finds a new reason for living - can be seen in A Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, Crime and Punishment and Peer Gynt.

I found this very interesting. I would have added another one as number 8 which would be Redemption because most stories (well almost every “action” movie) has the idea of a hero saving the world from destruction.

When I found this and read it, I started thinking what’s my story? What story am I living? What story am I telling? You see everyone has a story and because we’re all human you find out as you meet people and find out about their background that we share similar stories and experiences. This is why certain things resonate with a lot of people in such a deep way.

I’ve been doing a creative writing workshop with some 10 year olds and trying to find out why they were not into reading. From talking to them and really listening I found out that some of them are actually into books even though they are hooked to video games. I asked them what is it about reading that they liked, one of them said “it’s because I feel like I am inside the book myself, it’s like I can see myself living inside the book” I was like “YES!” If you don’t see yourself as part of something it just won’t be of interest to you. A story with characters you can identify with gives you a way to relate.

Last year was one of the toughest years ever for me and I came across an artist called Donae’o and the following songs of his struck such a chord with me that they became anthems for me:

Donae'o - "Because I'm Strong"


Donae'o - "Love Music"


I mean these songs moved me so much that at the time I found myself writing a song called “Overcomer” which was inspired by the same sound and theme’s in those songs. I guess the story of overcoming in those songs really got to me because I saw myself in them. I mean at the time I was really struggling to stay focused and encouraged and even now I am fighting! I had been laid off work and one of those songs even talked about that! Here is the "Overcomer" song that I recorded last year. The final proper version sounds nothing like this but this version is special to me because it reflects how I feel about fighting and winning:



So what’s your story? What story are you living? What story are you telling?

"fantasy is what they want but reality is what they need" -- Lauryn Hill



I have been thinking about the music business and entertainment. I mean it’s normally all in my thoughts. I have been thinking "why is it so important to us human beings?" The one thing word that stands out to me is the word “escape” or more accurately “escapism”



I used to work a day job I hated, this is over a year ago before recession caught up with the company and I got laid off. It’s not that the job was bad, it was BORING and for someone like me with such an overactive imagination it made it 10 times worse. I wrote a lot of poetry, songs and raps and blogs while at that job (I was a market research executive) and that was how I “entertained” myself and “escaped” boredom. Thankfully I'm self employed right now and free from that though it's a hustle everyday.



That’s what entertainment does, there’s nothing wrong with escape and taking a break from one’s everyday life, we actually NEED it because it’s how we unwind and at the best of times get recharged and inspired. You might watch a great movie that fires up your imagination or hear some music that lifts you up. You then return to the task of everyday living feeling renewed (sometimes) or even with a whole new outlook on things (well possibly) You might even feel more alive.



This is my theory, deep down inside we sense that life is more than we can see, hear, feel, touch and taste and art at it’s best be it music, the theatre, movies or whatever reminds us of that sense of life being more. This can happen to you whether you believe in God or not. We all wanna get away from the mundane and everyday same ol’ same ol’ thing and break that monotony and even more so when life gets harsh. This is one of the reasons why the most frivolous and shallow entertainment sells more than what we consider “wholesome” That which has more content and truth doesn’t seem to compare with that which is pure fantasy and fakeness.



In some people’s minds the line between reality and fantasy is very blurry, some can’t even tell the difference. We’ve all heard of actors in soaps like “Eastenders” sometimes seen in public and people actually forget they play a created tv character and act like they are indeed the character and not a real person! Some have even gotten cursed out in public because they play the role of a baddie and folks seem to forget it is entertainment and not reality. It is make believe.



It’s from this point of view that I wrote the piece below.


“Escaping from Escapism”

We all want to be free, but isn't it amazing

How escaping through escapism leads you to seek

escape from escapism

it becomes another prison you seek to escape from

some seek escape in the club getting their groove on

some seek escape in the church getting their praise on

i've tried both and this is my conclusion

they can both be the same thing with Gods exclusion

reality is harsh, it overloads my senses

weighing down my heart weakening my defenses

when reality bites fantasy gets more alluring

but it really is a weak umbrella when the rain is pouring

I sought freedom in my spirit by loosening my flesh

but that only left my innerman gasping for breath

my guilt trip almost took me to a point of no return

I found out I was ego tripping I had to relearn

the truth I knew in my head and felt in my heart

the truth that molds and shapes my art

I love beauty because my world's been ugly

I've found Gods fingerprints all over the lovely, things,

people and moments I encounter on my journey

this road less travelled twists and turns me

this world like night is fallen but we keep on living

outside is dark

but in my heart the Son is risen

Today is Good Friday. Like every year I always expect some folks to point out that Easter is actually a pagan holiday hijacked and Christianized, it’s kinda exactly like Christmas in that regard. I am fully aware that Easter wasn’t originally anything to do with Christianity and I am aware that folks prefer to call it Passover weekend etc etc. However knowing all of this does not mean I can’t use this day to remember the day Jesus died. Having dealt with that, I wanna look at something that I noticed when examining the events as laid out in the gospels that led up to his dying on the cross, it might be things you’ve not noticed before.

One of the things that struck me one time is how much the religious rulers of the day perceived Jesus as a threat. This is someone who never harmed anyone but only did good. He only spoke the truth and showed compassion to those who were more or less at the bottom of society. He taught with power and authority unlike the scribes. I think the main thing is he exposed the religious rulers of that day as people who didn’t really care about the people or even God’s law. They seemed to be more about maintaining their power over the people and their privilege as people with status in Israel that was occupied by the Romans at the time. Jesus went hard against them for being hypocrites. In fact it’s the main times we see Jesus angry in the gospels. Read the following verses, they’re from John when they began plotting Christ’s death:

“What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” (John 11:47-50)

These were words uttered in a meeting of the Pharisees after Jesus had performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. It’s like Christ had become such a threat to them that they decided to find a way to put him to death.

You see it’s hard for us to understand how things were at that time but you have to remember that Israel was under the rule of the Romans and for Israel that was almost like them being a defeated people considering the fact that they have had an amazing history with the reign of Kings like David and Solomon as high points. So when their prophets had prophesied that a Messiah would come, what they expected was a military type King like David who would come and deliver Israel from the Roman rule. They pinned all their hopes on this one who would emerge and restore Israel to its former glory.

So Jesus bursts on to the scene preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, undermining the religious rulers who were weak and corrupt and allowed a little power by the Romans who firmly had Israel under control. They were scared that because of Jesus the “Romans would come and take their place and nation” meaning they would no more be the ruling elite over the people. Of course felt they had to silence and put Jesus to death so that it would be “business as usual”

Ok this next verse is one that when I read it, I was like wow I have never seen this before but peep this, this was after Jesus had faced Pontus Pilate and he turned it over to the people to decide if they wanted Barabbas to be released or Jesus

‘Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. but Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy’. (Mark 15:6 – 10)

I had never noticed the line about envy before. WOW! So the religious rulers envied Jesus because of who deep down they knew he was and what he was able to do. It kind of reminds me of how Joseph’s brothers envied him for being the favoured son of Jacob and the one who dreamed dreams of being the Ruler over his brothers.

Ok this last bit is something to do with “groupthink” its kind of the “message” that a certain Erykah Badu was trying to pass across in her “window seat” video. If you don’t know what “groupthink” is, the following verses describe EXACTLY what it is.

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”
Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. (Mark 15:11-15)

Groupthink is simply mob action with no thinking, the same kind of mob action that can have over twenty 15 year olds murder another 15 year old in broad daylight during rush hour in one of the most crowded stations in London (Victoria) It’s when your conform without any question and it is what gives people like false religious leaders their power. It is what fattens their pockets at the expense of the flock who are simply sheeple. It is what gives cults their power; it is what enables folks to follow something blindly without finding out if what they are following is true and worth following.

These were just a few things that popped out to me about the death of Jesus. Thankfully we can call it a “good” Friday, only because “what was intended for evil, God worked for good” for we believe that in that death is our redemption and because resurrection occurred 3 days later, such an evil thing worked for our benefit. It is the ultimate display of God’s love and grace towards mankind, it is because of this sacrifice we can find forgiveness and hope beyond the grave.

Erykah Badu says the following words in her “window seat” video but why oh why when I read them do I think of Jesus and how he was crucified so much? I am not saying she was saying them about Christ or anything like that but when I read them, it makes me remember him! Why? You tell me:

"They who play it safe are quick to assassinate what they do not understand. They move in packs, ingesting more and more fear with every act of hate on one another. They feel most comfortable in groups. Less guilt to swallow. They are us. This is what we have become. Afraid to respect an individual. A single person or event or circumstance can move one to change, to love ourselves, to evolve."

For a few days I have been thinking very deeply. Ok so what else is new? That is my normal state of mind, I know I come off to many as that cheeky joker but I am a deep thinker. My mama used to always be like “karl iri deep o” (Ok she mixes igbo with English when she says that but what she means is “Karl you are deep” but I digress)

So what’s been on my mind lately? It’s been the current obsession folks have with the mythical “illuminati” who supposedly secretly run the world and seek to use mind control through the media. Whether this is true or not isn’t my issue here. There are those who have spent more time delving into this than myself. I know you probably check their websites and watch their YouTube vids on the regular. :-D



It is a fact that the world’s wealth are in the hands of few, it is true that power struggles are occurring all the time. It is a fact that the we live in a media dominated world and many are just sheep following blindly and easily influenced by the dominant trend of ideas, finding it easier to go with popular opinion. It is true that many would prefer to conform than to stand out and be themselves. These facts are pretty obvious BUT sadly another trend that people have blindly bought into is this Dan Brown style conspiracy theory trend.

We live in the internet age and anyone can put out any kind of information and state their opinion. This is going to increase and continue. This overload of information is going to be even more crazy as time goes on. This is the time one has to be even more critical in their thinking and not just believe everything because it sounds convincing because using technology, anyone can make anything sound convincing, certain former disciples of an Elder G Craige Lewis are kicking themselves because they know what I’m saying is true (LOL!) not that I’m saying the homie didn’t have valid points in his DVDs (if you don’t know who he is don’t worry) The point is you can’t just believe everything you see or hear and you can’t just read your own meaning into things and think that it is the truth or fact, no it is your INTERPRETATION of things but not necessarily the truth. Sometimes the sad truth is you need to get over yourself (myself included OUCH! This is a hard truth to take)



Ok so let’s say for example you find out with solid evidence Lady Gaga, Jay Z, Rihanna are part of this secret society then what? Let’s say you find out Jay Z is a devil worshipper beyond all reasonable doubt (hehe) then what? Of what use is that information to you? Some people will say “you need to be aware! We are in the END TIMES, they are subliminally controlling you (really? To do what? You got the wrong dude because I am not the one) and also they’ll say [insert any religious speak here where they’re trying to put the fear of evil into you]”

This is the bottom line for me. Is all this information feeding your fear or feeding your faith? Most of this information just reflects the fear people carry in their hearts. Most of this information is useless speculation and not fact, it is just someone’s opinion and not something proved with real evidence. In a strange way also it could possibly reflect envy too (I say possibly with great emphasis) because for some the only reason why any person can be famous and rich is by “selling their souls to the devil” I think sometimes people just say these things because they are not successful themselves in that way and wish they were.



Remember when you were a kid and you were scared of the dark? Remember when you were told there is a monster in the closet or under your bed and there wasn’t any such thing there? Probably these type of fear inducing conspiracies are in the same category. Fear is a great way to control folks and keep them in their “place”.

Now if you’re one who has jumped on this bandwagon blindly and are just following the rest of the sheeple, can I advise you to jump off this bandwagon because it is taking you nowhere except down Conspiracy Avenue which is off Speculation St and only leads to Fear Valley which is a dead end.




When all is said and done the question I have is “are you feeding your fears and starving your faith or are you feeding your faith and starving your fears?”

A Grandfather from the Cherokee Nation was talking with his grandson.

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight between two wolves."

The young grandson listened intently.

"One wolf is evil, unhappy, and ugly: He is anger, envy, war, greed, selfishness, sorrow, regret, guilt, resentment, inferiority/superiority, false pride, coarseness, and arrogance. He spreads lies, deceit, fear, hatred, blame, scarcity, poverty, and divisiveness."

"The other wolf is beautiful and good: He is friendly, joyful, loving, worthy, serene, humble, kind, benevolent, just, fair, empathetic, generous, honest, compassionate, grateful, brave, and inspiring resting wholeheartedly in deep vision beyond ordinary wisdom."

The grandson paused in deep reflection of what his grandfather had just said. Then he exclaimed; "Oyee! (in recognition).

Grandfather continued; "This same fight is going on inside you, and inside all human beings as well."

The grandson paused in deep reflection and recognition of what his grandfather had just said. Then he finally cried out deeply; "Oyee! Grandfather, which wolf will win this horrific war?"

The elder Cherokee replied, "The wolf that you feed. That wolf will surely win!"

I hate it when one person in a group commits a crime the whole group is judged. Its like when that nigerian was arrested for trying to blow up a plane with a bomb in his pants, the first thing I saw someone say was "so nigerians are now terrorists" I mean I was so angry about that! How can the action of one man brand everyone as "terrorists" I already have problems with being Nigerian what with all the fraudulent associations attached to being that in people's minds among other negative things.

I'm not even gonna lie. I have denied being a Nigerian loads of times or downplayed my Nigerian side a lot of times because I've felt ashamed of what that means to people. I've been on the streets of London and recognized nigerian folks talking loud and so brash and I've felt like hiding my face as if people could tell I was Nigerian by looking at me. Also there's the accent thing.

We Nigerians (I'm speaking of some of the younger generation who have been influenced by hip hop that live in Nigeria) are heavily influenced by American culture so many Nigerians end up deeply immersed in American movies, hip hop etc etc. You find Nigerians who have some kind of weird American twang in their accent. Look at me saying "they" like I'm not affected lol. I lived in Nigeria for 13 years and when I came back to London the city of my birth I discovered from people's reactions to me that I've got one as well!

My accent is such a mashed up thing that I have my own unique accent. Its part british from being born in London, part fake american from reciting hip hop lyrics as a kid in Nigeria and probably vaguely nigerian. The Nigerian part becomes more prominent if I get SUPER angry which takes a lot to happen. (LOL!)

I feel ashamed when I rap sometimes. Oh I promise, I'm so self conscious! I'm not trying to be an american but when I rap I just sound how I sound because it is what I learnt from years of repetition. I didn't grow up in London during my formative years so I just don't feel like I sound english enough. I hate it that I sound like I'm faking it. Funny enough to Americans I sound english. Ah what to do?

Whether I sound english, nigerian or american, I am black. Nothing is going to change my appearance and I don't want to change that! I am proud of being African! I am proud of being a Nigerian even though currently its crazy over there and our image abroad is still damaged. I will be who I am in a society which has people who view people like me in a certain way. The subliminal message you get sometimes is you're black so you should be fit into a certain mold and that mold feels like its got to be negative and inferior.

Think about it, if the message someone receives all their lives is "you are worthless" or "you will never make it" or "you must be a criminal because you look like that" imagine the mental obstacles someone has to overcome at a stage when one's identity is still trying to be found. To make matters worse, the role models that this person looks up to are mainly in the mainstream media. They are successful men who have made money off of selling an image of masculinity that is distorted and largely negative, dark and always moving in the direction of being criminal.

These distorted images of masculinity which are linked to success, popularity and ideas of "swagger" are internalised by young minds and we wonder why some try to act out these thug fantasies and end up in jail or dead on the streets. You wonder why they walk around feeling that being a "badman" is the best thing to be and what should define them. How sad.

As much as I believe in God's redemption, I know one thing that will not change, there is one thing I can't be redeemed from and shouldn't even think of needing redemption from in this life and it is the fact that I am black and one who will be viewed by many through a negative, prejudiced lens in this society due to images in the media that some take to represent and define all of us. It's not even just due to negative images in the media, these images support the prejudice that already exists in society and has been here for years though it is subtle most times.

I know just because of who I am and where I'm from some have already cast me into a role and even have a script I'm expected to act out. If I followed that script and acted out that role, early death and jail are sure things but I chose to flip the script and break the mold.

*he casually walks up to reader, put his arm around his/her shoulder
and says "walk with me"*

If you're a reader of my blogs you will be used to me and endless
questioning by now. You will know that I'm some kind of artist. You
will know I rap, sing a lil' bit and dabble in poetry. You will know
that I am of the Christian faith and wrestle a lot with what that
means in today's world. You will also know that I love music
especially the artform of rap and culture called hip hop and I am also
interested in all things "urban" and the effect that media
representation has on the self perception of young people especially
black people because I am an African that's very aware.

I am unapologetically me and I'm not trying to fit in or appeal to
anyone. It's taken a while to get comfortable in my own skin and from
time to time I still struggle with insecurity and questions of my
identity. I know that for example in hip hop or the "urban" music
industry if you want to be popular and "make it" you have to fit into
the cookie cutter industry images of swagger laid out for you before
you got here. So the choices are: hustler, thug, badman, pimp, playa,
killer, dealer, roadman, baller, shotcaller etc. These are the prime
choices for you to express your masculinity and define your manhood
within the "urban" artforms if you want to "make it" or "crossover" or
go "mainstream" (ladies you know you have yours so with your
imagination you can come up with your cookie cutter images too.
If you're having trouble doing that please switch on BET and MTV Base
for a crash course) if you don't tick those boxes you can kinda forget
about it or is THAT IT?!"

Well not really, there is another way. Now I don't know if you really
want to know about it, it is not for the fainthearted. It takes a lot
of guts, you have to be prepared to be unpopular, rejected,
misunderstood and possibly never "crossover" and be accepted EVER in the
mainstream fantasy you have built in your head. Can you live with that
young artist, rapper, singer? do you have the heart to follow
through with this? Don't get it twisted, You can still "make it" it though but this way is defined by this simple saying, "No cross, no crown"

Until you can answer the above question you are not ready. You are
simply not prepared for this and I suggest you drop out now while you still can.

*pats the reader on the shoulder, gives a smile, then walks off with a
slight limp in his "swagger"*

Secularity derives from a Latin word meaning "of the age". The Christian doctrine that God exists outside time led medieval Western culture to use secular to indicate separation from specifically religious affairs and involvement in temporal ones. For instance, eating and bathing may be regarded as examples of secular activities, because there may not be anything inherently religious about them.

I got the above from Wikipedia. I typed in the word secular and this is what came up. It is very interesting. There has for long been a divide when it comes to music, especially in the community of black folks between secular and gospel. I think it comes from an improper understanding.

Most people who are fervent in their faith take secular to always mean the same thing as carnal, worldly, fleshly, immoral and sinful activity. This is not true because for example most of the congregation have secular jobs. If you apply the thinking of what secular has been defined as then the whole congregation is secular all week except Sunday (or anytime they’re in church engaging in spiritual activity) this is faulty thinking with partial understanding and it has bothered me.

I have found out that some people cannot conceive of a Christian just being an artist. Some folks feel if a Christian is artistically gifted (music just being one of the many artistic expressions that exist) then they must exclusively create gospel music. They see music as primarily as evangelical ministry or praise and worship. I think this is so because they believe that secular has to be immoral or carnal but not all “secular” activity is that.

Most Christians can accept professions such as being an accountant, a medical doctor, lawyer, a banker but the moment someone says they’re a professional musician it becomes a problem especially if they’re not professional musicians working in the gospel music industry solely. God forbid they be a session singer or an instrumentalist or movie score creator or a music teacher in a school that is not teaching gospel songs. God forbid they be like Kim Burrell who has been known as a gospel artist but now is someone about to create an inspirational/secular album. You will be automatically judged and marginalized even before they’ve heard any song on the project by some folks. It will be said of you, that you’re doing it for the money and to glorify self. I mean really? How do they know your intentions all of a sudden? So her doing that means she is renouncing Christianity? Does that mean she’s abandoning her moral compass and promoting immorality? I need to get this album and check it!

On the other hand concerning Kim Burrell, it probably could be said that she is switching things up in order to sell more units. I have not really been a fan of her music except for her first album “Everlasting Life” which was excellent. The other ones after that were just not for me. What can I say? To each their own. Only God truly knows her intentions. If her new album is bangin’with wholesome content, then hey it’s all good to me as a lover of music.

I think there is an idea that God frowns on all “secular” music. If this was the case then surely the book “Song of Solomon” would have not been left in the bible. The book is purely about the love between a man and a woman. It is not like the book of Psalms which is exclusively a book of songs of praise and worship with God being the focus. In Song of Solomon God is not even mentioned once, the lovers focus on each other. It is a book of romantic love lyrics and as much as people spiritualize it and say its about God’s love for his people and a foreshadow of Christ and the church (which also is a way you can read that book and actually should) it is STILL a romantic song book and that’s great! I don’t think God frowns on that! So if Kim Burrell for example does music in that vein about love, why would it be frowned on if she keeps it wholesome and tasteful? What’s wrong with doing music that is not exclusively evangelical or Praise and worship? What’s wrong with inspirational and positive music? Yes God frowns on the carnal, immoral, sinfulness and worldliness of this age but surely creating art with wholesome and tasteful content is good right? Doesn’t that glorify God? I think there is a place for all kinds of artistic expression. Am I wrong for thinking this way?

As for secular, the truth is we all engage in secular activity and secular does not mean the same thing as carnal, worldly and sinful. Secular just means any activity that is not exclusively religious. Eating an apple is secular; being an accountant is a secular job, being a medical doctor is a secular profession. We all eat, drink and sleep and since those activities are not exclusively religious they can be described secular, so I guess we’re all secular then everyday. LOL. The fact is though you might not be OF the world; you are still IN the world.

I think what we would be ideal is embracing a worldview that looks at the big picture. Our lives in this world is a whole thing and not separated in these little independent departments. When you believe in the gospel and you have a relationship with God it affects your WHOLE life so I don’t see why my art shouldn’t reflect my whole experience of living in this world. I think there lies the challenge. It is allowing God into all the little departments of our lives and having them transformed and affected forever whether they are secular or spiritual “departments”. God wants to make us whole. Do you WANT to be whole?

I know I’ve been gone on the note front for a long London minute but I am back like vertebrae! How are you world? How are you my people!

I am writing this listening to some fly music! Actually it is a mixtape by a dude called Blitz The Ambassador! I can’t believe the music that is available for free nowadays! Anyway this is gonna be one of my rambles. I haven’t got any main thought to share. This is strictly for the love of just chatting, you know how I do! *he sips tea*

Ok so I came into the 4th Quarter of the year 2 0 0 9 after having a pretty busy summer thanks be to God I got to do gigs everywhere from Birmingham (Shout out to Gap D!) to the L.I.V.E Festival in Dorset (Shout out to Marsha Brooks! Thanks for the hook up sis) back to the Greenbelt Festival in Cheltenham (shout out to George Luke for the hook up and interview!) then back to the Notting Hill Carnival (shout out to the whole fam that was down there!) I have been gigging all over the place and sometimes I actually forget where I have been to. I actually sometimes forget gigs that I am supposed to be having! Lol. I am grateful for every opportunity. I thank God for those who reciprocate what you do with love AND PROPER MONEY! YEAH I SAID IT! I have people who OWE ME! (none of the gigs mentioned by the way) Pay UP! LOL! (no joke!) I don’t necessarily do this for money but if an agreement is made and a budget is available STICK TO THE CONTRACT! *he takes another sip of tea and exhales*

Before all that I got to record on a TV Show called “One to One” hosted by Michael Owusu which will soon show on Revelation TV (shout out to Mercy who backed me up on vocals!) It was a great time recording and it hasn’t been shown yet. I was recording the show with Victizzle who at the time hadn’t won his MOBO award. (congrats again dude! YES! Your album is banging and thanks for producing “I Still Believe” feat. Kirsten Marie) The funny thing is we were discussing rumours we heard of who would be nominated and he never thought he would even be nominated! The people we mentioned in the conversation didn’t get nominated (except New Direction, whatsup yall!)

This summer I got to work on a project called “Sing Barnfield” which involved me being recruited by British Gospel Arts to act as a workshop co-ordinator and creative writing tutor. I got to work with some lovely young kids on a kind of dreary impoverished Estate. I also met some lost teens who think they are hardcore. It was an experience and a half and I am still involved with it now.

I also got to fly out to America to perform at an Anniversary celebration of Solomon Porch Worship Centre in Maryland. That was a fly trip. It’s so sad that my phone died and I couldn’t take any pictures! I mean I was put up in a first class hotel and treated so nicely! I touched D.C and got to meet Rayona and CaShawn who are people I’ve only met on Myspace and facebook! America has such an atmosphere about it that is so different from the UK. The first day of me getting there was when Obama won the Nobel Peace Price so it was buzzing about that. As usual folks were tripping off my accent (do I have one really?) I got to see people who I haven’t seen for ages. I landed on Thursday and was back in London by the following Tuesday. How you like that for jet setting? I enjoyed smooth flights both ways. On my way to America I sat next to this fat Nigerian dude. He tried to get friendly and asked me a bunch of questions I answered politely then watched 3 movies back to back while he fell asleep stretching his legs all over the place! UGH!! LOL!

I had to pull my album “just as I AM: The Prequel” off of all digitalstores because I was advised by management that a few songs had uncleared samples in them *huge sigh* if you have that album you have something special that will never see the light of day in THAT way again. That’s my baby. That project will be re released as something else while some of the songs I will drop for free as part of a mixtape called “just as I AM: Deleted Scenes” (out on Christmas day!) I have a couple of new singles coming out and I am currently in negotiations with a label for a deal. I will let you know how things go with that SOON!

There is so much more I can write about right now. I MEAN SO MUCH but I think I will stop here for now because it is getting very long right now! Love to all far and near! I’m just seeking to fulfil my purpose, make an impact on lives (not necessarily the industry which can be different) and live my dream though sometimes my life feels like a nightmare because I literally live by faith and it is scary out here! LAWD A MERCCCCY!

Skanksgivin EP still out now on itunes and all digitalstores YA HEARD?!

P.S I now have a Blackberry. It’s cool but I still don’t know what the big deal is apart from the cool BB Messenger function!

It really feels weird blogging over here and I am still trying to get used to it. I more used to blogging on myspace and dropping notes on facebook where there is an immediate response. Here feels isolated and away from everything. Maybe that's a good thing. hmmmmmmm........

I have been doing a lot of gigging. I tell you I have been clocking up the miles. I have been to dorset, cheltenham, birmingham and obviously around good ole London. I'll be in Baltimore and D.C next month and I have some other dates in London. I need to be more organized because I don't remember my gigs until I have to actually be there! LOL!

I did a song the other day detailing my feelings about the "scene" I am from. (its free here:(http://bln.kr/-KarlNova/) I get weary and tired of the back and forth and that song simply says everything I have to say about that. The main thing I had to come to terms with was the fact that my heart had become too "involved" and I had become too "attached" to it all. I have to let go of it. It's kind of like how you might be going out with someone and realize that you are not meant to be together and then comes the time when you have to tell the person "I think we should just be friends" this is how it is for me and the music scene I'm from. I am still part of it, it is where I come from but I am just a friend now. I am not possessive of it like that because I am not married to it. I want a real person to be my wife not a musical scene you dig? LOL I am not going to be all protective and possessive of it like I own it on my own or something. I'm not taking things people say personal any more because my heart will not be personally involved in it anymore like that. I was taking things personal and getting all emosh about criticisms people throw at it. So now I have broken up with the scene and will remain a good friend. I am just another brother. lol. Very soon a limited Edition of my album "Just as I AM: The Prequel" will be available. It is still downloadable with my skanksgivin EP on itunes, amazon mp3 and at http://www.gkidmusic.com I am only going to make a certain amount of copies and it will be a collectors item. I feel like I have moved on from this work although there are some songs from that work I will probably do forever *he tells those singing "The Bridge" to keep their noise down*

A lot is going on in the world. We all see it on the news everyday. I don't think I need to bring up the various things going on. You need to keep your eyes open and interprete the signs of the times correctly while reading between the lines. I laugh at certain conspiracy theories. I laugh at certain videos that "expose" certain secrets. Many of these things are merely decoys and distractions from what is REALLY going on. I try to not get caught up in the latest conspirational hype. One needs to be quiet and ask for truth to be revealed in their hearts if not you will always be caught up in the next hype and wind of cyber chatter. Trust me there are many people out there who will love to possess your mind with their opinion for THEIR agenda if you don't seek the truth for yourself.