A new purveyor of holy hip hop has exploded onto the scene. Tony Cummings reports on America's KNOWDAVERBS.

Knowdaverbs

His real name is Mike Boyer but it's as if Knowdaverbs that this rapper from Phoenix, Arizona has created a buzz in Christian radio land. Knowdaverbs' debut album 'The Syllabus' has been picked up by Cross Rhythms radio for maximum exposure while in the States even conservative Christian radio, notoriously hard to impress with a rap record, is giving support. His self-proclaimed intent is "putting the Word's verbs into actual action." But what's with the name?

"I was reading in James that we are to be doers of the Word, not just hearers," he says. "Like John says, why do you know these things and not do them? So the name is a combination of my favourite book, Proverbs, and the idea of acting out the verbs through the knowledge of the Word. To know and do."

When Verb started in Christian music, it was a year before he began writing consistently. Eventually he started getting invitations to perform, but learned quickly everyone didn't have the same view of Christian hip hop that he did. "I remember we were invited to perform at this youth explosion," Verb says. "They didn't really know who we I were or what type of music we did. Afterward, we were told by the pastor he thought rap music was straight from the Devil."

But things are different now, thanks in largely to his relationship with the members of GRITS, whom he met at a dc Talk concert and who helped launch his ministry. They're now roommates. "We're all really close," Verb says. "Our DJ lives across the hall with his wife. Me, Teron and Coffee live in the same apartment."

The relationship also opened the doors for Knowdaverbs to perform on both GRITS' CDs and hit the road touring with them. At one particular show, they were kicked out for having too much "religious content" in their music.
"I was happy about that because that's what this is about," Verb says. "That was cool."

On 'The Syllabus', GRITS' influence is definitely seen but the sound is uniquely Knowdaverbs. His rapid-fire, yet melodic, rap style coupled with adventurous musical choices makes for one of he most variety-filled gospel hip hop albums in recent memory. You'll hear rocu loops right next to a Christianised sample of Sir Mix-a-Lot. Topics on The Syllabus' include tithing, looking for a virtuous woman and hanging with the right crew.

"My heart is for the youth," Verb says. "Kids today are growing up too fast. A lot of hip hop determines how kids talk and dress and they're being fed perverted stuff every day. You have to equip yourself to what the devil is going to throw at you. My goal for 'The Syllabus1 is not just to be at the bottom of a bookshelf, but for kids to be able to go and get it. I want to see people's lives changed. There's a lot of people who need the Word."