Reviewed by Steve Hayes

'Secret World' is a particularly appropriate title for Guvna B's latest album. For just as non-Christians have no concept of the secret world of Spirit-breathed life available to believers, most Christians have little or no knowledge of grime culture where a sizeable section of urban youth listen daily to Ghetts, Lethal Bizzle, Kano and dozens more who, through clubland and pirate radio, articulate the hopes and frustrations of urban youth. So it is heartening that Britain's premier Christian rapper not only continues to straddle the worlds of church and UK grime, he does so here with his best ever album and is even able to bring a remix of his anti-trafficking anthem "Let My People Go" recorded with Matt Redman near the close of 'Secret World' without it sounding completely out of place. In fact all the guests add something to the Guvna's fast and furious flows. Naomi Scott brings a great vocal hook to "Easy Road" while Nick Brewer (the rapper currently signed to Island Records) shows his verbal dexterity on "Someone's Watching" and Deitrick Haddon demonstrates just why he is a US gospel star on the rap up of the old hymn "Nothing But The Blood". Throughout the production of Jimmy James is powerfully streetwise and from the opener "Home (E16)" with its near-140 BPM rapping, to "Never Too Late (ftg Favour)" with its sublow base and old school vibe through to the closer "Buss It (ftg Beleaf)" this is an album which will keep them moving at a grime club and also the mass throng who will be enjoying these songs at this year's Big Church Day Out. In short 'Secret World' is an album every bit as good as Dizzee Rascal's best.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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