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The rap duo known as GRITS is back with an album that is sure to get notice in the mainstream press and on mainstream urban radio.  Thematically this disc treads familiar CCM ground, but this is done through the use of original lyrics and great vocal presentation.  The disc starts out extremely strong with "Here We Go" and "Oooh Aaah" but then slows down a bit.  Other outstanding tracks on the disc include "Tennessee Bwoys," "Seriously," "Make Room," and the love song "Be Mine."  And the band isn't afraid to take on some serious issues along the way, such as the music video industry in "Video Girls" while challenging the church to open its arms and hearts on "Love Child."

A number of label-mates show up on this disc including Toby Mac, Knowdaverbs, and Jennifer Knapp.  Knapp provides some great vocals and acoustic guitar on the laid back tune "Believe." 

GRITS is at their best when the deliver their message in a more upbeat presentation, but they have just the right mix of semi-hardcore/street sense and pop rhythms to really make a dent in the music scene.  Fortunately, mainstream video outlets and hip-hop publications are beginning to take note.

Ken Mueller 9/9/02 

It took quite a while for Christian Hip Hop to catch up with the mainstream and the market still hasn't managed to match the success of Hip Hop in the general market. There are suspicions about the gangsta lifestyle and images being incompatible with a Christian image and possibly the mainly white market balks in the face of such a powerful black phenomenon. Yet elements of Hip Hop are now pervading the whole of pop culture and the fusion of Hip Hop and R&B makes some purists rage against the dilution of Hp Hop ideals. Christian radio, particularly in America has been pretty slow in backing artists and yet there's some real talent that is as good, if not better than their mainstream counterparts. One such group is GRITS

Grammatical Revolution In The Spirit are duo Coffee and Bonafide and despite the fact that they originate their music in Nashville rather than either American coast, they have a proven track record over their previous three albums for creating cutting edge Hip Hop music. Unafraid to tackle the big issues, nail the flag of their faith to the mast and push back musical boundaries, this uncompromising duo have now delivered their fourth album and it's a scorcher.

Their albums have always pushed spiritual Hip Hop to a new dimension and _The Art of Translation_ is no exception! Displaying a wide range of musical influences, the album sweeps from the piano backing of "Ooh Aah" to the retro sound of Electro on "Make Room" taking in Jazz, Nu Metal and a string quartet along the way! Then you can add to this lyrics that tackle a wide range of spiritual and social concerns like the challenges of parenthood on "Love Child". Then there's the need for Godly self image and the insidious fake glamor of the entertainment industry on "Video Girl" and the need to develop strong faith in God on "Believe." On the latter song label mate Jennifer Knapp makes an appearance.

Some other highlights?… "Here We Go" is a manifesto statement that GRITS still have plenty to say and are locked on target to create life changing music.

i was born in the cold
moved to the heat
got used to the flame
now i spit it on beat
i was raised in the womb
groomed by christ
with a gift to raise souls from the tomb
please don¹t assume
we aint tryna take the slot
blow the spot
worldwide still parta the plot

it's times like these that make me say
lord if you see me please come my way
leavin bread crumbs for when i stray
rely on sacrifice and the price you paid
feel me like a fingertip
sometimes i fall i slip
my heartfelt desire be more like you
trying not to quench your fire by the things that i do

who¹d have thought my babe was on an island of her own had me smiling on the phone same page different time zones
god¹s a real character painting caricatures of Christ and his love for the church enduring the pain cuz it hurts when i saw you i went bezerk insane goin looney and cartooney
so sue me you was a vision of beauty truly
thinking of all the charm to inflect upon my behalf
forgive me don¹t mean to stare but your hair is down to your calf
tell me about yourself your culture is Polynesian
i love when the breeds be mixin our blueprint is in Ephesians

To those Christian industry people too blind to see that Hip Hop like this should be blasted out all over the place, it's time to take some radical steps. And to the radio folks who are to deaf to hear that this duo have a sound and a message that deserves to be pumping out on FM, it's time to take some radical steps.  Instead of always always always taking the soft approach for fear of upsetting a nice listener or record buyer somewhere. GRITS have the chops to be a Platinum act without compromising their
integrity. As they say on "Believe": 

still the saga continues
cause most hearts are deceived
if we really wanted truth
we would live and believe in it

Mike Rimmer 9/14/2002