KJ-52

Last updated

KJ-52
Rapper KJ-52 in 2008.jpg
Background information
Birth nameJonah Kirsten Sorrentino
Also known asKJ-52, Tweezy, [1] King J. Mac
Born (1975-06-26) June 26, 1975 (age 48)
Origin Tampa, Florida
Genres Christian hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Instrument(s) Rapping
Years active1993–present
Labels Essential, BEC
Website kj52.com

Jonah Kirsten Sorrentino (born June 26, 1975), better known by his stage name KJ-52, is a Christian rapper from Tampa, Florida. The "KJ" part of his name refers to his old rap alias, "King J. Mac," [2] a name which he later described in one of his podcasts as "horribly cheesy." [3] [ failed verification ] "52", which is pronounced "five two", not "fifty-two", is a reference to the Biblical story of Jesus feeding the multitude with five loaves and two fish, which is also sung about in his song "Push Up" from The Yearbook and in the "KJ Five Two" on It's Pronounced Five Two.[ citation needed ] He was awarded the Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year for "Never Look Away" and Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards of 2007. [4] On July 28, 2009, KJ-52 released "End of My Rope", which is the first single for his album Five-Two Television.

Contents

Works

In 2002, Sorrentino released his second album, Collaborations . The album's title referred to the numerous contributions made to the album by guest artists, including Pillar, John Reuben and Thousand Foot Krutch. Collaborations also represented his first nomination for a Dove Award, for "Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Album of the Year" in 2003. [5]

KJ-52 has won four Dove Awards, three in the "Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year" category. He took the 2004 award for It’s Pronounced Five Two, the 2006 award for Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah) , and the 2007 award for Remixed. [6] He received an additional honor in 2007, for "Never Look Away" from Behind the Musik, in the "Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song" category. [7] KJ never tried out for American Idol , [8] but suggested such in his song "Fivetweezy".

In October 2008, he released his album, The Yearbook: The Missing Pages, a re-release of his album, The Yearbook. It comes with the original record with a slip over cover that has a code to download the 13 songs.

2009 Dove Awards [9] Another productive year for KJ-52 as he was awarded with "Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year" for "Do Yo Thang"; The Yearbook; KJ-52; Jonah Sorrentino; BEC Recordings/Uprok

In 2009, he released "Five-Two Television", an album covering a variety of themes and rap styles. It is his first album in which autotune is used, a controversial step among his fans. The album brings us the (fictitious) story of Chris Carlino, a man who has ruined his life, through a series of interludes. As usual for KJ-52, the album includes both songs with a strong Christian message and songs that are meant only to entertain. [10]

KJ-52 also rapped in the Newsboys cover of "Jesus Freak". [11]

KJ-52 also rapped in the tobyMac remix of the song "One World" on the album Hip-Hope which also includes the KJ-52 remixed song "What You Want".[ citation needed ]

KJ-52 released Dangerous on April 3, 2012. It mixes hip hop album with quite a bit of synth, and has some pop-electric. The first released single, "Dangerous", is more light rock-pop. The second single is called "Shake Em Up", but is commonly spelled "Shakem Up".[ citation needed ] It features guest artists such as Canton Jones on "It's Goin Down", Lecrae on "They Like Me", Thi'sl on "Shake Em Up", George Moss on "Do the Bill Cosby", and more. His final track, "Go," is a remake of the Hillsong United song with the same name.

In 2017, KJ-52 released his first independent album "Jonah." The project was over 200% funded through Pledge Music. [12] Following the release of the album, KJ-52 began working on an independent documentary about his life with filmmaker Denver Bailey. The film went on to raise 125% of the goal through kickstarter. [13] The film was released alongside KJ-52's second independent album titled "Jonah Pt. 2" on February 15, 2018. [14]

In 2019, KJ-52 released What Happened Was, a joint album with CHH producer and 2019 Rapzilla Freshman, PoetiCS. [15] [16] The album features Xay Hill, Jodie Jermaine, Mitch Darrell, V. Rose, Dre Murray, and Dru Bex. The project was coupled with KJ's first book, also titled What Happened Was. Both the album and the book were over 170% funded through Kickstarter. [17]

On November 5, 2019, KJ-52 announced that he would be retiring from music after the release of his next album.[ citation needed ]

As of January 6, 2020, he joined the pastoral staff of Christian Life Fellowship in Cape Coral, Florida.[ citation needed ]

He has been married since June 1996.[ citation needed ] They have three children.[ citation needed ]

Eminem and "Dear Slim" controversy

Christian sources often compared KJ-52 to Eminem, with many calling him a "Christian counterpart". [18] One of the most notable mainstream reactions to the Christian hip hop scene was to KJ-52 and his single "Dear Slim", which was written to Eminem in an attempt to reach him with the message of the gospel. The song became famous and controversial among Eminem fans when it was featured on the hit show Total Request Live . KJ-52 began to receive hate mail (including death threats) from Eminem's fans, though KJ-52 claimed that the song was not being disrespectful. [19] The artist addressed it in a follow-up song titled "Dear Slim Pt. 2".

Discography

AlbumYearRecord label
Insightful Comprehensions (with Sons of Intellect)1997Omega
7th Avenue 2000 Essential Records
Collaborations 2002Uprok Records
It's Pronounced Five Two 2003
7th Avenue re-release (5 new tracks added, 2 songs and all skits omitted)2004Essential Records
Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah) 2005 BEC
The Yearbook 2007
Five-Two Television 2009
DangerousApril 2012 [20]
Mental October 21, 2014 [21] 52 Records
JonahJanuary 20, 2017 [22]
Jonah Part 2February 15, 2018 [23]
Mostest Wonderfullest Time of the Year (with Spechouse)November 15, 2018 [24]
What Happened Was...(with Poetics)May 17, 2019 [25]
Victory LapJanuary 10, 2020
One Year AgoMarch 5, 2021 [26]
KJ-52 vs. JonahJanuary 10, 2022

Side projects and other releases

Charts

SongAlbum
Are You Real? (featuring Jon Micah Sumrall) Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah)
Back in the Day It's Pronounced Five Two
Dear Slim Pt. 2
Never Look Away (featuring Brynn Sanchez)Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah)
Right Here (featuring Jeremy Camp)

Singles

YearSingleUS ChristianAlbum
Rock
[27]
CHR
[ citation needed ]
Hot Songs
[28]
2009"End of My Rope"7 Five-Two Television
"Calling You"21
2012"Dangerous"211644Dangerous
"Facemelt"12
"Brand New Day"540
2013"So Far Apart"17
2014"Tonight"Mental
2019"Flex"
(featuring Dre Murray)
What Happened Was...
"Big Enough"
(featuring Xay Hill)
"Have a Good Day"
(featuring V. Ross)
"Summertime"
(featuring AJ Jenkins)
Victory Lap

Guest appearances

Awards

GMA Dove Awards

YearAwardResult
2003 Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year ( Collaborations )Nominated
2004 Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Dear Slim Pt. 2")Nominated
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year ( It's Pronounced Five Two )Won
Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Dear Slim")Nominated
2006 Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Are You Real?")Nominated
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year ( Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah) )Won
2007 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Never Look Away")Won
Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year ( KJ-52 Remixed )Won
2008 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Wake Up")Nominated
Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year ( The Yearbook )Nominated
2009 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Do Yo Thang")Won
Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Fan Mail")Nominated
2010 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("End of My Rope")Nominated
Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year ( Five-Two Television )Won
2011 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Calling You")Nominated
2013 Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (Dangerous)Nominated

Related Research Articles

Christian hip hop is a cross-genre of contemporary Christian music and hip hop music. It emerged from urban contemporary music and Christian media in the United States during the 1980s.

<i>Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah)</i> 2005 studio album by KJ-52

Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah) is the fourth studio album by rapper KJ-52. A deluxe edition was released, which included a bonus disk with more songs, music videos, and behind-the-scenes videos on the production of the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Reuben</span> Musical artist

John Reuben is an American Christian hip hop artist signed to Gotee Records until late 2010. Reuben has sold over 200,000 copies of his first four albums. He released his sixth album, Sex, Drugs and Self-Control on December 22, 2009. The album was nominated for a Dove Award for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year at the 42nd GMA Dove Awards, while the song "No Be Nah" was nominated for Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lecrae</span> American rapper, record producer, and actor from Texas

Lecrae Devaughn Moore is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, record executive, actor, and entrepreneur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manafest</span> Canadian Christian musician

Christopher Scott Greenwood, known by his stage name Manafest, is a Canadian Christian rapper and rock artist from Pickering, Ontario. He has won multiple awards for the GMA Canada Covenant Awards, GMA Dove Awards, and has been nominated for multiple Juno Awards. Signed for a decade with BEC Recordings, Manafest became independent in 2015.

<i>KJ-52 Remixed</i> 2006 remix album by KJ-52

Remixed is a remix album by KJ-52, featuring a reggaeton mix of Behind the Musik's "Jesus", "47 Emcees " which reimagines the originally beatbox-driven track with multiple layered beats, each corresponding to the verse's genre; East Coast, West Coast, old school, and Dirty South, and an angst-driven, Linkin Park-inspired nu metal remix of hit "Are You Real?" featuring an emo rock hook provided by Falling Up's Jessy Ribordy. Unlike most rap remix albums, the songs' lyrics are also reimagined here with at least first verse of each track rewritten.

<i>Glory</i> (Manafest album) 2006 studio album by Manafest

Glory is the third studio album by the Christian rapper Manafest. It was released on September 26, 2006 under BEC Recordings.

<i>The Yearbook</i> 2007 studio album by KJ-52

The Yearbook is the fifth studio album by rapper KJ-52.

<i>After the Music Stops</i> 2006 studio album by Lecrae

After the Music Stops is the second studio album released by Christian rap artist Lecrae on September 24, 2006. The album received a Stellar Award nomination for "Rap/Hip-Hop/Gospel CD of the Year" and a Dove Award nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year.

<i>Citizens Activ</i> 2008 studio album by Manafest

Citizens Activ is the fourth studio album by the Christian rapper Manafest. It was released on May 28, 2008 in Japan and shortly after released globally on June 24, under BEC Recordings.

<i>Rebel</i> (Lecrae album) 2008 studio album by Lecrae

Rebel is the third studio album by Christian rap artist, Lecrae. The album was released by Reach Records on September 30, 2008. The album was nominated in the best Rap/Hip-Hop Album category at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards but lost to Group 1 Crew's Ordinary Dreamers.

"Do Yo Thang" is a song by Christian hip hop musician KJ-52, from his 2007 album The Yearbook. In 2009, it won the GMA Dove Award for Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year at the 40th GMA Dove Awards.

<i>Five-Two Television</i> 2009 studio album by KJ-52

Five-Two Television is the sixth studio album by KJ-52. Released September 22, 2009 on BEC Recordings. The first single, "End of My Rope", was made available on iTunes on July 28, 2009. KJ-52 has released a few mixtapes already – some mash-ups and some unreleased material – and planned to release more until the release of Five-Two Television. Along with the purchase of Five-Two Television, there was a free download of a mixtape collaboration between KJ-52 and Goldinchild. KJ-52 has stated that he encourages the sharing of this mixtape for evangelistic purposes. The Auto-Tune effect is used frequently throughout this album, a first for KJ-52, although on most of the songs it is used, like "Tweezy Dance" or "Adventures of Tweezyman", the Auto-Tune is used as a joke. This album won "Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year" at the 2010 Dove Awards. It is a concept album about the fictional character Chris Carlino.

<i>Between Two Worlds</i> (Trip Lee album) 2010 studio album by Trip Lee

Between Two Worlds is the third studio album by Christian rapper, Trip Lee. The album was released on Reach Records on June 22, 2010.

<i>Rehab</i> (Lecrae album) 2010 studio album by Lecrae

Rehab is the fourth studio album by Christian hip hop artist Lecrae. It was released on September 28, 2010 on Reach Records. According to the Reach Records website, the album's "motto" is "The Christian life is an entrance into rehab." Centered on release and freedoms from inhibiting addictions and habits, Rehab is a highly conceptual album. Rehab is nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards. The album was named the Best Album of 2010 in the "Best of 2010: Rapzilla.com's Staff Picks" awards, and Lecrae was also named Artist of the Year. The song "Background" and the album itself were nominated for Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year and Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, respectively, at the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards.

Derek Johnson, Jr., better known by his stage name Derek Minor and former stage name PRo, is an American Christian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, actor, and screenwriter. He co-founded the hip-hop record label Reflection Music Group (RMG) with Doc Watson, and signed to Reach Records in a joint venture between the two labels in 2011. In 2012, Johnson announced that he had changed his stage name from Pro to Derek Minor. In 2014, he announced that as his two-album contract with Reach was complete, he would no longer be publishing releases through that label.

<i>Anomaly</i> (Lecrae album) 2014 studio album by Lecrae

Anomaly is the seventh studio album by American Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on September 9, 2014, through Reach Records. The album features appearances from Crystal Nicole, Kari Jobe, and For King & Country, along with label-mate Andy Mineo. Anomaly met with a positive critical reception, and the song "Nuthin", released for streaming as a single on July 1, 2014, was nominated for the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards in the best Impact Track category. The album also fared well commercially, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with over 88,000 copies sold. It also debuted at No. 1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart, marking the first time that any artist has ever topped both the 200 and Gospel charts. Anomaly won Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards, and Rap, Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year at the 2015 Stellar Awards. Two songs earned a nomination for the 2015 Grammy Awards; "All I Need Is You" was nominated for Best Rap Performance, and "Messengers", featuring For King & Country, won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NF (rapper)</span> American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer (born 1991)

Nathan John Feuerstein, known by his initials NF, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has released two EPs, I'm Free (2012), and a self-titled EP in 2014 with Capitol CMG. His second and first major-label studio album, Mansion, was released on March 31, 2015. His third studio album, Therapy Session, was released on April 22, 2016, and peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard 200. His albums have earned several accolades, some of which include: the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rawsrvnt</span> Musical artist

Eddy Puyol, who previously recorded under the name Rawsrvnt, is an American Christian hip hop artist, speaker, songwriter, and producer. He has released seven studio albums, five extended plays, several singles, and a few compilation albums with greatest hits.

References

  1. DeBoer, Terry (April 7, 2010). "Christian rap/hip-hop artist KJ-52 performs with Group 1 Crew". MLIVE.com. Booth Newspapers . Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  2. Archived July 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "kj52's Podcast". Kj52podcast.com. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  4. "38th Annual GMA Dove Awards Album of the Year Nominees & Winners". Christianmusic.about.com. April 25, 2007. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  5. "Nominees for the 34th Annual Dove Awards". Published by the Gospel Music Association. Retrieved January 22, 2007. Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Dove Award Recipients for Rap/Hip Hop Album. Published by the Gospel Music Association. Retrieved January 22, 2007. Archived December 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "38th Annual Dove Award Recipients". Published by the Gospel Music Association. Retrieved April 26, 2007. Archived January 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "'Behind the Musik' with KJ-52". Published by CBN News Retrieved May 27, 2007.
  9. "41st Annual GMA Dove Awards on Gospel Music Channel". Doveawards.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  10. "KJ-52 RELEASES 24 TRACK FIVE-TWO TELEVISION TODAY || JOINS PILLAR & RUN KID RUN ON CONFESSIONS TOUR". Fusemix.com. September 22, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  11. "Jesus freak guest feature". YouTube. July 5, 2010. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  12. "kj52: the Jonah album". PledgeMusic.
  13. "The KJ52 Documentary". Kickstarter.
  14. Sarachik, Justin (February 16, 2018). "KJ-52 Releases 'Jonah Pt. 2' and 'The Jonah Movie'".
  15. "KJ-52 And Poetics - What Happened Was..." Rapzilla. May 17, 2019.
  16. "Rapzilla.Com's 15 Freshmen Of 2019". Rapzilla.
  17. ""What Happened Was"". Kickstarter.
  18. "The Christian Slim Shady? | Teens". Christianitytoday.com. January 3, 2001. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  19. "ChristianMusicToday.com: KJ-52 Interview — Getting It Right". Christianitytoday.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2004. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  20. "KJ-52, "Dangerous" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  21. "KJ-52 'Mental' Cover Art & Tracklist". JamTheHype.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  22. "KJ-52 Announces Release Date for 'Jonah'". Rapzilla.com. January 3, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  23. "KJ-52 Releases 'Jonah Pt. 2' and 'The Jonah Movie'". Rapzilla.com. February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  24. "KJ-52 – Mostest Wonderfullest Time Of The Year". Rapzilla.com. November 19, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  25. "KJ-52 And Poetics - What Happened Was". Rapzilla.com. May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  26. "One Year Ago by KJ-52 | CD Reviews and Information | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday.com. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  27. "KJ-52 Chart History (Christian Rock Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved May 30, 2019.[ dead link ]
  28. "KJ-52 Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved May 30, 2019.