PVCC Puma Press: March 2004

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	Photo courtesy of Pigeon John
	Pigeon John presents a unique form of rap focused on real-life situations instead of "gangsta" violence and sexual content.
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, rap music is in a state of emergency. In my opinion, the entire genre as a whole right now is on its way right down the toilet. And being quite frank, this is a serious issue.

However, as often as things have appeared bleak for the culture founded by such legends as De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, KRS ONE and LL Cool J, rap always has appeared to have been saved from certain disaster just in the nick of time.

Not too long ago it was Jay-Z's "Blueprint," leaping from the all-too-famous phone booth. Before that, it was Jigga's "Hard Knock Life" album, along with Outkast's, "Aquemini." Add to these DMX's "It Is Dark And Hell Is Hot," Eminem's "Slim Shady LP" and Dr. Dre's "Chronic 2001, and rap music has had more than its fair share of saviors this past decade.

But who now?

Who now to save the genre when times arguably seem most bleak?

It is quite fitting that rap's latest savior would come in the form of a Christian rapper by the name of Pigeon John.

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He wasn't rapping about killing cops or about dating your girlfriend or your mom. He was rapping about what he'd actually experienced—life.
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Pigeon John first hit the hip-hop scene in the early 1990s. Leaving Omaha, Nebraska for Los Angeles, California, he found that his Christian rap led to appearances on many compilations, none bigger than LA Symphony.

After gaining popularity among the Christian rap market, Pigeon John went solo on his debut album, "Pigeon John Is Clueless." Pigeon John was welcomed by rap lovers mainly for something they hadn't embraced in years, honesty.

Pigeon John wasn't rapping about being rich. He wasn't rapping about killing cops or about dating your girlfriend or your mom. He was rapping about what he'd actually experienced—life.

Pigeon John rapped about trying to impress girls or what it was like to have your heart broken. Pigeon John was rapping about what fans of rap had experienced, not what they pretended to. Whether a fan of gangster rap or Pharcyde, audiences had most likely been through similar experiences as Pigeon John. That's what makes him unique in the rap scene. And that is what has helped to sell his second album "Pigeon John Is Dating Your Sister." The innocent album cover features Pigeon John and a lovely bouquet of flowers.

On, "Dating Your Sister," Pigeon John gets personal, allowing hip hop heads to hear more of his deepest secrets and fears. On the single, "Identity Crisis," Pigeon John goes through the thought process of an underground rapper like himself trying to make it on the scene.

"So I grew out my hair, switched up my clothes/ Down with LA Symph and I rocked some shows/ Dancing and acting a fool and stuff/ But in the back of my mind is it all a bluff?/ Am I doin' all this just to cover it up?/ All of my insecurities is hovering up."

On the track Pigeon John also takes us back to that insecure side of himself when approaching females.

"I was kinda dusty cause I just finished skatin'/ Went over to her and she started hesitatin'/ I tried to ignore it, then I kicked my game/ And ever since then I never been the same/ She looked me up and down to check my stilo/ Before I said, ‘Hello,' she said she had to go."

How many rappers can you name out there who are comfortable enough with themselves to discuss a situation like this? Not many, and for that reason Pigeon John is seeing continued success with fans far outside the Christian market.

As you may have detected by now, Pigeon John does anything but shove Jesus Christ down his listener's throats. While there are moments in which the true Savior's name is mentioned, for the most part Pigeon John raps about topics everyone can relate to.

On what may be the title's best track, "What Is Love?," Pigeon John takes us inside his current relationship where he attempts to see whether his current female is truly "the one." His search includes taking a magazine love exam.

"And now it's looking like I'm failing/ And now I'm slowly inhaling/ If this issue of Sassy's for real/ If so the next step's ill."

While not every male has flipped through a magazine to check the status of his relationship, you have to appreciate the honesty Pigeon John takes to reach his audience. The biggest difference between the two albums rapped and produced (both magnificently) by the upcoming star perhaps is the depth on album number two. On "Dating Your Sister" Pigeon John gives us an inside look at his first encounter with his daughter on the track "Emily."

As with all great albums the versatility continues as Pigeon John takes us through days before his high school reunion in "Class Reunion."

"I'm just another rapper trying to make the hands clapper/ Be in Teen Bop magazine that's what I'm after/ But lately things ain't going too well/ Trying to excel but still in my Tercel."

It was upon seeing Pigeon John reloading his van after his last show in Phoenix that the reality of what underground rap truly is set in for me. While rappers are trying to make more money, underground rappers are simply trying to make a living. Pigeon John didn't sell over 11,000 copies of his first album out of his trunk for a new Escalade. He did it because it is something he feels strongly about, something he wants to do.

That shines through and becomes apparent on this album, which not only has heartfelt lyrics but also unbelievable production. Even commercial lovers out there will bob their heads to the beats of "It's The Original" and "Hello Everybody."

With Jay-Z announcing retirement, Outkast members slowly beginning to go their separate ways and Dr. Dre turning 40; it's perhaps time for a new rapper to take the reins. Who better than an honest rapper with just the right attitude?