Jeremiah “Kry” Jackson shares My Hope with the next generation
By Jolanda Brown
For the St. Louis American
The infusion of hip-hop beats and style into traditional gospel music has created a new breed of urban gospel for young Christians. Because a growing portion of the gospel music audience have a background and familiarity with hip-hop, more Christian artists like Jeremiah “Kry” Jackson are marrying Christian principles with hip-hop culture, hoping to share the gospel with their peers in a relevant way.
“I decided to do this type of music because of my walk with Christ,” Jackson said. “I’m striving to live a holy life, and I want to reach people on all levels. I want to encourage and help people.”
Jackson is a self-taught musician who plays both piano and drums. He said he has been creating and performing music that praises God for the last 12 years. With his own lyrics and beats he recently completed My Hope, a Christian hip-hop project.
His subject matter and lyrics are fresh and relevant to the problems facing many young people today.
He discusses young boys looking for their manhood through crime in the tracks “This is Personal” and “Darkside of Being a Man.” In “This is for ‘Da Kids,” he deals with the plight of neglected children trying to raise themselves. Jackson also dedicates a few tracks to young girls and women who equate their value with their bodies and the amount of attention they receive from men.
Throughout My Hope, his frank delivery sends a powerful message of redemption through the gospel of Christ.
Jackson said his life influences his art. As a young child, his leg was broken when a car hit him and he struggled with a speech impediment. Although he said those experiences were difficult, he said God has helped him to persevere.
“From being raised in church and having a speech impediment, I was always odd,” he said. “Sometimes bad things make you realize just how good God is. When you have to deal with not being like everybody else, it is not easy. It can be hard, but it is worth it.”
Jackson said that he is inspired by the joy of other people and wants to take his music all around the world to share the love of God that he feels inside.
“The Love of God is in me, and the world should share that in spite of race, creed and position. That is what I stand for,” he said.
“I think today’s youth need guidance, and there are not enough people willing to step up and be a role model,” he said. “I want to be a role model for them.”
My Hope is now available for purchase. For more information, contact Antha Rodgers at (314) 395-7160.
Singing survivors
A choir for breast and cervical cancer survivors is looking for volunteers. For rehearsal information, call Roxanna Parker at (314) 897-6233 or Jewelanda Hodges at (314) 494-4987.
Pastor Collins retires
After 44 years of service, the Reverend William Collins Jr. has announced his retirement as Pastor of Anitoch Baptist Church. On Saturday, October 22 a retirement banquet will take place at the Airport Marriott Hotel at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50. A retirement worship service in honor of the Rev. Collins will be held at the church Sunday, October 23 at 10 a.m. For more information, call (314) 535-1110.
Making a joyful noise
NEO Ministries and Phoenix Records present a live recording featuring gospel singing group Jewell Brown Chesser & Converted October 22 at 6 p.m. Harvey Watkins Jr. of the Canton Spirituals will also appear as a special guest along with minister Joseph Price & The Voices of Rhema. The live recording will take place at The Rhema Church, 2233 Cass Avenue. For more information call (314) 421-2345.
Anniversary at Samaritan
Samaritan United Methodist Church, 4234 Washington Blvd, will celebrate its 88th church anniversary Sunday, October 23 during the 11 a.m. service. Civil rights activist and co-founder of the SCLC, Joseph Lowery of Atlanta, will be the guest speaker.
