Chuckie Perez
“A Page From My Life”
Crown Town Records
10 tracks @ 33:01

After taking time out to marry and start a family, Chuckie “Chuckie P” Perez releases his first new music in several years.

“Groovie” is an urban dance song while “Page From My Life” has a great groove. The fiesta jam “My People” contains the faith statement “not afraid to let the world know that some preacher saved my soul.” “The Party” is about a party in heaven, where, in a reference, perhaps, to Luke 15:7, “angels start to do the wave” when someone gets saved.

“Freedom” has a pinch of “Amazing Grace.”

The aforementioned are some great tracks but maybe I’m missing something as I was also struck by the self-centeredness in this record’s PR material and some of the song lyrics.

“Couldn’t Keep Me Down” has the line “I doubt they’re ready for what I’ve got” and Chuckie compares himself to several sports figures and their athletic attributes. References in the PR material to “meteoric rise,” “legion of fans,” and “street authentic” ring shallow. Jesus tells us what he thinks of these earthly matters in Matthew 6:21.

There’s a track on this record called “Hip Hop Crasy” described as “an assessment of hip-hop artists who talk about the inner city when they actually live in the country and never experienced other cultures (further affirming Perez’s reputation as the originator of Christian urban dance music).” First, I’m not certain how that accusation affirms anything; second, Chuckie says “I got real tired of listening to so many Christian artists not being real with their audience.” Of course he doesn’t mention any artist by name. In the next breath he says “My message is designed for all audiences and is never set up to limit anyone from feeling included.” It’s inclusive, but not, apparently, if you belong to the “Hip Hop Crasy.” Galatians 3:28 will set that straight.

“Malicious” is another track I’m not certain I get as it’s about others being jealous of his success, I think.

Instead of being so judgmental, admittedly a hard habit to for most of us to give up, perhaps Chuckie would do well to study Acts 20:35, “one must help the weak.” Now that would be authentic.

Buyer beware, this full length CD clocks in at a skimpy thirty-three minutes.

- Rob S.