Illect Recordings has for a while been the voice of the underground movement of Christian hip-hop.  Many of the emcees and dj’s that have put out CD’s through the label have incredible talent and street credibility.  Their delivery may differ, but their message remains the same – hope in Christ.  Through the hip-hop medium they are a light in a dark community.  Following is a brief synopsis of four of the most recent releases.

            Web Site: http://www.illect.com/main.htm

Just Me – “One Man’s Trash”

            Raised in southern California, Just Me has been involved in hip-hop since a very young age.  At the age of thirteen he was deejaying and then by fifteen he began recording in any way he could.  In the beginning that meant using an 8-second sampler and a 4-track cassette recorder. 

            Just Me is also a co-founding member of the hip-hop collaboration known as Scribbling Idiots.  As a solo emcee his latest release is “One Man’s Trash.”  The CD is 15 tracks long.  For the most part the soundtrack is more subdued than the usual woofer pounding hip-hop in the mainstream.  The focus then leans more on the lyrics and the delivery of them.  

            Web Site: http://justmehiphop.com

Sintax the Terrific – “Curb Appeal”

            Sintax the Terrific hails from the up-country of South Carolina.  He has been involved in hip-hop for over 15 years.  He is a founding member of the group deepspace 5 who have released CD’s on both Uprok and Gotee Records.  His latest solo release on Illect is titled “Curb Appeal.”  As a well-respected and transparent emcee, Sintax wishes to use his skill to positively influence youth around the world.

            Web Site:  http://sintaxtheterrific.com

Sivion – “Mood Enhancement”

            Sivion cut his teeth performing and recording first with his twin brother in Phat K.A.T.S. and then with Deepspace5.  He currently hails from the Dallas, TX area and “Mood Enhancement” is his first solo release.  Themes on “Mood Enhancement” focus on hope in all forms – “the ups and downs, the good and band, the black and white, and everything in between.” 

            Web Site:  http://sivion.net

Cook Book & Uno Mas – “While They Slept”   

            Cook Book and Uno Mas have been friends since the age of thirteen and early on they began collecting vinyl that heavily influenced them and their direction of music.  Between the two of them they pooled together enough resources to put together a garage studio where they helped record the early workings of Pigeon John, FLYNN, and their own group, L.A. Symphony.  In 1997 they began L.A. Symphony and in 1998 as L.A.S. they released the highly acclaimed “Composition no. 1.”  “While They Slept” is one of two recent recordings from the duo outside of L.A. Symphony. The CD features L.A. Symphony and Pigeon John and few other friends of the duo. 

            Web Site:  http://cookanduno.com