The growth of a Christian hip-hop musician : AR Base: Influenced by living in Inglewood, California during his early adult years, AR began to develop and extend his ministry’s vision to be founded in his love for music. Although he gained experience as a lead singer for House on the Rock Church and was signed to Gee Ray Records in 2006, he really accredits his growth in the music industry from his time singing for the world-renowned West Angeles Church of God in Christ Mass Choir. It was there that he had the privilege of singing behind legends such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Ceasar, and Beverly Crawford.
AR Base’s latest single “Double Blessing,” is out for release as a follow up to his 2019 track “Not Forgotten.” Collaborating with Producer Paperfall Bros, the single’s urban flare sets AR Base’s unique take of the story on fire. For everyone who can identify with the pain of negative voices around them, betrayal of friends, financial loss, and physical pain, “Double Blessing” is a reminder that there is hope, not only for healing, but for restoration beyond what we can imagine. Mixed with R&B, hip-hop influences, a catchy chorus, and a banging beat, the track will keep reverberating as a reminder of that promise deep down in your spirit. Buy the song on Double Blessing by AR Base @ CDBaby and see additional details at AR Base Official Website.
Influenced by living in Inglewood, California during his early adult years, AR developed his ministry’s vision through his love for music. Although he gained experience as a lead singer for House on the Rock Church and was signed to Gee Ray Records in 2006, he really accredits his growth in the music industry from his time singing for the world-renowned West Angeles Church of God in Christ Mass Choir. It was there that he had the privilege of singing behind legends such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Ceasar, and Beverly Crawford. He even had the honor of being chosen as backup for the “Godmother of Soul” and Grammy Award Winning Patti LaBelle. It was an experience in his life that he is forever grateful for and will never forget. Learning behind the greats forever changed and molded AR Base’s own musical stylings to begin combining his R&B roots, flavored with Gospel, while adding a hint of Neo Soul, and a dash of Hip-Hop influences. With the release of “Not Forgotten,” AR Base’s affirms that “God never forgets us, even when others do.”
In 2014, AR launched the album named Love Worship, which focused on the power of praise through any of life’s circumstances. It featured, “Praise in the Fire” which went on to be awarded with Akademia’s “Best Gospel Song,” in 2015 and was applauded as “a hopeful Christian anthem for anyone looking to renew their sense of faith.” Written from the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were thrown into the fiery furnace, it modernizes the message of God’s saving power when we worship him in the hardest of times. It was also from this album that his song, “This Bitterness” topped the charts at number three on R&B Hits Radio in Athens, Greece. Come Close was later released in 2016, after joining forces with producer Wow Jones, whose credits include the likes of Anthony Brown, Da’T.R.U.T.H, and Deitrick Haddon. Featuring the song, “Dream,” AR showcased his personal style of storytelling from the perspective of Joseph to convey the message that even in the midst of our most painful trials, God is there to do “far above what we could ever dare dream of or ask.” Read extra info on social media channels https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTqjXCYsAEd4UHyLp2K3T6w.