Man Up Album Review

Man Up. A project that was eagerly anticipated by many. Although it was disappointing to many that the final outcome was a 7 track EP, it in no way diminished what the project set out to do. Which was, teach this world what it means to be a man in Biblical terms.

This is the fourth overall album by the 116 Clique, (who get their name from Romans 1:16 which calls us to be unashamed of the Gospel), and the first since Sho Baraka's controversial departure from Reach Records as well as the addition of KB, PRo, and Any Mineo. Coupled with a DVD which contains a movie they made, this album is great for anybody who wishes to know what Biblical manhood is.

The album starts off with the Man Up Anthem which has all seven artists of Reach Records (Lecrae, Tedashii, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka, KB, PRo and Andy Mineo) rapping over a hard hitting flow. They each rap a bit about what the world thinks it means to be a man and what God says it means to be a man.

The next song, Authority, speaks about how you can't lead if you've never followed. It tells men that they must take the authority that God has given them as the heads of households, but at the same time, treat the woman as their equal. It also reminds us to submit to all types of authority as God has put them in place.

Responsibility talks about how we as men should be responsible for our actions. I also enjoyed how Lecrae talked about tithing, an action which is often ignored by people now a days. But as he says, most of the stuff we buy costs more than 10% of what we make.

Envy teaches us that we shouldn't be envious of what God has blessed others with while Courage shows that true courage comes from being in Christ.

Temptation was one of my favorites, mostly due to KB's verse where he talks about how he was saved from an early age, but as he grew older, he wondered if he was missing out on life by not going out clubbing or drinking. It's something that I've also often wondered about. But in the end, my mind always goes back to Christ and to the wonders of what He has done. I also loved Tedashii's voice at the beginning of his verse.

Finally, Repentance shows that no matter what you've done, you can always go back to God and He'll be there for you.

Overall this was a well done project highlighting what it means to be a man in Biblical terms. I recommend it for both men and women and I think everybody will find something in it to take away.