Christian Rapper Roy Tosh Talks About His New Mixtape “The Revert”
Roy Tosh is a brand new talent emerging in Christian rap music. He has put hard work and profound thought in the making of his new mixtape “The Revert,” released January 7th, 2014.
A Florida native, Tosh spent his formal high school years focusing on a career as a basketball player rather than music. After graduation, Tosh had a very powerful encounter with God. He was so moved that he decided to trade in his basketball shoes for a microphone. He waved goodbye to a future of basketball fame and instead embarked on a journey to give props to the Lord, whom he calls “The Famous One.” Rapping came natural to Tosh, despite not having any formal musical training, and the passionate message and Christ-centered lyrics poured out of his soul with ease.
His new mixtape has the flow and energy of mainstream secular rap but with the hope and truth that is only found in Gospel music. I had the chance to hear some of it, and it is incredible. I’m not the only one who loves his music. His last album Convinced peaked at number 25 on the iTunes Hip Hop/Rap charts. Roy Tosh is truly blessed with a God-given talent, and he carefully chooses his rhymes, melodies, and lyrics to make sure the message acknowledges God first and foremost. His future is bright indeed. Check out his music at http://www.roytoshmusic.com.
Rockin’ God’s House: Tell us about the new mixtape and release?
Roy: The mixtape drops January 7th, and it’s called “The Revert.” [I’m grateful for] the help of Andy Minao and Benjah, for their help in making it all come together. I used to go by the name 737, which was a tribute to John 7:37; but the mindset is still the same. I decided to honor my family and use my middle name Roy, which is my grandfather’s name; and Tosh is a shortened version of my last name. I wanted to do something that was genuinely me.
Rockin’ God’s House: What should people who have never heard your music before expect?
Roy: This album is me. I don’t have it all together. I’m not perfect. But I know the One who is. So it is me being honest about my life, honest about struggles, especially the last season of my life, and hopefully just pointing to the encouragement of trusting in God through the ups and downs of life and the difficulties we all face.
Rockin’ God’s House: What can people expect when they come to see a Roy Tosh performance?
Roy: Get ready to go crazy! It’s like a workout. It’s like a live version of P90X! During my concerts I like to be active and run all over the place and get the crowd interacting and excited about the music and what it represents. High energy! It is a hip-hop energy! My heart is all about reaching people. If I can get just one more every time, then that is what it is all about!
Rockin’ God’s House: Tell us about your charity.
Roy: My heart lies within my non-profit organization called CFI Ministries. My heartbeat and goal for CFI ministries is through hip hop and the tagline is “Just One More,” and like I said, at the live events we always want to reach “Just One More” with God’s love and the gospel message!
Rockin’ God’s House: What advice would you give to a person trying to become a Christian rap artist?
Roy: I would say do a lot of praying. Make sure God is calling you for something like that. That is first and foremost. Also bounce it off the local community; get involved in a local church. Ask your elders or pastors and get their feedback. Tell people of your intentions and passions in pursuing a Gospel rap career. Be surrounded with wise council. If you feel a call and the pulling, then work hard. It’s a lot of work. I have been in this for five years, and there is a lot of foundation work. I didn’t have a musical background when I started, but I surround myself around people who are knowledgeable and are willing to help me strive and succeed to meet my goals.
Rockin’ God’s House: What is your favorite Bible verse?
Roy: 1 John 3:1: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him” (NIV).
