Music that Inspires
RED DOG (David Jackson) is a rapper and multi-instrumentalist, first being a classically trained pianist then moving onto drums and eventually falling in love with rap and hip-hop. Since releasing his first album in 2005, his eclectic approach to his artistry continues to push the lyrical and musical limits of hip-hop. This is on full display in his latest album entitled, “Trinity: The Last Revolution” showcasing his growth as both an artist and a Christian. The CD is chock-full of songs that are conscious and uplifting. It features collaborations with breakout hip-hop star Dee-1, Contemporary Christian Singer Lauren Settembrini, Underground Rapper Truth Universal, Philharmonic Cellist Anat Nevo, Rock Guitarist Eric Maldonado, R&B Singer J9, Gospel Singer Don Jackson, Reggae Singer Claudius England, and Legendary Rapper/Producer Daddy-O from Stetsasonic.
Since its release in July, the album has been receiving critical acclaim and the stellar music that marries RED DOG’s insightful and inspiring lyrics was produced by Legendary New Orleans Jazz Musician and Jazz Professor Tyrone Jackson under his moniker Maestro T, ranging from hip-hop, jazz, reggae to rock. Lyrically, RED DOG has never been better. His rapid-fire staccato style punctuates the trap song “That Gospel Though” but he is reflective and soulful on the duet with Lauren Settembrini on “Now I Believe.” He also performs with Hip-Hop Legends Truth Universal, Dee-1 and Daddy-O on the prophetic song, “Apocalypse Now.”
Speaking of his new project he says, “This is my third album, I am really excited about it and it reflects where I am right now. It’s more mature and I am focusing on the topics of religion and social justice. These are a few of the issues that are close to me and where my passion lies and I address some of them on this album.”
More than simply a studio artist he takes his music to schools, churches, prisons and other places sharing his message of uplift and hope. On this day, as we speak by phone, he is on set in Atlanta shooting a music video. Speaking of the reception to the album and promoting it, he says “The reception of this project has been great, we are getting some play from different radio stations and it’s been nothing but positive responses. I am shooting a video for a song called “Now I Believe”. I have also been performing at different churches and festivals around the country and we are using social media to get people engaged and expose them to the music.”
Practicing What You Preach
His life is one that mirrors his message, where outside of music his mission is to give back and serve others. “I have been fortunate enough to work with St. Mark’s Mission that does a lot of work feeding the homeless, I ‘ve worked with Sheriff Marlin Gusman’s Prison Re-Entry Program to minister to those who are on the cusp of re-entering society and to try to help reduce the recidivism rates. I also work with people living in public housing and I also mentor youth around the City. I feel it is important that if you are going to be out here spreading a message you have to practice what you preach.”
RED DOG is someone who is very reflective and continues to stay authentic to his heart as it relates to his art. He is one that is not concerned with commercial success at the expense of his soul. “I remember falling in love with hip-hop as a young guy; I did talent shows like the McD 35 Explosion, St. Aug and other places. But when your life changes your message changes. For instance, rapping about how I’m the best or demeaning women is limited and does nothing to advance our community and its consciousness. For me, I believed once God came into my life it’s never been the same and your priorities shift about what you think is important.”
While he is a devout Christian, he is a critic of some of the things going on in some churches and how something that in his mind is so pure is being peddled to exploit people. Likening the church to some of the things going on in hip-hop he says, “Hip-Hop and the Christian Church is sort of in the same place. In the church, we are supposed to serve people and hip-hop in the 80’s there were messages all throughout hip-hop, about the urban community and uplifting people. Today much of that has gotten lost as the focus is on materialism. Unfortunately, this has also happened in the church, where it was about the messages of hope and salvation, some churches and pastors have fallen into the trap of capitalism where some of these TV church pastors and others are making sales pitches asking people to send money and not focusing on the message of hope, salvation and serving others. This is the foundation of what I believe one should do as a Christian and this is something I not only rap about but I live it.”
Doing God’s Work and Changing Lives Through Music
RED DOG eschews the title of Christian Rapper, for he feels it is limited in describing the scope of his musical repertoire. “I am a rapper, who is a Christian, and I guess my music reflects who I am and things I am concerned about such as social justice issues, anti-war, peace songs, internal struggles, mental health issues. If I had to describe myself I would say I am a socially conscious and Christian Rapper who speaks on the human experience.”
Music is only one way of many ways RED DOG has chosen to serve humanity. He says this aligns with his meaning and purpose in life, “I feel fulfilled in my purpose knowing that I have to do good in the world and that is my daily mission, to make a difference in someone’s life. To be a positive influence on people in my little sphere through my music and my life; it is not about changing the world of 7 billion people but about changing the people around me and spreading the love to the people I encounter while doing God’s work.”
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