Transparent & Relevant best describe Minister RMB, a Rapper/International Youth Evangelist who deals with issues such as purity, sexual addiction, porn, suicide, child abuse, and divorce. RMB is a seasoned veteran in the Christian rap game. In 2000, Minister RMB teamed up with Maximillian ( Three 5 & 6, Nsoul Records, T-Bone), to form the hip-hop group known as Deeper Than Most. DTM released their debut album entitled "Marinatin", nationwide on MYX Records in March 2002.
During the past several years, RMB has traveled throughout the United States speaking to students at churches, college campuses, juvenile halls, and other outreach events. He spent a month touring in Australia where he was invited to perform at "Youth Alive" in Melbourne with over 11,000 students in attendance. During the "So Salty Tour", he was a key speaker at Flavor Fest in Florida, leading a two day class on "Maintaining Sexual
Integrity in Music Ministry." RMB has also been the keynote speaker for the ABCLA & NKPYC 2005 Youth Conventions, ministered at Spirit West Coast, Mega Buzz 5, San Quentin & Pelican Bay Prison, as well as hundreds of other concerts nationwide.
When not touring, RMB serves as an Outreach Coordinator for Project 61 at Arcade Church (Pastor Jake Larson, Fire Proof Ministries, Craig & Jake Live). in Sacramento, CA. Sharing openly about struggles, triumphs over sin, and presenting the Word of God in a relevant way has allowed Minister RMB to connect with thousands of young people on their level and see volumes of lives changed and commitments to Christ.
As you know, a majority of young people in our culture and even within our youth groups are listening to secular rap artists such as Eminem, 50-Cent, E-40, Lil John, Ludacris, Missy Elliot, Kanye West, and many others. While these artists speak death, discouragement, and destruction into the lives of our youth, RMB's main objective is to speak life, encouragement, and hope by effectively sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the language of rap music. By being transparent and relevant, Minister RMB has gained the utmost respect by church leaders, parents, and students.
MINISTER RMB IS AVAILABLE FOR:
Youth Groups, Outreaches, Concerts, Summer/Winter Camps, Festivals, Schools, Seminars, Conferences, etc...
Minister RMB on Fox 40 News!
DBP Mag recently got the opportunity to sit down with Minister RMB & Sevin...two of the most talented, yet controversial artists in the "Gospel" rap industry. Our goal was to find out why they are "hated" on so much and to get some insight on their current projects and ministry efforts. Staying true to the lyrical approach on their new cd's "We Die" and "When The Storm Comes", Sevin & RMB's answers were RAW and more REAL than most!
DBP : What does HOG MOB stand for and how did it get started?
SEVIN : It standz for Hook'd On God...Ministry Ova Bizness. It got started becuz I wanted to build a structure to help people make the transition from darkness to light and have a support system that resemblez what we are used to comin' from...tha gutter.
DBP : RMB, share with us a lil bit about Project 61?
RMB : Project 61 is an inner-city and homeless outreach program geared towards those in the Del Paso Heights & Greater Sacramento area. Based upon Isaiah 61:1, " The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed." Basically, Project 61 got started a few years ago when some close friends and I began to have a strong burden for the DPH community. We started goin' out to the block to simply love on people...listenin' to their stories, prayin' with them, buyin' them food, givin' them Bibles...pretty much just hangin' out with the prostitutes, the homeless, the hurting & broken...attempting to show the love of Jesus....a love that has NO AGENDA!
DBP : How has the response been from those in the community?
RMB : It's been off the chain! Once folkz know that we aren't trying to push anythin' on them, judge them, or even convince them to come to our "church", they are real open & receptive to us bein' there. We just love them where they are at, and try to speak hope & life into their situation. Major respect is given to us out there due to the fact of our non-condemning approach. We sprinkle the block with grace & mercy...all of us are in desperate need of unconditional love & forgiveness...ALL of us!
DBP : That's dope! So Sev, what'z crackin' with your tats? Have they helped or hindered your ministry?
SEVIN : They don't hinder tha ministry at all...katz I reach ain't gon judge me like that...they might hinder me from joinin' any religious country clubz though...it'z like folkz will see tha tatz and know that I'm fo' real about what I believe...just like if I waz bangin' u kno...nuthin' to hide...love it or hate it...this iz where I'm from....Hog Mob!
DBP : How would you compare the classic "All or None" album with your newest release "We Die"?
SEVIN : U can't compare em....it'z a totally different artist behind the projectz....obviously "All or None" iz my most professional work to date...that'z cuz there waz a budget and a machine behind that album...."All or None" waz Sevin tha child...."We Die" iz Sevin tha man....if I had tha resources for "We Die" like I did for "All or None"...the album would've been epic.
DBP : On "When The Storm Comes" you hit on some pretty heavy issues such as porn, sexual abuse, & divorce. Tell us why?
RMB : Because that's real life. Real people are facin' real issues and are goin' thru real struggles. I didn't wanna put out a buttercup, sugar-coated, tickle-me elmo, make me feel good type of project, just to appease the folkz up in church. I decided to do the complete opposite...and speak about things that people could really relate to & feel. I chose to expose a lot of my personal life & own struggles on this album, in hopes to help someone else who may be goin' thru the same situations. Like I say on "Steppin' On Toes"..."if you're offended by the bluntness of my CD...break it, burn it, or throw it like a frisbee". My music ain't for everyone...only those who desire to go deeper with God and who are sick of tryin' to look like a Christian, but are more concerned with bein' a christian...they are the ones who will understand, accept, and appreciate my music.
DBP : Real Talk! So as artists living in California...better yet, Sacramento ...what is the most frustrating thing ya'll have to deal with as far as the industry?
RMB : It's hella hard livin' in a city that is full of hata'z and people who say they got you, but when your back is against the wall...they are nowhere to be found. I'm tired of these concert promoters bein' shady and not keepin' their word. What they don't understand is that when they fail to pay us for a gig...they are stealing from us and our families. It's straight disrespect! I refuse to get screwed over anymore by these catz claimin' to represent the God I serve, yet blatantly break their promises with no regard to our ministry. That's why I'm confrontin' folkz & callin' them out!
SEVIN : For me it'z tha lack of love and support for true artistry... it'z like now dayz u gotta sound like sumthin' in order for people to hear it out....ain't nobody talkin' about what I'm talkin about... comin' from where I'm from....but nobody believez in anythang any more....they just pretend to!
DBP : Would you say that the "church" has embraced rap ministry? Why or why not?
SEVIN : No...some ministriez support some Gospel rapperz...but the church az a whole iz not evin close....the world embracez it more than the church do...if the church with all itz memberz and influence embraced the ministry in rap, we'd have our own tv network...power radio stationz...night clubz....muzik storez....all that...people think that they dont have a duty to support thingz anymore....it'z sad!
RMB : Honestly? Most churches don't get what we do! The majority refuse
to see the effectiveness of this type of ministry in the lives of their young people. They'd rather focus on the negative lyrics of most mainstream rap artists, and then categorize us with their messages of rebellion, degrading women, and an "sleep with everyone you can" type of mentality. Our message is the TOTAL opposite. That's why I'm on a mission to educate the adults in the church..the parents, the Pastors, the youth Pastors...and show them the importance of embracin' the youth who are so strongly influenced by rap music and hip-hop culture. I've seen countless youth and even adults who have came into relationship with Christ through listenin' to our music...glory be 2 God!
DBP : Why do you think so many other rappers hate on ya'll so much?
SEVIN : I think it'z for a few reasonz...I think they fear tha rawness of RMB's message and I also believe they are convicted by some of tha topicz he speakz on....but then itz like, I feel that thingz are so corrupted now dayz that if nobodiez hatin on you, you ain't doin' your job....people hate on me all tha time....I'm koo wit that....just don't smile in my face afterward like you love tha hog, you know....thatz just outta boundz to tha highest.
RMB : Cuz so many of them are actors...they spend their time runnin' their mouth about us, spreadin' outlandish rumors, & waste their efforts tryin' to please man...rather then please God! They are "studio ministers"...we are actually on the block handlin' Kingdom business. Go Hard for the Lord...or just go...yadadimsayin? Bottom line...We're the "history makers", while they're a "might be remembered vaguely."
DBP : What does the future hold for Hog Mob & Don't Be Pimped Ministries?
SEVIN : I really have to say that only God knowz....I think that tha future holdz great thingz if we stay in our lane and in Godz will for our livez...I think in the end itz our heart and obedience that determinez where we end up....I just want us to finish strong.
RMB : I agree totally...If we remain humble & obedient to God's voice & callin' on our lives, I believe we are going to see a major breakthrough from all the b.s. and drama we've been facin' all these years. Time is short, and we gotta keep grindin' for the sake of the Gospel. I'm not gonna let anything or anyone hold me back from my purpose...my passion...my destiny! Believe that...WEST UP!
To read more about Minister RMB & Sevin, or to get involved and support the ministries of Hog Mob, Don't Be Pimped, & Project 61, please visit their websites & myspace pages.
rmbministries.com / hogmobmuzik.com
myspace.com/ministerrmb / myspace.com/hogmob
