Dove Awards 2013: Christian Rapper KB Talks Being Saved After Dark Past
Christian Hip Hop artist KB recently praised God for the success of his "Weight & Glory" album while speaking with The Christian Post at the 44th Dove Awards.
The "Be All Right" rapper, real name Kevin Burgess, took to the stage at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday and performed alongside some of his 116 Clique members including Lecrae and Trip Lee. In 2012 "Weight & Glory" peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Album and Top Christian Album charts and KB attributed his continued success to his faith.
"Well you know it feels good I feel like God has granted me this and I've always tried to consume myself with being as sharp as I can, going as deep as I can in the Lord and let Him be concerned with the wide part and how and then wherever he lets it land I just appreciate it so I'm grateful," Kb told the Christian Post exclusively.
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"I really feel like it's grace, it's unmerited and I feel like especially with my ["Who Is KB"] mixtape because nobody knew who I was - I think [God] takes the fish and the loaves and if you just believe and you're faithful if it pleases Him He multiplies," he continued. "I can't link that to my skill although I did my best, the Lord blessed it."
Before finding Jesus and choosing to honor God through his work, KB, 25, faced some serious challenges during his teen years.
"I lived on an Air Force base for half of my life and then my parents divorced and I found myself smack bang in the middle of the hood and that was a big shift for me going from guarded gates to hearing people blowing off guns every night," he said.
"It was just very identity shattering for me and I sunk in depression and trying different things... drugs and exploiting women - things of that nature to find myself and I never did until I was introduced to Jesus because he made me," he explained.
While at one point the talented Christian rapper found himself living in sin, he was later able to turn his life around after being introduced to Christian rap. He revealed rapper Flame among others as being sources of musical inspiration during the time when he first discovered Christian rap.
"For me Christian rap was something that (I assume like with other folks) you have "Christian" and "rap" ... you put them together you have "crap," he joked.
"But when I heard music that was done that was technically excellent it was musically current... in fact I heard a Christian hip hop cd that's what led me to Jesus was eight songs that were all on point, eight songs had a gospel presentation ... I love that my soul is enriched by this music," he said.
KB, who is currently working on a book that is about "redeeming sexuality," is constantly applauded by fans for his creative ability to spread God's word through music. The rapper offered advice to those who perhaps may want to find happiness in God but don't know how.
"I would tell you to start where Jesus tells us all to start - at the cross," he said.
"That you would see Jesus and what he's done for you as more than you could ever do for yourself and makes up for everything you didn't do for yourself it's all inclusive and give yourself to Jesus, repent and believe the Gospel," he added.
The 44th Dove Awards airs Monday, October 21 at 8PM EDT on the UP network.
Top Dove Award Winners
Artist of the Year: TobyMac
Song of the Year: "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)," Matt Redman, (writers) Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin
Songwriter of the Year: Matt Redman
Rap/Hip Hop Album: Gravity, Lecrae, (producers) Heat Academy, Joseph Prielozmy, J.R., The Watchmen, Dru Castro, Uford Ebong, Tyshane, Thainnacircle, DJ Kahalil, Zach Crowell, Dirty Rice, DJ Official and Rudy Currance
Pop Contemporary Album: Eye On It, TobyMac, (producers) David Garcia, Toby Mckeehan, Christopher Stevens, Jamie Moore, Telemitry
Praise & Worship Album: Burning Lights, Chris Tomlin (producers) Jason Ingram, Ed Cash and Dan Muckala
Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year: "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)," Matt Redman
Southern Gospel Performance of the Year: "What The Blood Is For," Jason Crabb
Gospel Performance of the Year: "Break Every Chain," Tasha Cobbs
New Artist of the Year: for King & Country
Producer of the Year: Ed Cash
For more information on the Dove Awards CLICK HERE
