Who can ignore the juice and jurisdiction of rap music's influence on popular culture? In the last 5 years, hip-hop albums have dominated year-end sales, music awards, and radio stations. It's magnetism is manifest in everything from commercials, to fashion, to film stars. Hip-hop's powerful sway finds it's hand in all genres of modern music- from rock to country. And no matter how remote, rural, or suburban a place might seem - there are always traces of hip-hop influence to be found. Regretfully, in a culture of young people starving for hope and truth - most of hip hop's influence leaves this generation with hearts that are hungry. Yet, as a hip-hop junkie, RIGHTEOUS B cherishes the channel where he can unleash the passionate, confrontational verses that charge his music.
Now, every artist's bio boasts transparency in his music - however RIGHTEOUS B punches it up a notch on the "keeping in real" meter, as the rawness of his music captures his heart. Says Righteous, "My music is a reflection of my personality. My life is there in the groove. my struggles, my emotions, my passions, and my stupidity are tucked into each album". However his CD's are sizably more than autobiographies. With an energy level on target to turn clubs topsy-turvy, plus lyric after lyric of bonafide truth - his music brings a freshness to the stale, zestless scene of hip-hop today. One of the fortes of the B's technique is his ability to blend different breeds and brands of hip-hop together into one traffic-stopping, head-bobbing hit. His sizzle-sick loops and meaty hooks serve up many unique creations - from bangin club anthems to the foot-stompin' pop fare.
Looking back, RIGHTEOUS B (Bob Lesnefsky as his mother calls him) spent many years in inner city New York as a youth minister where he cut his teeth in ministry and music. "It was here that I realized just how white I actually am . and at the same time how much I love hip-hop," says Righteous. After blundering through experiences of traditional youth ministry tactics and coming up dry, Bob started using hip-hop as a tool to share the gospel. Late nights working on primitive gear in the basement produced his rookie bow in 2001, ARE YOU READY FOR RIGHTEOUS B? Two years later, RIGHTEOUS B scored major industry recognition with the follow up release GET THE KIDS TO REVOLT. A host of accolades earned RIGHTEOUS B, Hip-Hop Album of the Year, along with, Rap Song of the Year for "Like an Escalade" at the 2004 Unity Awards.
While GET THE KIDS TO REVOLT established RIGHTEOUS B as a legitimate threat to the hip-hop scene with radio play on airwaves across the country - he also hit the road doing shows across North America alongside such top artists as Mars Ill, Bobby Bishop, Souljaz, Camp Quest, and LA Symphony. RIGHTEOUS B soon aligned himself with several spiritually minded organizations such as LIFE TEEN, The Steubenville Youth Conferences, and NCYC where he speaks to over 20,000 teens a year. Says Righteous, "You can call me a Christian rapper, a rapper who is Christian, or a bologna sandwich for all I care - I'm just a dude who is trying to find a forum to share his heart. The music we make is not extremely preachy - with every hook including the name of Jesus. It's aim, rather, is to authentically share our lives, our stories, and our passions: all of which are intertwined with the heart of Christ.
Our shows and records are centered around the voice of Jesus in John 10:10": "I have come that you might have life and have it to the fullest."
"To us - life is Christ. And ultimately that's the fullness of everything we want to be about."
Involvement with Inner-City Catholic Youth
A big part of Righteous B ministries is embracing and building up the Urban Catholic Church. For the most part, youth ministry programs fail to reach a critically important demographic of young people in America…inner city teenagers. And although a majority of the concerts we do are performed at suburban venues, each year Righteous B is committed to doing a portion of the concert's tour free for inner city churches and prisons. 10% of ALL booking fees and sales also go directly to fund inner city churches and develop effective programming to reach urban youth.
"My heart burns for the inner city Church" - Righteous B
