
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed…and it shall stand for ever.”
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX is known for The State Fair, the Cowboys (by default Jerry World goes hand in hand), and…. the Stanky Leg. Between that and other fading fad raps, there’s plenty of room for representation from solid, Kingdom- minded emcees with actual skill and content. One such candidate is known as GTK aka Grow The Kingdom, who is grinding his way into iPods across the nation. Here’s some insight from the man who is about the business of the eternal Kingdom of The Heavenly Father.
Kellus Hill: First off, I want to say that Dasouth and I appreciate you taking time to sit down with us. Off top, one of my favorite questions, who is Ricky Williams better known as GTK?
Grow The Kingdom: Thank you guys for reaching out! Ahh, let's see, Ricky Williams is a guy who came to know the Lord at a young age, raised in the church and around Christian values. Like some I was a "hearer" of the Word for most of my life but didn't become a "doer" until 2006. I enjoy studying the Word, I find it refreshing at times. I'm somewhat of a hip-hop head. I like to keep up with what's going on in the hip-hop community as a whole. I'm a huge football fan, Cowboys all day. Any given day you can catch me hoopin', hittin' the gym, and kickin' it with family and friends.
KH: Did you say Cowboys? I know I'm from Dallas too and everything but man! Romo is like bubblegum rap, overexposed with no valuable contributions. But back on subject, when did the Lord commission you to rap?
GTK: (Laughs) so true, both Romo and bubblegum rap, but we'll make the playoffs! It's funny because I use to write rhymes in high-school but never took it seriously. Freestyling in the lunchroom, at the mall, and at parties, but it was just something we did. During college rhymin' took a back seat and wow, now that I think about it I didn't write nor spit for at least 4 years. However, I love this question because it allows me to let you in on my testimony. I was called to the ministry in May 2006 and I remember it vividly. I was at work and I began to write a letter to God about what was on my heart and how there was a void in my life. The letter was in rhyme-format, now mind you I didn't have a clue about a "bar" or a "hook" or none of that. It was a 2 page letter/rhyme and it just so happened to be a full song. At that very moment God spoke to me and said "the same thing that I used to bring you back to me, I want you to use that very same thing to win others to me." That's why this is so special to me because my ministry began with my relationship with Him. Now that I've grown God has shown me that without a relationship there is no ministry. It's so much bigger than hip-hop because the majority of the rhymes I write are conversations with the Lord.
KH: I like that right there, "conversations with the Lord". Anyone who had heard "Decreased" can definitely relate to what you're saying without a doubt. Let me ask you another big question I like to ask. What church do you attend and in what capacity do you serve there?
GTK: My church home is Koinonia Church, 1151 Mansfield-Webb Rd., Arlington, TX...shout out!! My pastor, my mentor, my friend, and father-figure is Pastor Ronnie Goines. This guy has been so instrumental in my ministry and my walk. He was the first to give me a platform for the hip-hop ministry and is one of my biggest encouragers and supporters! Currently, I serve as one of the Young Adult Sunday School Leaders and Youth Leaders. I teach our youth bible study on Thursdays as well as our young adult Sunday school. It's awesome because it holds me accountable for studying and walking upright. I've been with the church since the early years and I've seen it grow from meeting at the boys and girls club to now having our own church, all in a 4 year period. God is doing some amazing things at this place and I'm glad to be a part of it.
KH: Amen, good to be able to let folk know cats serve the Body in so many ways other than music. What experience had you had with Christ- centered rhyming up to the point you started?
GTK: Before 2006 I never listened to any Christian rap. My mom once bought me a T-Bone CD in high school but I wasn't feeling it, mainly due to where I was at that time in my life. The first time I heard a dope Christian rhyme was at UNT when Lecrae spit at a talent show
KH: Oh, so you got to see Crae in the somewhat middle- early stages of his ministry, that's a good look. What does your discography look like and what inspired you through each project?
GTK: Yeah, dude’s heart been the same since the beginning. In 2007 I did the mixtape: "Rixtape Vol. 1", in 2008 it was "Decreased", and this year I dropped "Rixtape Vol. 2: Life Behind Bars hosted by DJ Vow". With Rixtape Vol. 1 I was green and still learning the studio, the booth, and recording. But it was the foundation for the ministry. My mentality was, the gospel is what I'm about, Christian emcees are dope, and we can spit with the best of 'em. With "Decreased" the title is from John 3:30 and it was so fitting because that is exactly what I wanted to do, decrease. After the mixtape I started to notice that after shows people were either complimenting me on the flow or comparing me to other emcees. It didn't seem like they knew the purpose in my heart so the message that I wanted to convey with "Decrease" (available now on iTunes) was, in the words of Trip Lee, "getcha eyes off me". Rixtape Vol. 2: Life Behind Bars was about everything in my life up to this point. Everything from my past, the ministry, my relationship with God, and emotions that I had been holding on to for a while. I just poured out my heart on that one. If you wanna know what's been going on with GTK up to now, you'll hear it on this mixtape.
KH: Already, I can get with the thought process that the Lord took you through on all those projects! Oh and who won the talent show Lecrae was in? One question that not many may know the details of, how did you get on with that Darrent Williams memorial?
GTK: Lecrae won if I'm not mistaken. Gospel or not, his flow was respected. With the Darrent Williams memorial parade I had previously worked with the coordinator for the event and she reached out to me to be a part of it. I think the entire city of Ft. Worth was out there. They're going to make it an annual event. He was well respected in the community and a family man from the stories I heard.
KH: That's big right there, definitely a great chance to impact the community. Yeah, I've heard the same thing about him, tragic loss for real. Give us a little bit of a recap of your experience at this year's Rap Fest. I know that really had to be a big move for you and the ministry the Lord has entrusted you with.
GTK: Oh wow, you have no idea! When I got the email that I was a confirmed artist I went crazy! I was already trippin' when I was selected to do Fla.vor Fest last year and earlier this year I was at the Sonshine Festival in MN, but Rap Fest?!? Bronx, NY?!? As you can see I'm easily excited, But for real it was a huge blessing. I got a chance to do the interview on Rap Fest Radio shout out to Brother E and Bert, true men of God with a heart for their community. The experience was awesome! I met a lot of guys that I respect in the hip-hop ministry like This'l, K-Drama, Humble-Tip and Katalyst. Even new emcees, at least to me anyway, like Refuge, C-Lite, and Wunda Fam. We were out in the open park, all on one accord reppin' Christ in the birth-place of hip-hop! I was so honored, definitely one of my highlights of the ministry!
KH: Let me ask you a question that is somewhat connected to the previous one. From your viewpoint, why is the DFW gospel rap scene as fractured and stagnant as it seems to be in comparison to other cities? Keep it real man! Don’t bite your tongue!
GTK: Good question. First, I don't think we rally around and support one another like we should. It's not to the extent of "every man for himself" but it's close. I know we have our own brothers that we're close with but I've seen actual cliques. I proposed to a marketing rep here who has done a lot of work in the DFW rap scene that we should send out a poll with 5 artist on it and just ask the question: Who could be the next breakout artist from DFW? Whoever gets the most votes let's get behind this emcee and push 'em like crazy. Secondly, and I’m just gonna lay it out there, sometimes I think it's due to a lack of talent. Rappin' ain't for everybody...period! I get CD's all the time and some I even pay for, but I only listen to about 20% of them. Whether we accept it or not we are artist. Which means we are in competition with the secular hip-hop scene, as well. Ministry is always going to be our heart, but we have to be mindful of how it's delivered as well.
KH: That would mean someone humbling themselves and serving their brother for the Kingdom's sake, you sure that would work? (removes toungue from cheek) Oh the talent thing is a definite factor. Amen, there's no way around it man. We have to provide a replacement, not an alternative, to what the world offers. Yeah serving has to be easy if He who created us decided to do it.
GTK: As far as us serving our brothers, it's not hard. That should be our heart anyway. Before I ever touched a stage I went to at least 10 shows and supported! Even now, I'm not in the green room waiting for my time to go up, I'm out in the crowd. Trust me bro my attitude has and always will be about support. Even when I did my interview with Rap Fest Radio Bert had to say, "okay man lets talk about you" (laughs). It's because I know I'm called so I'ma do me. When you're comfortable in your calling it makes supporting others a lot easier. It's heartbreaking when you see jealousy.
KH: Wow, that's saying something real big right there. That's something you just don’t hear enough of. Truth spoken, definitely Christ- like thinking there bro. Jealousy and pride go hand in hand, we gotta do better. Let me ask you this question since the percentage of quality you've heard seems low, what music are you listening to nowadays? That's regardless of genre.
GTK: Right now I'm bumpin' that Anthem hard!! Big Picture, Rebel(classic by the way), Identity Crisis, and Rixtape Vol. 2(shameless plug) is in the deck. "Awesome God" is my favorite worship song so when Swift put the hip-hop spin on it I went nuts! He gave us a snippet of it at Fla.vor Fest last year and I've been anticipating it since then.
KH: Yessir! I like that lineup. That song is raw! Marv and Swift built a true heater right there! What's in the oven next for you, project- wise?
GTK: Wow man I've been doing a ton of collabs here lately, but I've been in prayer over the past couple of months about what direction to go in with this next project. Recently I was led to 1 Corinthians 9:22 about how to approach it. I feel that as Christian artist we have to have the mindset of reaching ALL. If we can go the streets physically we should be able to go the streets musically...without compromising the gospel! So now I'm searching for monstrous beats, writing, and just really taking my time with this one.
KH: Amen, bring that application of the Word to the masses. Something tells me there will be no sophomore slump from Mr. Grow The Kingdom!
GTK: (Laughs) No sir, not if my God has anything to say about it!
KH: Already!
GTK: Yeah, I'm excited about it. I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store!
KH: As we sum this interview up, do you have anything that you want to just speak on from the heart?
GTK: Selflessness. I've been praying lately and asking God to show me how to only see hearts and see past that initial perception. Once we realize that it's not about us, this Christian walk will become a lot easier. Another thing is living life to the fullest, John 10:10. Being a Christian isn't about what we can't do but what we can do. Sometimes we limit ourselves by creating this "list" and end up not enjoying the rest of the time we have here on earth. I don't believe it was meant to be that way. Of course I'm not surprised about how I'm perceived by the world but I'm going to enjoy it to the fullest...and you should too!
KH: Real talk, so much freedom in Christ! Let the Spirit guide and we’ll enjoy all that He has for us in this finite life. Was there anything that you want the readers to stand in prayer with you about?
GTK: Absolutely, be in prayer for boldness and never losing the desire to grow and know more about the God we serve. Be in prayer with me for purity as I continue to live single and celibate. Also, just for holy hip-hop as a whole I just pray that we continue to support and pray for our community.
KH: For certain, I'm sure many will add that to their prayer list. As we close it out, I wanna open it up one last time. Let's do this Stop Six, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas, and East Ft. Worth style....(laugh).... any shoutouts?
GTK: Oh yeah!! That's half of 'em right there (laugh)! Shoutouts to all the hoods here in the DFW, Oak Cliff, Funkytown, The Grove, Cedar Hill and all cities in between. Shoutouts to my close brothers in the faith, B. Holy, Big Nick (412 album coming soon), Paul "Explicit" Santos, Bigg Saint, Trust, LaToria, P.O.K., Heata, Big Gent (hottest producer outta Ft. Worth), Con10derz, Lady Fuego, Serenity, and all DFW Christian artist!! Get at me www.twitter.com/g_t_k, www.myspace.com/growthekingdom, and www.facebook/growthekingdom. Awredy!!!
KH: Yezzirrr! Thanks for taking sometime and pushing thru post- concert fatigue to chop it up with us. May the Lord continue to keep you as you serve Him. Once again, Dasouth appreciates you!
GTK: Thank you guys so much! Dasouth is what that is!
You can download Rixtape Vol.2: Life Behind Bars by clicking on the "Click Here" picture of GTK located on the side bar.