For the first time in three years, Tedashii has released a brand-new album, Below Paradise.
Last year, the talented emcee stepped away from music to grieve the loss of his 1-year-old son.
“This album was birthed from my experiences after the loss of my 1-year-old,” Tedashii tells me.
“When I started the creative process, I had no idea how this album would sound, but I knew I wanted to say two things:
- We live in a harsh world with a loving God and how we can reconcile those two truths.
- We can love Jesus and be real with our own emotions like sadness and frustration.”
Boasting in Christ Through Pain
The typical hip-hop album is likely to feature boasting about cash, cars or clubbing. Below Paradise boasts in a completely different way by boasting wholly in Christ, even in the midst of searing pain.
Tedashii opens up about his hurt, his struggles and his marriage as the album unfolds from track to track. In bearing his soul, Below Paradise has a deeply personal feel to it.
His previous album, Blacklight, drew listeners in sonically with solid beats and hip-hop hooks. Realness and transparency are the hallmarks of Below Paradise, and Tedashii’s fans are gravitating toward that in a big way.
By Tuesday night, when the album dropped, it had reached No. 1 on the iTunes hip-hop chart and No. 5 on the overall chart.
This album rooted in realness is exactly what people are longing for.
No Veneer of Perfection
Christians have often felt pressure to put on a veneer of perfection, never opening up about hurts and struggles.
Tedashii puts himself out there for fans to hear about the depths of his hurt, but they also hear of a loving God who gives strength and grace when pain affects us.
As God led Tedashii through hard times, he clearly saw that God wasn’t looking for him to put on a perfect face.
“God isn’t looking for my human perfection,” he says. “He’s looking for my perfection through faith in Christ by His strength and His power.”
A Strong Supporting Cast
Below Paradise features several well-known guests, including Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, Britt Nicole, Tim Halperin and David Crowder, strengthening an already powerful album.
Listeners are also treated to rising talent such as Christon Gray, Lester “L2” Shaw, Natalie Lauren, Tauren Wells and SPZRKT.
This strong ensemble of featured artists rounds out the album’s listening experience.
Songs for Hurting Hearts
Many of the tracks will resonate with hurting hearts and those who have struggled through loss.
“Complicated” wrestles with the maybes of our past and recognizes that there is no comfort in second-guessing the choices we have made.
“Love Never Leaves” is a track Tedashii describes as him “being able to chronicle real marriage in real struggle in real pain.”
The album’s final track, “Chase,” is an emotionally charged song written to honor the son he lost.
The song will certainly leave many parents broken at the thought of losing a child, but equally challenged by the truth that, even in the midst of unthinkable loss, God is enough and He is worthy of our faith.
An Honest Album About a Loving God
To put it simply, this album is honest.
It is honest about pain, but it is also honest about our loving God, who can strengthen hearts and redeem hurts.