The climb of a Christian hip-hop artist : AR Base and his newest song Double Blessing: By the age of twelve, AR gave his life to Christ, and within just a few years he was forced to overcome his shyness when he risked being kicked out of school to become a high school pastor at the age of fifteen. Within the next year, he started an outreach, where he would boldly proclaim the gospel from places like public buses, and by the age of seventeen he was already working full-time in an evangelical ministry. It was from these humble beginnings that AR learned the value of determination, and pressing on in the face of adversity. It was from this path, that AR Base’s music ministry really began.
AR Base’s latest single “Double Blessing,” is out for release as a follow up to his 2019 track “Not Forgotten.” Based on the story of Job, “Double Blessing” is an upbeat hip-hop anthem to the promise that there will be a double portion for each of our troubles. AR explains how he wrote the song, “from a leading in my spirit to study the book of Job, to get an understanding of why bad things happen to good people, and the song “Double Blessing” was an answer for that. God blessed Job with a hedge of protection. God blessed the work of his hands; gave him increase and prosperity. After all his troubles, Job prayed for the people that did him wrong, and God doubled Job’s blessings.” Purchase the song on Double Blessing by AR Base @ CDBaby and see more information at http://www.arbase.net/.
Influenced by living in Inglewood, California during his early adult years, AR developed his ministry’s vision through his love for music. Although he gained experience as a lead singer for House on the Rock Church and was signed to Gee Ray Records in 2006, he really accredits his growth in the music industry from his time singing for the world-renowned West Angeles Church of God in Christ Mass Choir. It was there that he had the privilege of singing behind legends such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Ceasar, and Beverly Crawford. He even had the honor of being chosen as backup for the “Godmother of Soul” and Grammy Award Winning Patti LaBelle. It was an experience in his life that he is forever grateful for and will never forget. Learning behind the greats forever changed and molded AR Base’s own musical stylings to begin combining his R&B roots, flavored with Gospel, while adding a hint of Neo Soul, and a dash of Hip-Hop influences. With the release of “Not Forgotten,” AR Base’s affirms that “God never forgets us, even when others do.”
His latest album, Press On, showcases the heart of AR Base’s ministry. “I write my songs for everyone. The downtrodden, people who have fallen or given up. I want them to succeed in every area of their lives, so they can lay aside the weights that are holding them back and run the race before them,” he explains. It was with this purpose that AR was delighted to collaborate with a multitude of talented artists for the project. Including producers Jason Shepherd and Shawn Hibbler, who have worked with singers such as Smokey Norful, Shirley Caesar, and Darius Rucker, as well as Floyd “Flip Matrix” Wilcox, who brought his veteran experience from the famed hip-hop community to add a touch of urban flare. Together, Press On was birthed featuring a diverse range of songs inspired by the answers God sent in response to pressures and trials AR was facing at the time. Armed with these answers, AR Base has found that his own path has lead to purpose and vision behind his ministry. See even more info on social media channels https://www.facebook.com/arbase17.