We had Richie Righteous at this Friday's Chapel Service

Cambria Heights Rapper Takes A Leap Of Faith
by Theresa Juva, Assistant Editor
06/14/2007

Richard Ishmael, aka Richie Righteous, considers himself an authentic Queens rapper, but not like his famous borough counterparts 50 Cent and Ja Rule. “I choose to rhyme for the Lord,” the 29-year-old said inside his Cambria Heights recording studio. “I grew up in church and around music. Living in New York, there was no way to escape hip-hop.”

Ishmael emigrated from Guyana when he was 11, when the family moved so that his father could start his own church, what later became the Jamaica Assembly of God. During church services, Ishmael played the drums. Soon, he was creating his own beats and mixing them with lyrics, a process that “combined my love for God with my love for rhyme,” he said. But he felt the pressure to conform to the mold of rapping with obscenities. “It was hard on my conscience that you shouldn’t speak like this,” said Ishmael, who graduated from York College.

Not that he was immune to the rough neighborhood life other Queens artists rapped about. When Ishmael was 7 years old and still lived in Guyana, thieves broke into his home to rob his father, who they believed was wealthy. The thieves fled with valuables, but not before firing several shots that Ishmael and his family were able to dodge. The experience solidified the faith Ishmael would later use to weave lyrics into hip-hop songs. “The beauty of what hip-hop used to be is that from whatever angle you come from, you can tell your story,” he explained.

Hip-hop in its purest form is a way of communicating experiences, a purpose that has been warped in today’s hypersexual and materialistic mainstream rap, he said. “I love Queens rappers,” he added. “They are super talented. I just wish their lyrics were more positive.” He said that although rapping about the tribulations of street life is valid song material, most mainstream rap focuses on degrading women and much of the storytelling has been lost in the catchy hooks of urging women to “shake it.” This is in sharp contrast to Ishmael’s lyrics. In “Holla Back” he sings: “I never dreamed back when I was rapping on pavements/I blow to start up righteous entertainment/The same kid everybody said should stop doing gospel cause I had a son out of wedlock/But God took the kid that was out of control/Blessed my music and he’s used it to win souls.”

Ishmael’s different approach to hip-hop hasn’t helped him win over producers, however. Many aren’t interested in squeaky clean lyrics, a frustration that he takes out in one song called, “We Are At War.” In it he vents: “Gangstas get air play/Crack feens get air play/This ain’t no fair play what must I do to get air play/Oh I know maybe I should switch up my resume/And start rapping about how to get weeded.”

Ishmael still finds ways to reach his audience. Every month, he hosts a concert at the Jamaica Assembly of God, located at 139-25 88th Ave., an event called “Emergency Room,” because it is where people are metaphorically saved by the hope and optimism they feel after the concert, he said. “It provides an environment for young people where they can have a great time,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about dying,” he added, referring to the sometimes violent club culture.

While Ishmael said he will always call Queens home, he takes his gig across the country, mostly to churches. Last year, he performed at the Texas church of T.D. Jakes, a renowned evangelical preacher. He performs at both megachurches in front of 10,000 people as well as small storefront congregations. Ishmael is currently working on his second album titled “R.I.C.H,” which stands for Resting In Christ’s Hands. He hopes to destroy misconceptions people have about Christian-inspired music. “It doesn’t have to be preachy,” he said. “My life as a gospel rapper is to show people there is a human aspect to us. I’m somebody who chose to follow God.”

Richie did a great job for us Friday in Chapel! The kids were up representing Jesus and their Christian lifestyle. You could sense the genuine love and concern Richie has for this generation and God is using Him to both win souls and solidify those who already are walking with God. The kids love him. Check him out at http://www.richierighteous.net/index.cfm .

Grace and Peace,

Ed