The growth of a Christian hip-hop musician : AR Base: 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 Christian Hip-Hop/R&B – Double Blessing by AR Base on CDBaby and discover additional info 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.”
In 2014, AR launched the album entitled Love Worship, which focused on the power of praise through any of life’s situations. It featured, “Praise in the Fire” which went on to be awarded with Akademia’s “Best Gospel Song,” in 2015 and was applauded as “a hopeful Christian anthem for anyone looking to renew their sense of faith.” Written from the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were thrown into the fiery furnace, it modernizes the message of God’s saving power when we worship him in the hardest of times. It was also from this album that his song, “This Bitterness” topped the charts at number three on R&B Hits Radio in Athens, Greece. Come Close was later released in 2016, after joining forces with producer Wow Jones, whose credits include the likes of Anthony Brown, Da’T.R.U.T.H, and Deitrick Haddon. Featuring the song, “Dream,” AR showcased his personal style of storytelling from the perspective of Joseph to convey the message that even in the midst of our most painful trials, God is there to do “far above what we could ever dare dream of or ask.” Read additional info on social media channels https://soundcloud.com/arbase7.