5ive Gets Down To 'Family Business' On New Album
Family Business, the True Breed Records debut from acclaimed rap/hip-hop recording artist 5ive, releases June 7. Produced by 5ive and SPEC (Flame, V.Rose), the 14-song set chronicles 5ive’s past struggles with drug addiction and his miraculous redemption. The project also marks the debut release from True Breed Records, Nashville Label Group’s new hip-hop imprint helmed by Seventh Day Slumber frontman Joseph Rojas.
Steeped in themes of unity and love, Family Business showcases features from such names as V.Rose, SPEC, Datin, J. Carter, Drew Weeks, MH Eternal and Je’kob, as well as 5ive’s 13-year-old son Kyren Cyrill, among others. Anchored by the title-cut, which features SPEC and J. Carter and is a nod to Jesus’ words to his parents in Luke 2:49 - “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” - Family Business is additionally highlighted by “Lead The Way (feat. Drew Weeks),” an autobiographical track of surrender to God’s calling; “Ain’t Worried (feat. Datin & V.Rose),” a playful, creative look at daily anxiety; and "No Rings (feat. Plain James)," which will also be 5ive's next music video.
“I’ve been grafted into the family,” 5ive says of the album’s inspiration. “I’ve been adopted, and one thing about an adopted kid is that you know you’re wanted. If you’re going to be used by God, you have to tell the whole story. That’s how people are going to get free. I just believe in keeping Jesus at the center of it all. I don’t believe I have to take His name out or water down the message to be relevant. It’s all about being true to who I am and who I’m called to be.”
5ive - born Craig James - takes his stage name from the biblical number for grace and favor. A tumultuous childhood led the rapper to marijuana, cocaine and meth addictions by the time he was 21. In his darkest moments, 5ive sought comfort in talking with his cancer-stricken aunt, a pastor in his hometown of Earth, Texas. In late 2010, strung-out and unable to sleep for days, 5ive unmistakably heard the voice of God telling him to go to church. When he entered his aunt’s church on Sunday as she was preaching, he immediately surrendered his life to Christ.
“I went in that church that day expecting to meet with Jesus, because I knew He was the only One who could do anything about my situation,” 5ive remembers. “I’d tried everything else. When my aunt laid her hands on me every weight of iniquity, every urge to want to do drugs, every urge to drink, every urge to do anything that wasn’t pleasing to God, I felt it all leave, and I heard Jesus say, ‘Show the world My grace.’”
Six months later 5ive - with no previous musical experience or formal training - wrote his first Christian rap song and has since released multiple projects, including Ignition, Ain’t Supposed To Be Here and Flight 393. In addition to his music, 5ive speaks in churches and at youth events around the country each year.
Nashville Label Group and its RockFest, Burtonwood and True Breed imprints are helmed by Joseph Rojas, Seventh Day Slumber founder and frontman and creator of the City RockFest and Summer RockFest Tours. In addition to 5ive and Seventh Day Slumber, Nashville Label Group is home to such Billboard hitmakers as Fireflight, Random Hero, The Protest and Zahna, as well as pop singer/songwriter Nathan Sheridan and breakout duo After Grace, among others. True Breed Records and the entire Nashville Label Group family are distributed by New Day Christian Distributors, with digital distribution by Capitol Christian Music Group.
