print: Driven - Destiny Praise | CD Review on BlackGospel.com

Destiny Praise / Driven
(Destiny Style Records)

June, 2008 on BlackGospel.com
Musical Review by Jennifer Belot

Looking skyward, B. David, Maya, Talandria, Hope, Dorian, Jeannine, Amanda, Charles, and Marcus, the nine anointed and appointed members of Destiny Praise ready themselves to deliver a divinely inspired word with a capital “W” on this, their latest project, entitled DRIVEN. Under the inspired pen of producer extraordinaire Travon Potts, Destiny Praise articulate their message with a distinguished eloquence unheard of in recent memory. Unmistakeably influenced by the works of, Kirk Franklin, and by the pioneers of contemporary gospel The Hawkins Family and Andrae Crouch, DP put their own special stamp on the delivery of the gospel.

Slated for nationwide release June 3^rd, 2008, with Destiny Style Records, Destiny Praise (or DP as they’re affectionately called) present their third and most ambitious offering to audiences who might have until now, not known of the talent that lay in the heart of Peachtown.

Together since 2001, DP was birthed out of the music ministry of Atlanta’s Destiny Metropolitan Worship Church, under the leadership of Pastor Bryan E. Crute and First Lady Lanette Crute. Having received numerous accolades from local industry peers and fans alike, DP’s list of accomplishments reads like a star-studded resumé with 2006-2007 Gospel Choice Music Awards and performances at the Mega Fest, The Trumpet Awards and opening credits for some of the best-known personalities in gospel today, including Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Donnie McClurkin, and John P. Kee. Their recent participation the Purpose Driven Worship Conference concert held at Saddleback Church had pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren lauding DP’s ability to make every audience member want to say, "Me too, God..." From Denmark to Paris and even to the polar ice caps of Canada, people are sitting up and taking notice of the fresh new and entirely relevant sounds of Destiny Praise.

With a lyrical content which I can only describe as liquid poetry, His Will, the first single to take radio airwaves by storm nationwide instantly grabbed my attention from the first to the last line. “Are you in bondage to the status of nice things…do you need validation wrapped up in false love… that’s not His will” I was riveted by the contemporaneous candor of the words written by Travon Potts; words which masterfully speak to the modern issues that young Christians deal with in this modern era.

Featuring Dr. Bryan E. Crute the title track, Driven sets the tone for the conversational character of this project as listeners become consensual voyeurs into DP’s contract of love with God signed in the blood of Jesus.

Broken is one in a succession of rousing victory chants, this one embodied in slick urban rhythms over classical musical arrangements. “No longer defeated I confess God has completed a change in me... the cycle has been broken” This is a chant repeated in new age circles but the freedom from the shackles of sinful past is declared possible only through the power of Jesus Christ further accentuated by a spoken word segment which is a cross between dub poetry and soft-spoken rap which encapsulates the message best described by alto, Amanda Braithwaite - "DP's message is real and relevant because it speaks to the process of being broken and letting God rearrange you for His glory."

A southern college band would call the Pep Rally a sanctified, dance-worthy jig, as this rambunctious tune forces listeners to shake to the holy hype as DP transforms themselves from praisers to straight-up cheerleaders shouting unabashedly: J-E-S-U-S!!!

No praise team would be complete without going to The Source for inspiration and true to their calling as ministers of the Word, Biblical references are freely draw upon. The encouraging words of the book of Jeremiah underlie My Destiny with a message pregnant with hopeful anticipation to all those who have been patiently waiting on the Lord. Psalm 136 is eponymously drawn from the words of the psalmist and the bonus track, simply entitled 2 Chronicles 7:14 uses the evocative vocal talents of Talandria Gosha, Marcus Clark & Jeannine Davis on lead as fragmented vocal arrangements hearken to a similar song written by Myron Butler for his debut album using that self-same scripture.

Although most of the songs on this project were produced by the masterful hand of Travon Potts, group leader B. David Stephens, a solo artist in his own right let his acoustic soul shine through in Clay as a quiet ode to the transforming power of God.

DP dug into the vault of classic hymns and came up with a couple of gems. A groovier version of Walter Hawkins classic gospel hymn, Changed sees itself revamped into a funky organ-laced nouveau number underscored by tag-team style lead vocals as the members of DP take turns showcasing their unique vocal stylings. The Blood is reintroduced by a beautifully clear soprano taking us back to church if only for a minute as in true DP fashion the traditional invariably becomes contemporary.

A modern prophetic word ensconced in urban praise & worship best describes the Destiny Praise experience. With vocal and lyrical arrangements unmistakably influenced by the likes of Fred & Kirk, there is something undeniably unique about this project, that goes beyond the categorizing, comparisons and critiques of an industry that at times forgets what Destiny Praise remembered, “the message is the medium.”