KJ-52 Did Not Intend To Be Controversial Or An Open Diss On Eminem

KJ-52

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KJ-52, Jonah Sorrentino (born June 26, 1975), is a Christian rapper from the United States.

"KJ" is an abbreviation of "King J," an old rap name he had before moving into Contemporary Christian Music.

"52" (which is pronounced "five two," not fifty two) is a reference to the five loaves and two fish that Jesus used to feed the 5000.

He was awarded the Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year for "Never Look Away" and Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards of 2007.

Raised in Tampa, Florida, KJ-52 was the product of a broken home.

He began writing rap songs at twelve years old, and at fifteen KJ converted to Christianity and wrote his first Christian rap. While a teenager, KJ began working in youth ministry at a Florida inner-city church. He also recorded a demo, but it was largely ignored (although he admits to it being "really horrible").

It wasn't until KJ met a young, likeminded rapper named Golden Child, the two formed the Sons of Intellect and began performing throughout Florida. Soon Golden Child moved on and the Sons dissolved.

But that brief bit of success in Christian rap had whetted KJ's appetite, and in the summer of 1998 he stepped down from his youth minister position to pursue his Christian rap dream full-time.

KJ-52 and many others would still consider him to be in the field of youth ministry, however, as the main consumers of rap/hip-hop music would fall into the category of "youth".

KJ fills a significant portion of his songs with messages intended for the current generation of youth, addressing a multitude of issues regarding the church, and Christians in general.

A relationship with Gotee Records' Todd Collins led to a deal with Nashville CCM label Essential, who released 7th Avenue, in April 2000. The LP featured collaborations with the Cross Movement and Knowdaverbs.

In 2002, he released his second album, Collaborations. The album's title referred to the numerous contributions made to the album by guest artists, including Ill Harmonics, Pillar, and Thousand Foot Krutch. Collaborations also represented KJ-52's first nominated for a Dove Award, for "Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Album of the Year" in 2003.

The most controversial track on the record was entitled "Dear Slim". The track presented an open letter to Eminem, in a similar style to Eminem's song, "Stan". "Dear Slim" was premiered on the MTV countdown show Total Request Live, but was cut short, as is common for the show.

The cutting short of the song upset KJ-52 and his fans by portraying the song as an open attack on Eminem. According to KJ-52, the song was not intended to be controversial or as an open "diss" on Eminem.

His song "Dear Slim Pt. 2", which was included on his next solo project, It's Pronounced Five Two, addresses these issues. He has inspired such artists as J.C.P.,Nij Ha and popular Christian rapper Ezra.

KJ has won four Dove Awards, three in the "Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year" category. He took the 2004 award for It’s Pronounced Five Two, the 2006 award for Behind the Musik, and the 2007 award for Remixed.

He received an additional honor in 2007, for "Never Look Away" from Behind the Musik, in the "Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song" category. KJ never tried out for American Idol but suggested such in his song Fivetweezy.

In 2005, KJ was number 26 on the hip hop Charts, VH1 featured him on 40 Least Hip Hop Moments, KJ responded with another rap song. The original segment, and KJ's tongue-in-cheek response, can be viewed on YouTube.

In 2006, KJ was featured in a Breakaway magazine article in which he talked about his ministry and his relationship with Golden Child. KJ 52 was also in the revolve tour. In 2007 he released his album, The Yearbook.

KJ's latest music video "Fan Mail" was the most played video of its first week on the Gospel Music Channel.

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	Five-Two Television CD By KJ 52 / BEC Recordings
Five-time Dove winner and Christian rapper KJ-52 is back with an astounding record of fresh rhymes and funky beats! Featuring special guests Da T.R.U.T.H., Trevor McNevan, Braille, and Theory Hazit, it includes "Let's Go," "End of My Rope," "Shake 'Em Off," "Just Like That," "Oye," "Every Time I Call," "Firestarter," "Help Me Change," "The Adventures of Tweezyman," and more.

	KJ 52 Triple Pack By bec Recordings
Enjoy this budget friendly triple pack from KJ-52! Includes three albums, Collaborations, It's Pronounced "Five Two", and Behind the Musik. Fifty-seven tracks total, from BEC Recordings.

	Collaborations/It's Pronounced Five-Two CD By Emi Cmg Distribution
Two full albums- one great price! The Two-for-One series pairs past releases from prominent artists, offering two albums for the price of one. Collaborations KJ-52's Collaborations album features 16 tracks, each with a guest spot from another artst. Includes songs with John Reuben, Mars Ill, Playdough, Rob of Pillar and Trev of TFK, and more.

	It's Pronounced Five Two CD By KJ 52 / Emi Cmg Distribution
KJ-52's phat follow-up to his Collaborations album keeps on going in the same direction, with fun frolicky rhymes and heartfelt words of advice and wisdom. With catchy hooks and crazy beats abound, Pronounced is sure to earn a spot in your collection.

	The Yearbook (Special Edition CD/DVD) By KJ 52 / BEC Recordings
This special edition includes a stack of KJ-52's videos, a photo gallery, live footage, interviews, and more.

	The Yearbook CD By KJ 52 / BEC Recordings
For his latest album, 'Five Tweezy' sifted through over 50 new compositions to compile the freshest rhymes and funkiest beats in the Christian marketplace. The Yearbook includes "Will You Ever Know," "Do Yo Thang," "Pump That," and more.

	KJ 52 Remixed CD By KJ 52 / Emi Cmg Distribution
KJ-52 Remixed features the self-proclaimed plain white rapper's hits and favorites, remixed and reserved for your enjoyment. Also includes bonus tracks "Washed Up," "Run for Cover (featuring Trevor of TFK)," and "Napoleon Dynamite."

	Behind The Musik, Deluxe Edition CD By Emi Cmg Distribution
This special edition version of the exceptional Behind the Musik album features five extra tracks and loads of video footage and more.

	Behind The Musik CD By Emi Cmg Distribution
Regardless of where he's working- from churches and huge Christian festivals to the heart of the hip hop club scene, KJ-52 can hold his own, with ease, against the best rappers in the business. Behind the Musik features guest shots from Jeremy Camp, Rebecca St. James, Kutless' Jon Micah Sumrall, and more. Songs include "Are You Real", "Right Here", "Never Look Away", and more.

	7th Avenue, Re-release Version, Compact Disc [CD] By KJ 52 / Provident Music Distribution
KJ-52 made his label debut on Essential records in 2000 with the launch of 7th Avenue. Four years, several albums, and much recognition later, he continues to entertain diverse audiences without compromising the Gospel of his distinct hip-hop sound. To further KJ's ministry and outreach, the 7th Avenue '04 Edition has been remastered and reissued with 5 more tracks.