I think diversity is good, it will definitly broaden the horizon. However don't change the principle and content of the message people like you for who you are, represent, and what you are doing. You are G.R.I.T.S. that is who HE made for HIS purpose, don't forget.
 

Please listen to our new song"Change" with Pigeon John
 

I really liked your diversity on "Butter on My Grits" because of the mixing of jazz with hip hop. I personally listen to all types of music, and it helps me so much to be more creative in the styles I play in. Lol it would be interesting if you guys did a song with Becoming the Archetype. They are an amazing, super-focused, Christian progressive death metal band. (Their lyrics are truly inspiring.) THAT would be one diverse song, and seriously cool.
 

what do you mean come out of the spiritual box??? thats why i listen to them because of the christian message!
 

I agree with the gurl's comment above. The first grits cd that i bought was the art of translation and i was hooked. since then i have bought every cd thats come out regards if i liked all the songs. i like this group soo much because its a christian rap group. changing the beats and lyrics is okay but dont conform to this worlds standards...the money and fame isnt worth it.
 

GRITS,.. I've been a fan since Mental Releases. Have pretty much every c.d. except ones after Redemption (only reason I haven't bought more is because I own over 300 c.d.'s, and I realized I was spending too much on c.d.'s). .. I rap, and understand the need to reach many with your message. I also know that it's not just about c.d.'s and i-tunes, but about the conversations after concerts and more... As long as you keep in mind who our true judge is, and stay right by him, and your music points people to him and to truth, you'll be fine, and your efforts will have a greater effect... Just don't water it down none! We all need truth!.. Thanks for what you done before!
 

????? I don't know why you would announce this unless you are looking for a reaction from the fans ???? We are all spiritual beings. We are all worshipers of something like it or not. I don't believe that everything that comes out of an artist's mouth needs to be Jesus loves you. I also feel there are enough bands preaching to the choir, and not enough speaking new life to the world. Just remeber we are called to be in the world but not of it. Get out there make great music and let your lifes speak volumes of the power of Christ.
 

GRITS have been leading the way – for both hip hop and Christian music – for so long, with all kinds of knocks and compliments from commentators. This is just the next step in their ground-breaking path. And once again, you’ll see the knockers and doubters. But they’re gonna still go…they’re history makers… GR In The S all the way, baby.
 

I agree with the above comments. If GRITS wants to diversify their sound in order to reach a larger audience, thats wonderful. We should always be looking at ways to expand our ministry. However, this should not come at a cost. The sound can change, but the message needs to remain the same. Christ! This is why we live. As long as GRITS does not conform to the rest of the mainstream music industry, diversifying can be a refreshing change. Christ needs to be the reason. They have done a wonderful job of incorporating God into their music and I hope this continues, even if the sound changes.
 

Please listen to our song Change with Pigeon John
 

Yeah GRITS is definitely reaching a new audience, but as will always be the case when diversifying, neglecting another. I've also seen it be confusing to some of my non-Christians friends because of the mixed messages in the lyrics.
 

Oh and I've been listening since Mental Releases also! TALENT, YEAH!
 

Hopefully you maintain the integrity of the message. Spreading your wings and writing about other stuff is cool...just maintain your "center." Peace!
 

I understand what you guys mean about coming out of the box and I agree totally especially as a singer and emcee myself. I am praying for you cats and your work. It's the genres that dampen the movement of heart-work; however God will continue to guide us and we'll continue to be effective for His sake. Peace to you both - stay up! C. Huey - Houston, Texas
 

Spiritual box?
 

Hey. Just wanna say that was just reading about Samson and when he went out of the spiritual box and tried to do his own thing. He fell away from the Lord and eventually lead to his destruction. I pray that doesn't happen to u guys.
 

I agree Daniel. The Word even says that the Spirit left Samson and he didn't even know it. That's a scary place to be. .. 
 

I do love u guys and the gospel in your music. Peace and God Bless
 

Yo I think that th wording may have confused people a bit. I think all Grits is saying, is that they don't want to deter unbelievers from having the title "christian rap".  Remember it's just a title. Any real emcee speaks from their beliefs no matter what they believe. Whether you call them christian rappers, or doodle-bops that shouldn't change wh0at they do. People really don't listen to artists as well s they should and it's not fair. <br />
 

I would say the best thing anyone could do if they are concerned is to pray for them. The Word says that we will be known by how we love one another so let's deal with each other in Love, peace.<br />
 

Statements like "we don't want to be put in a box" ....and do you suppose your fans are in that box? I'm sure I'll get all sorts of flamed for for this but honestly, by saying you no longer want to be known as a Christian group you're basically slapping your fans in the face saying that the Christian fans aren't good enough, you need another group. Diversity is one thing, but you can do that musically without having to water anything down lyrically. Using one set of fans as a stepping stone to "bigger and better" things isn't a wise choice, look what happened to mute math and nodes of ranvier when they decided that they were going to "step out of the box".<br />
 

I'm feelin' it. get your music out there.
 

..Good evening. This is actually the husband. I hope this fits. My first GRITS CD was Grammatical Revolution back in '99. My young bro bought it. Being our first encounter with hip-hop music that actually was in line with our walk with God we were very blessed and enthusiastic about this new "out of the box" music. Finally some beats you can blast down the street with the car windows down and verse that doesn't convict you to put your shades on, block peoples view of your face with your hand while sinking down in your seat.

The statement by itself, "Southern Christian Hip-Hop group GRITS is hoping to break out of their spiritual box and diversify." leaves much to the imagination and raised my concern personally as far as exactly what they could mean. Thanks for the video. It describes their hope to get their music out to more people. However, this to me as a Christian still raises other concerns. I dig what TTP said about prayer; moreover, I entreat others to pray also. I personally committed myself last Monday to faithfully pray daily for 7 days specifically for 3 things:

1.  God's will be done through GRITS.
2.  God to continuously strengthen their relationship with Him.
3.  God to give them wisdom in the decisions they make regarding their desire to get their music out there to more people.

I do not tell you this to boast. God just placed it on my heart to put it out there for someone.

To Bonafide and Coffee I give these scriptural references:

As far as going beyond the Christian hip hop genre:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
    19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, F22 that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, F23 but under law toward Christ+), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as F24 weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

As far as keeping the beats hot with the right message and enduring what comes from it:

Ac 20:24 - Show Context
    But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

1Co 9:24 - Show Context
    Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

2Ti 4:7 - Show Context
    I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Heb 12:1 - Show Context
    Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,..
 

I agree with the previous posters. Dont sell out.
 

....I will help you diversify. Let me know what you need?....
 

Sounds good to me. It's time to diversify and expand horizons. Good luck.