Exclusive The 29th Chapter Interview

March 2005

Full Time, the second CD from UK band The 29th Chapter, received a glowing four-star review on word-on-the-web’s Music Reviews page. Having enjoyed the album, we wanted to find out a bit more about this highly talented and refreshingly original group of artists. In March 2005, Mr Prince from the band very kindly agreed to answer some email questions for us:

Where does the name The 29th Chapter come from? 29th Chapter of what?

Originally the crew was called Acts 29. The vision of the ministry was to be the continuation of the book of Acts in the Bible, with respect to seeing lives radically transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit working through our day-to-day lives. In 2003 we changed the name to The 29th Chapter (slightly more hip-hop edge). So, different name, but the vision remains the same. Our Mission Statement is:?
1. To be the continuation of the book of Acts, leading people into discipleship and relationship with Christ using relevant urban art forms and a living demonstration of the power of God
2. To empower and release others to be the “29th Chapter” of Acts

What would you describe as your style of music? Rap? Hip-hop? Why have you decided to use that style?

Growing up in church, the Navigator and I were both greatly influenced by Gospel hip-hop groups such as dc talk, Idol King and Gospel Gangsters. As we got older we began to emulate them in terms of our music performance. This music style soon became a passion, and - fused with the desire to share the gospel – hip-hop presented itself as the obvious medium. In today's culture, hip-hop is one of the biggest selling genres in secular youth culture, so as a group we seek to use it as a tool, utilising familiar sounds to catch the attention of the hearer to present them with a unfamiliar message, a message of love and hope.

On your latest album there is a one-minute track called Utter Rubbish Interlude. I thought this was hilarious. Can you tell me how that track came about?

Well, as with most bands and artists, The 29th Chapter came from very humble beginnings. When we started out, most of our performances were spent in church preaching to the converted. At the tender age of 15 after one performance on a Sunday morning, the Navigator and I left the stage feeling aglow at the rapturous response we had received from our home congregation. At the end of the service we were approached by a number of people who encouraged us to keep going and continue to serve God with our music. One older individual in the church, however, took it upon himself to tell us otherwise. “Utter Rubbish” is the account of this particular incident. You’ll have to check it out on the CD to get the full story.

word-on-the-word aims to promote Bible reading around the world. What part does the Bible play in both your ministry and your personal lives?

The Bible is central to our ministry as we believe it to be the word of God. Romans 10 v 17 (New International Version) says: “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” So in terms of ministry, the Bible and its teaching is the central tool for seeing people changed. Equally, in terms of our personal lives the same principle applies. Luke 6 v 45 (NIV) says: “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” So really, unless we are being filled with the truth of God’s word, through Bible reading and personal devotion on a regular basis, we have little to offer.

What is coming next for The 29th Chapter? Any plans for the future?

Things over the last two years have really been hotting up; we are ever working on new ways to make the gospel more accessible. We are working on a new album to be released in 2006. Also our events diary is as ever packed with dates and gigs (see www.29thchapter.org.uk). When we are not doing gigs, we are usually in schools with our secondary schools outreach project, NuSkool. The other major bit of news this year is that we will be running urban style venues at two of the UK’s biggest Christian festivals - Soul Survivor and New Wine - so keep an eye out for us across the UK.

Where can our subscribers see you performing in the coming months?

In the coming month (April 2005) we have lots of gigs happening in the UK. Apart form the ones I have already mentioned, check out the dates section of our website www.29thchapter.org.uk for further information on our events.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

Yes. The 29th Chapter have entered a battle of the bands and are competing for the opening spot at a massive event happening at Alton Towers on 14th May. Thanks to all you faithful supporters who voted, we won our semi-final and are now through to the final. We would really appreciate if all you word-on-the-web readers would support us by casting an online vote for us via the following URL link:
http://www.halcyonsounds.co.uk/usvotingbvote.php?BandID=3

Every vote counts in helping to decide the winning band and we would really appreciate your support.

Mr Prince, thanks for answering our questions!