''Formerly Known'' is the second mixtape by American

Christian hip hop Christian hip hop (originally gospel rap, also known as Christian rap, gospel hip hop or holy hip hop) is a subgenre of contemporary Christian music and hip hop music. It emerged from urban contemporary music and Christian media in the United S ...

artist

Andy Mineo Andrew Aaron Mineo (born April 17, 1988), is an American Christian hip hop artist, producer, music executive, and video director based in New York City. He is signed to Reach Records and his creative initiative Miner League. In addition to ...

, and his first under the

Reach Records Reach Records is an American independent record label specializing in Christian hip hop. The label was founded in 2004 by Ben Washer and the hip-hop artist Lecrae. In addition to Lecrae, the Reach Records roster contains artists like Tedashii, ...

label. It was released as a free digital download on September 9, 2011. Formerly known as C-Lite, Mineo dropped this stage name when he signed to Reach in July 2011. The album title is based on three concepts: Mineo was formerly known as "C-Lite," God intimately foreknows all of humanity before birth, and Mineo was formerly an enemy of God before his adoption into God's family. Featured performers on the album include

Lecrae Lecrae Devaughn Moore (born October 9, 1979), mononymously known as Lecrae, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, record executive, actor, and entrepreneur. He is the president, co-owner and co-founder of the ind ...

, Beleaf of TheBREAX, Co Campbell, Thi'sl, Eshon Burgundy,

Sho Baraka Amisho Baraka Lewis (born January 10, 1979), better known by his stage name Sho Baraka, is an American Christian hip-hop artist and writer who has recorded both independently and as a founding member of the 116 Clique. He was originally signed ...

Swoope Lawrence Allen Swoope II, mononymously-known as Swoope, (born April 2, 1986) is an American hip hop Christian singer-songwriter and producer born and raised in Akron, Ohio. He was a member of the rap collective W.L.A.K. and High Society wit ...

, Rich Perez, and R-Swift, as well as a comic appearance of

professional golfer A professional golfer is somebody who receives payments or financial rewards in the sport of golf that are directly related to their skill or reputation. A person who earns money by teaching or playing golf is traditionally considered a "golf pr ...

Bubba Watson. Production was provided by Mineo himself along with Skrip, Alex Medina, and other, uncredited producers such as

Tyshane Tyshane Thompson (born 1995), professionally known as Beam (an acronym for Be Everything And More; stylised in all caps; formerly as Tyshane and Elite), is a Jamaican-American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is the son of da ...

Critical reception

''Formerly Known'' was received positively by critics. Michael Wildes of ''The Christian Manifesto'' scored the mixtape four-point-five out of five and called it "one of the best albums" of the year. Jerome Hill of ''Jam the Hype Radio'' was also favorable to the album, stating that "Andy Mineo keeps us flowing with this project with sounds like 'whoop,' showing us that Christian hip-hop is not lame." Hill considered "Let There be Light", featuring Lecrae, a personal favorite. Wildes listed "Fools Gold", featuring Sho Baraka and Swoope, and "Michael Jackson", featuring Thi'sl, Rich Perez, R-Swift, and Bubba Watson, as the two songs which he liked the best. "Michael Jackson" sampled a line from

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...

and was based around the concept of Christians being former sinners who were "bad real bad

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over a ...

". Wildes noted the humorous intent of the appearance of golfer Bubba Watson and stated that it "closes out a fine project".

Track listing

References

{{Authority control 2012 mixtape albums Andy Mineo albums Albums produced by Andy Mineo Albums produced by Beam