Jonah Kirsten Sorrentino (born June 26, 1975), better known by his stage name KJ-52, is a
Christian rapper from
Tampa, Florida
Tampa () is a city on the Gulf Coast of the United States, Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida. The city's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and ...
. The "KJ" part of his name refers to his old rap alias, "King J. Mac,"
a name which he later described in one of his podcasts as "horribly cheesy."
"52", which is pronounced "five two", not "fifty-two", is a reference to the Biblical story of
Jesus
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
feeding the multitude
In Christianity, the feeding the multitude is two separate miracles of Jesus reported in the Gospels.
The first miracle, the "Feeding of the 5,000", is the only miracle—aside from the resurrection—recorded in all four gospels ( Matthew 14:13 ...
with five loaves and two fish, which is also sung about in his song "Push Up" from ''The Yearbook'' and in the "KJ Five Two" on ''It's Pronounced 'Five Two''. 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. On July 28, 2009, KJ-52 released "End of My Rope", which is the first single for his album ''Five-Two Television''.
Works
In 2002, Sorrentino released his second album, ''
Collaborations''. The album's title referred to the numerous contributions made to the album by guest artists, including
Pillar
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member. ...
,
John Reuben
John Reuben (born John Reuben Zappin; January 14, 1979) is an American Christian hip hop artist signed to Gotee Records until late 2010. Reuben has sold over 200,000 copies of his first four albums.Breimeier, Russ (May 2002)"John Reuben - ''Hind ...
and
Thousand Foot Krutch
Thousand Foot Krutch (often abbreviated TFK) is a Canadian Christian rock band formed in Peterborough, Ontario, in 1997. The band has released eight studio albums, two live albums, and three remix albums. The band currently consists of foundin ...
. ''Collaborations'' also represented his first nomination for a
Dove Award
A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Awards ...
, for "Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Album of the Year" in 2003.
[Nominees for the 34th Annual Dove Awards]
. Published by the Gospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of gospel music. As of 2011, there are about 4,000 members worldwide. The GMA's membership co ...
. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
KJ-52 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 (A Boy Named Jonah)
Behind may refer to:
* ''Behind'' (album), a 1992 album by Superior
* Behind (Australian rules football), a method of scoring in Australian rules football, awarding one point
* "Behind" (song), a 2008 single by Flanders
* Behind, a slang term fo ...
'', and the 2007 award for ''Remixed''.
Dove Award
A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Awards ...
Recipients fo
Rap/Hip Hop Album
Published by the Gospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of gospel music. As of 2011, there are about 4,000 members worldwide. The GMA's membership co ...
. Retrieved January 22, 2007. He received an additional honor in 2007, for "Never Look Away" from ''Behind the Musik'', in the "Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song" category.
[38th Annual Dove Award Recipients]
. Published by the Gospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of gospel music. As of 2011, there are about 4,000 members worldwide. The GMA's membership co ...
. Retrieved April 26, 2007. KJ never tried out for ''
American Idol
''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...
'',
['Behind the Musik' with KJ-52]
. Published by CBN News Retrieved May 27, 2007. but suggested such in his song "Fivetweezy".
In October 2008, he released his album, ''The Yearbook: The Missing Pages'', a re-release of his album, ''The Yearbook''. It comes with the original record with a slip over cover that has a code to download the 13 songs.
2009 Dove Awards
Another productive year for KJ-52 as he was awarded with "Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year" for "Do Yo Thang"; The Yearbook; KJ-52; Jonah Sorrentino; BEC Recordings/Uprok
In 2009, he released "Five-Two Television", and album covering a variety of themes and rap styles. It is his first album in which autotune is used, a controversial step among his fans. The album brings us the (fictitious) story of Chris Carlino, a man who has ruined his life, through a series of interludes. As usual for KJ-52, the album includes both songs with a strong Christian message and songs that are meant only to entertain.
KJ-52 also rapped in the
Newsboys
Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which ...
cover of "
Jesus Freak
''Jesus freak'' is a term arising from the late 1960s and early 1970s counterculture and is frequently used as a pejorative for those involved in the Jesus movement. As Tom Wolfe illustrates in '' The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test'', the term "fr ...
".
KJ-52 also rapped in the
tobyMac
Toby McKeehan (born Kevin Michael McKeehan; October 22, 1964), better known by his stage name TobyMac (styled tobyMac or TOBYMAC), is an American contemporary Christian music singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was first known f ...
remix of the song "One World" on the album ''Hip-Hope'' which also includes the KJ-52 remixed song "What You Want".
KJ-52 released ''Dangerous'' on April 3, 2012. It mixes hip hop album with quite a bit of synth, and has some pop-electric. The first released single, "Dangerous", is more light rock-pop. The second single is called "Shake Em Up", but is commonly spelled "Shakem Up". It features guest artists such as
Canton Jones
Canton Dorrelle Jones (born January 9, 1977) is an American Christian musician and Christian hip-hop artist.
Biography
Early years
Canton Dorrelle Jones, was born on January 9, 1977, in Deerfield Beach, Florida, and began singing at the ag ...
on "It's Goin Down",
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 ...
on "They Like Me", Thi'sl on "Shake Em Up", George Moss on "Do the Bill Cosby", and more. His final track, "Go," is a remake of the
Hillsong United song with the same name.
In 2017, KJ-52 released his first independent album "Jonah." The project was over 200% funded through Pledge Music. Following the release of the album, KJ-52 began working on an independent documentary about his life with filmmaker Denver Bailey. The film went on to raise 125% of the goal through kickstarter. The film was released alongside KJ-52's second independent album titled "Jonah Pt. 2" on February 15, 2018.
In 2019, KJ-52 released ''What Happened Was'', a joint album with CHH producer and 2019 Rapzilla Freshman, PoetiCS. The album features Xay Hill, Jodie Jermaine, Mitch Darrell,
V. Rose,
Dre Murray
Andre' Ledarryl Murray, better known by the stage name Dre Murray, (born September 14, 1981) is an American hip hop artist born and raised in Houston, Texas. He is a member of the rap collective We Live As Kings ( W.L.A.K.).
Biography
Murray ...
, and Dru Bex. The project was coupled with KJ's first book, also titled ''What Happened Was''. Both the album and the book were over 170% funded through Kickstarter.
On November 5, 2019, KJ-52 announced that he would be retiring from music after the release of his next album.
As of January 6, 2020, he joined the pastoral staff of Christian Life Fellowship in Cape Coral, Florida.
He has been married since June 1996. They have three children.
Eminem and "Dear Slim" controversy
KJ-52 was often compared to Eminem, as many called him a "Christian counterpart".
One of the most notable mainstream reactions to the Christian hip hop scene was to KJ-52 and his single "Dear Slim", which was written to Eminem in an attempt to reach him with the message of the gospel. The song became famous and controversial among Eminem fans when it was featured on the hit show ''
Total Request Live
''Total Request Live'' (known commonly as ''TRL'') was an American television program broadcast on MTV that premiered on September 14, 1998. TRL featured popular music videos played during its countdown, and was also used as a promotion tool by ...
''. KJ-52 began to receive hate mail (including death threats) from Eminem's fans, though KJ-52 claimed that the song was not being disrespectful.
The artist addressed it in a follow-up song titled "Dear Slim Pt. 2".
Discography
Side projects and other releases
* ''
Peace of Mind's'' self-titled album (2003, BEC)
* ''Soul Purpose'' with T.C. (Todd Collins) (2004, BEC)
* ''
KJ-52 Remixed
''Remixed'' is a remix album by KJ-52, featuring a reggaeton mix of '' Behind the Musik''s "Jesus", "47 Emcees (Plus 18 More Mix)" which reimagines the originally beatbox-driven track with multiple layered beats, each corresponding to the verse ...
'' (2006, BEC)
* ''The Office Prequel Mixtape'' (2009)
* Guest rap on "
Jesus Freak
''Jesus freak'' is a term arising from the late 1960s and early 1970s counterculture and is frequently used as a pejorative for those involved in the Jesus movement. As Tom Wolfe illustrates in '' The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test'', the term "fr ...
" for the
Newsboys
Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which ...
' 2010 album ''
Born Again
Born again, or to experience the new birth, is a phrase, particularly in evangelicalism, that refers to a "spiritual rebirth", or a regeneration of the human spirit. In contrast to one's physical birth, being "born again" is distinctly and sepa ...
''
Charts
Singles
Guest appearances
*Jeremiah Dirt – ''Plague'' – "Good Medison" (1998)
*Urban D. – ''The Missin' Element'' – "The Spittin' Spot" (1999)
*Urban D. – ''The Tranzlation'' – "We Go Together Like" (2001)
*Pillar - ''Fireproof'' - "Stay Up" (2002)
*Bobby Bishop – ''Government Name'' – "Change the Game" (2005)
*Zoegirl - ''With All Of My Heart'' - Mix of Life (2007)
*
tobyMac
Toby McKeehan (born Kevin Michael McKeehan; October 22, 1964), better known by his stage name TobyMac (styled tobyMac or TOBYMAC), is an American contemporary Christian music singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was first known f ...
– ''Hip Hope Hits 2009'' – "One World (Liquid Remix)" (2009)
*R-Swift – ''Anthem'' – "Flava of Forever" (2009)
*
Newsboys
Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which ...
– ''
Born Again
Born again, or to experience the new birth, is a phrase, particularly in evangelicalism, that refers to a "spiritual rebirth", or a regeneration of the human spirit. In contrast to one's physical birth, being "born again" is distinctly and sepa ...
'' – "
Jesus Freak
''Jesus freak'' is a term arising from the late 1960s and early 1970s counterculture and is frequently used as a pejorative for those involved in the Jesus movement. As Tom Wolfe illustrates in '' The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test'', the term "fr ...
" (2010)
*Sean Slaughter – ''The Prototype'' – "I'm Gone" (2010)
*big AL – ''The Balancing Act'' – "Lookin' @ Us" (2011)
*muzeONE – ''Cold War'' – "Lights On" (2011)
*Research – ''Cerca Trova'' – "The Struggle" (2011)
*Jai – ''Culture Shock'' – "Incredible (Remix)" (2011)
*
The Ambassador – ''Stop the Funeral'' – "Your Love" (2011)
*Canton Jones – ''The Live Experience'' – "I Am (Live)" (2012)
*E Tizz – ''What I Gotta Say'' – "I'm Tellin' 'Em All" (2012)
*
Rawsrvnt – ''Love Deluxe'' – "Jesus Jam" (2012)
*Emcee One – ''Introducing Again for the First Time'' – "Introducing Again for the First Time" (2012)
*Viktory – ''R4 (Relentless 4ever)'' – "God Is Amazing" (2012)
*George Moss – ''It’s Time'' – "Ridin' Windows Up" (2012)
*
Lincoln Brewster
Lincoln Brewster (born July 30, 1971) is an American contemporary Christian musician and worship pastor. As a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Brewster became a sought-after session guitarist in the early 90s. Brewster is the former senior wo ...
– ''Joy to the World (A Christmas Collection)'' – "
Little Drummer Boy
"The Little Drummer Boy" (originally known as "Carol of the Drum") is a popular Christmas song written by American composer Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. First recorded in 1951 by the Trapp Family, the song was further popularized by a 195 ...
" (2012)
*For a Season – ''Lion Hearted – EP'' – "Let It Out" (2013)
*V. Rose – ''Electro-Pop (Deluxe)'' – "Turn Up Your Light" (2013)
*Turnaround – ''Anxious'' – "Ghost Town" (2018)
Awards
GMA Dove Awards
A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Awards ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kj-52
American performers of Christian music
Record producers from Florida
BEC Recordings artists
Gotee Records artists
Living people
Performers of Christian hip hop music
Rappers from Florida
1975 births
Musicians from Tampa, Florida
21st-century American rappers