Rapper Crucifix’ Story of Epic Proportions

Tim Wenger | April 1, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Tim Wenger

photo credit Dustin Sheffield

“I am a Dreamer,” are the first words on the album Acid Reign, the hard-hitting full length album from rapper/entrepreneur Crucifix. Given his background, a more accurate description could not be spoken. The now-Denver resident, originally from the streets of Atlanta, is developing a solid following through inspiring video shoots and documentaries, a strong knack for catchy, pop-influenced hip hop tracks, and a professional business approach that includes a strong social media following to spread a positive message through music.

Crucifix recently relocated to Denver from Nashville, coming out of a recording contract back to the status of independent artist. “What we really try to do overall is just bring a positive message,” says Crucifix. “The “Dreamer” song we have was the first video that we did in Denver, and it was inspiring. Don’t let someone who has given up on their dreams rob you of yours. That’s the thing that’s leading us coming out here, just hooking up with positive organizations and try to make a positive impact.”

He has been through his fare share of negativity. Being homeless for several years and resorting to selling drugs to generate income, Crucifix has seen the dark side of humanity, something he hopes to continue stepping further away from as he continues his path in music. “I grew up in east Africa,” says Crucifix. “After I got back, I was homeless. There was a lot of organizations like Salvation Army that helped me get on my feet. You get to this point where you’re like, ‘How can I give back?’ Just to get up on the stage and rock out, try to make an impact.”

Much of his story was recently published in a book put out by the band Casting Crowns’ front man Mark Hall called Your Own Jesus. “When I came back to the United States, I didn’t really have anything or anybody except some bad relationships in Atlanta,” says Crucifix. “I just started spiraling downhill, got real heavy into drugs. I eventually hit rock bottom, living in a crack house in Atlanta.”

He started seeking a way out, looking for answers, looking for people. His fiancé became someone he could turn to. “It was a climb,” he says. “My fiancé was from Finland, and had grown up in that type of an environment. Here she was just thrown into this really dark place, and she ended up getting pregnant. We were sleeping outside on the concrete, 32 degrees one night. I kept taking clothes to give to her try to keep her warm. That was the turning point for me, I had to get myself together you know.”

Crucifix began clinging to anything that could help him be anyone but the person he was, and says he used the Bible and any positive influences he could find to help him weed drugs out of his life. It was about a seven year process, eventually landing him in Nashville and Denver, with music as his outlook and output to the world around him. He wanted a way to give back, to help out those in need. “I kind of compare it to being in the desert for a long time,” says Crucifix. “Then you stumble into an oasis and you are like, ‘What kind of fool would I be to not share this?’”

The music he puts out is positive, inspiring, and relatable to people from all walks of life. It is hip hop with a mission, and in the true form of what he hopes to accomplish, his music has the ability to bridge genre lines. It is danceable enough for a night club on Saturday night, introspective enough for a scholar’s research paper, and honest enough that it brings goose bumps to the skin. “We’re trying to take that positive message and not hit people in the head to make change, people will make the changes that they want to make in their life, but to set an example,” Crucifix says. “If I can do it, if I come from being homeless and on drugs to being able to pursue a career in music and be a father and a husband and run a successful business, than anybody can.”

He is in the process of putting together a new album.

His first music video and full-length documentary was filmed at the Chernobyl site, a place he had visited a couple times prior. The documentary is available on YouTube- www.youtube.com/crucifixworld.

He will be heading to Israel to film a new music video this summer for the song “Heaven.” Given the massive spiritual history of the region, it seemed like a fitting place to shoot the video. They hope to film the video in June. “You kind of get into this thing of, ‘How can I top the last one?’” Crucifix says. This video looks to be his most inspirational project to date. Keep posted on updates at www.crucifixmusic.com.

“We’re going to allow the fans to be part of the project,” says A&R Manager Gabriel Montoya. “We’re pretty excited to see where it goes.” Fans can donate to help make the video happen and will receive perks from Crucifix himself in return for their donation.

Catch Crucifix live April 17 at the Roxy Theatre with Jonas. He has also recently done tracks with Boondox (Pyschopathic Records) and a track called “Let Us In” with the rapper Rittz out of Georgia. Crucifix has also been working on some country-influenced music with The Lacs. “In 2014, that’s where we’re at, as an artist that can cross genre lines like that.

“We’re here in Denver, we’re excited to meet people,” says Montoya. “We’re excited to get out their with the fans and with the communities. We’re really trying to get his story out there and do some positive things in the community.”

Online: crucifixmusic.com