Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
For fans of: Eminem, tobyMac, Timbaland, GRITS, Kanye West
Label: BEC Recordings

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"This is my time capsule—the snapshots and the feelings, of a very memorable year," explains KJ-52. "I am both thrilled and awed by the things that have taken place recently, and I can't wait to share them with the world."

A yearbook is a symbol of our best memories. It is a reminder of the moments we cherish, a commemoration of an era in our lives when we felt like kings. In similar fashion, this past year has been a special one for Kj-52. In the past twelve months he has surpassed 500,000 units for his career, won a Dove award, and been nominated for two more. This is his time, his moment. And no other year would be more fitting for The Yearbook.

Five albums of material as a hip-hop artist is a feat in and of itself in an age that has been characterized by many as the dead era of this genre. Three of his four titles have scanned over 100,000—the only Christian hip-hop artist in history to do so. KJ-52 has become one of the most trusted names in music as a songwriter, producer, minister, and comic poet, in spite of many seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Let's not forget: He is an unabashed follower of Christ, he is white, and he is a rapper. Most have said these things cannot be combined at all, let alone form an equation for success. But KJ has grown more than accustomed to facing his nay-sayers head on. In fact, they fuel him:

"I want people to tell me I can't do this. It's a big motivator. I love the challenge of proving critics wrong. I watched my own name mentioned on the 'Forty Least Hip-Hop Moments' on VH1' for writing a song to Eminem about who Christ was in my life. I actually love to hear things like that…I don't mind them talking about me because I am focused on a different goal than impressing those people. If I listened to critics it would distract me from reaching the kids who are in desperate need of help. My music, when you boil it down, is here for those in need."

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