 As gospel music artists continue to take their musical ministries to new heights, God continues to bless those that stay true to His message. I was wonderfully surprised when I popped in Mista and Mrs.Taylor’s Love, Joy, and Pain. The album is hip, fresh, and exciting. The husband and wife duo celebrate the experiences of love, joy, and pain while ministering about what God has done in their lives.
Not quite new on the block, Derek and Teresa, a.k.a. Mista and Mrs. Taylor, have been performing around the world for almost 11 years. Derek grew up in Chicago, Ill, and developed a love for music at a young age. In 1988, he was part of a group called His Majesti and signed his first recording with Egyptian Empire Records. Derek met Teresa in 1986. Later in 1992, the group His Majesti decided to split. Derek went on to create another group called Shakespeare and the Lumberjack, to which he also the producer. Derek went on to sign with Scotti Brothers Records in 1993 and released a single with the option for an album. It was later that year that Derek gave his heart to the Lord.
Teresa grew up in Southern California. During her adolescent years in high school, she was noted for being one of the best singers on campus. In 1986, she tried out for a dance company called The Young Americans (a patriotic musical group that tours around the world). Teresa and Derek were married in December 1993 and began performing together soon afterwards.
The duo has been performing since that time. They recently signed with 4th Man Records and released ‘Love, Joy, & Pain’ this year. The 14-track album is more than a must-have. The lyrics reverberate with smooth soulful sounds, all the while giving praise to God. Laden with rhythms reminiscent of the conscious, hip-hop days, tracks such as the introspective ‘One Day’, explores a day in the life of a man living on the street. It also describes what it means to be a Christian to that same person who is viewed as deviant by our society.
One of my favorites is the romantic ballad, ‘Beautiful’ where Mista & Mrs Taylor take a few moments to talk about how wonderful their love is. The love-song is passionately worded, giving the couple a musical opportunity to share their love with each other, while thanking God. In speaking about love, Mista & Mrs. Taylor take things to a bluesy, hip level with the track ‘Love Thang’. The track is all about a love affair with God. As Mrs. Taylor’s strong powerful vocals lead us to worship with God, Mista Taylor raps softly, declaring how praise is a love thang. 
In full gear, Mista & Mrs. Taylor deliver a funky, up-beat lead with ‘Get your hands up!’ The hip-hop track, ‘Why do I do’ is a cry of why we do things in life, without asking God for guidance. Mrs. Taylor once again, adds her crystal vocals, while Fros T throws in some rap. On this song, as well as others much like it, the duo delves into the challenges of living a Christian life and the attempts by the enemy in so many ways to make us doubt God.
On the exotic ‘Bow Down’, Mrs. Taylor once again blesses us with her creative vocal delivery. The duo continues their message to us, of worshiping God by bowing down before Him. The catchy, up-beat, urban-inspired lyrical delivery is irresistible. The last track, ‘It’s not easy’, once again ministers to us about love and what it means to live a Christian life.
It has been over two weeks that I have continuously listened to Mista & Mrs. Taylor’s Love, Joy, & Pain, and I continue to pop the album in my CD player every morning as I start my day. Take a few minutes to get yourself a copy of one of the top Gospel hip-hop, R&B flavored albums of the year. All I can say is that with an album with this much flavor, powered with the message of God, we need to hear more and more from Mista and Mrs. Taylor in the coming years!
Em Fergusson
December 22, 2004 |
