Foundnation crew came together with veteran Catholic rapper C2six and newcomers DyVerse and Th0t. Their new album Universal is ill.

C2six had previously put together his own album, and DyVerse connected with Miko of MAS. DyVerse even tried to connect with me (and several other Catholic emcees). Soon Th0t was following me on Twitter too. I knew these guys were working on things, like the Universal Catholic Cypher over YouTube (which I don’t do). I saw some of the process, and with interacting over them online, I have deep respect for them.

These guys also connect with a similar spirit, and I feel are effective as a crew. Considering that they are from all across the country (C2six: Texas, DyVerse: Florida, Th0t: Cali), they are graced with a harmony in their crew.

The audio quality of the album, and the video quality of their music videos is top notch. Unfortunately, I hate throwing the label around “Catholic Rap” or “Catholic Hip Hop,” because it always conjures up cheap art.

Universal is really Foundnation’s rapping the Catholic vision in their own way. It is a reflection on their experience of faith, in all its beauty, struggles, as well as what is shared among us as Catholics.

Some of the ill tracks on this:

So Hood - With a video worth checking out too, These guys have a presence and attitude in their music.

Eucharistic People - Jesse Manibusan comes through with the crew. A tribute to the Eucharist, and what it means for us.

Let It Go - A heartfelt track of letting go of those things that keep us from the Freedom of the Children of God.

Christ Is Alive - An Ill and Epic beat for an Epic theme, that Christ is Alive. This is one of the sickest cuts.

Act of Contrition - we sin, and we struggle, and these guys capture the feel of contrition in this song.

Everything I Am - These guys get down on some Hip Hop Worship

The Rock - Sounds like Jesse Romero on the beginning, that’s one of my heroes. Christ, in his Church, is the Rock on which we stand.