Bay Area, emcee Qheem The Redeemed dropped in on the Da Fixx to share a little bit about his faith story and update on his latest moves. 

From the bay area

Born and raised in the country club crest (the crest) community in Vallejo California, if this place sounds familiar, it’s also the hometown of the late secular rapper Mac Dre and many others. “It was by the grace of God I survived that” said Qheem when referring to growing up in the crest. Formerly known as Redrum, Qheem the Redeemed got his start in rap as a featured artist on the Rompalation and also Mac Dre’s last album before his passing. QHEEM admits he indulged and lived that secular rapper type of life and he was deep in the street life culture. The “pray area” in the bay was responsible for his coming to faith. 

Qheem remembers having to press reset a lot on his life and that his life was not one of those stories where everything fell off all at once. The scripture says “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. The rapper proclaims that God still has something to say through him.

Teaching part of his ministry

After attending a men’s conference, Qheem felt the spirit convicting him which led to the start of his small group called bible study with the Cutty – wanting to reach out to the people around him, “I was looking in the word and seen that Jesus made an impact by working with people in his 50 mile radius”. 

A heart for the people and the importance of street ministry

Qheem confesses when first got saved he didn’t want anything to do with the secular world. “I spent a season with just me and god and didn’t want to do nothing with that world” Yet, people from his community gravitated towards him regardless of their faith and he started providing opportunities for them. Qheem emphasizes the importance of continuing to work with people in his community to serve and being there as brother. By giving people an opportunity to serve in their community regardless if they attended church or not actually helped turned some souls to the lord. 

What’s missing from CHH

The rapper acknowledges that having a fanbase for West coast CHH artist has been limited due to the previous generation. “Our forefathers had a great platform but we weren’t handed down a fanbase on the west coast” said Qheem. West coast Christian rap is more underground due to the heavy reliance on urban missionary; compared to groups like 116 who were part of the Cross Movement wave that gave them a fanbase to launch from. It’s about uniting the underground CHH artists to some of the more well known names like Lecrae will help grow the genre, Qheem explains. “I would like to see us come together as a body”. 

New projects

“I took five years off music” I just had life struggles hit me, from marriage struggles and some addictions, confessed the rapper. Qheem feels that the time he took off from music allowed God to mature him in a lot of ways. Jesus or not the album is sure to have some surprises on there, claimed the rapper. Thank You for Another Day is the first single from the album which represents how he got through the five year hiatus, “taking it one day at a time”. 

Advice on overcoming addiction

“I got to a place where I just cried out to Jesus and He gave me the strength to say no” said Qheem, and “when I walked away I had to change people, places, and things.” Qheem remembers shutting down his facebook and emphasizes on the importance of letting go of the past.

You can stream Qheem the Redeemed’s single Thank You For Another Day on all platforms.  And catch this wave with Da Fixx on weekday mornings at 6 est. on Holy Culture Radio Sirius XM Channel 154. Remember to follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to join the conversation.