Young Christian rapper Seanessee "Young Rig" West was so impacted by a missions trip he took with Word of Life Family Church of Burlington, NC that he held a fundraising concert.
“I remember how they blessed me and I want to bless others,” West, 15, said in a recent phone interview. “I felt differently after I came back. I learned a lot. I was humbled by the experience.”
That act of kindness, West said, inspired him to do something to help others. The result is a fundraising concert called “A Star is Born, Young Rig in Concert,” featuring West, a Christian rapper, aka “Young Rig;” local alternative band, The JC Project; Jadda Jeffries, aka “Jadda J;” Little T, an 11-year-old gospel rap artist; Reveal, a female gospel rap artist; The GGT Boys (God-given talent), an R&B hip-hop duo; Lauren Edwards and dancers and the Vertical Student Ministries drama team.
The concert was held at the Paramount Theater, 128 E. Front St., Burlington. Half of the proceeds from the ticket sales and all of the proceeds from the concessions were donated to the Vertical Student Ministries youth group at Word Of Life Family Church.
West’s dad, Rod “Fatal” West, is a rapper and nicknamed his son, Original (“Rig” for short).
“We do songs together,” he said.
Clezelle Poteat, Seanessee’s mom, said the youth group has had such a positive influence not only on her son’s life, but others in the neighborhood. Seventy-five young people currently participate in the group and Vertical Student Ministries has its own church service on Sunday nights.
“They do community outreach — visit rest homes and have arranged Easter egg hunts for the neighborhoods,” she said. “There are some young people who simply can’t afford to go on these mission trips and this is why Seanessee felt let to do this.”
The difference between Young Rig’s music and the rap you may hear on the radio, he said, is that “every other word they say is a curse word. But I feel that you don’t have to glorify guns, cars and women to rap. You can glorify God.”
The youth group visited a homeless shelter in Vero Beach, Fla. Young Rig not only performed, but a homeless man shared his own rap tune with the young man, too.
“I felt real honored,” West said. “My music is positive, inspirational and motivational. I hope it moves the audience.”
At Gospel Elevations, we are proud of Young Rig. He represent youth who love God and are doing positive things in his community. Hopefully we can get some of his music on the web site.
“I remember how they blessed me and I want to bless others,” West, 15, said in a recent phone interview. “I felt differently after I came back. I learned a lot. I was humbled by the experience.”
That act of kindness, West said, inspired him to do something to help others. The result is a fundraising concert called “A Star is Born, Young Rig in Concert,” featuring West, a Christian rapper, aka “Young Rig;” local alternative band, The JC Project; Jadda Jeffries, aka “Jadda J;” Little T, an 11-year-old gospel rap artist; Reveal, a female gospel rap artist; The GGT Boys (God-given talent), an R&B hip-hop duo; Lauren Edwards and dancers and the Vertical Student Ministries drama team.
The concert was held at the Paramount Theater, 128 E. Front St., Burlington. Half of the proceeds from the ticket sales and all of the proceeds from the concessions were donated to the Vertical Student Ministries youth group at Word Of Life Family Church.
West’s dad, Rod “Fatal” West, is a rapper and nicknamed his son, Original (“Rig” for short).
“We do songs together,” he said.
Clezelle Poteat, Seanessee’s mom, said the youth group has had such a positive influence not only on her son’s life, but others in the neighborhood. Seventy-five young people currently participate in the group and Vertical Student Ministries has its own church service on Sunday nights.
“They do community outreach — visit rest homes and have arranged Easter egg hunts for the neighborhoods,” she said. “There are some young people who simply can’t afford to go on these mission trips and this is why Seanessee felt let to do this.”
The difference between Young Rig’s music and the rap you may hear on the radio, he said, is that “every other word they say is a curse word. But I feel that you don’t have to glorify guns, cars and women to rap. You can glorify God.”
The youth group visited a homeless shelter in Vero Beach, Fla. Young Rig not only performed, but a homeless man shared his own rap tune with the young man, too.
“I felt real honored,” West said. “My music is positive, inspirational and motivational. I hope it moves the audience.”
At Gospel Elevations, we are proud of Young Rig. He represent youth who love God and are doing positive things in his community. Hopefully we can get some of his music on the web site.
