"Xodus Band- Smashing myths with the Word of God"
by: Jennifer Angellatta
I was on one of my favorite message boards when I saw the term "gospel go-go." No way, I thought. That was like saying "hot ice." I grew up with go-go, but thought that I had to leave it when I got saved. I would pull out my old tapes from time to time, but missed the experience of being a part of it all. So, when I was invited to see Xodus Band play, my response was "when and where?"
It was an outdoor event at Sursum Corda, and it was a little chilly that day. I don't know what I was expecting, but my head was definitely nodding during the sound check. The same people that were sitting around shivering didn't seem cold once the music started. Daaahg! Them soldiers could crank! The music wasn't corny; it was right in the socket. They didn't cover a song and twist it to make it gospel, they had their own original jams.
The thing I was wondering was where does a gospel go-go band come from?
Xodus is a ten-member band; most of the members started by playing with secular bands. If you come see Xodus, chances are you're going to recognize some of the "X-Men" from old venues.
They are all brilliant men of God now, but that wasn't always the case. D-Roc and Black Mock (the only original members of the band) were longtime partners. D-Roc shared his testimony; he will quickly tell you that they didn't grow up as choirboys. They lived near a pastor, whose son kept inviting them to church.
"He got the majority of us in the neighborhood to come to church. We used to come to church smacked and carrying guns, but we kept on coming. He always picked us up, and one thing led to another. After a while, you start getting all that Word coming your way..."
They both gave their lives to Christ and realized that changes had to be made. One of the first changes was their band.
"We had started a secular go-go band, but we all got saved around the same time, so we realized that we wanted to start a gospel go-go band. We went to a church in Rockville, Maryland to see a band called Joshua Generation. We saw them, and we said that if they can do it, we can do it. That's what really sparked us."
The decision was made to play go-go for God. Xodus Band was born. Under the leadership of Pastors Tony and Cynthia Brazelton from Victory Christian Ministries International, Xodus began contacting musicians from other churches and began their ministry. During the seven years that they have been playing, players have come and gone. For the past two years, God has blessed Xodus with a tight line up, which is: D-Roc- exalter/lead mic, M.O.G.- rapper, Mu-rapper/singer, Chuckie- lead singer, Taye- keyboards, Bluto- keyboards, Black Mock- keyboards/drums, Baby Angel- bass guitar, Drew- congos/drums, Big P-rollatons/congos. They are managed by Mrs. Portia Taylor.
Black Mock and D-Roc weren't the only ones that didn't grow up in church. Most of the members admit to struggling with sin in their past. Mu became a Chrisitan after growing up in a Muslim household.
These brothas have a standard of living that they hold each other accountable for, and thank the band for helping them grow as men and keeping them straight with God.
Big P says, "I've been playing go-go ever since I can remember. I've always been in a band, except for a two-year absence when I joined the military. I went away, and came back and in between that time I received Jesus Christ. So, I was like...dang, no more go-go. I got an email about Xodus and I was like God, that's what I'm talking about, 'cause go-go is like my heart."
We all know how go-go gets hated on; imagine the reaction of people when you add the word "gospel."
Churches have put them out, saying that go-go is not of God. Go-Go headz send them e-mails, telling them to quit faking. Promoters have tried to entice them with offers- if they leave the God stuff out. Xodus will not compromise. Their music is undoubtedly go-go. Their lyrics are what separate them from NEG or Back Yard.
"We made a decision to make gospel go-go TIGHT," says D-Roc. "That's our whole goal, 'cause we know it's gonna take more than us coming out playing any certain thing. We know for a fact that we've got God on our side, we've got skills, and we've got people backing us."
Black Mock has a challenge for anyone that thinks that Xodus is not for real. "I want people to stop hating on gospel go-go. Instead of knocking it, come out and hear it."
You can hear for yourself at two spots every month. The second Friday of each month, Xodus plays at
VCMI-5840 Kirby road Clinton, Maryland. On the third Friday, they play at Club JC's- 1510 9th street NW. Xodus also performs at some of the events hosted by Gospel Invasions ministries throughout the city. They may be crankin' in your backyard this summer!
To quote D-Roc, "Xodus Band is for real. We made a decision before we even play an instrument that we're real with God. Not only are we real with God, but we can rock. We can rock go-go 'cause go-go is music. People think when you get gospel go-go that it's a whole different thing. But, go-go is music and we can play go-go with the best of them."
In their ministry, D-Roc says that they have seen thousands of people come to Christ through go-go.
"Our driving force is to go around to this world and take it back because people are getting killed out here and God has given us the answer through gospel go-go."
The Bible says go ye therefore into the world and preach the gospel. That is what these brothas are doing.
