IK BIOGRAPHY
The first thing that captures your attention about this epic group is the uniqueness of their name. The moniker is a tribute to Louis King, the close friend of the group’s original founder and leader C.O., who passed away of cancer. The multi-talented King was the guiding influence and development behind the unflinchingly provocative, colorful, and poetically passion-filled rhyming heroics of C.O., and the righteously furious exhilarating turntable wizardry of DJ Cut No Slack. Due to King’s positive influence on their lives, the group not only wanted to commemorate his legacy forming the name I.D.O.L. King (which stands for In Dedication Of Louis King), but also desired to reverence God by producing music that could impact the lives of others for eternity. I.D.O.L. King soon opened “a” door for the then new genre of rap — now known as Holy Hip Hop, facilitating a mainstream appeal long before many knew such a genre existed. They are considered by many of their peers as “Pioneers” in Holy Hip Hop, and one of the first explicitly Christian and apologetic hip hop crews in America, if not the world.
I.D.O.L. King’s performance history is both extensive and impressive within the faith and secular communities. The group has collaborated and shared the stage with some of Christian and secular music’s most respected groups such as The Cross Movement, KJ 52, Gospel Gangstaz, The Grits, Kirk Franklin, Third Day, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Toby Mac, Donnie McClurkin, and Ice Cube to name a few as well as in the company of Lecrae and the late great Ray Charles.
The impact of IK is paradoxical in that they have ministered to more souls than they have received record spins. They have been at it long before sound scan existed for gospel music—therefore, their total record sales to date are known only by God. Yet their acclaim has reached remarkable levels while ever deepening their popularity and mystique as their reputation though underground circles assume iconic proportions. It seems IK coexists in the forefront while deftly remaining in the background – and they have done so over decades. To keep it absolutely “One hundred” I.D.O.L. King can’t just be listened to they must be experienced!
Continuing to be relevant in the ever-changing climate of hip hop can be a daring, daunting, and oftentimes difficult task. However, IK has managed to adapt to the times without compromising the essence of the message of their music, which is Jesus Christ. Truly IK holds the record for longevity —consistently releasing music that is apologetic, doctrinally sound, exhibits lyrical prowess, and remains practical across generations.
Since IK is one of the only crews in holy hip hop history that have continuously “rocked the mic” for 26 years, it seems befitting to inquire how much longer this legendary crew sees themselves representing the Lord in this manner. When asked this C.O. and Slack respond in true holy hip hop fashion–by quoting a lyric from one of their previous released songs. “I’m in this ‘til I’m old as a negro spiritual,” they recite, a humorous line from the track entitled Christsyde from their second studio CD “Hell? No!” I.D.O.L. King believes that maturity is the quintessential element missing in holy hip hop, therefore since age breeds wisdom and Christian maturation, IK deems they can help support what HHH maybe lacking. The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2:2 echoes this sentiment when he said to “entrust the [ministry] to faithful men who will be able to teach others.” Perhaps there is something to be said about the aging emcee’s usefulness to God after all, rather than the novice (1 Timothy 3:6), especially as it relates to providing direction to the holy hip hop community.
The authenticity of I.D.O.L. King is characterized by their extreme dedication to the Bible and its infallibility. C.O. and DJ Cut No Slack’s biblical convictions and devotion to “holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience,” (1 Timothy 3:9) coupled with their ability to “speak the truth in love” provide the execution of a powerful yet lovingly balanced ministry.