Twelve years. Eight Albums. Two Grammy nods, Three Dove awards, a Billboard Video Award and a host of other signposts. A catalogue of material that is timeless, classic, and that has always been one step ahead of the curve. Few hip-hop artists can boast any of this. Few hip-hop artists (or artists from any genre for that matter) can navigate the delicate balance between commercial success and artistic credibility and continue to grow with every successive release. But then, most artists aren't Teron "Bonafide" Carter and Stacy "Coffee" Jones, aka Grits. On Redemption, this Nashville duo once again not only delivers an album worth of memorable material, but they have put themselves in a position to be placed among the industry elites. The many years of honest development of their craft has culminated in this moment—Grits finest hour—as their latest is a southern masterpiece of universal appeal, from club anthems to party jams to heartfelt hymns. And the album's versatility is only eclipsed by its vulnerability. And Grits wouldn't have it any other way. "This is what we eat, sleep, and breathe," states Coffee. "In the end, if this music isn't honest, if it isn't something that we love, and if we aren't baring our souls, then there is something wrong. We wanted an album that you could play from front to back, where every song was 'the single.' I think this will inspire and encourage, as well as bump and make your head nod. We stepped up our game this time around. I think this album has it all." As strong as their catalogue is, there can be little doubt that this is the group's most aggressive LP to date. There is an energy that would rival anything the heaviest hitters in the industry have laid down—Outkast and even the Kanye's of the world. And like these pivotal artists, they have found a way to make the industry come to them, not vice versa. You cannot pigeonhole this album into one category, and it's obvious that Grits makes the music that they want to make on their own terms. Bridging the gap of a variety of influences, from southern flavor to pop sensibility, with an east coast urbanity, these songs are a perfect blend of the underground and the accessible, always with a positive spiritual twist. This is real hip-hop for real people from real artists that will boom trunks and bang clubs. Just don't question their motivation. Grits' singular resolve is to stick to their creative guns. (courtesy of Gotee Records)

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