Dre Murray, popular Christian Hip Hop artist, released his first album in five years, 'Gold Rush: Maybe One Day,' on July 9.
This album marks his debut with Collision Records and features 14 new tracks. 'Gold Rush: MOD' features artists like Christon Grey, Propaganda, Tragic Hero, Michael Guaglione, Sean Johnson, Swoope and Alex Faith. Production was also assisted by Big Juice and Wes Pendleton, in addition to some of the other featured artists.
At the 'Gold Rush: MOD' website, Murray and Collision Records explained the idea behind the title of the new album saying, "There was a time in our culture when legacy truly meant something, and people weren't so consumed with hasty riches-then the Gold Rush happened. Fast forward 150 years, and now, that's all people are concerned with-one hit wonders, quick hit singles, and get rich quick schemes. Through rich stories and a savvy lyrical style typical of Dre Murray, Gold Rush: Maybe One Day is about resetting our perspectives; pulling down ridiculous ideologies and pointing towards a more lasting treasure."
The idea behind the album is that, although we all have our hopes and dreams, they may not ultimately come true, and perhaps life is more than that. "Everyone is chasing something, hoping that 'maybe one day' they'll get their big break, strike gold, find their trophy wife, attain their power position, and quickly satisfied themselves; but this life never promises nor does it ever satisfy. People merely find new ways to scratch their hedonistic itch. 'Maybe one day,' they say, 'I'll make it; I'll get that job; I'll make that money; I'll get that life'-maybe...but maybe not," the website stated.
Dre Murray caught the attention of Collision records after releasing a series of 'Hell's Paradise' free EP installments alongside producer Wit. After that, he teamed up with Christon Grey, Alex Faith and Swoop in order to release, 'We Live As Kings' in March. Murray's last official, full-length album was released in 2008 and entitled, 'Manumit.'
On July 9, after the album was released, Murray (Nexter The Great @dremurray22) tweeted, "Thank you all for your support! This is bigger than charts, videos, and sales. Love y'all!"
In an interview with New Release Tuesday, Murray explained that his new album is meant to speak to a diverse audience. "A lot of the stuff that I'm saying in this record can be taken as me communicating with nonbelievers," he said. "I want believers to sit down and hear this record and understand that I'm talking to them as well. A lot of this stuff that's going on is happening in the church. We can't just look outside of the church. I realized this is what God was doing. I said, 'Wow, this music isn't just for the nonbelievers,' which is what I thought when I first heard it. It's actually for the believer, too."
However, he aims to reach a demographic that tends to be forgotten about, and bring them to understand their worth and the idea that, with faith in God, their potential has no bounds. The new album speaks messages about struggles with drug and alcohol abuse, but especially about the idea of leaving ones old life behind and moving forward into a live for Christ. This message is communicated the most clearly in Murray's song 'Red Light.'
The full track listing for the new album is as follows [according to New Release Tuesday]:
01. Sutter's Mill
02. Maybe One Day (feat. Christon Gray)
03. Ramesses the Great (feat. Propaganda)
04. Pharaoh (feat. Tragic Hero)
05. Fiend
06. Benjamin's Curse
07. Gold Rush
08. Red Light (feat. Christon Gray)
09. Alchemy (feat. Tragic Hero)
10. Letter in a Bottle (feat. Michael Guaglione)
11. Hollywood Heist (feat. Christon Gray, Sean Johnson & Swoope)
12. Welcome to My Life (feat. Alex Faith & Swoope)
13. All Alone
14. Gray Tape
The new album can be purchased on iTunes and at other locations.
