DS Mission To intercept enemy communication by adding a fifth element to the hip-hop culture – Jesus Christ. DS Troops J-wal - Emcee
S.o.L. - Emcee
Traxx Galore - Drums, Key Bass & Keys
Spot - Drums
Lia - Vocalist
B-York - Coordinator
The Music Established in 1998, Divine Soldiers have grown into one of the most recognized independent Holy Hip-Hop bands in the United States. Their music, unlike most hip-hop groups, features a variety of live instruments that produce anything from melodic blends to hardcore chords. Before signing to Niayana Recording, CCM Magazine featured Divine Soldiers as one of the top unsigned artists that “you should know.”
Their lyrics are transparent and their songs are full of non-stop energy. In addition, they also discuss how Christians can have fun in life and what it is like to live in a world so desensitized to immorality. Since their establishment, Divine Soldiers have released three CDs, as well as, sold and distributed thousands of copies of their music. They have performed with popular artists, such as, Michael W. Smith, Third Day, Brian Littrell, Reilent K, Canton Jones, John Reuben, Big Daddy Weave, Pocket Full of Rocks, Family Force Five, Superchick, Leeland, Fighting Instinct, Decypher Down, and many more.
The Movement Hip-hop is a cultural movement that was started in the late 70’s by the music production of a party DJ named Kool Herc. Herc would take a break in a disco record, a part of the song where there was only music and no lyrics, and loop that section. This loop inspired street poets to write lyrics that were rapped over the loop in a syncopated rhythm. The music and lyrics began to have a moving vibe on the crowd. Dancers began to rehearse or practice their best routines to display the skills of their crew. Finally, the music, lyrics, and dancing inspired the creative art of artists, who would tag their interpretations of this whole process on subways and walls.
This movement is still alive today and the birth of hip-hop has evolved into four distinguishable elements. They are DJ, Emcee, B-Boy or Breaking, and Graffiti Art or Tagging. The hip-hop movement was started as a way for residents of this culture to use its elements to educate their community and bring about positive social change. Like all movements, the original mission can become clouded if it becomes commercialized. Today, hip-hop is one of the largest music genres and has a major impact on the entire world.
Hip-hop also had a major impact on the life of Jason Wallace, the founder of Divine Soldiers. This ministry was founded in 1998 after God called Jason to become a music minister. Not only did God tell him to minister through music, but he also told him that it would be his responsibility to disciple music ministers as well. He heard this call while attending a meeting for an opportunity to join a network marketing company. Jason felt God telling him to take these concepts and apply them to music. At the meeting, they talked about the importance of not just signing people up for the service, but enlisting more workers by pitching the company and educating prospects about the opportunity. God showed Jason a vision of him doing this very thing through music and he saw a vision of multitudes of people coming to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
At that meeting, Jason met a husband and wife, who said that they started working with this company as a way to help them fund their music ministry. The couple offered cheap music recording services for Christian organizations. Jason spoke with them after the meeting and shared the vision. The three of them agreed that this was no accident and exchanged contact information.
Jason wondered if he would be a solo artist in the new ministry concept or if others would join him. Immediately, he thought of his brother Brandon Wallace and asked him if he would join him in this eternal cause. Brandon agreed to join Jason and the two of them began to collaborate on writing their first album, “Ain’t No Othas.” Jason began to pray about what the name of their group would be and God gave him the name Divine Soldiers. Divine stands for the heavenly inspiration God would give them for their music. The soldier part comes from II Timothy 2:4. In II Timothy 2:4, the apostle Paul writes to Timothy (NIV), “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Jason and Brandon have been blessed since the start of their ministry to see over a thousand people comes to know Jesus Christ as their personal savoir. Since their establishment, the Divine Soldiers have produced three CDs and have signed a record deal with Niayana Recordings.
For seven years, the members of Divine Soldiers have been Jason and Brandon. However, it has always been the dream and goal of Jason and Brandon to do something different and innovative with their music. That dream came true when they met one of the most talented young producers and musicians in the music industry, Anthony Wallace (ironically of no relation). With the concept of the live band, other members have blessed Divine Soldiers with their talents and gifts. Their remarkable sound can be attributed to the skills of Divine Inspiration and engineer and producer T. Wesley McCraw of Creekside Audio Recording Studio.
Their mission is to be used by God to change and impact as many lives as they can for Him. They will not compromise the Gospel of Jesus Christ and have only one question; R-U Enlisted.
