NEW VIDEO: J.Kwest - "Still Alright" - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

[Author’s note: Timothy Welbeck penned his thoughts on a dope new video from Chicago’s own, J. Kwest. Check it out below.]

We live in a time that poses unique concerns on a daily basis. From the resurgence of nuclear proliferation, climate change, a perpetual state of war across the globe, natural disasters, the threat of international terror coupled with the ever-present concern of global imperialism, we face numerous challenges each day that often consume our time and energy. Reverend Julian “J.Kwest” Deshazzier fully understands that, and wants to remind his listeners that we are “still alright” despite life’s many challenges.

To help facilitate that message, he dropped a visual for his song Still Alright, which appears on his critically-acclaimed album Lemonade (yes he dropped an album entitled Lemonade, and yes he released it before Beyoncé released her album of the same title). In short, the Phi-Beta Kappa rapper/pastor wants you to “drink more water and have some Lemonade.” You can watch the video below.

For those unfamiliar, J. Kwest is a husband, father, rapper, and pastor based in Chicago. He has appeared in JET, Vice, and Rolling Out; on Dr. Maya Angelou‘a “Oprah & Friends” Sirius XM show and at the Children’s Defense Fund; Urban Ministries International has named him “Living Black History.” In describing his music, he has said, “I believe these stories are universally significant. We only spend a couple of hours in church, and we need a soundtrack for the rest of life.” In 2015, ‘Kwest won an Emmy Award for helping write and perform in a video entitled, “Strange Fruit,” celebrating the 75th anniversary of Billie Holiday‘s song. J. Kwest currently serves as pastor of University Church in Chicago, is a regular contributor to Huffington Post and Sojourners publications, and is also an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School (where he received his M.Div degree), along with McCormick Theological Seminary.

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