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Below Paradise
Studio album by Tedashii
Released	May 27, 2014 (2014-05-27)
Genre	Christian hip hop
Length	49:58
Label	Reach
Producer	808xElite, Andy Mineo, Black Knight, DeCapo Music Group, Dirty Rice, Dre "the Giant" Garcia, Gawvi, Halo Hitz, Jacob "Biz" Morris, Joseph Prielozny, Mashell, TOD, Uforo "Bongo" Ebong
Tedashii chronology
Blacklight (2011) Below Paradise (2014) This Time Around (2016)
Singles from Below Paradise
"Dark Days, Darker Nights" Released: 2014 "Nothing I Can't Do" Released: 2014

Below Paradise is the fourth studio album from Christian hip hop recording artist Tedashii, released on May 27, 2014 by Reach Records. Based on his struggle to deal with the death of his son, the album tackles issues of pain, suffering, and the love of God in the midst of hardship. It met with a positive reception from music critics. The album sold 13,800 copies in its debut week causing it to chart at No. 17 on the Billboard 200.

Background

This album was the follow-up to Tedashii's third studio album, Blacklight, released in 2011 by Reach Records. Below Paradise was released by the same label on May 27, 2014. The album was produced by 808xElite, Andy Mineo, Black Knight, DeCapo Music Group, Dirty Rice, Dre "the Giant" Garcia, Gawvi, Halo Hitz, Jacob "Biz" Morris, Joseph Prielozny, Mashell, TOD, and Uforo "Bongo" Ebong. Below Paradise was created after the death of Tedashii's young son in a car accident. Tedashii stated in a press release that

In March 2013 I had the worst day of my life. The loss of my son changed me forever. I experienced grief and sorrow to the depth of my soul. The veil was lifted, the smoke cleared and all I had was pain... ...The reality of being a Christian and suffering so harsh a thing was hard for me to grasp. This album is my journal shared publicly with everyone during this difficult journey as I worked to understand all I felt, experienced and believed. I am human, I am hurt, I am his. By his grace I am what I am. I pray this will be an album that all can feel, even if you can't relate, and be moved to true emotions about the reality of life in a harsh world with a loving God, below paradise.

Music and lyrics

The album is described as an auditory journal that traces Tedashii's life over the last two years, from the death of his son, the strains this placed on his marriage, and the peace and grace he received from God throughout this time. In an interview with Reel Gospel, Tedashii explained that beyond dealing with suffering the album is also "a reflection on the fall, the result of the fall", and that the message that he is sharing on this album is that "We live in a fallen world with a loving God... Both are true, and to ignore one and only receive the other you dismiss how great a love God has for us." In addition, Mark Ryan of New Release Tuesday states that "The lyrics are personal, his flow is on point, the album's production values are not in question and each and every feature is perfectly placed and works brilliantly in this album."

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
CCM Magazine
Christian Music Review
HM
Indie Vision Music
Jam the Hype	9.6/10
Jesus Freak Hideout
New Release Tuesday

Below Paradise met with positive reception from music critics. At CCM Magazine, Matt Conner rated the album four stars out of five, remarking how "Below Paradise, opens up both the hip-hop playbook and the artist's soul for a meaningful mix that's bound to find the rapper's biggest reach to date." In addition, Conner vows it is not the collaborators that will impact people first "it's Tedashii's vulnerable message and dynamic production". David Jeffries of AllMusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars, commenting how Tedashii comes with a "provocative and 'no apologies' stance in full effect, and when it comes to that hunger for change, few other artists can make it so palpable." At HM, Justin Mabee rated the album four stars out of five, stating how "Fans will flock and embrace the rapper after what he’s been through, and he’s able to offer them his best work, by far."

Mark Ryan of New Release Tuesday rated the album a perfect five stars, remarking how "This album is complete from start to finish." At Indie Vision Music, Anthony Peronto rated the album four stars out of five, writing that "For casual listeners who want only trap beats and catchy hooks, Below Paradise is bound to disappoint with its serious nature and soul-bearing transparency", but he says "Below Paradise is an encouraging album from beginning to end." Amanda Brogan of Christian Music Review rated the album a perfect five stars, highlighting how "it’s more than just a stellar hip-hop album" because the release contains "more than pulsing beats and cleverly-placed lyrics – although there’s plenty of that."

At Jesus Freak Hideout, main reviewer Michael Weaver, Mark Rice in his second opinion, and Kevin Hoskins in the 2 Cents review all rated the album four stars out of five. Weaver calls "Tedashii's return a worthy one" because "Below Paradise is easily a record you can throw on and listen to from front to back." Rice notes the lyricism is "very heavy." Hoskins states how "rap heads will be blasting Below Paradise for a long time." Jeremy Hartman of Jam the Hype rated the album a 9.6 out of ten, highlighting how "Below Paradise is a powerful, soul-revealing album." At Wade-O Radio, Branden Murphy gave a positive review of the album, remarking how "Below Paradise was a great listen."

Commercial performance

For the Billboard charting week of June 14, 2014, Below Paradise debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200, No. 2 and No. 1 on the Christian Albums and Top Gospel Albums charts, respectively, No. 2 on the Rap Albums chart, and No. 2 on the Independent Albums chart. In addition, the album sold 13,800 copies in its first week of sales.

Track listing

Chart performance

Album

References

1. ^ AllMusic. "Below Paradise – Tedashii | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 27, 2014. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
2. ^ Below Paradise (Liner notes). Reach Records. 2014.
3. "Tedashii Reflects on 1-Y-O Son's Death; Rapper Cites John the Baptist as Inspiration for Saving Marriage After Tragedy". 28 August 2014.
4. "Below Paradise". Cross Rhythms. May 6, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
5. ^ Peronto, Anthony (May 26, 2014). "Tedashii – Below Paradise | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
6. Interview: Tedashii talks life Below Paradise. Reel Gospel. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
7. ^ Ryan, Mark (June 9, 2014). "A Soundtrack of Coming Back to Life". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
8. ^ Jeffries, David. "Below Paradise - Tedashii | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
9. ^ Conner, Matt (July 1, 2014). "Tedashii: Below Paradise (Reach Records)" (PDF). CCM Magazine. Salem Publishing. p. 38. ISSN 1524-7848. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
10. ^ Brogan, Amanda (May 27, 2014). "Tedashii 'Below Paradise'". Christian Music Review. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
11. ^ Mabee, Justin (May 11, 2014). "Tedashii – Below Paradise". HM. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
12. ^ Hartman, Jeremy (May 1, 2014). "Tedashii – Below Paradise". Jam the Hype. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
13. ^ Weaver, Michael (May 25, 2014). "Tedashii, "Below Paradise" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
14. ^ Rice, Mark (June 13, 2014). "Tedashii, "Below Paradise" Review: Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
15. ^ Hoskins, Kevin (May 31, 2014). "Tedashii, "Below Paradise" Review: JFH Staff's Additional 2 Cents". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
16. Murphy, Branden (May 22, 2014). "Album Review: Tedashii – Below Paradise". Wade-O Radio. Archived from the original on May 26, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
17. ^ JoshIVM (June 4, 2014). "Tedashii Hits The Billboard Charts". Indie Vision Music. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
18. 808 & Elite. "Tedashii (Feat. Christon Gray) l Complicated (Prod. by 808XEliTE x Mashell x TOD) [Below Paradise]". 80XElite. SoundCloud. Retrieved June 6, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
19. iTunes (May 27, 2014). "Below Paradise (Deluxe) by Tedashii". Apple Inc. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
20. "Tedashii Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
21. "Tedashii Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
22. "Tedashii Chart History (Top Gospel Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
23. "Tedashii Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
24. "Tedashii Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2014.

• 2014 albums
• Tedashii albums
• Reach Records albums
• Albums produced by Gawvi
• Albums produced by Beam
• Albums produced by Andy Mineo