| Game Changer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Rawsrvnt | ||||
| Released | October 9, 2015 (2015-10-09) | |||
| Genre | Hip hop, Christian hip hop, Reggae, Christian R&B, R&B, CEDM | |||
| Length | 40:08 | |||
| Label | Soul Deep Records | |||
| Producer | Chuck Hemann, Eddy Puyol | |||
| Rawsrvnt chronology | ||||
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Game Changer is the fifth studio album from Eddy "Rawsrvnt" Puyol. Soul Deep Records released the album on October 9, 2015. Puyol worked with Chuck Hemann, in the production of this album. The album artwork and design is by Edward Bayonet of iAMbayo.net.
The title track, "Game Changer" featuring Lil Raskull, was featured on ESPN's First Take, licensed by CBS for a Miami Dolphins highlight package from the team's pregame show against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and included on Miami Dolphins Coach Joe Philbin's TV show where they used the track and T-shirt for a regular segment honoring the Dolphins "Game Changer" player of the week for 17 straight episodes.
The follow-up single, "Go Hard," received additional professional sports licensing and was played on CBS during the National Football League's (NFL) Miami Dolphins 2015 preseason opener versus the Chicago Bears. The Canadian Football League's (CFL) Calgary Stampeders also used the track in games and promotional videos during the 2016 season.
The album has more than just sports anthems though. Elsewhere, Rawsrvnt showcases his ability to write a love song from a believer's perspective and a newlywed. In an interview for WadeORadio.com, Rawsrvnt told Sketch the Journalist, "There aren't a lot of songs that both set the mood and express intimacy in ways that honor God. So instead of just complaining about it, I decided to pick up the pen and contribute my own art in that direction." The end result was a cover of Robin Thicke's "Lost Without U" and an original track titled "Light Up the Night."
The album closes with a song, "Father I Trust Ya," inspired by Rawsrvnt's life's motto that carries an inspirational message for everyone dealing with life's problems.
Music videos
Two music videos were released to support the Game Changer album.
The first was for the title track. It was shot and edited by Factor Effects in Houston, Texas with rapper Lil Raskull who is featured on the song. The clip's storyline follows the duo recording and performing the song. And in a nod to the sports-anthem feel of the track, both artists are seen in headgear that shows support for athletic teams in their respective areas.
The second visual is a filmed performance of Rawsrvnt's "All of the Lights" spoken word piece. In it, the artist shares his perspective of what it feels like to be lost, hurting, broken, and hoping for a better day.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| CCM Magazine |   |
| New Release Today |  |
| Cross Rhythms |   |
Awarding the album three stars at CCM Magazine, Kevin Sparkman states, "Blending the best in dance club appeal, Eddy 'Rawsrvnt' Puyol offers Game Changer. His music is just as raw as both his stage name implicates and his personal life reflects—sold out for Christ, and blatantly unashamed to say it on record."
Mark Ryan, giving the album two and a half stars from New Release Today, writes, "It is a definite party album that you can put in the family wagon and ride to. The beats are strong, and the lyrics are uplifting." He closed by saying, "It is hard to give what could have been a good album such a bad score, however, I could not gloss over Rawsrvnt's choice to cover a Robin Thicke song."
Rating the album a seven out of ten for Cross Rhythms, Tony Cummings says, "My favourite cuts are the title track, featuring Lil Raskull, and "Go Hard" with Transparent, and there are a couple of others which wouldn't be out of place on the CR (Cross Rhythms) playlist."
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Magazine recommended the album by saying it is, "An album perfect for locker rooms with an edgy, urban pop sound with a definitive Miami vibe."
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fallin' In Love" (featuring Milliyon) | Eddy Puyol, Keenen Browne | Chris Joyce | Puyol, Chuck Hemann | 3:55 |
| 2. | "Game Changer" (featuring Lil Raskull) | Puyol, Delbert Harris | Reginald Boudreaux | Puyol, Hemann | 4:00 |
| 3. | "Go Hard" (featuring Transparent) | Puyol, Dwight Taylor, Sr. | Brandon Peavy | Puyol, Hemann | 4:38 |
| 4. | "Show Me" (featuring HeeSun Lee) | Puyol, Cynthia Chi | Chris Belmont, Edgar Lagares | Puyol, Hemann | 4:01 |
| 5. | "My Music" | Puyol | Matthew Wade | Puyol, Hemann | 3:44 |
| 6. | "Won't Stop" (featuring St. Matthew) | Puyol, Matthew Golding | Ronnie Cash | Puyol, Hemann | 4:07 |
| 7. | "Light Up the Night" (featuring Erica Cumbo) | Puyol, Erica Hooper | Joyce | Puyol, Hemann | 3:34 |
| 8. | "Lost Without U" | Robin Thicke, Sean Hurley, Puyol | Puyol, Hemann | Puyol, Hemann | 4:01 |
| 9. | "All of the Lights" (Spoken Word) | Puyol | Filipe Michael | Puyol, Hemann | 2:54 |
| 10. | "Father I Trust Ya" (featuring Sara Delight*) | Puyol, Sara Delight | Alex Hitchens | Puyol, Hemann | 5:14 |
| Total length: | 40:08 | ||||
References
- ESPN (January 1, 2016). "January Music on First Take!". ESPN. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- Rapzilla (January 5, 2016). "Rawsrvnt's song "Game Changer" featured on ESPN's First Take". Rapzilla. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- New Release Today (January 6, 2016). "Rawsrvnt's "Game Changer" to be used on ESPN's First Take". New Release Today. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- Sketch the Journalist (August 19, 2014). "CBS 4 Sports uses Rawsrvnt's song "Game Changer" to start Miami Dolphins pregame show". Rawsrvnt.com. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- Sketch the Journalist (September 10, 2014). "Miami Dolphins Coach Joe Philbin's TV show uses Rawsrvnt's new single and t-shirt for a regular segment honoring their "Game Changer" player of the week". Rapzilla. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- New Release Today (September 2, 2015). "Rawsrvnt the latest Christian Rapper featured by NFL". New Release Today. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- Sketch the Journalist (October 3, 2016). "CFL's Calgary Stampeders use Rawsrvnt's "Go Hard" in promos and games". Rawsrvnt.com. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- Daniels, David (January 29, 2016). "Rawsrvnt explains how he writes songs for the sports world". Rapzilla. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- Sketch the Journalist (February 11, 2016). "Rawsrvnt challenges the idea that Christians can't rap about sex". Wade-O Radio. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- Sketch the Journalist (June 11, 2013). "Despite trials, Rawsrvnt pens new song proclaiming "Father I Trust Ya"". Rawsrvnt.com. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- Solis, Steven (January 15, 2015). "Video: Rawsrvnt & Lil Raskull "Game Changer"". Rapzilla. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- Rawsrvnt.com (October 7, 2015). "Watch Rawsrvnt's new Spoken Word video "All of the Lights"". Rawsrvnt.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Sparkman, Kevin (October 1, 2015). "Review: Rawsrvnt Game Changer". CCM Magazine: 38. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
- ^ Ryan, Mark (October 15, 2015). "Successes and Missteps". New Release Today. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
- ^ Cummings, Tony (October 20, 2014). "Review: Rawsrvnt Game Changer". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
- FCA Magazine (July 1, 2016). "FCA Recommends". FCA Magazine. p. 7. Retrieved October 18, 2015.