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{{short description|American rapper}}
{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians -->

| Name = KJ-52
{{multiple issues|
| Img = Kj52.jpg
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=January 2011}}
| Img_capt = KJ-52
{{BLP sources|date=January 2010}}
| Img_size = 190
}}
| Background = solo_singer
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2014}}
| Birth_name = Jonah Sorrentino
{{Infobox musical artist
| Alias =
| name = KJ-52
| Born = {{birth date and age|1975|6|26}}<br><small>] ], ], ]</small>
| Died = | origin = ]
| Instrument = ], ] | image = Rapper KJ-52 in 2008.jpg
| caption =
| Genre = ]<br>]
| Occupation = Rapper | image_size =
| Years_active = 2000 - present | background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Jonah Kirsten Sorrentino
| Label = ] (current)<br />] (former)
| alias = KJ-52, Tweezy,<ref name="MLIVE">{{cite web|first=Terry|last=DeBoer|title=Christian rap/hip-hop artist KJ-52 performs with Group 1 Crew |publisher=] |work=MLIVE.com |url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/04/christian_raphip-hop_artist_kj.html |access-date=April 16, 2016|date=April 7, 2010}}</ref> King J. Mac
| Associated_acts = ], ], ]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|6|26}}
| URL = http://www.kj52.com
| instrument = ]
| Notable_instruments =
| genre = ]
| occupation = Rapper
| years_active = 1993–present
| label = ], ]
| associated_acts = ]
| website = {{URL|kj52.com}}
}} }}
'''KJ-52''' (born '''Jonah Sorrentino''', ], ]) is a ], best known for two songs addressed to another rapper, ]. "KJ" is an ] of his previous hip hop alias, "King J Mack," which he now deems "cheesy." "52" (pronounced "five-two") represents the ] as told in the ]. KJ-52 desires to give his gifts and talents in much the same way the boy gave his food to ] in the story.
== Biography ==
Raised in ], ], KJ-52 was the product of a broken home, and eventually found himself mixed up in drugs and alcohol. He began writing rap songs at twelve years old, and at fifteen KJ became a ] ]. While a teenager, KJ began working in youth ministry at a Florida inner-city church. He also recorded a ], but it was largely ignored. It wasn't until KJ met a young, likeminded rapper named ], the two formed the ] and began performing throughout Florida. Soon Golden Child moved on and the Sons dissolved. But that brief bit of success in Christian rap had whetted KJ's appetite, and in the summer of ] he stepped down from his youth minister position to pursue his Christian rap dream full-time. KJ-52 and many others would still consider him to be in the field of youth ministry, however, as the main consumers of rap/hip-hop music would fall into the category of "youth". KJ fills a significant portion of his songs with messages intended for the current generation of youth, addressing a multitude of issues regarding the ], and ] in general.


'''Jonah Kirsten Sorrentino''' (born June 26, 1975), better known by his stage name '''KJ-52''', is a ] from ]. The "KJ" part of his name refers to his old rap alias, "King J. Mac,"<ref name="kj52.com"> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722105420/http://www.kj52.com/smf/index.php?topic=6.0 |date=July 22, 2012 }}</ref> a name which he later described in one of his podcasts as "horribly cheesy."<ref name="kj52podcast.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.kj52podcast.com |title=kj52's Podcast |publisher=Kj52podcast.com |access-date=October 11, 2011}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=October 2011}} "52", which is pronounced "five two", not "fifty-two", is a reference to the Biblical story of ] ] with five loaves and two fish, which is also sung about in his song "Push Up" from ''The Yearbook'' and in the "KJ Five Two" on ''It's Pronounced Five Two''.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} He was awarded the Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year for "Never Look Away" and Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards of 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/07gmaAOY.htm |title=38th Annual GMA Dove Awards Album of the Year Nominees & Winners |publisher=Christianmusic.about.com |date=April 25, 2007 |access-date=October 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707074839/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/07gmaAOY.htm |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On July 28, 2009, KJ-52 released "End of My Rope", which is the first single for his album ''Five-Two Television''.
A relationship with ]' Todd Collins led to a deal with ] ] label ], who released ''7th Avenue'', in April ]. The LP featured collaborations with the ] and ].


==Works==
In ], KJ-52 released his second album, ''Collaborations''. The album's title referred to the numerous contributions made to the album by guest artists, including ], ], and ]. ''Collaborations'' also represented KJ-52's first nominated for a ], for "Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Album of the Year" in 2003.<ref name="GMA_Col">"". Published by the ]. Retrieved Jan 22, 2007.</ref> The most ] track on the record was entitled "Dear Slim". The track presented an open letter to ], in a similar style to Eminem's song, "]". "Dear Slim" was premiered on the ] countdown show ], but was cut short, as is common for the show. The cutting short of the song upset KJ-52 and his fans by portraying the song as an open attack on Eminem. According to KJ-52, the song was not intended to be controversial or as an open "diss" on Eminem. His song "Dear Slim Part 2", which was included on his next solo project, ''It's Pronounced Five Two'', addresses these issues. He has inspired such artists as ] and popular christian rapper ].
In 2002, Sorrentino released his second album, '']''. The album's title referred to the numerous contributions made to the album by guest artists, including ], ] and ]. ''Collaborations'' also represented his first nomination for a ], for "Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Album of the Year" in 2003.<ref name="GMA_Col">"". Published by the ]. Retrieved January 22, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928041938/http://www.doveawards.com/categories/nominees_34th.cfm |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref>


KJ has won two Dove Awards, both in the "Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year" category. He took both the 2004 award for ''It’s Pronounced Five Two'' and the 2006 award for ''Behind the Musik''.<ref name="GMA_RHH">] Recipients for . Published by the ]. Retrieved Jan 22, 2007.</ref> KJ-52 has won four Dove Awards, three in the "Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year" category. He took the 2004 award for ''It’s Pronounced Five Two'', the 2006 award for '']'', and the 2007 award for ''Remixed''.<ref name="GMA_RHH">] Recipients for . Published by the ]. Retrieved January 22, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229222453/http://www.doveawards.com/history/browse.cfm?cid=33 |date=December 29, 2007 }}</ref> He received an additional honor in 2007, for "Never Look Away" from ''Behind the Musik'', in the "Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song" category.<ref name="DOVE_38">"". Published by the ]. Retrieved April 26, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118231937/http://www.doveawards.com/categories/ |date=January 18, 2007 }}</ref> KJ never tried out for '']'',<ref name="CBN News">"". Published by CBN News Retrieved May 27, 2007.</ref> but suggested such in his song "Fivetweezy".


In October 2008, he released his album, ''The Yearbook: The Missing Pages'', a re-release of his album, ''The Yearbook''. It comes with the original record with a slip over cover that has a code to download the 13 songs.
In 2005, KJ was number 26 on the hip hop Charts, ] featured him on ''40 Least Hip Hop Moments'', KJ responded with another rap song. The original segment, and KJ's ] response, can be viewed on ].<ref name="40Least">"". Available through ]. Retrieved Jan 22, 2007.</ref>


2009 Dove Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doveawards.com/09winners.php |title=41st Annual GMA Dove Awards on Gospel Music Channel |publisher=Doveawards.com |access-date=October 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929184706/http://www.doveawards.com/09winners.php |archive-date=September 29, 2011 }}</ref>
In 2006, KJ was featured in a '']'' magazine article in which he talked about his ministry and his relationship with Golden Child.
Another productive year for KJ-52 as he was awarded with "Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year" for "Do Yo Thang"; The Yearbook; KJ-52; Jonah Sorrentino; BEC Recordings/Uprok


In 2009, he released "Five-Two Television", an album covering a variety of themes and rap styles. It is his first album in which autotune is used, a controversial step among his fans. The album brings us the (fictitious) story of Chris Carlino, a man who has ruined his life, through a series of interludes. As usual for KJ-52, the album includes both songs with a strong Christian message and songs that are meant only to entertain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fusemix.com/en/the-leak/400-kj-52-releases-24-track-five-two-television-today--joins-pillar-a-run-kid-run-on-confessions-tour- |title=KJ-52 RELEASES 24 TRACK FIVE-TWO TELEVISION TODAY &#124;&#124; JOINS PILLAR & RUN KID RUN ON CONFESSIONS TOUR |publisher=Fusemix.com |date=September 22, 2009 |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-date=August 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816221519/http://fusemix.com/en/the-leak/400-kj-52-releases-24-track-five-two-television-today--joins-pillar-a-run-kid-run-on-confessions-tour- |url-status=dead }}</ref>
KJ-52 was also in the revolve tour, a concert tour for young Christian girls.


KJ-52 also rapped in the ] cover of "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q39Lm7KvnxE | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709090333/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q39Lm7KvnxE&feature=related| archive-date=2014-07-09 | url-status=dead|title=Jesus freak guest feature |publisher=YouTube |date=July 5, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2011}}</ref>
== Discography ==

* '']'' (2000, ])
KJ-52 also rapped in the ] remix of the song "One World" on the album ''Hip-Hope'' which also includes the KJ-52 remixed song "What You Want".{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}
* '']'' (2002, ])

* ''Peace of Mind'' (2003, Uprok) – identified as self-titled group project rather than a KJ-52 album
KJ-52 released ''Dangerous'' on April 3, 2012. It mixes hip hop album with quite a bit of synth, and has some pop-electric. The first released single, "Dangerous", is more light rock-pop. The second single is called "Shake Em Up", but is commonly spelled "Shakem Up".{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} It features guest artists such as ] on "It's Goin Down", ] on "They Like Me", Thi'sl on "Shake Em Up", George Moss on "Do the Bill Cosby", and more. His final track, "Go," is a remake of the ] song with the same name.
* '']'' (2003, Uprok)

* ''7th Avenue'' (2004, Essential) – re-release
In 2017, KJ-52 released his first independent album "Jonah." The project was over 200% funded through Pledge Music.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kj52|title=kj52: the Jonah album|website=PledgeMusic}}</ref> Following the release of the album, KJ-52 began working on an independent documentary about his life with filmmaker Denver Bailey. The film went on to raise 125% of the goal through kickstarter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1241791799/the-kj52-documentary|title=The KJ52 Documentary|website=Kickstarter}}</ref> The film was released alongside KJ-52's second independent album titled "Jonah Pt. 2" on February 15, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/news/38-backstage/16903-kj-52-releases-jonah-pt-2-and-the-jonah-movie|title=KJ-52 Releases 'Jonah Pt. 2' and 'The Jonah Movie'|first=Justin|last=Sarachik|date=February 16, 2018 }}</ref>
* ''Soul Purpose'' (2004, ]) <!-- save review for album article -->

* '']'' (2005, BEC)
In 2019, KJ-52 released ''What Happened Was'', a joint album with CHH producer and 2019 Rapzilla Freshman, PoetiCS.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rapzilla.com/2019-05-kj-52-and-poetics-what-happened-was-2/|title=KJ-52 And Poetics - What Happened Was...|website=Rapzilla|date=May 17, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rapzilla.com/2019-01-rapzilla-coms-15-freshmen-of-2019/|title=Rapzilla.Com's 15 Freshmen Of 2019|website=Rapzilla}}</ref> The album features Xay Hill, Jodie Jermaine, Mitch Darrell, ], ], and Dru Bex. The project was coupled with KJ's first book, also titled ''What Happened Was''. Both the album and the book were over 170% funded through Kickstarter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kj52/what-happened-was|title= "What Happened Was"|website=Kickstarter}}</ref>

On November 5, 2019, KJ-52 announced that he would be retiring from music after the release of his next album.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

As of January 6, 2020, he joined the pastoral staff of Christian Life Fellowship in Cape Coral, Florida.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

He has been married since June 1996.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} They have three children.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

==Eminem and "Dear Slim" controversy==
Christian sources often compared KJ-52 to ], with many calling him a "Christian counterpart".<ref>{{cite web|date=January 3, 2001|title=The Christian Slim Shady? &#124; Teens|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/music/bandsartists/3.29.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830215134/http://www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/music/bandsartists/3.29.html|archive-date=August 30, 2011|access-date=October 11, 2011|publisher=Christianitytoday.com}}</ref> One of the most notable mainstream reactions to the Christian hip hop scene was to KJ-52 and his single "Dear Slim", which was written to Eminem in an attempt to reach him with the message of the gospel. The song became famous and controversial among Eminem fans when it was featured on the hit show '']''. KJ-52 began to receive hate mail (including death threats) from Eminem's fans, though KJ-52 claimed that the song was not being disrespectful.<ref name="KJInterview">{{cite web|title=ChristianMusicToday.com: KJ-52 Interview — Getting It Right|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2003/kj52-0903.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040126080726/http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2003/kj52-0903.html|archive-date=January 26, 2004|access-date=October 6, 2011|publisher=Christianitytoday.com}}</ref> The artist addressed it in a follow-up song titled "Dear Slim Pt. 2".

==Discography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Album !! Year !! Record label
|-
| ''Insightful Comprehensions'' (with Sons of Intellect) || 1997 || Omega
|-
| '']'' || 2000 || ]
|-
| '']'' || 2002 || rowspan="2"| Uprok Records
|-
| '']'' || 2003
|-
| '']'' <small>(5 new tracks added, 2 songs and all skits omitted)</small> || 2004 || Essential Records
|-
| '']'' || 2005 || rowspan="4"| ]
|-
| '']'' || 2007
|-
| '']'' || 2009
|-
| ''Dangerous'' || April 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/KJ52Dangerous.asp |title=KJ-52, "Dangerous" Review |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com |access-date=February 26, 2012}}</ref>
|-
| '']'' || October 21, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamthehype.com/kj-52-mental-release-date-cover-art-tracklist/ |title=KJ-52 'Mental' Cover Art & Tracklist |publisher=JamTheHype.com |access-date= September 19, 2014}}</ref> || rowspan="7"| 52 Records
|-
| ''Jonah'' || January 20, 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/news/38-backstage/14753-kj-52-announces-release-date-for-jonah |title=KJ-52 Announces Release Date for 'Jonah' |date=January 3, 2017 |publisher=Rapzilla.com |access-date= February 22, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| ''Jonah Part 2'' || February 15, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/news/38-backstage/16903-kj-52-releases-jonah-pt-2-and-the-jonah-movie |title=KJ-52 Releases 'Jonah Pt. 2' and 'The Jonah Movie' |date=February 16, 2018 |publisher=Rapzilla.com |access-date= February 22, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| ''Mostest Wonderfullest Time of the Year'' (with Spechouse) || November 15, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rapzilla.com/2018-11-kj-52-mostest-wonderfullest-time-of-the-year/ |title=KJ-52 – Mostest Wonderfullest Time Of The Year |date=November 19, 2018 |publisher=Rapzilla.com |access-date= January 11, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| ''What Happened Was...''<small>(with Poetics)</small> || May 17, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapzilla.com/2019-05-kj-52-and-poetics-what-happened-was-2/ |title=KJ-52 And Poetics - What Happened Was |date=May 17, 2019 |publisher=Rapzilla.com |access-date= May 19, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| ''Victory Lap'' || January 10, 2020
|-
| ''One Year Ago'' || March 5, 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newreleasetoday.com/albumdetail.php?album_id=25494 |title=<nowiki>One Year Ago by KJ-52 | CD Reviews and Information | NewReleaseToday</nowiki> |publisher=NewReleaseToday.com |access-date= June 20, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| ''KJ-52 vs. Jonah'' || January 10, 2022
|}

=== Side projects and other releases ===

* '']'s'' self-titled album (2003, BEC)
* ''Soul Purpose'' with T.C. (Todd Collins) (2004, BEC)
* '']'' (2006, BEC) * '']'' (2006, BEC)
* ''The Office Prequel Mixtape'' (2009)
* '']'' (2007, BEC) <!-- save review for album article -->
* Guest rap on "]" for the ]' 2010 album '']''


==Trivia== === Charts ===
{{trivia}}
*KJ-52 music is featured in the ] '']'' via ''Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 2: Rap/Hip-Hop''. The songs included are "Are You Real?", "Jesus" (from ''Remixed''), "Jesus" (from ''Behind the Musik''), and "Video Games".
*An excerpt from the song "Thank You" (from ''Behind the Musik'') was played after the fourth commercial break of the now famous episode of ] featuring ] as the co-host. This episode aired on Friday ], ].
*KJ-52 wrote a song dedicated as a biography for him, called ''Behind the Musik''


{| class="wikitable"
==Notes and references==
|-
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
! Song
! Album
|-
| Are You Real? <small>(featuring ])</small>
| '']''
|-
| Back in the Day
|rowspan="2"| '']''
|-
| Dear Slim Pt. 2
|-
| Never Look Away <small>(featuring Brynn Sanchez)</small>
|rowspan="2"|''Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah)''
|-
| Right Here <small>(featuring ])</small>
|}


==External links== === Singles ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
* Official Website
|-
* with Rapzilla.com
! rowspan="2"| Year
* with ThoughtQuotient.com
! rowspan="2"| Single
*
! colspan="3"| US Christian
*
! rowspan="2"| Album
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! Rock<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kj-52/chart-history/christian-rock |title=KJ-52 Chart History (Christian Rock Songs)|magazine=] |access-date=May 30, 2019}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
! CHR<br>{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
! ]<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kj-52/chart-history/ico/ |title=KJ-52 Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)|magazine=] |access-date=May 30, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan = "2" | 2009
| align="left"| "End of My Rope"
| 7
| —
| —
| rowspan="2"| '']''
|-
| align="left"| "Calling You"
| 21
| —
| —
|-
| rowspan = "3" | 2012
| align="left"| "Dangerous"
| 21
| 16
| 44
| rowspan="4"| ''Dangerous''
|-
| align="left"| "Facemelt"
| 12
| —
| —
|-
| align="left"| "Brand New Day"
| —
| 5
| 40
|-
| 2013
| align="left"| "So Far Apart"
| —
| 17
| —
|-
| 2014
| align="left"| "Tonight"
| —
| —
| —
| rowspan="1"| ''Mental''
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2019
| align="left"| "Flex"<br>{{small|(featuring ])}}
| —
| —
| —
| rowspan="3"| ''What Happened Was...''
|-
| align="left"| "Big Enough"<br>{{small|(featuring Xay Hill)}}
| —
| —
| —
|-
| align="left"| "Have a Good Day"<br>{{small|(featuring V. Ross)}}
| —
| —
| —
|-
| align="left"| "Summertime"<br>{{small|(featuring AJ Jenkins)}}
| —
| —
| —
| rowspan="1" | ''Victory Lap''
|}


=== Guest appearances ===
*


*Jeremiah Dirt – ''Plague'' – "Good Medison" (1998)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kj52}}
*Urban D. – ''The Missin' Element'' – "The Spittin' Spot" (1999)
*Urban D. – ''The Tranzlation'' – "We Go Together Like" (2001)
*Pillar - ''Fireproof'' - "Stay Up" (2002)
*Bobby Bishop – ''Government Name'' – "Change the Game" (2005)
*Zoegirl - ''With All Of My Heart'' - Mix of Life (2007)
*] – ''Hip Hope Hits 2009'' – "One World (Liquid Remix)" (2009)
*R-Swift – ''Anthem'' – "Flava of Forever" (2009)
*] – '']'' – "]" (2010)
*Sean Slaughter – ''The Prototype'' – "I'm Gone" (2010)
*big AL – ''The Balancing Act'' – "Lookin' @ Us" (2011)
*muzeONE – ''Cold War'' – "Lights On" (2011)
*Research – ''Cerca Trova'' – "The Struggle" (2011)
*Jai – ''Culture Shock'' – "Incredible (Remix)" (2011)
*] – ''Stop the Funeral'' – "Your Love" (2011)
*Canton Jones – ''The Live Experience'' – "I Am (Live)" (2012)
*E Tizz – ''What I Gotta Say'' – "I'm Tellin' 'Em All" (2012)
*] – ''Love Deluxe'' – "Jesus Jam" (2012)
*Emcee One – ''Introducing Again for the First Time'' – "Introducing Again for the First Time" (2012)
*Viktory – ''R4 (Relentless 4ever)'' – "God Is Amazing" (2012)
*George Moss – ''It’s Time'' – "Ridin' Windows Up" (2012)
*] – ''Joy to the World (A Christmas Collection)'' – "]" (2012)
*For a Season – ''Lion Hearted – EP'' – "Let It Out" (2013)
*V. Rose – ''Electro-Pop (Deluxe)'' – "Turn Up Your Light" (2013)
*Turnaround – ''Anxious'' – "Ghost Town" (2018)


== Awards ==
]
''']'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:10%;"| Year
! Award
! Result
|-

!| ]
| Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year ('']'')
|{{nom}}
|-

!rowspan="3"|]
| Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Dear Slim Pt. 2")
|{{nom}}
|-

| Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year ('']'')
|{{won}}
|-

| Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Dear Slim")
|{{nom}}
|-

!rowspan="2"|]
| Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Are You Real?")
|{{nom}}
|-

| Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year ('']'')
|{{won}}
|-

!rowspan="2"|]
| Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Never Look Away")
|{{won}}
|-

| Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year ('']'')
|{{won}}
|-

!rowspan="2"|]
| Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Wake Up")
|{{nom}}
|-

| Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year ('']'')
|{{nom}}
|-

!rowspan="2"|]
| Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("]")
|{{won}}
|-

| Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Fan Mail")
|{{nom}}
|-

!rowspan="2"|]
| Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("End of My Rope")
|{{nom}}
|-

| Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year ('']'')
|{{won}}
|-

!|]
| Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Calling You")
|{{nom}}
|-

!| ]
| Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (''Dangerous'')
|{{nom}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
<!-- This is not a space to post links to interviews/reviews. -->
*{{Official website|http://www.kj52.com}}
{{KJ-52}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kj-52}}
]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
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Latest revision as of 11:13, 14 December 2024

American rapper
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KJ-52
Background information
Birth nameJonah Kirsten Sorrentino
Also known asKJ-52, Tweezy, King J. Mac
Born (1975-06-26) June 26, 1975 (age 49)
OriginTampa, Florida
GenresChristian hip hop
OccupationRapper
InstrumentRapping
Years active1993–present
LabelsEssential, BEC
Websitekj52.com
Musical artist

Jonah Kirsten Sorrentino (born June 26, 1975), better known by his stage name KJ-52, is a Christian rapper from Tampa, Florida. The "KJ" part of his name refers to his old rap alias, "King J. Mac," a name which he later described in one of his podcasts as "horribly cheesy." "52", which is pronounced "five two", not "fifty-two", is a reference to the Biblical story of Jesus feeding the multitude with five loaves and two fish, which is also sung about in his song "Push Up" from The Yearbook and in the "KJ Five Two" on It's Pronounced Five Two. He was awarded the Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year for "Never Look Away" and Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards of 2007. On July 28, 2009, KJ-52 released "End of My Rope", which is the first single for his album Five-Two Television.

Works

In 2002, Sorrentino released his second album, Collaborations. The album's title referred to the numerous contributions made to the album by guest artists, including Pillar, John Reuben and Thousand Foot Krutch. Collaborations also represented his first nomination for a Dove Award, for "Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Album of the Year" in 2003.

KJ-52 has won four Dove Awards, three in the "Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year" category. He took the 2004 award for It’s Pronounced Five Two, the 2006 award for Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah), and the 2007 award for Remixed. He received an additional honor in 2007, for "Never Look Away" from Behind the Musik, in the "Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song" category. KJ never tried out for American Idol, but suggested such in his song "Fivetweezy".

In October 2008, he released his album, The Yearbook: The Missing Pages, a re-release of his album, The Yearbook. It comes with the original record with a slip over cover that has a code to download the 13 songs.

2009 Dove Awards Another productive year for KJ-52 as he was awarded with "Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year" for "Do Yo Thang"; The Yearbook; KJ-52; Jonah Sorrentino; BEC Recordings/Uprok

In 2009, he released "Five-Two Television", an album covering a variety of themes and rap styles. It is his first album in which autotune is used, a controversial step among his fans. The album brings us the (fictitious) story of Chris Carlino, a man who has ruined his life, through a series of interludes. As usual for KJ-52, the album includes both songs with a strong Christian message and songs that are meant only to entertain.

KJ-52 also rapped in the Newsboys cover of "Jesus Freak".

KJ-52 also rapped in the tobyMac remix of the song "One World" on the album Hip-Hope which also includes the KJ-52 remixed song "What You Want".

KJ-52 released Dangerous on April 3, 2012. It mixes hip hop album with quite a bit of synth, and has some pop-electric. The first released single, "Dangerous", is more light rock-pop. The second single is called "Shake Em Up", but is commonly spelled "Shakem Up". It features guest artists such as Canton Jones on "It's Goin Down", Lecrae on "They Like Me", Thi'sl on "Shake Em Up", George Moss on "Do the Bill Cosby", and more. His final track, "Go," is a remake of the Hillsong United song with the same name.

In 2017, KJ-52 released his first independent album "Jonah." The project was over 200% funded through Pledge Music. Following the release of the album, KJ-52 began working on an independent documentary about his life with filmmaker Denver Bailey. The film went on to raise 125% of the goal through kickstarter. The film was released alongside KJ-52's second independent album titled "Jonah Pt. 2" on February 15, 2018.

In 2019, KJ-52 released What Happened Was, a joint album with CHH producer and 2019 Rapzilla Freshman, PoetiCS. The album features Xay Hill, Jodie Jermaine, Mitch Darrell, V. Rose, Dre Murray, and Dru Bex. The project was coupled with KJ's first book, also titled What Happened Was. Both the album and the book were over 170% funded through Kickstarter.

On November 5, 2019, KJ-52 announced that he would be retiring from music after the release of his next album.

As of January 6, 2020, he joined the pastoral staff of Christian Life Fellowship in Cape Coral, Florida.

He has been married since June 1996. They have three children.

Eminem and "Dear Slim" controversy

Christian sources often compared KJ-52 to Eminem, with many calling him a "Christian counterpart". One of the most notable mainstream reactions to the Christian hip hop scene was to KJ-52 and his single "Dear Slim", which was written to Eminem in an attempt to reach him with the message of the gospel. The song became famous and controversial among Eminem fans when it was featured on the hit show Total Request Live. KJ-52 began to receive hate mail (including death threats) from Eminem's fans, though KJ-52 claimed that the song was not being disrespectful. The artist addressed it in a follow-up song titled "Dear Slim Pt. 2".

Discography

Album Year Record label
Insightful Comprehensions (with Sons of Intellect) 1997 Omega
7th Avenue 2000 Essential Records
Collaborations 2002 Uprok Records
It's Pronounced Five Two 2003
7th Avenue re-release (5 new tracks added, 2 songs and all skits omitted) 2004 Essential Records
Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah) 2005 BEC
The Yearbook 2007
Five-Two Television 2009
Dangerous April 2012
Mental October 21, 2014 52 Records
Jonah January 20, 2017
Jonah Part 2 February 15, 2018
Mostest Wonderfullest Time of the Year (with Spechouse) November 15, 2018
What Happened Was...(with Poetics) May 17, 2019
Victory Lap January 10, 2020
One Year Ago March 5, 2021
KJ-52 vs. Jonah January 10, 2022

Side projects and other releases

Charts

Song Album
Are You Real? (featuring Jon Micah Sumrall) Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah)
Back in the Day It's Pronounced Five Two
Dear Slim Pt. 2
Never Look Away (featuring Brynn Sanchez) Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah)
Right Here (featuring Jeremy Camp)

Singles

Year Single US Christian Album
Rock
 CHR
 Hot Songs
2009 "End of My Rope" 7 — — Five-Two Television
"Calling You" 21 — —
2012 "Dangerous" 21 16 44 Dangerous
"Facemelt" 12 — —
"Brand New Day" — 5 40
2013 "So Far Apart" — 17 —
2014 "Tonight" — — — Mental
2019 "Flex"
(featuring Dre Murray) 		— — — What Happened Was...
"Big Enough"
(featuring Xay Hill) 		— — —
"Have a Good Day"
(featuring V. Ross) 		— — —
"Summertime"
(featuring AJ Jenkins) 		— — — Victory Lap

Guest appearances

  • Jeremiah Dirt – Plague – "Good Medison" (1998)
  • Urban D. – The Missin' Element – "The Spittin' Spot" (1999)
  • Urban D. – The Tranzlation – "We Go Together Like" (2001)
  • Pillar - Fireproof - "Stay Up" (2002)
  • Bobby Bishop – Government Name – "Change the Game" (2005)
  • Zoegirl - With All Of My Heart - Mix of Life (2007)
  • tobyMac – Hip Hope Hits 2009 – "One World (Liquid Remix)" (2009)
  • R-Swift – Anthem – "Flava of Forever" (2009)
  • Newsboys – Born Again – "Jesus Freak" (2010)
  • Sean Slaughter – The Prototype – "I'm Gone" (2010)
  • big AL – The Balancing Act – "Lookin' @ Us" (2011)
  • muzeONE – Cold War – "Lights On" (2011)
  • Research – Cerca Trova – "The Struggle" (2011)
  • Jai – Culture Shock – "Incredible (Remix)" (2011)
  • The Ambassador – Stop the Funeral – "Your Love" (2011)
  • Canton Jones – The Live Experience – "I Am (Live)" (2012)
  • E Tizz – What I Gotta Say – "I'm Tellin' 'Em All" (2012)
  • Rawsrvnt – Love Deluxe – "Jesus Jam" (2012)
  • Emcee One – Introducing Again for the First Time – "Introducing Again for the First Time" (2012)
  • Viktory – R4 (Relentless 4ever) – "God Is Amazing" (2012)
  • George Moss – It’s Time – "Ridin' Windows Up" (2012)
  • Lincoln Brewster – Joy to the World (A Christmas Collection) – "Little Drummer Boy" (2012)
  • For a Season – Lion Hearted – EP – "Let It Out" (2013)
  • V. Rose – Electro-Pop (Deluxe) – "Turn Up Your Light" (2013)
  • Turnaround – Anxious – "Ghost Town" (2018)

Awards

GMA Dove Awards

Year Award Result
2003 Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (Collaborations) Nominated
2004 Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Dear Slim Pt. 2") Nominated
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (It's Pronounced Five Two) Won
Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Dear Slim") Nominated
2006 Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Are You Real?") Nominated
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (Behind the Musik (A Boy Named Jonah)) Won
2007 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Never Look Away") Won
Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (KJ-52 Remixed) Won
2008 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Wake Up") Nominated
Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (The Yearbook) Nominated
2009 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Do Yo Thang") Won
Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Fan Mail") Nominated
2010 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("End of My Rope") Nominated
Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (Five-Two Television) Won
2011 Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year ("Calling You") Nominated
2013 Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (Dangerous) Nominated

References

  1. DeBoer, Terry (April 7, 2010). "Christian rap/hip-hop artist KJ-52 performs with Group 1 Crew". MLIVE.com. Booth Newspapers. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  2. Archived July 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "kj52's Podcast". Kj52podcast.com. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  4. "38th Annual GMA Dove Awards Album of the Year Nominees & Winners". Christianmusic.about.com. April 25, 2007. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  5. "Nominees for the 34th Annual Dove Awards". Published by the Gospel Music Association. Retrieved January 22, 2007. Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Dove Award Recipients for Rap/Hip Hop Album. Published by the Gospel Music Association. Retrieved January 22, 2007. Archived December 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "38th Annual Dove Award Recipients". Published by the Gospel Music Association. Retrieved April 26, 2007. Archived January 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "'Behind the Musik' with KJ-52". Published by CBN News Retrieved May 27, 2007.
  9. "41st Annual GMA Dove Awards on Gospel Music Channel". Doveawards.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  10. "KJ-52 RELEASES 24 TRACK FIVE-TWO TELEVISION TODAY || JOINS PILLAR & RUN KID RUN ON CONFESSIONS TOUR". Fusemix.com. September 22, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  11. "Jesus freak guest feature". YouTube. July 5, 2010. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  12. "kj52: the Jonah album". PledgeMusic.
  13. "The KJ52 Documentary". Kickstarter.
  14. Sarachik, Justin (February 16, 2018). "KJ-52 Releases 'Jonah Pt. 2' and 'The Jonah Movie'".
  15. "KJ-52 And Poetics - What Happened Was..." Rapzilla. May 17, 2019.
  16. "Rapzilla.Com's 15 Freshmen Of 2019". Rapzilla.
  17. ""What Happened Was"". Kickstarter.
  18. "The Christian Slim Shady? | Teens". Christianitytoday.com. January 3, 2001. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  19. "ChristianMusicToday.com: KJ-52 Interview — Getting It Right". Christianitytoday.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2004. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  20. "KJ-52, "Dangerous" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  21. "KJ-52 'Mental' Cover Art & Tracklist". JamTheHype.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  22. "KJ-52 Announces Release Date for 'Jonah'". Rapzilla.com. January 3, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  23. "KJ-52 Releases 'Jonah Pt. 2' and 'The Jonah Movie'". Rapzilla.com. February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  24. "KJ-52 – Mostest Wonderfullest Time Of The Year". Rapzilla.com. November 19, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  25. "KJ-52 And Poetics - What Happened Was". Rapzilla.com. May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  26. "One Year Ago by KJ-52 | CD Reviews and Information | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday.com. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  27. "KJ-52 Chart History (Christian Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  28. "KJ-52 Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2019.

External links

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