RT:  When did you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

At the age of 3. I lived in a back-sliding/carnal state, however, until about 2 years ago. I rededicated my life to Christ at the age of 24 and have maintained a strong standard of righteousness ever since.

RT:  What led you to make that choice?

I was tired of being a fraud Christian. The event that really made me become real for Christ was when I was with a college study group in spring 2007; we were working on a group project. One of the members of the group was a lesbian and we were doing the project at her apartment that she shared with her girlfriend.  Somehow we got on the subject of homosexuality. Of course I tried to start witnessing and I was with the side of people who felt that it was sinful. As I was about to make my point one of the lesbians said, "You know what I'm tired of this! …Do you still have sex? ‘Cause people who speak against homosexuality are usually having sex and they are just as bad or sinful." I was speechless. I couldn’t say anything else because I knew that I was still fornicating regularly. At that point, I decided I would never let any type of sin or iniquities in my life keep me from being an effective witness for Christ. At that moment I decided to get all sin out of my life and strive to live a life following ALL God's Commandments. 

RT: How did you get into music?

I really did not have a choice. I was born into a musical family. My dad has always played the guitar for his church, and in gospel bands. My mom has always sung in the Choir at whatever church we attended. Between my mom always singing to me from the moment I can remember, and always hearing my fathers anointed guitar playing, my love; participation; and creation of music was inevitable!

RT: Were you saved before or after you started doing music? 

I was saved before I started doing music. But because I was a non-practicing Christian I started out writing secular raps from age 8 until 17. 

RT: If after, how did your new faith change or shape your music?

When I received my calling to do Gospel Rap at age 18 in 2002, I noticed that I became a better lyricist. The Holy Spirit would always speak through my pen. Things just flowed better. Writing raps was easier when I started doing it for the Lord. My anointing to make hot songs is even more powerful now that I am a REAL Christian, following all Gods commands.

RT: What is your favorite genre of music?

Gospel Rap

RT: How do your peers and family feel about your faith and music?

I receive a lot of support from my peers and family. Surprisingly, my dad seems like my biggest supporter; he really believes in me. He's sold more of my albums than I have. My mom supports me because she wanted me to do Gospel Rap when I was writing secular songs. My “soon to be wife” really supports me and believes in me. She makes sure I am thorough in the entertainment industry. She's really great about making sure I have every detail covered with excellence. One of my uncles, Captain Jack, is one of my promoters. It’s great how God set me up and surrounded me with the people I would need to fulfill this vision, even before he gave it to me.

RT: What are you currently working on?

Currently, I am working on getting the word out about my ministry. I'm performing a lot and promoting my new album, "The Standard," which released September 2009. It's available on any site you download music on such as itunes.com, rhapsody.com, amazon.com, lala.com, napster.com, limewire.com, emusic.com, shockhound.com and imvu.com. I'm also looking into getting a distribution deal and establishing RIF Records.  Last, but not least, I'm working towards being a full time Gospel Rap minister.

RT: What is your favorite song of yours to perform/listen to and why?

"Gospel Step." Whenever I perform that song the atmosphere, wherever I am, shifts into an atmosphere of praise and fun in and unto the Lord. I want to show people that it's ok to dance and have fun in Christ, as long as you keep it clean. Too many times we get caught up in these traditional yokes and stigmas that aren’t biblical. They are just traditional, religious things that people came up with that became tools for judging our fellow man. All that does is turn Non-Christians off from becoming Christians, and it makes our jobs to win the lost harder. It's time out for traditional church as usual. Its time out for religion! Let’s just be Christians.

RT: What advice would you give to someone trying to get into Holy Hip Hop?

First get your life right. Make sure you are following all God’s commands, not just the ones that are convenient. God cannot work through a faulty vessel; the anointing breaks the yoke. If you don't have any anointing because you’re in sin, we don't need you until you have truly gotten your life right with Christ.

RT: What advice would you give to someone trying to get into ministry period?

In addition to what I said to answer the previous question, I would suggest that they make sure they pray and find out what their calling truly is. When they know that, they should pursue it with all their heart and always ask the Holy Spirit to guide them. During their process along the way, the favor will show up from God for them to do what he has called them to do. God will make it easy for them. He gives you more on the way then before you get started.

RT: Please describe a faith building incident in your life.

In fall 2007 I was set to graduate from Prairie View A&M University in December. The campus told me that I had all the credits I needed to graduate, but when they did my audit they found me to be short a few classes. It started to look like I was not about to graduate, so I prayed and I had a lot of people praying in agreement with me. My mom told me I should also go up for prayer at church, and that I should sow a seed in the offering the same Sunday for my break through. So I did all of this. I was releasing maximum faith to graduate because I was ready to get out of college. The following week the head of the music department called me and told me that they had found the problem. They had audited me under the old graduation requirements for the department of music. It turned out the classes they said I still needed I really did not need under the new plan. Praise the Lord, I graduated with my Bachelors of Music Degree from Prairie View A&M University in December 2007!

RT: Looking back at your life, what is one point of wisdom you can share with the rest of the world?

Be real for Christ now, no matter if you are 8, 18, or 80. You are just wasting time if you’re living a life filled with sin. You’re not missing out on anything if you become a real Christian right now. That’s a lie the devil puts in our mind to sift us like wheat and keep us from salvation and God's best for our lives.

RT: Anything else you would like to address?

Add me! myspace..com/RIFICA, twitter.com/RIFICA, facebook.com/ThaRifica, and youtube.com/RIFICA777. You will always find updates and the latest about me on these sites.

Just in case you were wondering RIFICA stands for Righteous In Faith In Crease Abundantly.

RT: Any thank yous?

First off, all Glory goes to God and none to me. I would like to thank the Holy Trinity for saving me and giving me this cool vision and assignment, to spread the word and save souls through Gospel Rap. I would like to thank my loving “near future wife,” Erin B., for always being there for me, pushing me, and helping me go to new heights spiritually. Thanks, Trevor Lee for giving me the opportunity to do this interview and network with you. Lastly, I'd like to thank Michael "Mic D" Jefferson for developing my talent the past seven years, and giving me an opportunity and platform to pursue my calling on his CD, DOP 2K3, to get me started on this quest. Thanks to all my family, friends, fans, bruhs, and sorors not mentioned but never forgotten for your unyielding support and love. I love ya'll unconditionally as well.

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