Interview With 21:03

(Interview by Lin. Woods)

Stellar Award winning PAJAM/Verity/Zomba Gospel recording group 21:03 is a rising force to be reckoned with on the gospel music scene. The Detroit born and raised group comprised of Jor’el 19, Evin 22, and Torrence 20, was created by hit making production team PAJAM (J Moss, Walter Kearney and Paul Allen).

I caught up with 21:03 recently while they were busy on the road promoting their new CD, Total Attention. And here’s what they had to say.

Lin.: How difficult is it being young, saved and an artist today?

Evin.: It can be difficult when one doesn’t have a focus! We as people tend to focus on things that are temporal and not eternal. So when you put issues such as peer pressure, sex, and material gain in the proper perspective, it’s much easier. But there are definitely temptations and struggles that affect our lives even though we are artist as well.

Torrence: Being young, fly, and saved is wassup!

Jor‘el: It can be difficult at times, especially when people try to negate or discredit your calling/and or anointing. But the bible says in 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." So we just stand on that.

Lin.: Do you think young people today face more pressures in regards to sex, violence and drugs than past generations?

Jor‘el: I think we definitely do! Not to say that these issues weren’t present before, but today everything is more in your face and bold, and technology makes everything more accessible.

Lin.: How does your music help keep young people on the right path?

Torrence: Well 21:03′s music has messages of love, hope, encouragement, redemption, repentance, and praise all wrapped up in a hot swag and we know that faith comes by hearing, so when you listen to it you’re bound to exhibit what you’re listening to. It speaks to real everyday issues that WE ALL go through.

Lin.: How do you use high tech to spread the word about your music ministry?

Torrence: We’ve released digital singles such as "YOU," which has been the No.1 song on Itunes, and its accompanying video is No.1 on Gospel Music Channel, too.

Evin.: We also use our Myspace page, www.myspace.com/twentyone03 to speak to our supporters and blog about our experiences in our walk. Also, we created our own you tube show/channel called 21:03TV on Youtube at www.youtube.com/2103tv

Read entire interview with 21:03 by Lin. Woods at TheUrbanNetwork.com