Space Time Continuum

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Genre: Hip Hop

The Washington Projects returns to the music marketplace with its newest album, Space Time Continuum, produced by Flatline Remix (Lecrae, Trip Lee, Newsboys). The eleven-track album features remixed versions of popular songs from their previous two album releases – Commanders of the Resistance (2007) and Light Up the Dark (2009). Sonically, The Washington Projects continues to present a rich and relevant blend of hip-hop, R&B, funk and pop music.

The sibling duo, comprised of Jekob and Rachael Washington, got its start in the early 2000s as the Dove Award-winning group Souljahz (which, at the time, also included brother Joshua). Despite Souljahz beginning to make significant strides in the Christian music industry with its debut album, The Fault Is History (2002), staff changes at its label led to differences in creative opinions. With its sophomore album shelved, Souljahz disbanded, leaving its label home and the name under which it had recorded. But the siblings would prove to be not easily defeated.

Rebranded and reformulated as The Washington Projects, the duo reemerged and returned to the studio to offer the debut album, Commanders of the Resistance. The decidedly hip-hop/pop project contained elements of electronica and R&B, exploring the varied musical influences of the sibling duo. That musical trend continued through the group’s sophomore release, Light Up the Dark.

The group’s latest offering serves as a solid reminder of the duo’s relevance and staying power. From programmed pop to more hip-hop-laced tunes, it’s a cohesive compilation of some of the duo’s most noteworthy songs over the past several years.

Songs like the high-energy “Move,” with its pulsing and driving bass, as well as “Light Up the Dark,” an upbeat and hope-filled declaration of being light in darkness, are great representations of their brand of Christian pop with originality that rivals some secular music trends.

Other standouts on the project include the soulfully melodic “My Dream,” an ethereal-sounding tune befitting its dreamy title, and the socially conscious “Justus,” an upbeat call-to-action anthem against human trafficking.

Lyrically, however, one cannot help but wonder whether The Washington Projects’ experiences and trials haven’t jaded them a bit. The messages behind tracks like “Crazy” and “She Can’t Love You,” coupled with generally smile-less artwork and imaging, demonstrate a bit of a chip-on-the-shoulder, as if the group has something to prove.

Still, Rachael demonstrates passionate vocal chops, with a rap style nearly as fiery, while Jekob maintains the energy and a musical foundation in a way that is dominating, familiar and consistent. For fans of Christian pop and hip-hop, especially with electronic vibes and bass-bumping beats, Space Time Continuum is a solid addition to your collection.