He gives hip-hop a good name

Hip-hop music has typically been known to glorify drugs, prostitution and money -- in general worshipping the secular lifestyle. Now there's a new genre of music known as holy hip-hop that is getting street cred while conveying positive messages.

The Star Tribune recently profiled Xross, a Twin Cities-based holy hip-hop artist who has been nominated for a Grammy. He gave his life to Jesus Christ after hearing the voice of God in a strip club in Orange County, Calif.:

'I was just doing the usual: tipping dollar bills to the strippers, hanging out, getting high,' he remembered. 'God just kind of came to me and said, 'Hey, man, are you really happy?'

'The power of God is really strong when he speaks to you, and you know it's him. Of course, my partners just thought I was high. I didn't really realize it was the full power of God, but the full emotion started to take over, tears were streaming down my face. I knew I wasn't really happy. I wasn't fulfilled. That night, I gave my life to Christ.'

Xross' music is filled with hard-hitting beats, but has no profanities and is clean enough for churches. His CD, "Tell 'em the Truth", is available on Amazon.com.