Stephen Madrid, 2004

Josh Peterson, better known as Sevr1 to his fans, raps in a hip-hop group, attends UNM full-time and is heavily involved with his church. He works hard as a musician, as a student, and as a Christian. Peterson delivers witty lyrics along with the other two members of The Alumni on their new CD, “Line of Fire: Armageddon.” He displays his creativity on a song called “Madness.”

Dimensions crush by the structure of this sentence
loop this verse till you find its intentions
many peeps
the many menacing minutes mimicking
mega-massive multi-million dollar ministries
and the anecdotes
administered and they choke
and they entertaining attention to average Joe

Peterson, Jesse Harris, and David Lucero write, produce, and distribute their own brand of Christian hip-hop music. They recently performed during Freedom Fest, a three-day concert event that features local and national Christian artists such as Cross Movement and Skillet.

“We’re three guys. We’re all Christians,” Peterson said. “Some of our music is real straightforward about our faith and some of our music is just positive music. It’s for anyone, not just for Christians to listen to. We try to tailor our music so that everyone can listen to it and hopefully everyone will enjoy it.”

Peterson acknowledges that hip-hop music can sometimes carry a negative reputation. His lyrics have penetrated a different aspect of the industry. Positive Christian lyrics can attract listeners or push away an audience.

“You could get put off because you’re not talking about girls, or you’re not talking about this other stuff like everyone else is. People could get turned off to that just because you’re not following the trend like everyone else is.”

The Christian hip-hop industry has continued to grow. Such artists as GRITS and T-Bone have sold more than 100,000 units each. Christian artists would insist that the number of units sold cannot measure the impact of the message.

Peterson has attracted a fan base of people who enjoy his positive lyrics. He does not plan to comprise his beliefs for the sake of following trends.

“My faith is my number-one priority and there’s nothing I’d want to do to compromise just so I could be a rapper. I would never compromise my faith just for the sake of more money or more records sold or anything like that.”

Peterson recently took a leave of absence from his job at Wal-Mart to concentrate on his music.

“It’s a step out on faith, believing that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing and that God will provide. And He has everytime; He’s provided more now than when I had a job.”

His rapping career is currently “paying the bills,” but he also has an education in mind. Peterson is a physical education major at UNM.

“I’m also going to school for another thing I like to do which is physical education. I like to be physically active and teach others about it.”

Peterson explains how rapping, going to class, and working can be hectic on a track called “Ain’t Just The Name.”

“I’m trying to put myself through school and press vinyls, do a show, drive through the night to take finals. During finals week I took finals on Thursday, I drove to Clovis, did a show out there, after the show we got something to eat, slept for 40 minutes then I drove to Albuquerque, to take my finals. I still had a 3.9 for the semester.”

He manages to help with his church, rap, and get to class on time by self-discipline.

“I manage all my time with a whole lot of self-discipline and keeping a steady eye on my watch, it’s alright as long as you have self-discipline and prepare yourself to be ready for it.”

Peterson will continue to spread his message not only through his music, but also through his actions.

“Life isn’t worth living unless you’re living for something that’s worth dying for.”