Hip hop is not just a style of music. It is a culture. A culture that can often reflect materialism and an immoral way of life. DJ Morphiziz was saved from that lifestyle and is now reaching out with an alternative: authentic Christian hip hop. God not only miraculously saved DJ Morph from drug and alcohol abuse, but fulfilled his dream to be involved in music in a way he had never imagined. Before becoming a Christian, he tried for many years to become a club DJ and to work with various rap groups, but nothing worked out. Then God began working in his heart and he stopped the clubbing, but could not let the DJing go. Eventually he told God he was willing to sell his DJ equipment and walk away from the music. "The minute I truly gave my heart to the Lord, He miraculously removed my desire for drugs and alcohol," says Morph. A week later, DJ Morphiziz came across a Christian rap CD for the first time. "I had no concept of Christian rap. It was an oxymoron," he says. "That CD was a world of encouragement to me." A month later, DJ Morph met a Christian rap group for the first time, and six months later another Christian rap group asked him to join them. "It was just like that verse in Matthew," says Morph. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt. 6:33 NIV). "My dream to be a DJ came about when I'd laid everything down and put God first. I'd put everything in proper priority." DJ Morphiziz says he believes Christian hip hop is an example of how God reaches out to people. "God loves us so much that he presents himself to wherever we are at."

Mixtapes are a fundamental component of hip hop - a way to showcase new and exciting talent. They go back to the beginnings of hip hop - before radio and record companies realized the importance of hip hop. They were the way new underground sounds passed through the streets, copied from tapedeck to tapedeck. Today, labels like Def Jam and established producers release mixtapes to display unsigned artists. Beatmart's latest mixtape, Best of the Submissions: Volume 3, was managed, DJed and hosted by DJ Morphiziz. It features more than 30 new talented Christian artists. "What I'm most excited about is the unique way we go about choosing these artists," says DJ Morph. Last year, Beatmart took the best offerings from underground and independent hip hop artists and showcased them on Beatmart.com where fans voted for the artists they believed should make the final round of the competition. The winners of the last round are featured on the mixtape. Beatmart is already accepting submissions for its fourth mixtape, which will release in 2007. For the very first time, producers and beatmakers can also compete for a chance to showcase their talent next year. Instructions on how to enter are included in Best of the Submissions: Volume 3.