User:RussellisRaptillion/Raptillion

Raptillion 1

Christian Rap artist Raptillion has been spreading the gospel by using his poetic, East coast Hip Hop flow to preach the word of God and encourage change in the lives of those lost and hurtin'. Russell Hickman Sr. a.k.a. Raptillion of Georgetown, DE, has been ministering the gospel for over 16 years. He, unlike most music ministers, was not reared in church and encouraged to attend every Sunday. It wasn’t until he was in his teenage years that he began to attend church regularly with his Uncle Ike and Aunt Lil, who he looked up to as his positive role models. Raptillion says, “they encouraged me to establish a relationship with the Lord and expressed the importance of reading my bible and praying".

Raptillion gave his life to the Lord in 1991 and vowed never to return back to his sinful ways of drug dealing and being addicted to marijuna. In 1998, he was signed to his first record label, M.O.M.R.I RECORDS of Beltsville, MD where he released his first album entitled, “To God Be the Glory” with the group Eternal Crew that he founded. The song, “Still Going Strong,” won most requested song on Altared Lives Holy Hip Hop & Urban Gospel Radio. From there he got connected with FISNO Records and had several of his songs featured on the compilation "Holy Warz." "Soulsides," a song featured on the Holy Warz compilation, was catagorized as the most downloaded song for the state of Delaware.

In 2005, he was officially signed to FISNO Records and featured on the second compilation, “Destination Heaven.” Raptillion's song, "You're The Reason " hit the #1 spot on the Spiritual charts on Audiostreet Radio as well as his collaboration song featuring a West coast rapper, Loc Saint, entitled "1 Way 2 Heaven” which placed #2 on the Christian rap charts. Phazon Music Group recognized Raptillion as artist of the month for January 2006. Raptillion just  released his first solo album entitled, "Ghetto Therapy"in January 2007.

He has lead hundreds of souls to Christ at his concerts and street ministry events. He has shared the stage with Margaret Becker, Kelli Risen, Dana Key, and Levi Grovey. Raptillion was the opening act for national recording artists D.O.C (Disciples of Christ). He also was the opening act for Dennis The Christian Rapper and also performed several concerts with him.

Raptillion’s music ministry has led him to prisons, Christian Coffee Houses, street ministries, and youth conferences. In 1993, Raptillion competed in the Sails Wind Park’s talent competition winning 1st place in Christian Rap as the best rap artist.

Since his toddler years, Russell Hickman a.k.a Raptillion has always been fascinated with rap music. For self entertainment, Russell would rap for hours at a time to himself making up song after song. Although Russell was eager to explore is talent, he didn’t really take his gift seriously until one Sunday afternoon when he gave his life to the Lord. Russell spent a lot of time reading and memorizing scriptures to strengthen his relationship with the Lord and also help equip his lyrics with more biblical terminology. After 6 months of seeking God and asking him what his divine will was, Russell knew that his God given calling was to use his gift to win souls. Although he faced much opposition from what he calls “traditional church members” and family, Russell kept pressing on determined to do what God had called him to do.

In 1991 he founded his first group called Eternal Crew. His mission for the group was to take a message of hope and love to communities up and down the Eastern Shore. The members of the group at the time it was founded were Terry Henry, his brother, Trisha Henry, his sister-in-law, Renee Hickman, his wife, and a family cousin, George Davis.

The group did many shows and events together where the watched souls come to Christ and families be restored. Although the group enjoyed ministering together, the members of the group decided to pursue other interests and callings. They went there separate ways in 1995. Russell did not loose his focus for using his gift and continued to look for other ministers to join his group.

In the same year that the original group went their separate ways, Russell met several new rappers who joined his group and performed at concerts and other events over the next several years. In 1998, the crew was offered a record contract from M.O.M.R.I Records of Beltsville, MD. The group only consisted of Russell and another member but God was truly opening doors for “the crew.”  The crew was invited to Christian Coffee Houses, Youth Detention Centers, Churches, and other events where they ministered the gospel and saved souls. It wasn’t an easy road for Russell but it was one that he was willing to travel if it meant being obedient to God’s perfect will.

Russell went on from his founding of Eternal Crew to establish a new group after the other member in Eternal Crew went off to attend Bible College in another state. Russell continued to pursue his calling and founded the group Damascus Click. Although he was excited about the new ministry opportunity, the group was short lived due to “personality conflicts.” Russell wants it to be clear that,” Christians have personality conflicts just like anyone else.”  Although Russell now operates as a solo artist, he is still inspired and collaborates with many other Christian Rappers and was proud to release his first solo project in 2008 entitled “Ghetto Therapy.”  He is currently working on his second solo project due to release in 2009.

With over (99,670 Downloads) and more than (99,530 Song plays), Raptillion has defiantly got the attention of many underground Holy Hip Hop heads. Christian Rap artist Russell J. Hickman a.k.a Raptillion of Georgetown, DE has been spreading the gospel message with his poetic, East coast flow for over 21 years and counting. Raptillion was given his unique name from his father-in-law/former pastor. Unlike most music ministers, he was not reared in church or encouraged to attend every Sunday. It wasn’t until he was in his teenage years that he began attending church regularly with his Uncle Ike and Aunt Lil, who he looked up to as his positive role models. Like many of today’s Christian Rappers you can hear his message of how his positive role models encouraged him to establish a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In many of his songs, you will hear him express the importance of reading the bible and praying daily.

Raptillion, became a Christian in 1991 and made the decision to yield his gift of rap back to the Lord. In 1993 He won an award for being best rap artist at Sails Wind Parks talent competition. By 1998, he was signed to his first record label, M.O.M.R.I. RECORDS of Beltsville, MD where he released his first album entitled, “TO GOD BE THE GLORY” with the group “ETERNAL CREW” that he founded. One of the songs featured on his album, “STILL GOIN’ STRONG”, won most requested song on Altared Lives Holy Hip Hop & Urban Gospel Radio. He released his second album in 2004 entitled “HOLY WARZ” with the group “DAMACUS CLICK” which was also founded by him. His music ministry has led him to minister at Youth Detention Centers, Adult Prisons, Christian Coffee Houses, Christian Schools and many Youth Conferences. He has shared the stage with Margaret Becker, Kelli Risen, Dana Key, and Levi Grovey. Dennis The Christian Rapper and National Christian Rap Recording Artists D.O.C (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST).

In 2005, he was signed to F.I.S.N.O. RECORDS and featured on its compilation, Destination Heaven. Raptillion's song, "You're The Reason” hit the #1 spot on the Spiritual charts on Audiostreet Radio as well as his collaboration song featuring a West coast rapper, Loc Saint, entitled “1 Way 2 Heaven” which placed #2 on the Christian rap charts. Phazon Music Group also recognized Raptillion as artist of the month for January 2006.

Raptillion songs can be heard on many Compilations / Mixtapes such as 1. DJ Lace - Positive Mixtape Series Vol. 3 2. DJ Bruce O' Brien Spiritual Gas Mixtape Vol.10 3. DJ I Rock Jesus Mixtapes 4. Bigg Moose Productions – “The Battle Is Already Won” Compilation 5. C.H.A.N.G.E.S. Record's Compilation - ”Making Changes For Jesus” 6. F.I.S.N.O. Records – Holy Warz, Destination Heaven, Tru Soldierz Vol.1 7. L.B.F. Records – Genesis 08’ Holy Hip Hop Compilation Vol.2 8. L.B.F. Records – The Last Gurdian Angels Holy Hip Hop Compilation Vol.3 9. L.B.F. Records – GOLDMIC Holy Hip Hop Compilation Vol.4 10. Missle Record's Compilations 11. L.B.F. Records - Raptillion Meets Lil G Mixtape Heart Of A Servant

Raptillion has National Digital Distrubution with Songcast.com. His music can be purchased online at Itunes, Amazonmp3, Rhapsody, Napster, Emusic, Yahoo Music Unlimited, Zune, Best Buy Digital Music Store, Soundclick.com and many more online music sites.