Substance

This album is called SUBSTANCE because it delivers applicable principles while giving listeners music that is enjoyable and uplifting. After everything that we have gone through over the past two years, I wanted to deliver biblically-based lyrical content that would allow listeners to have their faith fortified and be entertained simultaneously. For me, this is criteria that goes hand in hand. My hope is that the musicality of SUBSTANCE is so entertaining that people will listen to it over and over again. When something is repetitive, it grabs your spirit. I approach my albums the same way that I approach preaching, and that is by embedding purpose into how the message is organized. I want to take people on a journey where – when they reach its end – they are better off than when they started, so much so that they want to experience it again. I try to use my God-given gift to create albums with no fillers; you can play any Marvin Sapp album from top to bottom and not want to skip anything.  I want people to enjoy listening to my music, and to also have strong takeaways. That is why I chose to call this album SUBSTANCE. When someone listens to any song on this project, they will be able to take principles from the lyrical content and apply them to their lives. People will hear good music, good singing and a good message. I am very proud of the process for recording this album. I have always used my platform as a platform for up-and-coming songwriters. For SUBSTANCE, I did something that I’ve never done before by inviting new and established songwriters from around the country to come to a “writer’s camp” at my home studio. It was a creative environment where all we did was listen to music, pray, write and build upon concepts that were in line with the direction that God had given me for this album. It was a powerful experience. Some of my favorite songs on the album were written by new writers, and I’m very proud of the entire project. My mantra is to not only release good music, but release lyrically well produced, Christ centered, faith-building, churchy but funky entertainment. SUBSTANCE continues this focus. --Marvin Sapp