By Peter Biggs

Rappers are notorious for bad-boy backgrounds, various excesses and ‘gangsta’ persona – carefully honed in order to gain ‘street cred.’ Such is not the case for an artist from Winnipeg. In an industry whose leading lights are characterized by swagger and overstatement, Fresh I.E. (the I.E. stands for ‘In Eternity’) is better known for statements such as: “God brought me out of the darkness to put me back into the darkness – not to be consumed by it this time, but to be a light.” The 35 year old Fresh, whose real name is Rob Wilson, was the first Canadian hip-hop artist to be nominated for a Grammy (Rock Gospel Category), in 2004, for his CD Red Letterz. His story is a striking one – and it is authentic.

IN INTERVIEWS, Fresh I.E. confesses to doing “whatever it took” to stay alive on the streets. In his teens, he committed robberies and home invasions, and even became involved in a Vancouver drug cartel.  

While secular media have portrayed him simply as a ‘gangsta gone good,’ Fresh is motivated by more than just a desire for personal transformation.

The heart of his life has to do with Christian ministry to Aboriginal youth. One key reason is that his wife Sheila is Cree, from Oxford House in northern Manitoba.

Also, he told ITW,  “I grew up in Winnipeg’s rough North End, around a lot of Aboriginal youth.”

Accordingly, he feels a deep sense of prophetic calling to Aboriginal people.

For the past five years Fresh, has gone to more than 200 reserves across Canada. When visiting a reserve, he usually stays for at least two days, along with a team of young disciples. He first meets with the chiefs and then goes into local high schools. “We have never been refused access to schools,” he said.

In the evening of the first night, he holds a concert and commonly sees 200 – 300 people of all ages attend. Using recorded backing tracks, he weaves his tunes with testimony – and ends with an altar call.

“In 2007, we saw nearly 2,500 people make decisions,” he said.

Burnell Stevenson is a leader on the Peguis First Nations reserve, the largest in Manitoba, situated two hours north of Winnipeg.

Fresh I.E., he said, “has been here three or four times. No matter how rough it looks, how messed up things seem, he always ‘speaks life’ into situations. He’s got a ‘nothing’s too hard’ attitude, and really inspires people who’ve never been in church before.  Even drug users have been very affected.”

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Although greatly gifted, and acclaimed by the music industry, Fresh is not merely a performer. “The music is a tool. I mean, I’m thankful for all the nominations and accolades; but I know that God’s calling on my life is bigger than entertainment and all that. I never want to forget my calling, as an example of God’s grace in a life.”

After the main concert Fresh lingers in the community, sometimes organizing a hockey tournament for the youth. He simply wants to spend time with the people, and is almost always honoured by them. “The community often has a big feast for us, and we’re given gifts,” he said, adding: “I’ve got quite a lot of native art in my home!”

Asked what has touched his heart most by this remarkable ministry, he responded with a story.

“In Burns Lake last year, I was warned about a 19 year old who had murdered someone at age 12. He has mental problems and is very violent. Well I met him – and felt this great love. In the concert, he was in the front row – and by the end, he was weeping. He even came up and sang with me!

“The greatest thing is to see the kids happy in a community where, for instance, the majority of young girls have been raped or abused. To see them smile and jump and have a good time is a miracle.”

Fresh also told ITW about his experience in Regina.

“Last summer we went right into the ‘hood,’ where gangs hang out. Well the Spirit started to move and I began to speak: ‘You weren’t born to deal drugs! You weren’t born to be gang members!’ I didn’t know that 80 percent of the people there were gang members!

“A guy comes up to me and says ‘someone wants to met you – outside.’ It turned out to be one of the city’s major drug dealers. Talking about my talk, he told me: ‘I’ve never seen  anything like what you were preaching to them about gang life; and also, you know, your [black and white] clothing is the rival gang’s colours!’ They all listened, and some made decisions that night!”

With so many people making decisions to follow Christ, Fresh is concerned about follow-up in some places where there may not be a strong church. “We are working on an interactive website that can act as a kind of virtual church if there is none in their community.”

The rapper and his wife attend Waves of Glory Full Gospel Chapel, where Fresh serves as youth pastor. Fresh’s producer, Marshall Zacharias of Avante Records, commented: “Rob is very down to earth and grounded. He has his own studio in the church and uses it to mentor 12 to 17 year old kids in his youth group. He also teaches the 50 or so kids in the church every week.”

Asked a few years ago why he stays in Winnipeg, when he could move to Los Angeles for success, Fresh responded: “It’s beyond fame and fortune. I can easily go to LA; but I know I am meant to be in Winnipeg to help my community. I have a strong desire to help those in the struggle. Success for me is to have my family happy – and those around me, too.”

Fresh is scheduled to release a new CD, Lockjaw, February 18. To contact him, go to www.myspace.com/freshneternity.

Winter/Spring 2008