NEW VIDEO: DOOCH - "GOD IS DOPE"
D. Israel Cook aka Hope Boy (H.B.) is a man after Gods own heart. The husband and father of 4 has always had a passion and desire for Hip Hop. He was born February 10, 1985 in Lynchburg VA where he resided until he was 12. He began molding his musical talent at the tender age of 8 under the influence of his uncle Kenny Cash, who at the time was signed to Rev Runs, Rev Run label under Benson Records. He admired his uncles talent and wanted to be like him, however as time progressed he became more attracted to the mainstream secular artist. The likes of Wu-Tang, Biggie Smalls, Nas, Tupac and Fat Joe to name a few.
He began to obsess over and long for their lifestyle: the money, women, clothes, cars and jewelry. This in turn caused him to start looking towards the gangsters and hustlers in his neighborhood. And as each year came and went he became more and more engulfed in the gangster lifestyle. At the age of 12 he moved to New York City to live with his grandmother, once there he joined his first gang on the second day and began to play the role he was so familiar with by studying the artist whose music he idolized. Hence, the streets became his priority and music a side thing. From 12-17 his life revolved around the streets, he wanted to really live the stuff he rapped about and he did. Gang fights, felony arrests, robberies, him being stabbed 3 times and becoming a statistic by ending up on the notorious Rikers Island at age 18.
While in jail he utterly lost his passion for music and no matter what he tried to re gain it nothing worked. At 19 he married his wife and through a chain of events they ended up homeless and broken wanting more out of life. This would be the beginning of their end; over the next year God would soften their hearts readying them to receive His Son.
Shortly after encountering Christ Israel began to regain his desire to rap. He thought it would be so much easier when youre rapping about God. Easier to be heard, to get signed and to get help. Unbeknownst to him it would be the most challenging season of waiting he has known. For the past 6 years he has sought Christ holding on to Mathew 6:33 and dying to his desire to do music (only recording 3 verses in 4 years.) while watching co laborers move in their talents and giftings. He has walked through pain, confusion, jealousy, resentment as well as thankfulness, joy, gratitude and a desire to see others blessed more than and before him.
His desire is to make music that will edify the body. Music thats transparent and bare, laid open so all can see. Music that all can relate to and be ministered to by, whether one is on a mountain top or valley low. His desire is to comfort others with the same comfort God has comforted him with. 2 Corinthians 1:4-6
