Tia Stewart is a Florida-based producer, songwriter, drummer, and gospel rapper making moves for the Kingdom of God through her new album’s self-penned lyrical testimony about wanting to kiss a girl.

Stewart released her latest EP Superwoman last month through her Bandcamp.com page.  The seven-track EP contains songs all produced, written, and performed by Tia Stewart. 

While a familiar sound and feel is present within a few of the tracks causing some messages to get lost in the midst, there are some firestarter tracks that are worth the listen. The overall musical production of the EP, however, could use more body to more effectively engage the listeners as they traverse through the tracks. A successful meshing of lyrics and music are that important to a well-produced project.

And the most controversial lyrics on the album show up in a song called, “Leviticus.”

The title alone is sure to raise some eyebrows, bearing the name of an Old Testament book of the  Bible that boasts a bevy of moral codes. The book itself emphasizes worshiping God through the way we live and declares the sanctity of God.  However, this song is special in that it speaks to a feeling that is outlawed within the book. It’s a personal struggle with Stewart's sexual identity, having feelings for another woman.

 “I wanna make you my baby...I cannot make you my baby, got to let go of you."

We hear of the effects of the struggle leading to other vices such as drugs to numb the pain.

 "Leviticus" is a truly transparent track about an issue many face, but do not openly confess. 

"I hear the Holy Spirit saying let go, and then I hear the Lord saying just don't...but there's another voice in my head that says you know you want to kiss her in the bed slow." This is a very vivid image of the internal conflict and battle that the Tias of the world may have. In the midst of a society where anything goes, even in the Christian world, Stewart bravely tackles this rampant problem.

In the spirit of Katy Perry, girls are questioning their sexuality and are more open to experimenting by entertaining encounters with other females. The topic may not be readily addressed from the pulpit, but Stewart takes a bold step by telling her story. The song stands as a testament of the overcoming power we have through Jesus. 

The realness of the words truly resonate against the beat and paints a clear picture for the listener. 

Musically, though, "Leviticus” takes an audible turn in feel, signifying a climactic change in the content from the previous 6 tracks.

The opening track is entitled "Sidekick,” a song about God informing the listener that He is all he or she needs. A part of the hook to the song exclaims, "Whatever you need I got it," as God's perspective on our lives takes center stage. It is a peculiar opening song because it does not immediately grab the listener, but lays a good foundational message for the EP.  The title track "Superwoman" encourages the listener to choose a relationship with Jesus over any physical gratification.  As the title track, the overall song could be stronger to truly echo the depth of the message.  The juxtaposition of the message and the title are a clever spin on the subject matter.

A catchy song, "You're not God," warns against a prideful life. The accomplishments we attain in this life pale in comparison to Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross and God's sovereign power. Stewart lists many scenarios of people we all can relate to who think of themselves higher than they should. The track is definitely a good candidate for a live show set. It can play off the crowd's energy in a call/response kind of way. 

The song "Inside" deals with the struggle of living righteously in this present world. Influences  present from every side entice a Christian to stray from God's path. The Bible declares that we "do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places."  Therefore, one's inner man is constantly grappling with the resolve to live holy. Stewart properly delivers the anguish of one dying spiritually on the inside from repeated sin.

Stewart has an old school, east coast styling to her flow with very direct and witty punch lines.  The messages within the EP will cause listeners to reflect on their own lives and see how they can better serve God. Tia Stewart shall definitely make a mark for the kingdom as she continues to grow in her writing, producing, and rhyming.