Eternal Life Music

Todd Barnes ( “tb” )

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Todd Barnes began writing rhymes in middle-school, sometime in or before 1991. He honed his rhyme skills by writing and reciting what he now referrs to as “arrogant, self-glorifying, blasphemous garbage raps that reflected my own lukewarm, compromising and sinful lifestyle.” Sometime in early 2005, having gotten to the point where he no longer liked himself or his rhymes, Todd hung up his mic, finally surrendered to Jesus Christ, and started attending church at Antioch of Calvary Chapel. In late 2005, however, he discovered modern Christian hip hop. Although no longer interested in being a “rapper,” the more Todd listened to Christian hip hop, the more he felt compelled to write to it. It soon became obvious that the Lord had not only redeemed him, but his rhyme skills as well. Not willing to let it be said that he would use the talent God gave him to glorify self but not God, tb recorded his debut e.p. “Eternal Principles” in the Spring of 2007. He quickly learned how expensive the process can be and questioned whether rhyming was something the Lord wanted him to do. He asked the Lord to show him what He wanted and essentially to shut it down or provide the resources needed to move forward. And he waited.

Soon thereafter he received a text message “out of the blue”: “yo, I got beats … check out my website.” It was from Todd’s dad’s second cousin’s daughter’s husband Ken. Lol! Ken (”KinDeezil” aka “Bro.Ken”) was in search of a Christian rapper, but sent the text to Todd thinking, well, perhaps he likes beats. It seemed so random that tb’s initial response was “what made you send that to me?” Deezil explained that he reached out to a few Christian emcees the same way and that “something” said “you forgot one. Send it to Todd.” Todd figured it was the sign he was waiting for. Eventually he and Ken got together to pray. And in December of 2007, the group which began as “Eternal Life” released its first e.p. “Honest Effort,” and the Lord began to mature Todd and Ken in the ministry.

Todd met Vic (”Golden State” (formerly “DJ MVP”)) at Antioch in mid 2008. In time, and the two began to build as Vic had grown tired of some things pertaining to Christian Hip Hop in general. Todd introduced Vic to Ken. As the three shared their hearts with one another, it became clear that Vic was to join Eternal Life Music as the Lord was going to take the three of them to a new level in many respects. The rest is, as they say, His-story in the making.

Todd married his wife Aneesah in 2008. Together they have two sons, Nassir (”Squirrel”) and Kareem (”Scoop” or “Pop” as he likes to be called), and a little baby girl, Lila Christine. Todd knows he has been unbelievably and undeservedly blessed. God has given him a heart for, and the gift of, serving in the spirit of Psalm 116:12 (”What shall I render under the Lord for all His benefits toward me”). He currently serves as a deacon under Pastor Aaron Campbell at Antioch of Calvary Chapel in West Philadelphia.