ALBUM REVIEW: Torchbearer by CONQUEST

Randy Bazile
Apr 4, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Nov 17, 2025

*Album Cover Art. Released September 2003*

Brooklyn native, by way of Trinidad, Jason “CONQUEST” Roberts dropped his debut album “Torchbearer” in the fall of 2003. The following review is the 10th-anniversary re-release.

Torchbearer turns 20 this year!!

A torchbearer in Christ is someone that lights up in the darkness. We extinguish the darkness around us through our light (cue “This Little Light of Mine”). That is what CONQUEST planned to do with this album. Inspired by the rap group “Public Enemy” and his faith in God, CONQUEST decided to pick up the mic and start rapping about shining the light of the gospel to those around him. Let’s dig deeper.

PRODUCTION

CONQUEST released demos before working on “Torchbearer.” His demos were experiential, with different sounds and themes. When he and producer Daniel Steele crossed paths, it was the genesis of the trailblazing album. Produced exclusively by Daniel Steele, the album is primarily boom-bap, with a side of R&B & rock.

Tracks like “PreMATURE” & “Bury The Hatchet” stood out to me as interludes of the gritty raps that ‘QUEST gave us early in the album.

“PreMATURE” demonstrated CONQUEST’S excellent and underrated singing ability. The man can sangggggggg!! Especially if the song is about love and purity, bro, you betta sing!

“Bury The Hatchet” is the only rock-rap track on the album. It embodies the anger and frustrations of a christian when they are at odds with each other. The rain and heavy bass perfectly capture the heavy emotions about the topic. This is a follow-up to the previous song, “Blacksheep (Straight From The Hood).”

LYRICS

CONQUEST is a true lyricist. He makes music that you can’t listen to once to understand it. His lyrics are thought-provoking, and his bars are Fuego! His punchlines are crazy!

The first few tracks are ‘QUEST encouraging folks to put their guns down and raise their hands to Jesus. He threatens the rap game with his “Code of Ethics” while “Selling The Lifestyle” of a christian to the streets.

Each song is written from the perspective of a Christian with commentary on the political, social, and economic atmosphere with the sound of hip-hop. CONQUEST covers topics from being the light of the world (“Torchbearer”) to having fun being oneself (“U Need To Calm That Down”), love and purity (“PreMATURE”), and socially conscious (“The World is Designed To…”, “Blackface ‘04”).

My favorite is “Michael,” where he uses his storytelling skills to discuss a man’s downfall because of his lifestyle. The commentary of the story touches on grace, mercy, and ignorance. As much as I would like to tell you, it’s better if you listen to the song.

CONCEPT

“Torchbearer” is a collection of songs by a man of God who loves Jesus, is outspoken on political and social commentary, and loves rap, rock, emo, and R&B. The message is simple: Be the light in the darkness; wherever you go.

FINAL THOUGHTS

CONQUEST blazed onto the scene of Christian Hip Hop with this classic. Twenty years later, it’s still relevant in today’s climate. CONQUEST, however, has since evolved from “Torchbearer” to his radical series, not just with the message but in sound. The album is not perfect, but it is one of NYC CHH’s essential projects.

This version of “Torchbearer” features six bonus tracks.

Download/Stream “Torchbearer” on Bandcamp