Profile: Dante Moore
By:Litty Samuel
Groups of teenagers and young adults gathered in tight crowds in anticipation to see the gospel rap performance of the Broken Vessels, led by their lead rapper, Dante Moore. When the beat dropped, the crowd began to move in motion to the rhythm and mouthed the lyrics that were sung by the group. It was here, as he sang words of struggle, passion, and the love of Christ, that Moore realized his true purpose.Dante Moore, 20, is a third year business student currently studying at Widener University. Even as a full-time student, Moore has time to participate and organize various ministries throughout the city of Philadelphia. One such ministry is the music ministry accomplished through gospel rap group named Broken Vessels.“I have learned a lot of things in my life so far, but when your in music ministry, you save a lot of time by realizing it is not about you but about Him,” Moore said. Moore attended Northeast High School in Philadelphia, and there he had the opportunity to meet his now best friend of six years, Siby Varghese. Varghese, who had recently been saved, which is to accept Christ as your personal savior, persuaded Moore to attend a few of his fellowship meetings at his church, the Indian Pentecostal Church (IPC) located in Philadelphia.“I was in the world and had no regard for wanting to change my life. I always made up excuses, saying that I have nothing to wear,” Moore said laughing.Varghese was persistent, and Moore eventually gave in and attended one meeting at IPC. Moore stopped attending after the first meeting, but came back a month later to continue attending IPC due to more persuasion by Varghese.“One night, I was so taken in by the music, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and I felt the Lord move through me,” Moore said smiling coyly. “That night I was saved, and my life after that night changed dramatically: my friends, outlook, speech, and all that jazz.”“Dante was always the class clown, not really caring for much of his life,” Varghese said. “He has come a long way from where he was, and now, he is definite and sure of the cause God has placed in his life.”In high school, Moore heavily relied on music to get him through his rough days. Moore mainly listened to rap and R&B. Lyrics from Biggie Smalls, Ludacris, Eminem, and Drew Hill were just a few of the artists who influenced Moore’s life. Since music has played an important role in Moore’s life, he now uses it toward his new found religion. The lyrics of Biggie Smalls were replaced by lyrics in praise of a 2000 year old carpenter. Moore’s passion for rap was replaced by his passion to lead worship and sing at his church, IPC. “The one thing that helped me stay alive was my music,” Moore said. “I was just drawn to it: the rhythm, the beat, the sound. I took what the Lord had given me, and I went from relying on music to relying on Him.”Moore had never thought of going into gospel rap because he had always seen himself as a singer, and not rapper. A few months later, a couple of Moore’s friends got together in Moore’s basement and started talking about their walk and struggle with religion.“The conversation got so deep, and we became so high off the Lord,” Moore said. “In the background, there was a secular hip hop beat playing, and we just started rapping about the Lord.”The group consisted of four young men, Dante Moore, Steve Samuel, Phil Lewis, and Gabe Santiago. After establishing the idea of a gospel rap group in their minds, the next step was to decide on a name. “At first we were actually called God’s De-light, because we worked the lights at IPC during the church service,” Moore said laughing.Later on, the group decided to drop the name God’s De-light and take on the name Broken Vessels.“We looked at Psalms 51:73, which talks about humility and coming to the Lord broken, and we became broken for the Lord,” Moore said. Moore had entered that rap scene as an amateur, but seemed to get the drift and progress in his style of writing lyrics. As Moore proceeded in his ministry, he continued to change as a person and it showed in his lyrics.“My lyrics come from all over,” Moore stated. “Rap can be anger, defensive, violence, and in my case worship.” “I remember listening to the pastor one time and writing lyrics. My inspiration comes from all over, at all times.”Moore had also been given the opportunity to go and proceed with his ministry at many places, such as churches, schools, and other events. Each place that he had attended was a different and new experience for Moore, and his lyrics and style changed as he continued to venture to new places.“I write to certain crowds, because it pricks them,” Moore stated. “Jesus told parables to certain people. Right?”At one point in his life, Moore was asked to perform at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, in Philadelphia, and he began to write lyrics to a particular song called “Relationship.” It speaks about how a person should not get caught up thinking that they’re a “Christian,” but instead, to first establish a relationship with God.”“When I wrote, it came out so heavy, and I felt as if I was pleading with them,” Moore said. “My main hope was that if you do not leave blessed, then please leave informed. God gave me that song.”After a couple years in the gospel ministry, Moore decided to take a different route in serving God. Last year, 2006, Moore started planning charity work in Philadelphia. Project 215 is a mission field set up here in Philadelphia by the members of Broken Vessels. “I only had two visions from the Lord: I was to create ministry, and the other was Project 215,” Moore stated.The name Project 215 was taken from the area code of the Philadelphia region. Moore takes up a leadership position, for he is the one to organize a lot of the projects, people, and the places.Project 215 is made to benefit people who are struggling from poverty. The members set up lines for booths of clothes, shoes, and food. They passed out gospel tracks at the same time and even offered prayer for those who are in need. “My dream is not to rap my whole life, but to help people, and I am going to continue to be an advocate for Project 215,” Moore said. “We are a powerful force, and we should go into the city of brotherly love and show the same love we proclaim in church. This will draw people to Christ...your silent love,” Moore concluded.
