Lights from the AYS (All Ye Saints) Cafe in Madisonville shine at night like a lighthouse beacon on an otherwise dark city block dotted with vacant storefronts.

        Inside the Christian coffee house, it's College Night and a trio of young rappers — K-Drama, B.I.G. S.T.E.V.E., and Kurrect offer up gospel rap.

Roland Hairston, a student at the University of Cincinnati, acts as emcee for college night at All Ye Saints Cafe in Madisonville. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        On other nights, the entertainment includes poetry reading, gospel jazz and Christian music, talent shows, relationship and personal finance seminars, discussions of books and movies, and parenting classes.

        The events schedule also includes an open mike night described as follows: “Calling all poets, singers, rappers, etc. Come out and share anything that glorifies God.”

        The refreshments menu includes gourmet coffees, teas, hot chocolate and pastries. No alcohol is sold and no smoking is allowed.

        “The owners are born-again Christians. We cater to a highly diverse crowd,” Johnny Martin says as he looks around the cafe he co-owns with his wife, Yonni, before the rappers begin their performances. "It's not just racial, but age-wise also.”

        Meanwhile, on stage Kurrect (a 16-year-old LaSalle High School student), is belting out his version of gospel rap.

        “There's a war's going on,” he says keeping time with the rhythmic music. “You better pick a side. You're either with the devil, or the Most High.”

        K.Drama (a 17-year-old Princeton High School student) follows Kurrect on stage: “My destiny. My destiny. Jesus is my destiny,” he raps.

        A dozen people bob their heads to the beat when B.I.G S.T.E.V.E. (a 21-year-old junior at the College of Mount Joseph) performs his rap called “I've Changed,” which he describes as “my personal testimony to the Lord.”

        Sitting at the tables and bench in the coffee house are a crowd of more than two dozen. During a break from the music, some play cards. One reads a book. Another appears to be doing homework. Others talk.

        “I wanted to hear the rappers,'' 30-year-old Jennifer Davis, of Madisonville says, explaining why she has staked out a comfortable seat on one of the benches. “Usually places like this have a lot of smoking.”

        “I come here on a regular basis,” says Michelle Mitchell, 29, of Pleasant Ridge. “I like it because of the different variety of entertainment. The owners are members of my church. I think it's a blessing.”

        “The coffee house provides a good entertainment outlet for people who don't go to bars,” says Roland Hairston, a 21-year-old University of Cincinnati marketing major who is emceeing the gospel rap concert. “A lot of times people who are Christians feel they have to stay in the house all the time.”

        Says Mr. Martin: “It's definitely our plan to reach out to young people with a no-smoking, no-alcohol environment. Their parents like the idea that they know their kids are here.”

        The 34-year-old Martin, who lives in Madisonville, abandoned a law enforcement career prior to opening the coffee house in December.

        “I hadn't planned on being a police officer forever,” Mr. Martin says of eight years as Cincinnati police officer and two years as a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy. “At some point I wanted to own my own business.”

        It hasn't been an easy transition,

        “It was a tough decision,” he says. “I felt I was good at it.”

        He prayed a lot before making the decision to open the Christian coffee house in his own neighborhood.

        “I'm what you'd call a spiritual risk-taker,” Mr. Martin says. “A lot of people are afraid to do what God calls them to do. This is definitely what God called me to do. I'm afraid not to.” If you have a suggestion for Night Watch, call William A. Weathers at 768-8390; fax 768-8340.
       

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