For ASON, the stage is all about producing quality music and spreading the Gospel.

ASON was born Thurman “TC” Custis. In creating a stage name, ASON (pronounced ah-SON) said he asked himself, “Who am I? I’m a son of God. Not the son but a son.”

ASON, the former youth pastor of Capitol Christian Fellowship in Lanham, Md., is a rapper and youth speaker who unites the gospel of Christ with quick lyrics and pounding beats.

Last night he shared that stage with the youth, showcasing the talents of the Lee Heights Community Church Step Team, hosting a dance competition on stage, and letting a participant from one of his seminars sing his first rap song ever on stage.

“Music has such a hold on young people,” he said. “A lot of the best-sounding music has not the greatest-sounding lyrics at best, and destructive lyrics at worst, especially in hip-hop.”

ASON is determined to change that, saying, “I want to produce music that has a mainstream feeling, but a positive message.”

In an interview before the concert, ASON  said that he hoped the youth would hear the Gospel in his rapping. “Be yourself,” he said. “If you love God, don’t be afraid to show it in your unique way.”

He was led to begin ministering at the concert of a Gospel singer named Tonex.

“The Holy Spirit spoke to me,” he said. “It said, ‘I want you to do this same thing.’ I knew that I didn’t have the same dancing and singing skills, but I could rap a bit. So I really took it seriously and I began to write music.”

ASON is attempting to bridge the gap between the Christian world and the hip-hop world.

“Mainstream hip-hop wants a certain message that sells,” said ASON. “When you go into a church and say you’re doing hip-hop, they say, ‘What does that mean? Will it be appropriate?’ There’s no context for [hip-hop in church].”

He seems to be well on his way to providing that context. Last year ASON won first prize in the hip-hop/rap category of the USA Songwriting Competition and placed third overall with his crossover song, “Be Inspired.” The USA Songwriting Competition is an international contest with 15 categories judged by music industry professionals.

ASON owns an independent music label, SonnyWorld Music, and wants to give other Christian artists the ability to enter the music business. ASON’s newest project, “The Future is Now,” is slated to be released by SonnyWorld Music and distributed by the Tate Music Group on Aug. 22.