Last weekend, Bad Boy Entertainment hosted an epic reunion weekend at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Virtually every major artist in the record labels’ 20+ year history was in attendance, including Ma$e, The LOX, Total, Faith Evans, 112, Carl Thomas, Black Rob and French Montana. Several Bad Boy/Puff Daddy affiliates such as Mary J. Blige, Jay Z, Nas, Rick Ross, Usher and Junior M.A.F.I.A. joined the festivities to celebrate the iconic company. Even the spirit of The Notorious B.I.G., who grew up just 19 blocks from the arena and whose birthday was that same weekend, loomed large through his music and visuals. However, there was one glaring omission in the other half of the Big Mack attack consisting of Biggie and Craig Mack. The “Flava In Ya Ear” MC was nowhere to be found and nary a note nor a whisper about the man was heard during a show that ran longer than 3 hours. Craig’s absence naturally led to questions about where he was. Was he excluded? Was there bad blood among bad boys?

Nas, Jay Z & More Help Celebrate 20-Years Of Bad Boy In Epic Fashion (Video)

Earlier this week, a video was released by The Overcomer Ministry that answer all questions about how Craig is spending his time and where he is directing his talent these days. The 13-minute clip shows footage from a church service that appears to have taken place on May 21, the day of the second Bad Boy reunion show and, in a move that continues to link Biggie and Mack, the date of The Notorious B.I.G.’s birthday. Though Craig is billed as an “Ex-Rapper” on the video, he recites a number of compelling verses a capella, during the service, beginning at the 3:15 mark. While the subject matter is different from the topics Mack addressed during his Bad Boy days, it’s quickly apparent that he has maintained his distinctive flow over the years. At 9:00, the recorded version of the song begins to play and, with a production reminiscent of the work Craig did with Easy Mo Bee on his debut album, complete with tinges of the bass line from The Beatles’ “Come Together,” it’s clear that Mack has not lost a step with his abilities.

The opening and first verse explicitly lay out Mack’s current life’s purpose. He starts by saying “Craig Mack. Still recording.” From there, he spits “well, I know to the world, the rap I kick will make you think I’m a lunatic, lost my mind or mentally sick. But, for all mankind, this is it. New Kingdom on the earth, where the devil don’t fit. No more bad times and no more wars. New Jerusalem, the city with the gold on the floors. Righteous laws, a thousand year pause, the earth rejuvenated, Christ illuminated. I fight for the cause. I kick down doors the devil set up. See, I’m about to erupt. Mack’s a warrior. I wear the armor of God. Fix your face, raise the bass and stop looking so hard. See, praising the Lord is easy for me. Craig Mack’s right where he’s supposed to be.”

Hearing Mack flow all these years later, particularly with the spiritual subject matter, underscores his influence on MCs who followed him, such as Jay Electronica. Perhaps the reborn Craig Mack will have a long overdue re-birth to his career, as well.