RAPPER SHIFTS MESSAGE

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Joseph Foreman, the Hattiesburg rapper known as
Afroman who shot to stardom in 2001 with the hit party song "Because I Got
High," has become a Christian.

"I gave my life to God," Foreman said.

His newfound faith has led him to reassess the direction of his music and
his career. Foreman's album, "The Good Times," went gold in the United
States and platinum overseas. "Because I Got High," which chronicles
marijuana-fueled misadventures, was featured on the soundtrack of the film
"Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," and won Foreman a Grammy nomination.

Foreman said he doesn't go to church, but attends intensive Bible study
groups instead, and still plans to make music. He wants to reach young
Christians who love rap.

"Seriously, I'm a new person," he said. "In Christianity, we have to
glorify God. Afroman was glorifying myself."

- - Associated Press