YELLOWKNIFE - Listening to Godson's new CD, you'd never know the Yellowknife rapper doesn't have access to a top-notch recording studio.

He recorded Freezing Point on a shoestring budget between his time working a regular job and raising a family, but you'd have no idea that this is the case.

Aaron 'Godson' Hernandez shows off his recently released CD 'Freezing Point'. The CD was a creation out of his own pocket done in between working and raising a family. - Peter Crnogorac/NNSL photo

From the first tune, the title-track Freezing Point, he hooks the listener with foot-tapping, head-nodding samples, glazed with clean, forward-moving lyrics.

Godson, also known as Aaron Hernandez, is a local DJ who performs many weekends at the White Fox, and it's evident that he has learned what gets people up and moving on the dance floor. Most of the tracks on his newest release have samples and beats that are easy to bump to; some of which include, Flowin, Like This and Clap Music. But that's not all this album has; much of the raps are simple, intelligent, and at times, tells of the rapper's struggles in an often cut-throat industry.

Hernandez bankrolls, writes and produces all his albums, and, as of yet, is unsigned by a record label.

This seems surprising, because the music is of a high quality, but it's also logical given the fact he lives in the NWT, which is known for many things, but, unfortunately for Godson, a hub of hip-hop music it is not. "Living up North is my only disability," is one of the first lines on the opening song Freezing Point.

But still he has enough confidence in his ability that someday people outside of the North will be grooving to his beats, as is heard on the last song Frozen California, a laid back dedication to his home city of Yellowknife. "Don't follow your dreams, go chase it," he raps.

Godson's name recognition has expanded with an appearance on last season's Canadian Idol.

"Number one unsigned in the market," is another line on the self-titled opening jam Freezing Point. "It took a TV show to spark this."

However, not much has changed for Godson's career and life. He still lives in Yellowknife, DJs at local clubs, and manages CD Plus in Centre Square Mall.

But, he has grown, which can be gauged through his evolving music. What can be heard through his newest release compared to his last few albums is that he is maturing in all aspects of his craft. The beats are tighter and his raps flow with more authority throughout Freezing Point.

The only thing that would make this release more complete would be guest rappers and musicians. Godson is the only voice on the album, which at times gives it a sense of monotony. Other talents and voices would allow the album some variety, which at times Freezing Point screams for.

But this is not enough to hold back Godson's newest release.

Overall, it is so good that the title Freezing Point seems a little inappropriate. Boiling Point would be a better choice considering that if the proper ears hear these tracks his career should do nothing but explode.