Topic: Gospel hip-hop (Real or Fake) (Read 4299 times)

TheBigO30 · « **on:** September 02, 2008, 08:40:17 AM »

I read this artcle on gospel hip-hop

Are We Killing Ourselves?

Hip hop artist Sean Slaughter writes regularly-appearing column for GOSPELflava.com on the wide-ranging topic of Gospel hip hop.

July 15, 2008

I just finished reading a great article on the 5 Percent Nation of Islam's influence in hip hop. 5 Percenter's, as they are known, believe that 85% of the world is in bondage to the other 15%, and only 5% of the population (the 5 Percent Nation of Islam) has the answers to true knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Some of the great artists of the past have had some connection or affiliation with the 5 percent nation. Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Brand Nubian, Poor Righteous Teachers, and so on. Even today, artists such as Erika Badu and Lupe fiasco have waved the 5 percent flag, praying to Allah at the beginning of their CDs.

Now if we take a look at these artists, they're agenda has not only been record sales, but promoting their God (Allah) in their music and responsibility in their communities. Now I am not trying to convert you or make change your name to Rufus X, but as Christian rap music gains ground (you need to read this article http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2008/04/29/19752948.aspx), what are we doing with our music?

The thug, gangster, pimp image has now become part of the foundation of hip hop, even in the Christian arena. Being locked up, shot, thugged out and education deficient have been ingrained in the definition of hip hop, even though these things were never major in hip hop's early beginnings. Looking rich and big ballin' have all but chocked out the voice of reason, positivity and spirituality. And some of our music and our attitudes (Christian rappers) have been caught in this trap.

How do I know? I've heard more Christian rappers talk more about their 'hoodliness' than Godliness. I've been to shows where artists' swagger has repelled more people than attracted them. I have even had artists talk about beefing with other artists (I am dead serious), going as far as putting the beef on a record (now I am laughing)!

Are we stupid? Fire, aggression, and passion for God should not be confused with ego, pride, and arrogance. The 5 Percent Nation in hip hop was promoting self responsibility, self awareness, and God consciousness, causing hip hop fans to examine themselves. What are we doing? Acting like fake Young Jeezys, bootleg Soldier Boyz, and corny DJ Khaleds? Is not Jesus Christ the One and true God?

We have been called to make great music and bring great ministry to the mass of hip hop fans. We are a different breed of artist; using the popularity we gain to point people in God's (Jesus, baby!) direction. If we lower ourselves and corrupt our music with an attitude that does not reflect Christ, and continue to act like fake Christian studio thugs and pimps, then we might as well put a gun to our head: cuz we're killing ourselves.

give me your input

4hisglory · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2008, 08:44:53 AM »

Interesting article.

under13 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2008, 09:18:24 AM »

Well what about the traditional Gospel Artist Preachers and musicians who are in it for just the fame and the money, and not for Jesus? nobody wants to talk about them. but because they dont like hip hop, they wanna complain. Well I'm sorry to inform you, but its none of your busines what kinda Gospel music I listen to.

Wasnt Thomas Dorsey's music met with the same criticism? Didnt they put him down for bringing a Blues sound into Gospel? Now we are all sing "Precious Lord:" in church, which was once considered unholy as many people today, consider Gospel hip hop.

Times change, and so will the music, but older people dont seem to like that. I an understand, 'cuz I dont like Gospel hip Hop Either, but Who am I to put down someone's praise to God, just because I dont like or understand their style?

TheBigO30 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2008, 09:53:50 AM »

what I got for this acticle is that nothing is wrong with the music, but some of the gospel rappers are bet more street rapper and thugs than being solider for the Lords. to me if you say that you are in it for the Lord than be for the Lord. That my two cents.

P.s this article was write by a Gospel Rapper so ti not just the old saints.

themidiroom · « **Reply #4 on:** September 02, 2008, 09:59:09 AM »

Quote from: under13 on September 02, 2008, 09:18:24 AM

I an understand, 'cuz I dont like Gospel hip Hop Either, but Who am I to put down someone's praise to God, just because I dont like or understand their style?

Why don't you like gospel hip hop? I know there is more business in the music business than there is music. Early gospel hip hop seemed corny and not very authentic so now we have this more thugged out version which is more like secular hip hop but not always true to the gospel.
I don't put it down but I don't see anything wrong with having dialog about it.

under13 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 02, 2008, 10:10:18 AM »

Quote from: themidiroom on September 02, 2008, 09:59:09 AM

Why don't you like gospel hip hop?

Its just not my style. I honestly dont like any of the hip hop that is out today. After 1999 and 2000, Hip hop turned into pure trash. Like you said, there is more business in music, than music, and the music has been sacrificed for money.

farenhype · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2008, 02:35:43 PM »

Gospel Rap=Oil and Water...they don't mix

NOW Gospel Hip-Hop (j. Moss, Canton Jones, Kiki Sheard) mixes very well

hardheaded · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2008, 02:35:47 PM »

The way I look at it (me being a gospel rapper myself) everything is needed at some point. Sometimes you need a artist with a lil street swag so he can reach certain people, sometimes you need a deep thinking intellectual type rapper to reach certain people, sometimes you need a rapper/preacher who can reach certain people. We as ministers have to reach people where they are...now do not get me wrong I dont mean we need to sag with flags hanging out of our pockets throwing up gang signs(lord help us) but I feel like sometimes it is necessary to give testimony in songs and sometimes that gonna go back to the place where you came from for example I have a song called King of Glory and one of the lines in the song is

Sufficient is his grace so no longer do I go down/
the spots where i been before/(lookie here)
Dope flippa Drank sippa Weed Smoker b4 I hit the door/
and then i came in and everything was changed/
by the King of Glory everybody scream his name/

I feel like by those bars somebody dealing with one of those issues can say ok he used to smoke weed to but look at him now maybe I can stop too....but that’s just me and my opinion everybody is entitled to their own the only thing I say is watch what u say about those serving God you never know how God is gonna use somebody

kodacolor · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2008, 04:42:23 PM »

Quote from: hardheaded on September 10, 2008, 02:35:47 PM

The way I look at it (me being a gospel rapper myself) everything is needed at some point. Sometimes you need a artist with a lil street swag so he can reach certain people, sometimes you need a deep thinking intellectual type rapper to reach certain people, sometimes you need a rapper/preacher who can reach certain people. We as ministers have to reach people where they are...now do not get me wrong I dont mean we need to sag with flags hanging out of our pockets throwing up gang signs(lord help us) but I feel like sometimes it is necessary to give testimony in songs and sometimes that gonna go back to the place where you came from for example I have a song called King of Glory and one of the lines in the song is

Sufficient is his grace so no longer do I go down/
the spots where i been before/(lookie here)
Dope flippa Drank sippa Weed Smoker b4 I hit the door/
and then i came in and everything was changed/
by the King of Glory everybody scream his name/

I feel like by those bars somebody dealing with one of those issues can say ok he used to smoke weed to but look at him now maybe I can stop too....but that’s just me and my opinion everybody is entitled to their own the only thing I say is watch what u say about those serving God you never know how God is gonna use somebody

First order of business....WELCOME TO LGM!!

Second order of business.... I agree with your post.

hardheaded · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2008, 05:00:03 PM »

Quote from: kodacolor on September 10, 2008, 04:42:23 PM

First order of business....WELCOME TO LGM!!

Second order of business.... I agree with your post.

lol thanks for the welcome

farenhype · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2008, 05:56:45 PM »

Rap=Hip Hop-Lies

Gospel=Jesus + Good News

Hip Hop + Gospel equals the sum of salvation, glorification, and praise

What do I know

under13 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 11, 2008, 06:08:04 PM »

Quote from: farenhype on September 11, 2008, 05:56:45 PM

Rap=Hip Hop-Lies

Gospel=Jesus + Good News

Hip Hop + Gospel equals the sum of salvation, glorification, and praise

What do I know

So what about Gospel RnB?

Gospel = Good news
RnB/Blues = Sex, money, etc.

What you call Gospel Music is based on RnB and Blues. So whats the difference?

farenhype · « **Reply #12 on:** September 12, 2008, 05:04:56 PM »

I was talking about the elements (progression, beats, runs, etc) of music, not the content within the music.

Hip Hop + R & B + Blues - Content + Gospel X Jesus = Gospel Music genre

I'm not good at math

Ladi Soldier · « **Reply #13 on:** September 15, 2008, 01:56:19 PM »

Personally, I feel that as Christians we should not be judging people based on the way they like their music. I like Gospel hip-hop artists such as: Da Truth, Humble Tip, and Lecrae, but you know sometimes people need to listen past the beat and HEAR the words. We all know that Hip-hop is the most influential music movement ever; so if our goal is to bring the kids who love hip-hop to the kingdom why are we judging the one's who are trying to press toward the mark??

T-Block · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2008, 10:09:33 AM »

My only problem wit some Christian/Gospel rappers is they still look like their secular counterparts. There needs to be a DEFINITE distinction between gospel rap and secular rap. For the most part, that distinction is not very clear until u listen to the lyrics. This opens the door for a lot of drama. Just my opinion!!!

ucja2008 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2008, 10:25:22 AM »

Quote from: T-Block on September 16, 2008, 10:09:33 AM

My only problem wit some Christian/Gospel rappers is they still look like their secular counterparts. There needs to be a DEFINITE distinction between gospel rap and secular rap. For the most part, that distinction is not very clear until u listen to the lyrics.

This is rite T-Block!

And as for me I dont want to be part of something I was trying to get out of, Sin, Sex, Violence! I dont need to be reminded. (NOT THAT WE DONT NEED TO BE REMINDED WHERE WE COME FROM)Gospel Music should be more on praising/glorifying, givin GOD the Glory, ministering to someone, not on what I (Self) Am About/have but what GOD/Jesus Is About!

And People got to standup for Holiness.

And about this "REACHIN" people
either they accept it or not, we dont have to force it down their throats as some us do.
"Let your light so shine" Matthew 5:16 That'll Be Your Reacher! (least for a start)(This is a whole new area but it is complimentary of this subject)

see we tryin to do a "work" to "Reach" people when all we have to do is "present our body as a living sacrifice HOLY and acceptable to GOD and let our light so shine"

We dont have to bring the WORLD (worldly ideas/trends/sin) into the church to reach people. Either they accept it or Not!

But Then again It don't always have to be the "Old Time Way" But It definetly has to be The BIBLE Way

THE WOLFMAN · « **Reply #16 on:** September 16, 2008, 11:06:34 AM »

Ramar · « **Reply #17 on:** September 16, 2008, 11:43:06 PM »

one of the biggest factors in the way we recieve music is what we grew up listening to.. alot of us like gospel/church music because we were raised hearing it.. doesnt it feel good to hear a song that we remember hearing as a child? I grew up on the Winans, who were considered very secular(they even incorporated Gospel Rap in some of their songs) but I felt the anointing in their music the same way any of you feel it in "Gospel Music"...

Ramar · « **Reply #18 on:** September 16, 2008, 11:53:30 PM »

My bad. i didnt finish... but yeah, there is a new generation of Christians who never heard of James Cleveland or Yolanda Adams or Kurt Carr... but they got saved after hearing Lecrae or Da Truth... they feel God's presence at a Gospel Rap concert, like I said before, I was a Winans Fan long before I ever heard of Kurt Carr or Martha Munizzi or any other "gospel" artists... I cried to their music, I felt the pull of God in my life... God can use anyone with a willing heart.

Docdb04 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 17, 2008, 08:06:09 AM »

Can we really say that gospel rapper aren't glorifying God? Can we say that they aren't holy? Can we say that they aren't ministers? Can we say that God isn't please with them? I am reminded of a scripture: Psalms 24:3-5 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in His holy place. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart...He shall receive the blessing of the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

I can't say that I don't like something, until I listen to it. I can't say that Gospel rappers aren't ministers, because I have no idea what changes they have made in people's lives. I have never been a rapper, so I will not understand gospel rap as someone who has been around rap all their life. Our understanding of music is different. Now if their music is contrary to the Gospel and they are about self-glorification, then that is another issue.

Author Topic: Gospel hip-hop (Real or Fake) (Read 4299 times)

Ramar

Ramar