So it's FACT that, on a whole, what has come to be termed as 'secular' Hip Hop is sorely lacking in morals, never-mind Godliness. But I'm sitting back checking out the latest trends in Christian Hip-Hop circles and I'm thinking, eh? Media-aired sexual indiscretions/dysfunction, division in doctrine, division in business and on personal levels, sneaker/apparel obsession, "diss tracks"...I could go on, but you catch my drift? Yup! Christian Hip-Hop NEED Jesus!
I won't even go into the sexual indiscretions & dysfunction that go on behind closed doors - and heck, even openly. We all got dirty laundry. It is a known FACT that adultery and pre-marital sex are as rife in the church as it is in the world, as is homosexuality, pornography addiction, pedophilia, etc.; so the Christian Hip-Hop circle is hardly an area of exception.
As for divisions in doctrine, business relationships and personal relationships - nothing new about humanity there. Human beings, as we are, are subject to division and strife among each other. We disagree on a magnitude of levels, whatever our faith, or lack thereof, and irrespective of the relationships we do or do not have with one another.
I could mess with Christian Hip-Hop folks about the way some boast and obsess over sneakers/apparel (& phones/mobile devices) and the brands they sport, but I'll save that idolism blog for another time, and let y'all check into Lecrae's REHAB hospital, I mean album, on that one for now.
That said, I'm not setting aside discussion on these topics to excuse any of these behaviors. Just because Christians and non-Christians, alike, are subject to the same wrong-doings does not excuse Christians (or anyone else, for that matter) from doing what is right.
But my focus is with the "diss track" culture that is quickly developing in Christian Hip-Hop, which has absolutely no place as a norm among this genre of music in the same way it is with it's secular Hip-Hop counterpart. The entire 'diss track' sensation is seriously disappointing on the whole - whether secular or Christian. But in the Christian world, we are, by God's Word, held to a higher standard:
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret." Ephesians 5:1-12
For those who have been tuning in to the MC Hammer vs Jay-Z diss drama, with Hammer's latest release of 'Better Run, Run' as a response to Jay's supposed 'diss' of him on Kanye's track - many know, but some don't - what MC Hammer has brought serious media attention to is nothing new in the Christian Hip-Hop genre. The "diss-track" culture running through Christian Hip Hop has history that dates back years, with Artists speaking against secular rappers, most, without naming names. I am not going to make this a 'he said', 'she said' post by calling out Christian Hip Hop Artists who have become reknowned for 'dissing' secular Artists, or of those who make subtle passing references and curt remarks regarding un-named secular Artists. Nor will I name those Christian Emcees who air beef about other Christian Hip Hop Artists on record - both outright and by subtle reference.
While I can get with exposing FACT and truth about the evil that runs rampant through most "secular" hip-hop, and even to pull a fellow Believer up on something that does not stand up to God's Word, it seems the culture of Hip-Hop to battle-rap and insult another Emcee is invading Christian Hip-Hop, and risks us misrepresenting the CULTURE OF CHRIST. While I can commend, maybe, one or two Christian Hip- Hop Emcees for exposing FACT and revealing God's truth in addressing other Emcees - secular and Christian - overall, Christian Hip-Hop Emcees are not trying to expose FACT and the truth of God's Word by releasing 'diss' tracks. Too many are in this to gain rep and attention, or are operating out of ignorance, or both, in an ultimate attempt to 'be Hip-Hop', as some proof to the secular world that they can hold their own.
But take note: Jesus hung with the worst of sinners and spoke the truth of God's Word into their lives without bowing down to how those sinners lived. If He was able to relate without being like them so too can Christian Hip-Hop Emcees relate to the secular Hip-Hop world without bending to their way of thinking and doing; without adopting all of Hip-Hop culture.
Sure, "it is wisdom to meet a man where he is, in order to persuade him to come where you are" (L.A Jackson of The Day Jesus Spoke Hip-Hop)...but empathy does not require that we copycat how the other person thinks, feels or responds in order for them to understand where we come from and receive the truth we are delivering. In any case real recognizes real! People who are lost are not looking for Christian Hip-Hoppers to act like them, or else where is the hope in the things of Christ that we speak to them? If the lost want to exit the way they have been living they are not looking for another thug like them, another ho like them, another pimp like them, another profanity-laden tongue like them, another brand-name sneaker-clad baller like them, another 'diss-lyricist' like them...they want something different from what they have. And the only way we can rep that realness is to rep CHRIST CULTURE, NOT HIP-HOP CULTURE for real.
What Christian Hip-Hop needs is imitators of CHRIST CULTURE, NOT HIP-HOP CULTURE, mi Bredrin!
Unfortunately, christian rappers are in a famine (creativity, authenticity, beats, anointing, lyrics, flava/flow etc.) and so they eat the food of this world and "imitate" secular HIP HOP. This is not good because The CREATOR is more than able to give them what they lack. The condition: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land"
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that the focus must be on God in order for the creativitiy to pour forth, however, I do not feel creativity is lacking in Christian Hip-Hop. Current Artists like Pettidee, Corey Red, Dre Murray, This'l, Light Da Flowminista, GRITS, Willie Will, Lavoisier, Rob Hodge, Japhia Life etc etc etc more than demonstrate creativity on one or more levels. I'd say one of the issues setting Christian hip-Hop back is the lack of infrasture to propel those who are creative to the forefront.The market is currently flooded with people, too many of whom really should step off stage and apply their talents elsewhere in building the industry. It seems everyone wants to be a rapper, and while many do have the ability to rap, they are not necessarilly a well-rounded act, nor able to minister beyond the stage.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's not forget the consumer in the equation...CHH is still a new phenomena to many, despite it's 2 decades plus existence. Young kids in church are finally exposed to CHH on a widespread enough basis for them to seek it out. The music is now more commercially available, Artists are being invited into the church...but it is often to cater to the needs of this young audience, who, themselves, are driven by secular appetite. It is easy for less seasoned CHH to fall into the mode of supplying what is demanded, afterall, this is a business as much as it is ministry, and Artists have to eat.
Indeed we need to return to the source of the music. We must seek God, exalt Him and put Him before what we wish to commit our hands to...and once we do so, we must have the infrastructure to manifest the gifts and the ministry He places in our hands. The laborer is worthy of his hire. Artists make great sacrifice to push Christ in a genre of music that is not widely accepted, with a message that is most definitely not widely received. Without the infrastructure to underpin what they do, and allow them to support their families, they will bend more to what "sells" - not just in CD sales, but what sells them as a potential 'act' at a church event, which more than often is geared towards the younger generation, still transfixed by what is 'hot' in the secular market, rather than what is purely creative in it's own right.
You have much more insight then I do. I'm just a praying spectator. My husband is a leader in the hip-hop ministry as well as a rapper. Sometimes they practice in my home. It grieves me when they bow down for the sake of "drawing" young people. I'm convinced that "Only the Father/Spirit can draw man" and that "when Christ be lifted up, all men will be drawn unto Him". I don't believe we need to bend, "seek first the kingdom of God and the rest will be added." The question, are we kingdom minded??? As I was praying and studying the Word, I felt the Spirit impress on my heart, they are in a famine and that's why they turn to the secular, but if they turn to me, I will give them all that they need and more. As I continued to meditate and pray, I hear "All things are lawful for them,but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for them, but not all things edify". Is this for the kingdom of Christ? Is this to reach lost souls? Is this to edify the church? or Is this to support our families?
ReplyDeleteI am inclined to agree with you. Indeed, Scripture certainly does support putting God first in all endeavors. However, before I do fully endorse what you say I would have to understand what you view as 'bending' by your husband or other rappers. I know this is a broad view taken by many but not everyone holds the same meaning. For me bending would be an attempt to embrace all aspects of hip-hop culture, not all of which are 'beneficial' (eg. Battle rapping/diss tracks, glorifying sneakers/apparel, grafitti in areas where permission has not been received etc). Also, the straight copying of a current secular hit song really burns me. I know of only one Emcee that I would say uses it on context. He uses it to demonstrate to youth in workshops and discussions, that 'if it is really just about the beat' that causes them to follow these secular rappers, then they should be receptive to the same beat with more worthy lyrical content. Aside from using current hits in this way I see no use for it. It is totally bending to gain the attention of lost youth/others and is unlikely to be effective. Most secular hip-hop heads respect 'real'. When Christian Emcees come through spitting on a current secular hit song where is the 'real' in that? They just look like copycats trying to ride off the fame of a secular beat. Where they may have the most success in sales is with Christians who want to feel guilt free about listening to a secular track by having a Christian Emcee change the lyrics. That is not ministry. Neither does it serve the purpose of spreading the Gospel to the lost. You may catch one or two, but the vast majority of hip-hop heads won't respect Christians riding a current secular hit. One serious hip-hop head once told my husband that "it is sacrilege to put God in hip-hop". Hip-hop has been so infilthtrated that it holds little respect, if any in the secular world. We are already fighting to spread a message that is not accepted (the Gospel), and we are trying to meet people where they are using a genre of music that is now so commercialized and negative that even lost folks into hip-hop see no hope in the goodness of this music and the use of it as a medium to convey the Gospel.
ReplyDeleteI totally believe that hip-hop is a valid and rightful medium. For the last 2-3 generations it is perhaps the ultimate music medium. But we absolutley must put God first, as you said. There is a fine balance between ministry and industry in Christian Hip-Hop. The only way we can avoid the pitfalls of turning into secular commercial Hip-Ho (typo intended) is if we keep God lifted up first, and we create an infrastructure that allows Christian Emcees to support their families, but also encourages Artists and all involved in the industry to invest in themselves in alternative manners so that their need for finances is not derived from just rapping on the mic or making music. If money continues to drive Emcees and those in the industry we will follow trends in the market and not follow Christ.
I'd love to hear your insider views of what goes on behind the scenes. Follow me on Twitter or hit me up on facebook. I'm under the same name 'Kalinago Woryi'. God bless! Stay rooted in the Word!
You hit it right on the nose. They were using a secular beat as per the leaders instructions. My husband already said that he would not get on a secular beat because the one time he did, he felt the presence of the Lord depart. For my husband it was the worse thing that could happen, it was enough for him not to ever do it again. Yet, he felt he had to be obedient to the leadership and the youth recently used a secular beat (Not Afraid by Eminem). I looked up the lyrics and they were quite repulsive. And attached to that beat was the works of the enemy. I know that there is a power/influence/spirit behind music. Based on experience as well as it being biblical. When David played the harp for Saul, the evil spirit departed. Lucifer was the angel of music in heaven and he is the prince of this world. We insult God when we turn to secular beats that most of the time, not all of the time, were influenced by Satan. God created sound, He created music, He created the mind and the ability and He gives us an ear to hear. I believe that Christian hip hop reaches the masses and that without compromise and bending, it will go from glory to glory. I believe that it started off pure and holy but that if we are not very careful in walking in obedience and the fear of the Lord, the enemy will use it to mock our God and one thing we know - HE WILL NOT BE MOCKED.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I wanted to let you know that I enjoy your writing and that I appreciate your honesty. The Lord is your portion and in His presence there is fullness of joy. He is more than enough. I don't have a facebook or twitter account. As an intercessor/soldier, I try not to entangle myself in civilian affairs - LOL. No offense, God calls everyone to different places on the wall. I haven't been convicted of checking on your blog so I'll be checking in periodically. May God be gracious to you and give you the desire of your heart. Peace
Thanks, I appreciate the flattery! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI do agree there are some secular tunes which have a demonic spirit attached, but I am careful not to say 'secular' is synonymous with evil, since not all things secular are evil (eg. classical music). As I said, there is a context for using secular beats, and certainly, Hip-Hop is genre of music that relies on sampling, so it is not something that will change, even within Christian Hip-Hop. The challenge is to creatively use beats that do not draw the listeners attention to the secular beat more than draw them to the message of the Gospel