Christian Hip-Hop…Christian Rap…Christian R&B…whatever you want to call it one cannot over look it anymore. I grew up in an era (90’s) when the Christian Rap was trying to get a foothold on the music scene, but fell pretty much on its face for the most part. It has however stayed persistent and artists have come along every year ready to attempt to bring it one step closer to being accepted and respected as a player in the music world. Ask any of the headlining names in the genre today and I guarantee they can list numerous artists who overcame adversity to keep paving the way for artists in this genre to have a better chance to succeed. Many will point as far back as D-Boy Rodriguez who was slain in a tragic shooting, with the reason being merely because of his beliefs. D-Boy by many is considered one if not the founding father of Christian Rap and even died due to his beliefs.
Some of the big players in the late 90’s when I started following the genre were T-Bone, Gospel Gangstaz, Lil’ Raskull, Pettidee, Prime Minister and many others. Some have stuck, others slowly dissolved into the background and yet others have had their true beliefs questioned and it is unclear whether they still hold the same faith they shared in their lyrics. No matter what the situation they were part of the turning point where Christian Rap moved away from the “cheesy-Jesus is my hero type lyrics” and bubbly beats to actually attacking the music industry with honest, harsher lyrics and started using beats and rhythms that resembled mainstream songs, instead of the dated sound Christian Hip-Hop had before.
We now have artists like Lecrea, Trip Lee, Flame and others that on the talent scale are up there with the likes of Lil Wayne, Eminem and Drake…the key difference though is their message and purpose. The sad truth though is that the Christian world hasn’t fully accepted these artists and embraced them merely because instead of an organ they use a turn-table and instead of a choir they rip a microphone so fast at times it’ll make your head spin…and don’t even get me started on their clothes (haha)! That is just sad, but folks it’s the truth. Their music praises God just as much as Amazing Grace does and quite honestly usually has more passion oozing from their lyrics then anything Casting Crowns or Chris Tomlin puts out anymore. “But Ty, they shout about their faith…they make lots of booming noise…and their music doesn’t belong in the church!” Really why not? Now I’m not saying Christian Rap is the perfect fit for Sunday morning service but is that the only time we listen or should support Christian music? One cannot ignore the fact that the Rap/R&B genre is huge in our world these days, who can say God can’t touch it as well? By stating that Rap/R&B is only secular one might as well be saying my God can do all things “except this”…last time I checked the one who created everything around us can do all! You can hear the pain, anger and frustrated sinners proclaiming that God is the only answer…what fault can be found in that!?
So I beg of you if you listen to Rap/R&B try to switch over to the Christian side of things, where the music is just as good but the message is truly a step above all the secular stuff bogging down the world right now. Also if you’re the worship music style that sees no place for Christian Rap I beg to look at the lyrics! You’ll begin to see sometimes Rap songs are overflowing with worship styled lyrics but their delivery is simply different. May God bless you and what you make part of your daily lives.
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