Just a thought rolling through my skull...

Does anyone else find it amazing that in the Country music world no one bats an eye if an artist says a prayer or sings a song about Jesus, God or anything Christian oriented? Have you noticed it’s the last remaining mainstream genre in which gospel themes are intertwined in the genres roots. Almost every year at least one song rises to the top of the Country music charts that proclaim something about God.

Now I’m not saying country is for everyone or that you should go out and became a big Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith or Little Big Town fans (although there are far worse artists out there!). What I’m stating is simply an observation. An observation which I think is worthy a few brain tickling moments. What makes it so acceptable in Country music, but not say rap?

To state it point blank, mainstream rap music’s purpose/core/ideas are everything that is opposite of God, same can be said for mainstream rock music. Now DO NOT think for a moment I’m stating every rock or rap group/artist out there is a horrible individual or that their goal of their music is to pull people from God; does it pull you to him though?

Country music has found that balance of sharing honest, entertaining but yet spiritual experiences. Yes there are songs like Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On, that have no spiritual backing at all and are obviously just centered around stupid humor. Unlike other mainstream genres though, Country music has a song that mentions God or spiritual undertones for every song that doesn’t…just awesome if you ask me.

Another thought about Country music which maybe expands upon this is as follows:

You pull up to a stoplight, a 20 something year old guy pulls up beside you blaring his  ___________(insert genre) music. You can insert metal, tecno, rap or rock music and I think if we’re honest with ourselves we all know we judge without even consciously trying to.  Stereotypical thoughts about the guy’s character have already slipped into our mind due to viewpoints on each genre that we’ve been conditioned to, even though there are Christian forms of each genre. However, now insert Country. What are you thinking now? You may be thinking hick, hillbilly, redneck…but it doesn’t have the same negative character stereotypes that other genres have. That in and of itself has to state something about the genre…not saying it’s good or bad just making a note.

Well, my thinking out loud…eh…in writing is now over. Just something for ya’ll J to think on.

Why do you support rap Tyni?

There is type of music which is by its nature forceful and passionate. It perhaps above all other genres wears the beliefs of the artist on its sleeves and because of that attracts hundreds of thousands to it. Passionate, honest and a sound which can’t help but turn heads…what more truly could one ask for?! If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m of course speaking of rap music. While what I have said is true, there is a stigma about rap which circles it like vultures do to road kill. That stigma is what keeps many people from grasping it, and it’s precisely the reason why the Church is so hesitant to accept it. Yeah Christian Rap has infiltrated the Dove Awards and is sold at many Christian stores but a bunch of believers are still hesitant about the genre.

                I get asked a lot about “why do you love Christian rap” or “how did you get introduced to it”? I can remember when I first discovered Christian rap. I was at the local Christian book store with my mom, dragged along yet again; I was completely over the store visit the moment we walked in but wandered over to the cd section anyways. I was looking over the genres when Hip Hop caught my eye and I was like, “Wait a second…what?”  You see Bone Thugs, DMX, Eminem and others were what everyone listened to and I had found myself listening to them whenever possible, and had grown to like the rap sound. I knew my mom would never let me get DMX or any other secular rapper’s cd, but she’d have to let me buy one if it at this Christian store right? I mean DMX prays on like every single record and even thanked God when receiving an award…has to be Christian right? Yes, I was that naïve…or perhaps that hopeful. Well DMX wasn’t there, neither was Bone or Eminem…but there was this CD that caught my eye. The artist’s name was T-Bone which had the possibility to be good. I grab the demo cd and pop it in their cd player…well it wasn’t as catchy as DMX but it did have pretty good beats and the guy could definitely rhyme.

                From that day on I started buying every single Christian Rap cd I could get my hands on. However, I experienced a lot of judgmental glances at the store from people whenever I’d purchase one. I even had a cashier at the local Christian bookstore look at the cd I was buying and asked if I really thought it was Christian? I couldn’t believe it, here I was trying to fight the norm by listening to the style of music I liked but not secular…definitely tarnished my idea of the “slow worship listening” believers. Even some of my family would give me downward glances when I’d pull into family get-togethers with Christian rap blasting out of my speakers.

                That’s the stigma which surrounds rap though. No matter what is behind the lyrics of the song, if someone hears rap they only assume its listeners can be nothing good. Skeptically naïve is how I view that thought now, although it is very understandable based on the image rap music has projected. Although, I’m a 25 year old white boy (couldn’t resist throwing that in) who isn’t ashamed to blast my Godly rap music…you know why? Because I’m unashamed of it, just like I’m not ashamed to admit I blast Brandon Heath or even Rich Mullins as loud as I can too! ßTALK ABOUT TURNING HEADS, TRY BLARING RICH MULLINS AND ALL EYES WILL BE ON YOU HAHA! Both genres speak TRUTH, one is just more Christian acceptable; while rap is raw emotion and even confrontational at times. Christian rappers hold nothing back and make the struggles with sin feel more like a battle than its other Christian counterparts.  Which is precisely why we should embrace it! Our non-chalant way of being Christians have gotten us where? We have more division in the Christian churches than ever before…we can’t even agree upon basic biblical truths…and we’re losing our identity as being Godly with every pastor accused and convicted of sexual immorality of some kind!

                We must make war on our sinful natures, God said the Christian walk isn’t necessarily the easy one so why do we try to make it seem like it is all rainbows and unicorns? It’s not. It’s a daily struggle, a fight which if you’re not careful it will KO you in a matter of minutes! It’s this fight which I feel Christian rap hits on harder than any other Christian genre out there. They convict you by their honesty, relate to you with their stories, teach you how to live and rejoice with you in God!

                Now I understand Christian rap just simply isn’t for everybody, but God is and if you believe in the same God as I do you know he can do all things, touch all things and use all things! Even rap..

One love, One way, One God

Your Bro,

Tyni

July Spotlight

The July spotlight of the month has been added to the Spotlight page (to the right)!

The band that is Anberlin...

               Recently got a hold of some Anberlin albums to take a closer look at and was surprised with what I found. First off this is a talented band. I’ve always had a soft spot for bands with amazing guitarists that alone could entertain; Joseph Milligan, lead guitarist, fits this to a T! The musical ability of the band should go without question as I wound my way through New Surrender (2008 Album) and the big hits off of Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place (2010).

(courtesy of googleimages)

                Anberlin a basic 5 piece act with a 6^th (touring member) for live shows is one which has been around since 2002 when they signed to Tooth & Nail Records. Albums have been pumping out ever since but one question has swirled; is Anberlin a Christian band? While some bands flirt around that edge afraid to commit either way Anberlin seems to know what they believe. I’ll let drummer Nathan Young’s quote answer the question, “The thing is, some bands that are trying to get out of the Christian market, they get bummed out by questions about it. I don’t really mind it, because I’m a Christian, and I’m okay talking about it. With the whole term ‘Christian Band,’ I don’t understand how a band can be Christian. We get the question, ‘Is Anberlin a Christian band?’ and it’s like, yeah, Anberlin is—as humans.” 

                Young doesn’t believe a band can be Christian which makes sense, as only soul bearing beings can be Christian, but the collection of human beings in a band can either reflect that or not. Stephen Christian, lead vocals, has been heard stating he doesn’t care who listens to their albums, “[My Faith] affects every single aspect of my life, but I’m not a preacher, I’m an entertainer.” That my friend is what it boils down to. While Anberlin may not preach the gospel during their shows I’d have to say yes they’re a Christian band, just not your Third Day or Casting Crowns type.

                Their music is honest and at times like in Feel Good Drag they wear their failures on their sleeves, which is refreshing and “ministers” to the audience whether they realize it or not. That’s what people sometimes forget, ministry is not only done from behind the pulpit or through preaching the gospel. Some of the most inspirational ‘God moments’ I’ve experienced has been through music. Music can trigger a connection to your thoughts like nothing else, and at times bring about conversations with God that otherwise wouldn’t have occurred.

(courtesy of googleimages)

                So fear not the quandary of Christian or not with Anberlin. Their music is honest, true to their lives but nothing you should be so concern you enough to write them completely off. However, I will give a tiny bit of warning that some songs are left for interpretation which doesn’t always keep songs blatantly okay. Younglife is one of the examples that come to my mind in that it talks about being entwined all night with a “lover”, now this lover may be a spouse but it doesn’t make it clear either way. So concern is needed there, but again these cases are rare and like stated before they are just real life experiences that Christian decided to write about.

Some great quotes from the band are here: http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2009/01/anberlin-on-being-christian-an.html

(Quotes from Wikipedia, where exact references can be foudn for each)

Two amazing acts first hand!

              In my line of “work”, and by work I mean unpaid passion for putting on Christian concerts I’ve been blessed to meet some bands first hand and actually form some relationships with a few. This past Father’s Day I was blessed to host 2 amazing bands, both in their own right ready to break through. Philmont was the headlining band, but for first let me discuss Thank You & Goodnight.

              Everywhere you go there will be those garage bands that can be found no matter where you’re located at. Some of these actually possess musical ability, but most of them aren’t worthy of any more than being an outlet for the people involved. There are though, a few that possess the musical ability and so much more. In steps Thank You & Goodnight, a local band to my area, out of Fort Wayne, IN. When hearing about this band from someone at work, I was like “Yeah sure I’ll check them out” but never intended to do anything. Bored one night and still needing an opening act I decided to check out TY&G’s myspace page to check out a couple tracks. Wow…these guys are good…wait this can’t be them I actually like their stuff! Check them out at www.myspace.com/thankuandgoodnight.

                I quickly contacted Brock Andrews the creator and lead singer of TY&G and booked them. During the show I couldn’t believe how good they were for being so new to the game. Brock has a true knack for writing, which came through quite vividly. One such song is “Making Out”, which sounds terrible but it is a play on words about how to get through hard times with your spouse. Brock said that it was a song he’d wrote in reflection of his own life with his wife for only a few short years. While the band is still independent and trying to get a foothold in the Christian music industry, Brock stays positive that God will provide whether it is as a band or him as a solo act (which with his writing ability would work).

                Now onto the headliner for the night Philmont, a high energy 5-piece act that is sure to grab the attention of every audience. I was extremely pumped to see Philmont in person, but was utterly amazed when I finally did. I know spending some time with Forefront they’d be polished some, but being now independent I was curious to see how they were. They were amazing! Not only did they perform great they proved they are an up and coming Christian Rock group that has made it already and is ready to blow up! Their songs are catchy, honest, strong, intuitive and just overall blessed. Their sound brings you in, their energy entertains you and their honesty wants you to know more.

                I was purely exhausted just watching them on stage for an hour run around, head bang and belt out lyrics that would intimidate most. Scott Taube the lead singer and creator of the band is clearly ahead of his years in the music game. His character is without question and it was awesome to get to meet the woman behind the man, as is wife was with him on the show schedule. It is clear that Scott and the band member are not in it for the money, but the experience God is allowing them to take and I have a feeling it’s a ride that isn’t up quite yet! Check out Philmont and you’ll be sure to hear some amazing stuff, and if you feel like an amazing concert where you’ll be exhausted just watching try to see them the next time they come through!