Christianity

                                                   Christianity in hip-hop

“If the church chooses to hold rappers accountable for their words and actions, then the church must also listen to the stories conveyed by rap artists and understand there is a need for them to play a constructive role in the lives of people who live in poverty and in strife.” The Church has to be understanding with the knowledge that everyone expresses there struggles differently, and everyone deserves to be listened to, no matter what their peers are talking about in other songs. When it comes to the life of Hip Hop artists, their struggle is typically a version of loosing their way and sometimes, their path is straightened out by their faith. 

“I am concerned about the approach some rappers take toward God and faith. But I'm also concerned that too often in the faith community we hold only the rapper accountable for the lyrics and not ourselves for the things we do to make the larger community feel like God or the church does not care. Like most people, rappers wrestle with understanding God, Christianity and their own personal faith" says Reverend Tune. There is a reoccurring theme among leaders of the Church on whether Hip Hop has a positive or negative affect on the people listening to it, whether it is good or bad for the community. If you take Tune's view into account, it comes down to the individual and they process the song based on their own experiences. 


Seeing as how a great deal of the problems that churches have with Hip Hop and its contents and the actions it promotes, they must acknowledge the need to seek why these rappers act as they do. That struggles that these rappers have been through have shaped them, and churches must make an effort to reflect on the issues that caused these either "unwanted" or "less than desirable" methods of expression.

As Sorett (2009) suggests, Kanye West’s hit song, ‘Jesus Walks’, Mase’s decision to become a pastor, Joseph Simmons’ (of Run DMC) name change to Reverend Run, and the recent release of KRS – One’s The Gospel of Hip Hop, indicate an increasing tendency within hip hop to embrace Christian-informed ideas, symbols, and imagery. Within communities one binding entity is religion, which is smart when marketing a song. Though it started off as a form of expression and a way to deal with issues, many find it to be a way to brand oneself as well. Rev Run has now focused solely on religion, letting that aspect of his life and Hip Hop combine. It is hard to balance out the two in a music genre that has two extremes. There is the side about violence and drugs, and then there is the side about God and struggle. The opportunity to pick one side or the other is rare, but it makes sense. A man can be changed by God, but he has to deal with the rough lifestyle that makes that change necessary first. 

The older generations do not see the two sides of Hip Hop "Hip Hop culture emerged as a source for youth of alternative identity formation and social status in a community whose older local support institutions had been all but demolished along with large sectors of its built environment." they only get to see the most drastic side (158).  "Alternative local identities were forged in fashion and language, street names, and most important, in establishing neighborhood crews or posses. ... Identity in hip hop is deeply rooted in the specific, local experience, and one’s attachment to and status in a local group or alternative family" (158). The younger generations identify themselves within the kind of Hip Hop that they associate themselves with. They develop a friend group and identities based on their interest in music. The older generations revoke the partying side of Hip Hop because they don't wish for the younger generation to find themselves thinking that is how life is, and developing those kind of habits that Hip Hop represents. 

    

  Importance of religion, God, spirituality in life.

The black community in general has always held the institution of Church in high esteem. It is their central meeting point within the community and their opportunity to be united. The ideas that have formed throughout the community come mostly from Church experiences themselves and centered on their faith in God. “The Black Church no longer offers a place of spiritual growth, religious stance, or social beckoning. The political views of the Black Church, in spite of some stances that are blatantly against the black community have chosen political parties of all things rather than be political in position as it once was" (Hutchinson 16) and as Hutchinson says they have somewhat taken over. The ideals of the community in general have stemmed from their church leaders, and Hip Hope artists have taken this opportunity to put their own ideas into songs. 

“As a form of social protest, rap music is a statement of class conscious self-expression. It uses the language of the streets in ways that resist the institutionalized oppression of the underclass, and it provides a voice for those who would otherwise be silenced" (Belt 46). Hip Hop takes what the Church says and personifies it, making it accessible to the entire community on all levels. It is an opportunity to reach out and offer a hand to the community in forming their own ideas, or following along in what they believe. Just as the church unites the community, so does music. 

Pertaining to "Jesus Walks" 


Songs like "Jesus Walks" don't necessarily advocate a religious path so much as they do a spiritual one that calls for people to judge one another less. The song seemingly attempts to remind people who Jesus was not one to judge and walked among the people were perceived of as lesser in society.


"This track should be given the attention it deserves as a song that not only mentions Jesus but makes a very strong and very deep statement for Gods's love for even the 'hustlers, killers, murderers, drug dealers, even the strippers.' This is huge for someone to make the assertion that might be obvious to some but heretical to others---that Jesus walks with even the criminals of our society"( Howard 40). This is an example of how music is reaching out to the community as a whole. There can be a strong divide within a neighborhood, but as long as there is God, everyone is given an equal chance. West is reaching out to everyone, creating a new dynamic for his audience, allowing everyone to understand and accept spirituality. Through West's past, it is clear that he has had some struggles, but through Jesus he can find acceptance. 


 West says that Jesus Walks" is a song that gained a great deal of notoriety as it enjoyed mainstream and critical success as a piece that spoke so openly and aggressively about Jesus and West's beliefs. It showcases his doubts and fears of evil forces and the devil trying to lead him down the wrong path. At the same time, he acknowledges the influence Jesus has with everyone, that he spares no one, regardless of location. He's not, as the song says "Here to argue about his facial features, or here to convert atheists into believers. I'm just trying to say the way school needs teachers, the way Kathy needed Regis, that's the way I needed Jesus.". A chart topper non the less, this song is relate-able to all who believe in a higher power. It is focusing in on a certain demographic, but the beat makes it transitional.