Recently I went to the library to check out some new books, I left with 5, which I will discuss in the weeks to come.
I have been reading a book titled: "The Hip Hop Church", by Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson. I am only a few pages into the book; in the book it poses these three questions: Does hip hop and the Church collide? Is hip hop in church a compromise? Can hip hop and the church coexist? The collision between hip hop and the church isn’t a new fight, however, it is one that will continue until the end of time. Much of the debate about not letting hip hop in church starts with the image and contributions that hip hop is known for, sagging jeans, chains, objectification of women, violence, and vulgarity just to name a few. Many churches see hip hop as a disease, and it will only spread if you come in contact with it. The truth is, just as Civil Rights and the Black Panther party is apart of the culture for the 50’s thru the 70’s, hip hop is to this generation. Icons such as Dr. King and Malcolm X, have been replaced by Kanye and Jay Z. What Churches haven’t done is support the Christian hip hop artist like Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Swoope, Da' Truth, Flame, Kidd, Gowe, Json, Toby Mac, and Suzy Rock just to name a few. I DON’T listen to secular hip hop at all, because our saved brothers and sisters do a better job. Ironically, Church folk hate hip hop, yet all their members go to all the concerts. Why do you think secular artist charge $80 - $200 dollars for their concerts (that sell out by the way) while a leading Christian artist charges $10-$30 dollars for a smaller crowd? It’s the church that feeds these secular artists they hate so much. If you don’t like what they say, don’t support their music. Instead, many Christians buy the clean version of the song and think they do the world justice (See one of my older posts should Christians Listen to secular music). Can Hip hop and the Church coexist? I believe so, just as Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Whitney Houston and Motown was before this generation; I believe my Christian Brothers and Sisters will do the same. God looks at the heart, but man looks at the outer appearance. Remember, with God all things are possible!
Keep the faith. Min. Emanuel
