…On Christian hiphop, Ministry & Collision Records

It’s just fairly recent, probably within the last year, that I’ve really grown to appreciate the genre of Christian hiphop. I call it Christian hiphop because it’s hard to classify. Gospel rap sounds like a misnomer. Holy hiphop sounds clichéd. And, as XXL calls it, “new God flow” is kinda blasphemous, at least to me. So, I’m left with Christian hiphop.

Previously when touching on this subject, I really wasn’t versed in many artists. What I did know is that the majority of artists all maintained one overriding theme. That is that Christ was central to their lives. Yeah, they rapped about everyday situations, even street living. It wasn’t a message of despair and being mired in criminal acts that they glorified though. Most of the songs pointed to one central tenant: the hope that living for Christ brings.

GS was the first artist I really listened too. In particular, on his mixtape Warning Before Destruction Vol. 4 GS has a song entitled We All One Body. It’s a track that recognizes that there are other hiphop artists in the category, but they’re all doing their part to uplift God’s Kingdom. Between listening to this track, and doing some research, I found a few others who were worthy of the listen.

I appreciate Lecrae and Reach Records. These bruhs are doing great ministry. There’s some independent artists doing their thing as well. AJB4 is one I been catching up on when watching YouTube. Another crew I been listening to is the Iz Real Entertainment group.

All the artists have their own style, and it really shows the variety that exists in the body of Christ. That being said, as each artist has their own style, each person that listens to the music has their own preference. Mine just happens to fall inline with GS and Collision Records.

Collision Records has (it seems) quietly, but efficiently established a fellowship of artists who can stand toe to toe with anybody in the secular, or spiritual, rap game. These bruhs pull no punches with the Truth, or how it affects daily living. The transparency by which they reveal their lives speaks to the authenticity, yet frailty of our lives. Even in some of the songs where no explicit references to God and Jesus are made, it’s possible to still hear the Godly influence. God IS in this music.

One of the realest songs I’ve heard from the collective is Honest 2 God from the Alex Faith mixtape of the same name. It speaks to the competing nature of worldly trappings, and living for God. It’s a tough line that is layed out, but one many folks find themselves straddling. Blue Skies from Christion Gray, is another “crew cut” that tackles the same subject. Dre Murray and Mr. Swoope also are showcased, and they rise to meet the challenge laid down by Alex and Chris.

What I appreciate about Collision, and all the other Kindgom hiphop labels, is that they are being used by God to minister. It’s not a traditional form, but it is a form that will get the attention of people, young men in particular. Women are as important to the Kingdom as we are. However, it’s of vital importance to gain young men’s attention because we’re the standard bearers. We are ideally, the next generation of leaders. If we’re strengthened in Christ, that can only bode well for the future.

By no means am I taking shots at any artists, because they all are working to advance God’s Kingdom. But for my tastes, GS and the Collision Records artists get it done. I look forward to what they have instore for the future.

*there are websites that cater to the Christian hiphop genre. Rapzilla, Da South, and nh2o are but a few.*

 

Cruisin’ From Secular to Christian Hip-Hop

I started listening to rap music during the G-Funk era of the mid 90’s.  The beats, rhymes, and production reverberated with me, capturing much of my attention.  Outside of Jodeci (THE most thugnificent singers of all time), all my musical appetite could be satiated by was rap.  This continued from my teens years through my early 20’s, when R&B began circulating in my stereo.  A couple of situations that transpired during those years made me give up on rap for a while, and I decided that living for God was it!

Well, this lasted about two years and soon, rap and I were getting reacquainted.  More specifically, I started walking the thin line between loving God (in my heart), yet hating God (in my actions).  I prayed, ready my Word, attended church, witnessed to folks; you name it and I was trying to do it.  Something was still off though.  I was just as liable to pray for somebody as I was to curse them.  Now, in full disclosure, I STILL have a problem with cussing, but God is working on me.  Anyway, the relevance exists because as my listening to secular rap increased again, so did the foul language.  When the frequency went down, so did the foul language and other not so holy activities.

It took a while for the correlation to show itself, but when it did, I got smart.  So, yeah, I gave up rap one more time.  Well who would have guessed, but I allowed it back in my life. Again.  It was during this last time that I tried a couple of different things.  First, I spoke to God about it and asked for His help in finding more spiritual music to listen to.  Secondly, I started looking for that music.  It’s said that Jesus meets you where you’re at.  Well, it was proven to me yet again.

God knows I like hip-hop music.  There are artists out here using hip-hop music to spread the Gospel.  I found quite a few listening to mixtapes.  These artists not only love God, but use their skills to enlighten the masses with the real truth.  So, I’ve been directed to artists such as GS

CIXX

Swoope

AJB4

and Lecrae

Yes, there are other “christian rappers”, but these were the ones I was directed to.  So, these are most of the artists I been listening to.  It’s been a semi-smooth transition.  Some of music I’m listening to now reminds me of familiar beats, and I may even find myself humming an old tune, but I’m really trying not to go back down that old road.  At some point, there is no need to keep crucifying Christ for the same actions.  To continuously listen to secular hip-hop would be repeatedly crucifying Chirst.

This musical journey has become a metaphor for much of my life.  I’ve learned not to judge folks based on my preconceptions the same way I had to stop judging Christian hip-hop.  I used to assume it was super churchy.  Making the switch has reenforced the notion that what you feed your soul, that is what you will become.  Something else that was revealed to me: ungodly things attempt to be a facsimile of Godly things.  The messages that destroy in worldly music in general, and hip-hop specifically, are to be replaced by ones that bring fulfillment, upliftment, truth, hope and love.  This lesson is the same and central to other forms of God-centered media, and that is this: the light and love of Christ will permeate and change lives, if you will only give Christ a chance.

The choice is yours.

Have you ever made the switch from secular to Christian hip-hop?  Has your life changed because of it?