Hip-hop sure isn’t what it used to be. Atleast that’s what it feels like. I grew up listening to hip-hop music. I loved hip-hop so much that I had my own listening sessions with artists who peeked my interest. I was carried away by the creativity of the stories, punchlines and wordplay in each of my favorite jams. Usually, the content I listened to had lyrics that were explicit and bleeped out multiple times on the radio. I also remember seeing CDs on the shelf with parental advisory warnings on the CD packaging from different hip-hop artists at the supermarket. I knew evil was there, but that was all that it was. I didn’t think much of it. I still enjoyed the music.
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In the present-day, hip-hop continues to be a culture that invites youth from all backgrounds in our generation to embrace the lyrical portrayal of evil doings in society. Although the well respected founding father of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc, made a tremendous noise in the 1970s, it is still important to consider how hip-hop originated. I firmly believe that hip-hop can be a clean authentic expression of the culture without glorifying drugs, sex and violence. The glorification and worship of worldly pleasures and desires brings more harm than good to the men, women and children in our society. Hip-hop brings people together. So why not use hip-hop to bring people closer to God and honor his ways? Doing this will encourage other people to do the same, much like Christian hip-hop has done and is still doing today through the artists who creatively spread the gospel message of Jesus Christ in their lyrics.
I like how G. Craige Lewis – aka The Messenger from EX Ministries put it in one of his articles. He said, “Glorify God in your music, not the Hip Hop culture. Do not use secular music to reach the lost because it will not do the job. Only the Spirit of God can draw sinners to salvation.” I think Lewis hit the nail right on the head.What do you think? Isn’t that the point? The world is currently in a mess because of childish and sinful behavior. Much of the behavior I mentioned is very prevalent in the hip-hop culture. Would it be wise for you the artist to repeat and reinforce the same evils in the world by advertising and promoting destructive behavior in the music? I think not. Would it be wise for you the listener to support and push the evil messages within the music? I would hope not.
Although many have given up on God, God hasnt given up on us. God has a plan and he wants to save us from our sin. If the same cycle of negative reinforcement in hip-hop continues or any other form of music for that matter, then the people will greatly suffer from it. But if music is used to honor God and uplift, then we will truly see the people benefit in a way that is positive instead of being led astray with real music that is poison for listening ears. Do you see the difference? Do you recognize what I recognize? What is the Christian’s responsibility? Did Paul tell the Corinthians to “redeem” the meat that had negative associations that might cause weaker people to stumble into sin? No, he told them to avoid eating the meat for the sake of the gospel and the weaker brothers (Scott Aniol, religiousaffection.org. “Can Rap Be Christian”).
In other words, we need to avoid negativity all-together and promote positivity. We need to share the gospel message. It becomes clear that sharing the gospel is the only way to bring a true change to the people. I will close with these words from G. Craige Lewis – aka The Messenger. “We know that a powerful message can be given through rap and we believe it can be very effective in teaching, strengthening and persuading people to Christ. But we cannot embrace the culture of Hip Hop along with the rap. The Hip Hop culture stands against the word of God. It’s founders do not believe the Bible to be the true Word of God. Therefore, we must reject all claims to Hip Hop as believers because that culture does not promote the truth.”
Adam Dilworth, BA in Youth and Family Ministry
Christian Rap Artist
Adam Dilworth 