Christian Hip Hop, culture, and contemporary apologetic philosophy
There’s no easy way to put it, Christian Hip Hop – or Gospel Rap as some like to coin – is a fruitful and intriguing faith-based socio-political agent for doctrine and apologetic discourse.
To start this new writing I wanted to share artists that may be overlooked or have coasted under the radar for a bit too long. Combining Christian and conscious Hip Hop is not a far cry from the discipline of the apologetics. These gospel disciples engage their creative works with sound Hip Hop appeal and a liturgical lexicon. Framed by an urban resistance movement, contemporary Christian Hip Hop artists who balance a conscious cultural diegetic sound usurp populist religious essentialism. Such disciple Hip Hop artists critique the status quo, in real-time, and echo the living elements of core Hip Hop philosophy and gospel truth.
The selected tracks and artists here each seeks to critically review their own faith, works, trajectory, and testimony to support a conscious, grounded attitude and perspective. The narratives provide a lexicon of liberation coupled with a cultural, faith-based biblical foundation that contests socio-political actors and agents of power.
They provide dialogue, a living faith introspection and a space for the Hip Hop heads. Let’s Talk About It!
Christian Hip Hop and Culture: Bizzle
Bizzle, “This Ain’t Love” featuring Lavoisier and Sevin, God Over Money.
Bizzle is one of those names that holds a staple in the old school-new school Christian Hip Hop circles. This track throws back to the late 1970s-80s with horn tracks and the subtle keyboard under current. The lyrics flow evenly across the groove that pulses in a present but not overwhelming beat. It’s a feel good, honest track that can safely introduce one to the world of Christian Hip Hop.
The added bonus are the features, Lavoisier and Sevin. The Hog Mob Christian Rap Ministry, founded and maintained by Sevin, frames a post-gangster culture attitude with a strong faith-based directive. Hog Mob continues to welcome new talent and supporters who drive this music ministry forward.
Christian Hip Hop and Culture: Jared Sanders
Jared Sanders, “Sunday Paper.”
If you’re not hip to Jared Sanders, take a look at his work and history. A voice that is not to be overlooked, and one that is subtle in the background of Christian Hip Hop. This track speaks to a prophetic element and grooves hard. Framing and calling out the core evolution of Hip Hop culture, Jared Sanders forces the viewer to see the urban jungle in a juxtaposed light. The lyrics contest these elements- the black church vs. the urban jungle. The integration of the shout-outs, the ripping snare, the hype-man shouts all equate this work being born from the grassroots of Hip Hop.
Christian Hip Hop, culture, and contemporary apologetic philosophy.
The commentaries escalate the open eye and mind to areas of mass deconstruction. A novel token of the broken one-time gangster turned minister is dismantled as a trope. Presentation of a humble beginning is not stereotyped nor provided, least that be a profiling perspective from a casual listener. These artists don’t speak for the larger Christian Hip Hop canon; they speak from that deep well. Devoid of unnecessary commercial propaganda and a prosperity church ethic, these artists consciously address the realities of their testimony and their personal relationship with faith. Christian Hip Hop serves as a philosophical defense of faith in the face of the secular Hip Hop global industrial complex. Aligned with doctrine and post-colonial discourse of mind-heart faith captivity, Christian Hip Hop participates in the lineage of a street preacher reaching out to those who (sonically) need to be saved – without knowing it.
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