Being raised in a predominately African American Christian congregation, it has always been interesting to see how the black church relates to the music of the majority culture. I can remember when Kirk Franklin went from traditional gospel to a more urban youthful genre with Stomp and it was considered diabolical. In today’s congregations the church is attempting to integrate, hip-hop into the worship experience however it is branding this genre of music as Holy Hip Hop. I find that disturbing, because it has a negative implication on hip-hop. The implication I believe perpetuates a hypocritical message because hip-hop is more then just a musical phenomenon, it is a cultural experience and a way of life for many individuals.
As many know, I am an admirer of Hip Hop music and the lyrical genius of these artists. Their ability to articulate their struggles as well pontificate social, political and religious subjects that stretch beyond political correctness explains why hip-hop is successful and is popular around the world. Therefore, hip hop as a musical experiment in the church is necessary, because it is how these artist have learned to share their story, but this experiment should not be treated as a bastard child to hip hop, but as an expression of hip-hop within the church.
I understand that holy hip hop attempts to provide a message that directs people to Christ instead of rapping about sex, drugs, and violence but not all genres inside of hip hop speak positively about these subjects. When I listen to holy hip-hop the message is pious and sanctimonious but lacks a conscious message because its so imbedded in preaching scripture and not substance. I am by no means saying that scripture is not substance, but scripture without explanation is just words with no meaning. Holy hip hop replaces the message about sex, drugs, and violence and supplements it with scripture but the fault of holy hip hop is that of the church, because it still does not advocate a more conscious message about global concerns but places more emphasis on self-righteousness.
Therefore, the replacement of the glorification of sex, drugs, and violence is vanity, which is sometimes the fault of hip-hop artist whose message glorifies sex, drugs, and violence. I would prefer a conscious message in the church that verbalizes the consequences of glorifying these behaviors rather then a pompous message of self-righteousness. When you parade this genre of music as Holy Hip-Hop, it is Christian elitism in its purest form, because its not an evangelism tool, because what non-Christian really seeks out Holy Hip Hop over just Hip Hop?
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