Tuesday, March 1, 2011

An Ode To [Christian] Hip Hop...

"[...] we’re a movement. This isn’t some fly-by-night group of dudes rapping to sell records. We really are a literal movement. If we weren’t doing music, we’d still be trying to change communities and change people’s world by communicating who Jesus is." - Lecrae, in HipHopDX Magazine Online: Feb 25, 2011


The post today is inspired by my new found [sincere] appreciation for the professional cats out there on their Christian Rap ministry grind. I hadn't always been a fan but when I get behind something that I think is good, I think it should be shared with the world. Can't you tell? If you haven't got a chance, take some time out and check Lecrae in his recent interview with HipHopDX Magazine online.

When did you first fall in love?
I'll be the first to admit. Growing up (and even in my mannish-boy early twenty-something years) I used to be the first one to diss Christian rap. Saying stuff like "Oh I could make better beats than that." Or "They're always a step behind." Or my favorite: "Man, it's just Bible study on CD."

But then something changed. I stopped focusing on the small things and on something greater...

I think once you realize that these guys, specifically the 1-1-6 Crew, are truly about ministry and delivering a sincere product that reaches to it's listeners you begin to see how so far ahead of the secular world they are. Secular music is predicated on trends and fads. Artists jump over one another trying to be the first to put out the sickest beat of the time and sell themselves out spiritually, morally, and financially in order to try and re-up on their next 15 seconds of fame.

When you really begin to think about it, you kinda start to feel sorry for them. How many times have you seen celebrities break under the pressure and resort to drugs, sex, emotional binges, and sometimes even suicide. All to chase fame. Fame is fleeting, fame has no set course, and fame comes at an extraordinary cost.

What's all the hype about?

Man these guys have got it right. We should seek God first and then ask Him to bless our gifts and talents. Not the other way around. Like the quote above showed, Lecrae is a God chaser. If he didn't have a mic he'd still be all about finding a way to give God praise and share the Gospel through his ministry and his walk. It's really inspirational and it applies to all of us. Think about what you are doing and interested in and ask yourself "would I still be doing this if there wasn't any kind of Earthly compensation?"

And the music is dope! Here are some of my favorites... if you've never liked/listened to Christian Rap then today is as good a day to give it a listen. It's music that will speak to where you are in life and I'm grateful for being put on to it.

Jesus Muzik Video - Lecrae ft. Trip Lee


Lecrae - Background Ft. C-Lite - Music Video



Lecrae - Rehab - Just Like You

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