The Case for Christian Rap
– a look into the intersection of faith and flow
Christian rap is one of those controversial things that people often debate about—given that rap music is often associated with a culture that seems to be rather unhealthy, does it make sense to use this form of music to worship God? Well, I do think there's a place for rap in the sphere of Christian music, and there are several good reasons for this.
1. Poetry
Looking at the evolution of church music across the course of history, we can see that rap is really an extension of the poetic tradition ranging from psalms to hymns and songs. Poetry is different from other literary forms by its artistry in the form of wit, rhyme, metaphor, and other devices, and rap music makes use of these various techniques to tell an engaging story. In particular, wordplay and flow are very important for rap music, and rap songs are really a form of creative expression of a topic or concept. And our creative God should rightly deserve creative worship.
For instance, take "Robot" by Trip Lee. The song uses this clever extended metaphor of sin as a controlling force:
I am not a robot, I am not a clone
You are not my puppeteer and I am not a drone
Got a new master and I follow Him alone
I want a good life 'til I'm gone
The song describes how being under the control of sin is like being a robot that blindly follows the orders its programmed to execute. The second verse is particularly brilliant as it talks about him not knowing that he is a robot: "
The freedom that I thought I had was really a mirage". And finally, it talks about victory over sin through Christ as no longer being a robot. This is a really refreshing perspective on a familiar issue, and is both engaging and thought-provoking for listeners.
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Trip Lee Robot |
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Propaganda Olympian |
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shai linne Ichabod |
2. Honesty
What sets rap music apart from other styles of Christian music is the fact that it lends itself to brutal honesty and authenticity. The longer phrases and quicker flow make it possible to tell stories using rap that may otherwise be oversimplified, decontextualised, or more poorly expressed. Because rap is also usually not intended for communal worship, there is also more potential to address issues that are rawer and perhaps unresolved, such as abortion or lust. These topics add a different dimension to the overarching narrative of Christ-centred music that could resonate with different people going through different seasons of life, because while they are difficult topics to discuss, they are still very relevant for many people.
Consider "Art of Drifting" by KB. The song starts immediately with these lines:
You don't love the church no more
You don't love the church no more
You don't want to serve no more
You just love the perks homeboy
Here's a Christian rapper who's been in the industry for more than half a decade talk about his struggle with facing the fame and fortune he's received from being a rapper. Pride is a topic that isn't frequently addressed—but at the same time, it's a very real problem that Christians in general (not just Christian musicians) face all the time. Addressing the issue head-on is really a way for listeners to reflect on themselves harshly and also to identify with KB—and perhaps hope again as the music rolls over into the second half of the narrative, "Art of Hope": "
If You ain't never left us / Then maybe it's not over".
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KB Art of Drifting |
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Derek Minor Free |
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Beautiful Eulogy Symbols and Signs |
3. Glory
We often think of Christian rap music as bringing rap into Christian music. But that's really only half the story, because it's also bringing Christ into rap music. It's undeniable that the secular rap industry has been associated with vices such as loose sex, drugs, and violence; what Christian rap music does is invade that space with good rap music that doesn't need to have those associations. As Christians shine God's light in a dark world, so too do Christian rappers shine God's light in their dark world. And if Christian rappers display God's glory in their music, listeners of rap music can hear the Good News presented in a format that they are familiar with and have a liking for.
There are many rap songs that proclaim the message of Christ, and one of them is Andy Mineo's "In My City", which is an anthem for God to be glorified, well, in his city:
We denying the fame, don't retire we aim
'Til our last breath to go and confess the Messiah's Name
So Thy Kingdom come, Will be done
In our city 'til we see Him in the Holy one
This track is pretty countercultural in several ways: it's someone talking about the bigger picture of his city and of God's Kingdom rather than himself; it's a proclamation of something bigger than temporary pleasures; and it's a call to action for a movement bigger than just a song in itself. But it's simultaneously a strong beat with a smooth flow that makes for a seriously good rap song. What better way to declare God's Name than with all the passion that makes for excellent craft?
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Andy Mineo In My City (feat. Efrain) |
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Tedashii Way Up (feat. KB) |
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Thi'sl Take My Life (feat. Flame and J'son) |
There are some caveats, though, to listening to Christian rap music, which should inform our listening practices and habits. Firstly, as with any other kind of music (Christian or otherwise), we must be wary to not idolise the music or the musicians. Christian music is written to point to God, and should not be taken as an end in itself. Good music may be attractive, but we shouldn't fall into the trap of being attracted only by the music, and thus forget the God of the music. If the desire to listen to Christian rap dominates our thoughts or our time, then we should probably take a break and refocus on what truly matters.
Secondly, listening to Christian rap should not be stumbling. If one cannot discern between God-focused rap and worldly rap, perhaps listening to Christian rap may not be the best choice. Even if a track has solid lyrics and a good motivation, the music may have associations with the rest of secular rap that may be difficult to delink; then, it might be wiser to listen to other genres of music that do not produce such negative thoughts and emotions. This also applies to situations in which we have no issue with Christian rap but someone else nearby does; then out of love for our brothers and sisters we should also endeavour not to stumble them.
Nonetheless, I think that increasing awareness and acuity about Christian rap music is important in recognising its place in the realm of Christian music, and it really is a genre that can be both musically excellent and lyrically wholesome. The three dimensions of poetry, honesty, and glory show how Christian rap is situated in a special niche, and I think we should come to appreciate the uniqueness, brilliance, and relevance of this genre of music.