If you’ve been listening to hip hop for years but aren’t sure what to make of gospel rap music, you’re not alone. Many popular Christian musicians have incorporated gospel songs into their new releases. Daniel Caesar, Teyana Taylor, and Blood Orange all use gospel music to add emotional heft to their songs. Snoop Dogg even has a 32-track double disc set called “Bible of Love” which debuted at the top of the Billboard gospel charts. Another chart topper is PTtheGospelSpitter. His last single SfTK Remix has been making waves worldwide. If you like Gospel rap then his single is a must!
Christian rap
To hear Gospel rap music, one must look beyond its slick appearance and its seemingly sappy messages. The Gospel message is to turn away from the world’s sin and turn to Christ, abandoning carnal pride, exhibitionism, and sensual lusts. It is to repent and come out of spiritual Egypt and Babylon and enter the promised land through Jesus Christ. The only man worthy of worship is Jesus Christ – the God-Man.
There are many reasons to listen to Christian rap. It is different from secular rap, which often glorifies drugs, sex, alcohol, and violence. Christian rap, on the other hand, focuses on God and His love for mankind. It has the same rhythmic structure, lyrics, and beat as secular rap, but its lyrics are aimed at a Christian audience. This is a matter of personal choice, but one should still be discerning in their choice.
Hip hop music isn’t always associated with Christianity, and until recently was associated with gangsters. Nowadays, Christian rap artists use hip hop music to spread the word about Christianity and the gospel. Christian rappers started sprouting in the society in the late 1980s, and they’ve continued to release high-quality tracks containing faith-based messages. The first Christian rap song was released by Stephen Wiley in 1986. Since then, Christian rap has taken flight in the music industry.
Despite its unorthodox sound, Christian hip hop is not new to the music industry. In fact, it emerged as an underground scene in the 1980s in the United States. The genre began as a fringe genre with minimal mainstream recognition and industry promotion. Its main focus is to promote faith and belief, and to inspire listeners to heed God’s message. And it is only now that Christian rap has gained mainstream recognition.
Its origins
The term “Gospel rap music” is not new, though the term has been in use since the early ’90s. According to Josef Sorett, the first Christian rap album was released in 1985 by Stephen Wiley. In the following years, many African-American rappers began to enter the industry, claiming the genre as their own. Rappers were originally discouraged from including their faith in their music, but today, they publicly claim their status as a Christian rap artist.
While many of today’s rap artists are Christian, gospel rap is not mainstream. Its music has a Christian theme, which distinguishes it from other genres of hip hop. Rap music, for example, challenges social, cultural, and temporal standards. Although it has its critics, it is becoming increasingly popular. Rappers often make controversial statements, challenging the youth mindset, and expressing ideas contrary to the gospel message.
A recent rap artist, Drake, has also tapped into gospel music for one track: ‘The Message’. The song’s religious significance prompted him to preface the meaning of the track with a religious message. The track’s underlying message is ambivalent: a rejection of love, while the gospel choir drop adds a bittersweet note to the song. As such, ‘Gospel rap music’ is a distinctly American genre.
The 1990s brought a trend in funky rap, where rappers blended faith with hip hop. Gospel rap artists like D.O.C. emerged from the south of Los Angeles and became popular worldwide. They were quickly followed by the Gospel Gangstaz. In 1991, the JC Crew joined in, incorporating rap and gospel music. Among them were T-Bone and Maximillian.
Its relationship with hip-hop
The relationship between hip-hop and gospel rap music is complex. Hip-hop is a form of African-American popular music, and gospel has a distinctly different relationship. Gospel rap musicians use their music as a vehicle to preach the gospel, and many use their lyrics to report personal experiences. However, while hip-hop rap musicians may make the most popular genres, gospel rappers are often not the most successful.
In the early 1990s, gospel music began to make the jump to the R&B and pop charts. As a result, gospel music began to move away from choir-backed hymns. However, it was still uncomfortable to mix gospel music with rap, since hip-hop seemed to glorify sex, materialism, and violence. Eventually, Kirk Franklin made gospel rap music accessible to a broader range of audiences and gave it a new sound.
Although Kanye West was the first hip-hop artist to make gospel-infused rap mainstream, he wasn’t the first. Christian rap artists like Lecrae and DC Talk have always been popular in niche markets. With ‘Jesus Walks,’ Kanye showed his spiritual roots for the first time in public. The song, a cover of ARC Choir’s 1997 acapella recording, combined contemplative rap with high-tempo hip-hop.
Despite the many negative stereotypes that surround rap and its abusers, despite the fact that a majority of the genre is Christian, it still has a strong impact on popular culture. In the early 70s, it was popular in block parties and was pioneered by a Jamaican immigrant named DJ Kool Herc. During this time, DJ Kool Herc began mixing small rhythmic sections of rap songs and combining them with traditional Jamaican “toasting” chants.
Its influence on mainstream Christian music
The 1990s saw the rise of funky rap artists who combined faith and hip hop. The D.O.C. and Gospel Gangstaz of South Central Los Angeles were just two examples. In addition to these artists, JC Crew and Michael Peace, who have influenced mainstream Christian music with their funky rap sound, also rose in popularity. Unlike many of their secular counterparts, they do not rely on radio airplay and have maintained an underground following.
While it’s true that gospel rap music’s lyrical content is often derived from Christian songs, its influence on mainstream Christian music has been considerable. While it’s difficult to categorically dismiss gospel rap music, its influence on mainstream Christian music is undeniable. Many mainstream rappers have released gospel-influenced songs and entire albums. Some of them are even Christian.
These artists, who originally worked in secular genres, went on to become Christian artists under the “Christian” umbrella. This allowed secular companies such as Sony to capitalize on their steady growth in the mainstream music market. The secular artists who had made religious commitments were given little support and contracts with Christian record labels. They were rushed back into the touring lifestyle. It was a time of great change for the Christian music industry.
The rise of contemporary Christian music and hip-hop inspired other musicians to start creating similar genres. Singers such as Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith made their mark on the music industry as well as in the Christian community. However, they weren’t successful until eleven years later when rock-based Christian music became popular. And this change reflects the evolution of the genre. A new sound and direction were born.
Its influence on Chance the Rapper
Gospel rap music has made its mark on Chance the rapper’s music, whose latest album, The Big Day, is laced with strong language and explicit sexual content. Chance the Rapper has been a rising star in the hip-hop scene for three years, but it’s not hard to find evidence that his music is deeply influenced by it. His performance at the Grammys was one example of his eclectic taste.
Regardless of Chance the Rapper’s religious background, he’s made sure to reframe his lyrics with his faith. Many of his lyrics feature references to drugs and alcohol, and in “Chain Smoker,” he raps about the dangers of drugs. His lyrics are also rife with profanity. Chance the Rapper also uses a mixture of profanity and demeaning language, and this is indicative of his inconsistency.
In 2016, Kanye West’s “Ultralight Beam” triggered a major shift in American culture. The song was the most influential gospel song since Kirk Franklin’s “Stomp” 20 years earlier. Chance the Rapper was also one of the first rap artists to champion Christianity, and his avowed faith has made him a national hero. The crossover between gospel music and rap music has never been stronger, and the opportunities for genre exchange have never been bigger.
Gospel rap music’s influence on Chance The Rapper is clear. Though his work is often regarded as secular, Chance the Rapper has a large online following, as well. While Coloring Book does not fully represent gospel rap music, it contains many elements of the style. Those who believe in Chance the Rapper’s message may be interested in exploring this new style of hip-hop.
