Club Clothing

Is There Room For Religion In Hip Hop?

For many people hip hop proves the existence of a higher power, because it has allowed them to rise from something to nothing through having faith, being persistent, and by pursuing a gift or passion that was given to them by the Most High. As a result, it is safe to assume that religion or spirituality has played a part in the development of careers of these artists and executives alike. Followers of Christ for instance, are well aware that no sin is greater than the next and as long as you profess your love of God and ask for forgiveness his love will endure forever. One thing is for sure, unlike the music industry, your Most High will be around, no matter how many nominations you get or what your record sales look like this year.

Linking faith with secular music known for materialism, violence, misogyny a homophobia, has its share of critics. Recently I caught up with two spiritual music industry insiders, A.J. Woodson, a hip hop journalist and author of a daily devotional for the hip hop generation called “Spiritual Minded”, and Portia Kirkland, Vice President of Marketing for So Icey Entertainment and author of “Singing a Song for You” to get their take on merging religion with hip hop.  

Chimere: AJ, how can we bridge the gap between hip hop and religion? AJ: I believe this can be done in several ways, but more importantly through the artist since they have such a direct influence over a large audience. For example in ‘07, on 106&Park Cassidy explained how when he was in a coma in the hospital and in a jail cell for a crime he didn’t commit, he acknowledged how God got him through those two rough situations.  I believe by Cassidy sharing his testimony, was a great example of bridging the gap!

 Chimere: What has been your defining moment for religion and hip hop? AJ: Seeing Run from Run DMC become a reverend, Kurtis Blow starting The Hip Hop Church, Mase becoming a minister, Kanye West’s Jesus Walks and DMX’s Lord Give Me a Sign; those were all defying moments for me among many others!

 Chimere: What do you say to people that look down on or criticize secular artist who acknowledge God during award ceremonies and interviews? AJ: In everything you do give God the glory and praise.  I’ve had a lot of people criticize me for writing this book. They told me what I was doing was mocking God and that hip hop can’t be Holy! But to them I say, God says to make a joyful noise (in scripture); nowhere in the Bible does it say that it can’t be hip hop.

Chimere: Is there room for religion in hip hop?  AJ: Hip hop at its greatest has been one of the best ways to communicate our various cultures, ideals and ways of living. In the early 90′s The Gods and The Earths (The Five Percent nation) used hip-hop to spread the word and their religious beliefs over some of the hottest beats. Some of the greatest emcees Grand Puba, Brand Nubian, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and too many others dropped science and Five Percent theology. Whether we all agreed with what they believed we rocked to what they spit to the dope beats. God uses ordinary people in unordinary ways all through the Bible. He calls us to spread the word and meet the people where they are and speak to them how they speak. So if hip hop leads many to Christ who weren’t being reached by the Bible or church services, God is pleased because ultimately the goal is to lead people to Him.

Chimere: Portia, how do you bring your influence of religion to the work place? PK: I always make sure I have the WORD of God with me.  I don’t do the religion thing and go around telling people they’re going to hell for doing things.  I have a relationship with Jesus Christ and attempt to let people know that he is THE WAY.  I influence people through my lifestyle.  I also cover the people I work with in prayer.  My ministry is being a light in dark places.

Chimere: How do your beliefs affect your decision making within the secular music industry?  PK: They probably affect what I do to a certain extent.  For example, I don’t curse so when I am dealing with record executives who might be shouting and cursing people out, I have to make sure I always respond Godly.  That doesn’t mean I allow people to take advantage of me, but I have to make the decision to always think Godly first. 

Chimere: What do you say to people that look down on or criticize secular artist who use God/scripture in their lyrics?  PK: Pay them no mind because people who are critical are being religious.  Religion doesn’t bring people to eternity.  It’s having a relationship with Jesus and living by faith that does.  Judging people is not my job, but telling people that Jesus loves them is.  Secular artists are Christians too.  Take Dave Hollister for example.  Another would be Tupac Shakur who I was very close with and he knew God. 

Chimere:  What artist do you think is spearheading a positive and successful movement towards bridging hip-hop and Christ? PK:  Canton Jones, Edward Long, Dave Hollister (r&B hip hop), Kierra Kiki Sheard (r&b hip hop) and Mary Mary (r&b hip hop)

Chimere: Is there Room for religion in Hip Hop?  PK: Of course.  Holy hip hop is HUGE!!  I have seen Christian r&b and hip hop fill arenas.  But if you’re not in that Christian lifestyle, you might not know about these artists.  BUT it is a HUGE movement.  Try listening to Coco Brother on 97.5 praise.  They have a hot mixshow!  I’m a b girl and come from an era where rap was clean anyway.  So, I think this era is looking for positivity again and music they can share with all generations.  It depends on where you are in your walk with Christ.  While at Gospel Music Channel, I tried to STRESS that there are tons of Christians who go to the club on Sat and church on Sunday.  So, I think Holy Hip Hop like the Canton Jones’, Edward Long, Oldhead, etc have been underground and out there for a long time, but when you’re not on mainstream radio, people don’t want to hear it.  I talked to the Real Roxanne who I used to dance for not so long ago and she’s a grandparent!  Does she really want to play for her grandchildren songs about the strip clubs?

About the Author

I am a reader, writer, thinker, poet, mother, daughter, fiancé, lover, Christian, designer, entrepreneur, business, brainstorming, initiator, trendsetter, fashionista, music diva, movie seeker with experiences from Newark, San Antonio, Atlanta, Baton Rouge. These are the things that make me smile; they make me think and to that I write.

What are the current hottest hip-hop/club songs out now?

So I’m helping my friend throw this massive party. And she wants to create a playlist of her own because she isn’t sure of how good the DJ is and doesn’t want to take any risks. So I’m making this playlist and trying to figure out, what are the current hottest hip-hop/club songs? Help!

U A FREAK – CHINGY

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=EsfXbClZOM0

POP, LOCK AND DROP IT – BABY HUEY
2 STEP – DJ UNK
WALK IT OUT – DJ UNK
SO WHAT – CIARA
DEM JEANS – CHINGY
LIFE OF THE PARTY – SNOOP DOGG ft. TOO SHORT

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=ai7ASY3HWCw

T.I. – BIG S**T POPPIN
LOW – FLO RIDA ft. T-PAIN
MS. NEW BOOTY – BUBBA SPARXXX ft. YING YANG TWINS
HOT STUFF – CRAIG DAVID
HOT TONIGHT – NEW EDITION
BUST IT BABY – PLIES
LOLLIPOP – LIL WAYNE, STATIC MAJOR
MY DRINK AND MY 2 STEP – CASSIDY, SWISS
HIT THE DANCEFLOOR – DJ UNK
FREAKY GURL – GUCCI MANE
I’M GOOD – BLAQUE
LIKE ME – GIRLICIOUS
NO DADDY – TEAIRRA MARI
GET IT SHAWTY – LLOYD
MAKE IT RAIN – LIL WAYNE , FAT JOE
LET ME IN – YOUNG BUCK
ON FIRE – G-UNIT
AFTER PARTY – OMARION, MARQUES HOUSTON , YOUNG ROME
I WANNA LOVE U – SNOOP, AKON
I’M THROWED – J.DUPRI, PAUL WALL
WELCOME TO ATLANTA REMIX – J. DUPRI, DIDDY, MURPHY LEE, SNOOP
TOP BACK – T.I.
YOUR BODY – PRETTY RICKY
NAW MEEN – BABY BOY DA PRINCE
HOT IN HERRE – NELLY
ON THE HOTLINE – PRETTY RICKY
GRIND ON ME – PRETTY RICKY
ME AND U – CASSIE
IN DA CLUB – 50 CENT
LET’S GET NASTY – LIL ROB
FREEK-A-LEEK – PETEY PABLO
P.Y.T.’S – BOW WOW
WHUTEVA U LIKE – NICOLE SCHERZINGER, T.I.
TELL ME – DIDDY, CHRISTINA AGUILERA
HOT STUFF – PUSSYCAT DOLLS
GET IT POPPIN – NELLY, FAT JOE
NA NA NA NA – NELLY, JEZZY PHA
LET’S RIDE – THE GAME
WHEN I GROW UP – PUSSYCAT DOLLS
CAN’T GET IT BACK – BLAQUE
SO LONELY – TWISTA , MARIAH CAREY
OUTTA CONTROL – MOBB DEEP, 50 CENT

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=b1GMDdzQdkk

GIVE IT TO ME – YOUNG BUCK, MOBB DEEP
I KNOW U WANT ME – YOUNG BUCK
DIP IT LOW – CHRISTINA MILIAN, FABOLOUS
DAMN – FABOLOUS
STAY FLY – THREE SIX MAFIA
TIPSY – J KWON
PIMPIN – TONY YAYO
BABY DON’T GO – FABOLOUS
FLY LIKE ME – CHINGY, AMERIE
PUSH IT BABY – PRETTY RICKY, SEAN PAUL
TWIST IT – OLIVIA
KILLA – CHERISH, YUNG JOC

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=6tbM9dfk0BE

GIRL, I’M A BAD BOY – DIDDY, FAT JOE
WORK – KELLY ROWLAND
SHOW STOPPER – DANITY KANE

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=mO6J_UgmGxA

OH AAH – DANITY KANE
I THINK THEY LIKE ME – DEM FRANCHISE BOYS, JD
RIGHT THURR REMIX – CHINGY, TRINA, JD
SLOW JAMZ – KANYE WEST
CAN’T BELIEVE IT – T-PAIN, LIL WAYNE
HOT AS ICE – BRITNEY SPEARS
GET IT WHILE IT’S HOT – NODESHA
LIP GLOSS – LIL MAMA
BELLY DANCER – AKON
CAN U BELIEVE IT – STYLES P, AKON
CAN’T STOP, WON’T STOP – YOUNG GUNZ, CHINGY
DON’T CHA – PUSSYCAT DOLLS
DON’T TRIP – LIL WAYNE , TRINA
GET UP – CIARA, CHAMILLIONAIRE

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=4y8Ual27Tfg

GIMME THAT – CHRIS BROWN, LIL WAYNE
LIGHTERS UP – LIL KIM
THE JUMP OFF – LIL KIM
MAKE HER FEEL GOOD – TEAIRRA MARI
MR. ME TOO – CLIPSE, PHARRELL
MY CINDERELLA – ROMEO, NICK CANNON
NEED A BOSS – SHAREEFA
OOH WEE – MARK RONSON, GHOSTFACE
PROMISCUOUS – NELLY FURTADO, TIMBALAND
MY HUMPS – BEP
SALT SHAKER – YING YANG TWINS

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=mPfwOtHEazI

SAY YES – DJ UNK
SHAKE YA TAIL FEATHER – NELLY, DIDDY, MURPHY LEE
SHOW ME YA SOUL – DIDDY, PHARRELL, LENNY, LOON
SHORTIE LIKE MINE – CHRIS BROWN, BOW WOW, JD
SO EXCITED – JANET JACKSON
TOUCH – AMERIE

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=zs0tub17v3E

ZINGY – AK’SENT, BEENIE MAN

HAVE FUN!!!!!
SOME OF’ EM R NOT SO NEW BUT PEOPLE STILL LIKE ‘EM….. = )