|
|
| (4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | {{cleanup|February 2007}} | + | {{Infobox_Contents | |
| − | {{Unreferenced|date=February 2007}} | + | topic_name = Christian hip-hop | |
| − | {{Christian music}}
| + | subtopics = | |
| | + | opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} | |
| | + | }} |
| | | | |
| − | '''Christian hip hop''' (originally '''gospel rap''', also known as '''holy hip hop''' or '''Christ hop''') is a form of [[hip hop music]] which uses [[Christianity|Christian]] lyrical themes to express the songwriter's faith. Only during the [[1990s]] did the term "Christian hip hop" become descriptive of this type of music. The audience is typically [[Christian]], but the music is also used in [[Mission (Christian)|missions]] work for the purpose of [[evangelization]]. Christian rap and hip hop artists are professed Christians in most cases, and use the fact that they are [[urban area|urban]] or [[Suburb|suburban]] as a positive issue used to spread their [[religion]]. Like all [[Christian music]], it can be experienced as Christian worship.
| |
| | | | |
| − | ==History==
| + | Christian hip hop (originally "gospel rap," also known as "holy hip hop" or "Christ hop") is a form of hip hop music which uses Christian lyrical themes to express the songwriter's faith. Only during the 1990's did the term "Christian hip hop" become descriptive of this type of music. The audience is typically Christian, but the music is also used in missions work for the purpose of evangelization. Christian rap and hip hop artists are professed Christians in most cases, and use the fact that they are urban or suburban as a positive issue used to spread their religion. Like all Christian music, it can be experienced as Christian worship. |
| − | [[Stephen Wiley]] was the first artist with a commercially released and distributed gospel rap cassette with his [[1985]] tape ''[[Bible Break]]''. [http://www.kingdomcareers.com/about.html] Better known was the young Christian emcee [[D-Boy|Danny "D-Boy" Rodriguez]], who was murdered in [[1990]] in [[Texas]]. [http://www.christianmusicarchive.com/artist.php?id=5581] And an album has been published dedicated to him (''[[A Tribute to D-Boy]]''), featuring several underground Christian emcees.[http://www.hhhdb.com/hhhdb/index.php?id=50&mode=browse]
| |
| | | | |
| − | In the late 1980's and early 1990's, two groups emerged in this new scene that not only had the "gospel" / "Christian" part, but also had the credible skills and "street wise" artistry to make an impact in the secular or mainstream scene as well{{Fact|date=February 2007}}; [[S.F.C]] (Soldiers For Christ) and [[P.I.D.]] (Preachas In Disguise). S.F.C was lead by Californian African-American [[Chris Cooper (rapper)|Chris Cooper]] who originally rapped as Super C (short for Super Chris / Super Christian) and later became Sup the Chemist and then finally Soup the Chemist. Chris Cooper & S.F.C. were instrumental in bringing up and exposing newer gospel groups such as [[Dynamic Twins]], [[the Original Gospel Gangstas]], [[Freedom Of Soul]], and [[L.P.G]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Cooper retired from the industry in 2003.
| |
| | | | |
| − | The 1990's also produced [[funk|funkier]] artists such as [[Disciples of Christ (hip hop)|D.O.C.]] (Disciples of Christ) who emerged out of [[Oklahoma]] as well as the [[Gospel Gangstaz]] from [[Compton]] and [[South Central]] [[Los Angeles, California|LA]]. D.O.C. matured under the guidance of former [[Prince]] guitarist and vocalist [[Dez Dickerson]],{{Fact|date=February 2007}} while the gritty Gospel Gangstaz were ex-[[Bloods]] and ex-[[Crips]] who began ministering to gang-affiliated street youths and winning fans from [[Interscope]] to [[Snoop Dogg]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The Gangstaz' [[1999]] release ''[[I Can See Clearly Now (album)|I Can See Clearly Now]]'' became the biggest selling Christian hip hop record at the time and won the group a [[Grammy]] nomination.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<!--REMOVED DEAD LINK: http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-ca-christianrap3dec03,1,4509659.story -->
| + | ==Quotes== |
| | | | |
| − | In [[2003]], [[The Cross Movement]] out of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] released their breakthrough album ''[[Holy Culture]]''. A followup release to that album, ''[[Higher Definition]]'', was nominated for a Grammy.[http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/2005-12-08-grammy-list-nominations_x.htm].
| + | ==Links== |
| | | | |
| − | In October [[2006]] the second holy hip hop station, [[KHDZ]] was founded as Holy 106.3 FM was the first station to air content in Atlanta, GA 24/7 over the airwaves in 2004.[http://www.holyhiphop.com/Press/HHHPress67.htm]
| + | {{returnto}} [[Christian music]] |
| − | | + | [[Category:Christian music]] |
| − | == Artists and style ==
| |
| − | | |
| − | Many mainstream hip hop artists constantly make acknowledgements of their faith in songs (including [[Tupac Shakur]], [[Kanye West]] [http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-02-10-kanye-west-main_x.htm], [[50 Cent]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, [[Ma$e]], [[DMX (rapper)|DMX]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, [[Bizzy Bone]], [[Young Buck]], [[NAS]], [[Will Smith]], and [[Chamillionaire]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}) but are not typically considered Christian hip hop artists, as the lyrics in many of their songs contain content considered offensive or objectionable by many Christians.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Popular conventional Christian hip hop groups include [[GRITS (band)|GRITS]] (who have received some mainstream success), The Cross Movement, [[T-Bone (rapper)|T-Bone]], [[LA Symphony]], and [[Mars ILL]]. Among underground Christian rappers and hip hop groups, conventional hip hop such as [[crunk]] is generally preferred, as opposed to pop-rap and artists such as Mr. Del, Canton Jones and Ziklag are popular with this style.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Also, Christian rappers such as Tre-9, Stikk, K-Drama, Todd Bangz, Corey Red & Precise, Sean Slaughter, Lecrae represent a group of rising Christian hip hop stylists whose music is more acceptable in mainstream and not perceived as being too churchy or wack.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | In 2006, [[Rawsrvnt]] signed with the newly formed [[Flavor Alliance Media Group]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}} and released a first for the industry{{Fact|date=February 2007}} - an all Worship Hip Hop album entitled ''[[In Rare Form]]'' featuring the hit single "Holiness" (Raw's hip hop version of the popular worship song).{{Fact|date=February 2007}} [[Rawsrvnt]] released 2 prevoius albums with more of a crunk/dirty south style. Other releases from Flavor Alliance in 2006 includes [[Craig Nice]] - self titled; [[Beyond Skillz]] - ''Past Tense''; [[Fla.vor Alliance]] - A Little Off the Top. Pastor Tommy Kyllonen, aka, [[Urban D]] will release his 6th national release in 2007 entitled ''Un.Orthodox'', under the label. [http://www.flavoralliance.com]
| |
| − | | |
| − | Many Christian artists consider the genre superior to its secular counterpart, as evidenced by the tagline of GRITS' album ''[[Factors of the Seven]]'': "the most innovative hip hop in the industry."{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<!--sez who?--> Christian hip hop also contains less [[Sampling (music)|sampling]], possibly due to legal or financial reasons.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} John Reuben's music is notable{{Fact|date=February 2007}} for its lack of sampling, with a band in place of samples. [[Mars ILL]] is a notable exception,{{Fact|date=February 2007}} using sampling regularly; their album ''[[Pro*Pain]]'' was delayed due to legal issues related to this. [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/marsill-1005.html]
| |
| − | | |
| − | While many notable studios and artists share influence in Christian hip hop, no one style dominates. Traditionally, hip hop tends to fall into such categories as [[East Coast hip hop|East Coast]], [[West Coast]] (or Left Coast), [[Dirty South]] or even [[prison rap]]. Christian hip hop features all of those styles and more, transcending geographic restrictions and commercial underpinnings. HolyHipHop.com exceeded 140,000 Digital Downloads in 2006, as the first website to offer digital downloads worldwide.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Web stores such as DaSouth.com, RapZilla.com, 3Hmp3.com, SphereofHipHop.com, HipHopFortheSoul.com and CDBaby.com have opened the commercial market to artists not under contract with a particular record label, but whose recordings measure comparably and favorably with industry recordings.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | Christian hip hop themed videos and DVDs are also increasing in availability and popularity. [[Christopher "Play" Martin]] (formerly of [[Kid 'N Play]]) released a DVD on [[Amen Films]]entitled ''Holy Hip Hop'' which made it to Blockbuster Video Stores in March 2006.<!--Direct references only-->{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | Live events such as [[RapFest]] (held annually in August in [[New York City]]) as well as conferences such as [[Flavor Fest]] (held annually in Nov at [[Crossover Church]] in [[Tampa, FL]]), the Holy Hip Hop Showcase (held annually in January in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]), and the Texas Holy Hip Hop Achievement Awards (held annually in Houston, Texas) have helped to foster the genre among evangelical youth and young adults. Other notable events include [[The Yuinon & H.P.]], based in [[Detroit, Michigan]].
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Reaction==
| |
| − | [[Image:Kj52 02.jpg|thumb|KJ-52 is among the most controversial Christian emcees.]]
| |
| − | As with many inchoate and newly formed musical genres and subgenres, Christian hip hop initially had difficulty finding an audience. Despite early rejection, Christian hip hop has managed to follow other forms of Christian music, such as [[Christian metal]], in becoming a dominant force within [[contemporary Christian music]]. For example, Christian music awards shows such as the [[GMA Dove Awards]] and [[Stellar Awards]] have added rap and hip hop categories [http://www.doveawards.com/history/browse.cfm?cid=34] [http://www.gospelflava.com/stellar/stellarresults-2007.html] and many church congregations have adopted hip hop-themed musical worship.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} 2007 Holy Hip Hop Music Awards received appearances by Kurtis Blow, GrandMaster Caz and even Ma$e walked in unannounced and went to Pastor Eddie Velez on stage in front of a packed audience to apologize for saying that Christian rap was not of God five years earlier. 2007 Holy Hip Hop Music Awards also received a written endorsement letter from the mayor of Atlanta acknowledging the event's support by the City of Atlanta and recognizing its 7th year.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | Christian hip hop has enjoyed some crossover acceptance as well. One of the most notable mainstream reactions to Christian hip hop was to [[KJ-52]] (pronounced "five-two") and his single "Dear Slim," which was written to [[Eminem]] in an attempt reach him with the message of Christ.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The song became famous and controversial among Eminem fans when it was featured on the hit show ''[[Total Request Live]]''.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} KJ-52 began to receive [[hate mail]] (including death threats) from Eminem's followers,{{Fact|date=February 2007}} though KJ-52 claimed that the song was not a "diss". This also led to the single being disparaged by [[VH1]],{{Fact|date=February 2007}} an issue the artist addressed in his song "Washed Up."
| |
| − | | |
| − | The [[United Kingdom]] has also recently received Christian hip hop with groups such as [[BoomboomTown]] and [[One Love]]; although their music has been increasingly played in underground Christian hip hop circles, they have yet to achieve mainstream success. The Christian hip hop scene is also growing in [[Japan]],{{Fact|date=February 2007}} with artists such as [[Yoshi Blessed]] and [[Hinds 57]] who is now in the comedic pop group [[BAD]]. In other countries Christian hip hop has been growing in recent years, for example in Germany and South Africa.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
| |
| − | <!--
| |
| − | ==External links==
| |
| − | *[http://www.headzupFM.com K-HDZ HeadzUp FM Christian Hip-Hop streaming 24/7 ]
| |
| − | | |
| − | EXTERNAL LINKS MUSTY BE LIMITED TO SITES WHICH DISCUSS THE SUBJECT - NOT PROMOTIONAL SITES OR FAN SITES-->
| |
| − | {{hiphop}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | [[Category:Christian hip hop|*]]
| |
| − | | |
| − | [[it:Christian hip hop]]
| |
| − | [[nl:Christelijke hiphop]]
| |
