Grits is an acronym for “Grammatical Revolution in the Spirit,” a music band formed in Nashville, Tennessee by Stacey “Coffee” Jones and Teron “Bonafide” Carter. The band was established in 1995 after the duo quit DC Talk as dancers.
Band members had revealed that they were inspired by DC Talk, a Christian rap and rock trio formed in Lynchburg. DC Talk’s music style inspired their choice of rapping and hip-hop and it was the reason they got signed to Gotee records founded by DC Talk member, Tobymac.
The award-winning band has released several albums and in 2014, their song “Ooh Ahh” was RIA Digital Gold Certified. The Nashville-based rap group has consistently employed Christian imagery in their songs. Music lovers who are continuously in search of music bands that meet their needs are asking if the band is truly a Christian band or not. If you are one of such, this article will provide answers to clear your curiosity.
Is Grits a Religious Band?
Before delving into the discussion on the status of Grits as a religious band, it is important to consider what it means to be religious. A religious band is a music band whose songs are influenced by the beliefs of a particular religion. Members of a religious band uphold beliefs that are peculiar to a particular religious group.
Grits have openly identified as a Religious band. The band’s songs have been classified as religious, even when the songs adopt some secular styles and influences. Songs by Grits are popularly used in religious settings, but band members had also stated that their songs are not limited to just religious people. They have a lot of positive messages to share with the world and as such, they perform their songs even in secular gatherings. According to the duo, their songs are meant to uplift, encourage and educate listeners.
Grits disclosed that during live performances, they share their religious beliefs with their audiences. Sometimes these come through their songs and other times they speak about it as well, but are not preachy when doing this. They tell people about themselves and share personal testimonies.
When chatting about their debut album “Mental Release” with Cross Rhythms, Grits revealed that the album is a fusion of styles and deals with various life issues including racism and abuse but they use their beliefs in God and the Christian faith to tackle these issues. According to the band:
“We need to recognize that it happened and that it’s time to reach out to one another. Also, it’s time for us, as black people, to be forgiving because God holds our destiny, not a white man or whoever they might like to think. But at the same time, for white people not to act as if nothing happened.” Teron added, “I don’t think there’s anything racist about caring and embracing your culture – to me, that’s very Godly. God created a race of people in the first place that he called his children which were the Jews and Israelites. So race is something (just like everything else) that Satan has taken and corrupted.”
In a 2009 interview with Kevin Hoskins of Jesus Freak Hideout and Stacey Jones, when talking about his spirituality and faith, he stated:
“Staying grounded isn’t the hard part, getting rest and being comfortable… Now that’s hard! We are older men who have been doing this for over a decade, we are solid in our faith and we know how to respect each other’s space. Every day we wake up and begin a new journey with God.
God has been teaching me to not be caught up in trivial matters. Being in the industry for so long, I’ve seen believers AKA “church folk” being too caught up with who believes what, and whose churchier, who’s more saved… And in the process, they can’t even get along. A very bad example has been set and only those with a healthy balance of spirituality and reality will come out on top. It’s time for the world to see a different, healthier model of Christianity… and we are playing our part to present that.”
Songs by Grits are considered religious songs and we’ll analyze a few of these songs subsequently in the article.
What Kind of Music Band is Grits?
Grits is a Christian hip-hop band. Christian hip hop originally known as gospel or Christian rap is a cross-genre of contemporary Christian and hip-hop music. Christian hip-hop originated in the 1980s in the United States and had its roots in urban contemporary music and Christian media.
Some early Christian hip-hop artists were Stephen Wiley, Preachers in Disguise(P.I.D), JC and the Boys, Michael Peace and KJ-52, and DC Talk who significantly inspired Grits. The band also incorporates elements of alternative hip-hop and southern hip-hop. Their music style is an amalgam of gospel music, contemporary Christian songs, praise and worship, and Christian rap.
Most songs by Grits are classified as contemporary Christian music and they address matters related to Christianity. Their lyrics are usually about Jesus Christ and other pillars of Christianity. Songs by the band are embedded with Christian symbolism, but the songs are not only centered on spirituality and religion. Grits’ songs address several life experiences and challenges and they explore themes like; child abuse molestation, plagiarism, backsliding, racism, suffering, spirituality, love and relationships, open-mindedness, anxiety, pain, and hope amongst others.
Grits has released 11 studio albums since 1995. Eight of eleven albums were released under Gotee Records, their long-standing record label. The band has also partnered with record labels like; Revolution Art, 5e, and EMI.
Grits is one of the most successful American Christian hip-hop bands. The band has won several GMA Dove Awards. In 2009, Grits was nominated as the rap/hip-hop performer of the year at the Visionary Awards which they, unfortunately, lost to the “Word of Mouth” rap duo. Songs by Grits have been used as soundtracks for several tv series and movies. “Ooh Ahh” by Grits has been used as a theme song for “The Buried Life” and on the soundtracks for The Fast and Furious, Big Momma’s House, and other population television shows.
Is Grits a Christian Band?
A Christian is a person who believes in the teachings and principles of the Christian faith. Christians acknowledge God as a sovereign being, they believe in Jesus Christ, the holy spirit, and other structures and pillars of Christianity. Christianity is beyond frequent churchgoing. It involves portraying a lifestyle that reflects the teachings, laws, and principles of Jesus Christ.
A Christian band upholds Christian laws and teachings. Their songs are embedded with positive Christian messages and are expressions of faith and beliefs in Christianity. Christian songs are used to share individual or collective Christian beliefs and are also used to spread messages of love, faith, salvation, perseverance, and redemption.
Christian music has become a popular genre of music that has garnered millions of audiences globally. To make it more appealing, Christian music artists have now adopted singing styles and genres that can appeal to diverse listeners. Many Christian bands and artists have adopted genres like pop, metalcore, rock, hip-hop, and rap amongst others that appeal to audiences from diverse backgrounds and in different moods.
To be labeled a Christian band, such a band must publicly identify as one. Members of the band should be Christians who have openly affirmed their faith in the religion and possess good Christian virtues.
Grits is a Christian band. The duo of Stacey and Teron has identified as Christians and has publicly labeled their band a Christian band. In an interview with Grits and Cross Rhythms, when asked about their faith band members stated:
“We play anywhere from our local churches to secular hip-hop clubs, coffee shops, etc. We do ’em all – basically wherever anyone will have us We believe in the message of Christ – of going into the world and preachin’ the gospel to all, no matter where they are. Just because we play in a club doesn’t mean we’re not Christians. To me, we’re carrying out what Christ told us to do in the first place – taking the Word to the lost. Besides, if we don’t go to them, they definitely won’t come to us!”
Grits Christian Songs
As a Christian band, songs by the band are used to spread positive Christian messages or they employ Christian imagery to address certain issues that humans can relate to. Below is a perfect example of Grits Christian song:
Ooh Ahh by Grits
“My life be like ooh ah, yeah, ooh ooh
My life be like ooh ah, ooh ah, yeah, ooh ooh
Ooh ah, yeah, ooh ooh
My life be like ooh ah, ooh ah, yeah, ooh ooh
My life is like
It’s times like these that make me say
Lord if you see me please come my way
Leaving’ bread crumbs for when I stray
Rely on sacrifice and the price you pay
Feel me like a fingertip
Sometimes I fall, I slip
My heartfelt desire to be more like you
Trying not to quench your fire with the things I do”
Is Grits a Satanic Band?
To be labeled a Satanic band, such a band must produce songs that reflect Satanic practices. Satanists believe in the Devil who is the central figure of the religion. Satanic bands produce songs with dark and creepy lyrics. They promote and glorify the devil in their songs. Songs by Grits do not possess the features listed above. Their songs do not glorify Satan, and band members have not shown affiliations with Satanism. As such, Grits is not a Satanic band.
Final Thoughts
Grits have been very clear on their stance as a Christian band. The duo has publicly affirmed their faith in Christianity and has used their unique Christian hip-hop styles to create an amazing body of work that addresses diverse life issues and resonates with listeners all over the world.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!