Christian themes in Gangster Rap

[Golden Maven]

What do you think about rappers like Ja Rule, 50 Cent and DMX?

They typically rap about violence and sex, yet sometimes they'll have a whole song dedicated to the christian God and His importance, and other times they'll mention Him in their typical gangster song.

I wonder what's going on in their mind for them to rap about sinning and then praising the Lord. I figure it's better than nothing...

Any thoughts?

 

[threedrunkduck]

I think they are confused

 

[KingCrimson250]

I think it's because they're cluing in that Christianity is quite possibly the largest niche market in North America, and that by cutting a few tracks with a Christian theme they can quite possibly trick all sorts of people who would normally be against them into buying their music or having some sympathy.

 

[antiarte]

Most of these rappers come from Christian families and relatives. Maybe they were dragged to church when younger. Some of that influence shows, even if the next track is just the opposite. Or they're just trying to be 2Pac.

I think it's because they're cluing in that Christianity is quite possibly the largest niche market in North America, and that by cutting a few tracks with a Christian theme they can quite possibly trick all sorts of people who would normally be against them into buying their music or having some sympathy.

No, that'd be R&B singers. Mariah. Beyonce. They're good at this.

 

[nathanlandon1]

Most of these rappers come from Christian families and relatives. Maybe they were dragged to church when younger. Some of that influence shows, even if the next track is just the opposite. Or they're just trying to be 2Pac.


No, that'd be R&B singers. Mariah. Beyonce. They're good at this.

Almost everyone in The Industry is heavily influenced (in one way or another) to worship the Baphomet (a pan-line "god" of the occult and satanism.) Unless you write your own music, choreograph your own dances, compose and produce your own music, etc. there is always someone in control of some part of your music. So, even if these artist claim to be Christian they may be inadvertently worshiping the Baphomet - the same way a "christian" who is money hungry is worshiping money.

The rappers put one song on an album about god (lowercase g) because it attracts people who want to be spiritual, but do not want to give anything up. Except, the god they talk about isn't Christ Yehoshua.

Besides, "god" is a popular culture phenomenon. People use His name in vain all the time.

 

[Fenny the Fox]

I think that the majority of rappers that do so are indeed influenced by upbringing. And many claim Christianity as well (regardless of if they sing about it all the time or not).

And/or, as antiarte said...they are just trying to be 2pac...

 

[antiarte]

Almost everyone in The Industry is heavily influenced (in one way or another) to worship the Baphomet (a pan-line "god" of the occult and satanism.) Unless you write your own music, choreograph your own dances, compose and produce your own music, etc. there is always someone in control of some part of your music. So, even if these artist claim to be Christian they may be inadvertently worshiping the Baphomet - the same way a "christian" who is money hungry is worshiping money.

The rappers put one song on an album about god (lowercase g) because it attracts people who want to be spiritual, but do not want to give anything up. Except, the god they talk about isn't Christ Yehoshua.

Besides, "god" is a popular culture phenomenon. People use His name in vain all the time.

I wasn't defending these rappers, but I think some of them do mean it when they talk about God, even if it's misguided and not theorically sound. And yes, some people eat it up, including Christians. Now, saying the majority of the music industry are devil worshippers...well, now that's more in sync with these forums.

Let me guess, you also believe Lady Gaga's "Telephone" song and video is all a (bad) metaphor about illuminati mind control and The Beatles are the four horsemen of the apocalypse? Or something.

 

[nathanlandon1]

I wasn't defending these rappers, but I think some of them do mean it when they talk about God, even if it's misguided and not theorically sound. And yes, some people eat it up, including Christians. Now, saying the majority of the music industry are devil worshippers...well, now that's more in sync with these forums.

Let me guess, you also believe Lady Gaga's "Telephone" song and video is all a (bad) metaphor about illuminati mind control and The Beatles are the four horsemen of the apocalypse? Or something.

I don't listen to The Beatles, and Lady Gaga's lyrics and appeal are unattractive enough without a conspiracy tagged to it. But, it sounds like you have been doing your own "guessing" for yourself - or maybe you think people that believe in illuminati mind control are silly (judging by your tone.) Either way, it doesn't matter. The point I am making is it should be "highly frowned upon" at best to have a song about God on an album when it is about the opposite. Why mix his name into stuff that has nothing to do with praising him?

 

[Avniel]

I think it's because they come from the black community. In our community many times people are tied to the church and do horrible things. You would be surprised how many people I know break the law every day and probably read their word more then me. I have a cousin that wakes up and reads his bible everyday and probably has committed every crime under sun. I know for a fact that Cam'ron the rapper grew up in the church fat joe also knows more about the word then people would like to think.

 

[Avniel]

Almost everyone in The Industry is heavily influenced (in one way or another) to worship the Baphomet (a pan-line "god" of the occult and satanism.) Unless you write your own music, choreograph your own dances, compose and produce your own music, etc. there is always someone in control of some part of your music. So, even if these artist claim to be Christian they may be inadvertently worshiping the Baphomet - the same way a "christian" who is money hungry is worshiping money.

The rappers put one song on an album about god (lowercase g) because it attracts people who want to be spiritual, but do not want to give anything up. Except, the god they talk about isn't Christ Yehoshua.

Besides, "god" is a popular culture phenomenon. People use His name in vain all the time.

Honestly I have been in that "entertainment circle" probably more then alot of people. And a lot of that isnt true, most people that do music could careless about Illuminati. The trick is to get people's mind off the real fight, and the real problems.

People shouldnt judge people they dont even know. There is alot about the entertainment world people dont even know that pretty bad without making up stuff.

 

[Omceer]

they probably think it'll appeal to an occasional passer-by but to be honest I think most of them lie about it.

 

[Avniel]

they probably think it'll appeal to an occasional passer-by but to be honest I think most of them lie about it.

Most rappers never did half the things they say they did. A lot of the grew up in a certain area and had a gift for words. They came up in the black community where it's common for kids to have parents that are both in the church and also working too hard to watch their children. So they listen to music start rapping and make up a life to excepted. Rapper rick ross was a prison gaurd, Cam'ron and Jim Jones grew up in the church so did dmx actually grew up in the church(in my thoughts he's a bit off), Cassidy at one of his concerts did a entire conversation on God then a freestyle and if you talk to him he will even give you a testimony(when camaras arent around), 50 cent goes to church regularly. Majority of R&B singers actually learned how to sing in the church, they are just people with talent musically which the church taught them and they left.

 

[Tenka]

I'm inclined to agree with Avniel, rappers are a lot like Pro wrestlers in that they have a stage persona, a greatly exaggerated version of themselves which they sell.
I think it is deeply naive to believe that just because a person involves themselves in morally questionable acts or seems to have anti christian values, then they must be insincere about their religious faith.

 

[flamingjavabean]

For some of them, they have had some seeds planted in them... regards to faith. And even some of the most successful people still need to cry out to God sometimes...

I think everyone cries out to God at times. Some rappers are genuine... however a lot of them just do it to diversify their music too =0

 

[christian78]

It's especially eye-opening when you hear a song you thought was glorifying god and it turns out they were using "god" as a term to describe themself. *cough*Jay-Z*cough*