"I'm Getting Ready" featuring Nicki Minaj

[Lik3]

There was a song by Gospel singer Tasha Cobb that created so much controversy. The reason for this controversy was that the rapper in question was Nicki Minaj. Nicki is talented, but her own music is not Christian. In my opinion, I understand the controversy, but I listened to the song and it is not a horrible song. The song in my opinion is quite respectful and the lyrics weren't about cursing, nor was it in my humble opinion blasphemous. The video is below. I just want for you to listen to the song. It isn't a horrible song. My question is, do you believe Tasha Cobb and (also the record company) sell out by having Nicki Minaj rap with her or do you believe the controversy is much ado about nothing? Should Tasha Cobb in my opinion use this song to lead Nicki to Christ or is it unfair to express that she, Nicki, is a nonChristian and that Ms. Cobb was wrong in singing with Nicki Minaj? What are your thoughts? Here is the video below:

 

[1am3laine]

Well Nicki has a sexual name because of the "Minaj" part. So people could still find it offensive.
The verse she rapped was actually good though.
Still Nicki is with the "world" and she still "MIGHT NOT" be a good look.

 

[Alistair_Wonderland]

I try and be positive about things (since I struggle with pessimism), so let's look at it like this: A lot of people who wouldn't listen to Christian music (let's face it, most Christian music is wishy-washy in both sound and message) would listen to Nicki. Also, regardless of if Ms. Cobb is selling out, there's a chance Nicki and her fans might take an interest and listen to something which may have a good message.

BTW, another singer who is famous and Christian is not generally a Christian singer, although he has a number of Christian songs and allusions, including his own take on "In Christ Alone". I'm talking about Adam Young, a.k.a. Owl City. (You know, the guy who wrote "Fireflies" and the song at the end of Wreck-it Ralph?)

Adam has collaborated with a number of people both in and out of the Christian music genre, including Carly Rae Jepsen. He also knew Taylor Swift, and apparently there was a mutual admiration which never blossomed into anything more. (A shame for Taylor. Adam is a lot nicer than any of the stars she's been dating, and if her recent songs are anything to judge by, her love life is on the rocks.)

Now I don't know if Adam Young has gotten any controversy over his associations with unbelievers, but I will say I appreciate the fact that he doesn't work solely as a Christian singer. (To me, a lot of Christian and worship music sounds like it's just capitalizing on Jesus to sell to Christians. The real Jesus needs to show up and flip their turntables.)

The point is, God said "be in the world, but not of it". If Nicki wants to work is a better direction than her usual music, then why not? God made Nicki Minaj, and died for her, too. Nicki might embrace her sinfulness more than some of us, but she's really no more sinful than anybody else in God's eyes. (Yup. I went there.) So long as she's not doing anything sinful in the song, or using it to speak against Christians or whatever, I say go for it. Any improvement is good improvement!

 

[Lik3]

I agree with your viewpoints. What if Nicki Minaj identify herself as a Christian? What if she came from a Christian household? I know nothing about what she believes at all. I just know about her music, even if the song seems inoffensive (no cursing, blasphemy, etc.) I was wondering this because are some in the church right to believe that "you can't have both Christ and Belial" (only paraphrasing 2 Corinthians 6:15). Did Tasha Cobb REALLY straddle the fence or are those who didn't think much of the song making much ado about nothing?

 

[Dave-W]

. I just want for you to listen to the song. It isn't a horrible song. My question is, do you believe Tasha Cobb and (also the record company) sell out by having Nicki Minaj rap with her or do you believe the controversy is much ado about nothing?

This is an old issue that seems to keep popping back up.

CCM was "invented" by a guy named Larry Norman back in the late 1960s. He was treated horribly by the christian music establishment for playing "rock & roll" with Christian lyrics. And then for having unbelieving studio musicians play.

Other CCM pioneers got the same criticism: Paul Clark. Phil Keaggy. Amy Grant. Barry McGuire. Michael Omartian.

And then they try to criticize the other way around also: Christian artists in the secular market; guys like jazz guitarist Larry Carlton. Former YES keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Gospel keyboardist Billy Preston who played and toured with the Beatles and the Stones. Gospel singers like the Staples, the Winans, Edwin Hawkins, etc.

 

[FenderTL5]

This is an old issue that seems to keep popping back up.

CCM was "invented" by a guy named Larry Norman back in the late 1960s. He was treated horribly by the christian music establishment for playing "rock & roll" with Christian lyrics. And then for having unbelieving studio musicians play.

Other CCM pioneers got the same criticism: Paul Clark. Phil Keaggy. Amy Grant. Barry McGuire. Michael Omartian.

And then they try to criticize the other way around also: Christian artists in the secular market; guys like jazz guitarist Larry Carlton. Former YES keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Gospel keyboardist Billy Preston who played and toured with the Beatles and the Stones. Gospel singers like the Staples, the Winans, Edwin Hawkins, etc.

I liked your post, agree with most of it.
The way I see it, entertainment is what it is. I know many who are in the music industry and it's just like going to work anywhere else. Touring/recording with (fill-in the blank )is no different than going to work at a restaurant... it's just work and music is what they do.
I don't make too much of it.

my only quibble - and I hope you take it in the spirit I offer it - which is intended as good natured.. I would be included in the "some" below.
Mylon, We Believe (Atlantic/Cotillion Records 1969), is considered by some to be the first true "Jesus Rock" album. LeFevre took the classic song, "Gospel Ship", setting the familiar southern gospel melody to rock & roll tempo..

 

[Dave-W]

Mylon, We Believe (Atlantic/Cotillion Records 1969), is considered by some to be the first true "Jesus Rock" album.

And others believe that "Upon this Rock" by Larry Norman (1969) was the first Jesus Music Rock album.

But back when Mylon was still singing with his folks, Norman had a group called People. In 1967 they released an album which had one hit song on it "I Love You." The album was supposed to be a Jesus Rock album but the record label backed out of that agreement. That summer they opened up (on the west coast tour) for the Who, and did a Gospel Rock Opera (penned by Norman) called Lion's Breath. Towshend and Daltry paid close attention and went back to write "Tommy." Several of the songs that were supposed to be on the People album ended up on "Upon this Rock."

 

[FenderTL5]

And others believe that "Upon this Rock" by Larry Norman (1969) was the first Jesus Music Rock album.

But back when Mylon was still singing with his folks, Norman had a group called People. In 1967 they released an album which had one hit song on it "I Love You." The album was supposed to be a Jesus Rock album but the record label backed out of that agreement. That summer they opened up (on the west coast tour) for the Who, and did a Gospel Rock Opera (penned by Norman) called Lion's Breath. Towshend and Daltry paid close attention and went back to write "Tommy." Several of the songs that were supposed to be on the People album ended up on "Upon this Rock."

Yep good stuff.
In terms of release dates, I think Mylon's We Believe came out just prior to Upon This Rock (I could be wrong but I don't think so).
That said, Larry's Only Visiting This Planet is one of the best in the genre, although I was more of an Andrae Crouch fan.. This Is Another Day being my personal favorite.

 

[Dave-W]

That said, Larry's Only Visiting This Planet is one of the best in the genre,

Indeed. Did you ever hear the differences between the original Capitol release and the later Impact release? The music is the same but they completely remixed and re-EQ'd the vocals.

his Is Another Day being my personal favorite.

Mine as well.

 

[FenderTL5]

Indeed. Did you ever hear the differences between the original Capitol release and the later Impact release? The music is the same but they completely remixed and re-EQ'd the vocals..

I don't know that I've ever compared them. That'd be curious to hear.
My vinyl version is from about 1977.. so a later release..

I remember the circumstances/events around my purchase of it.
I already had Andrae's Live at Carnegie Hall and This is Another Day. I went to a Christian Bookstore in the Northgate Mall in Chattanooga inquiring about something new... the clerk pulled the Norman record from under the counter saying, "you may be interested in this.."
Back then, they couldn't display it because of way he looks on the cover.

 

[Dave-W]

Back then, they couldn't display it because of way he looks on the cover.

That was the cover from a later album - Only Visiting This Planet.

In between them he released Street Level (1970) and Bootleg (1972).

Only Visiting This Planet was the first installment of the "Trilogy," which was a concept trio of albums. The other 2 were "So Long Ago the Garden" and "In Another Land." The latter being my favorite Norman work.