1. Running Head: RAP MUSIC AND CHRISTIANITY
Rap Music and Christianity
Kenya Smith
Regent University

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RAP MUSIC AND CHRISTIANITY
Rap Music and Christianity
Today, rap, also known as hip-hop, is one of the most popular genre of music there is
among youth and young adults of different ethnic and social backgrounds. Icons such as Tupac
Shakur, Biggie Smalls, Jay Z, Kanye West, Eve, Queen Latifah, Snoop Lion (formally known as
Snoop Dogg), Drake, Eminem, and Lil Wayne are well known for their music and are admired
worldwide. While many people listen to rap music and enjoy the catchy rhythms that it provides,
some have condemned rap due to some of its explicit messages inside the lyrics. While it is true
that most rap songs have misogynistic, sexual, materialistic, violent, and secular messages, there
are also rap songs that have empowering, uplifting, and sometimes Christian messages. In order
for one to understand rap music, he or she must learn the history and origins of the popular
genre. Then, the person must find a solution to the problem of rap music.
According to Joann Wood, rap music originated “thousands of years ago in Africa” by
storytellers called griots (“Rap Music”, 2004). Griots often played handmade instruments while
telling stories about family and village events. She further explains, “This “talking” while music
was playing is rap music in its most rudimentary form” (“Rap Music”, 2004). In addition to rap
music getting their roots from African griots, rap also has roots from the period of slavery in
America. Wood explains that while slaves were working in the fields, they would sing “call and
answer” selections in which the lead singer would call out a part of the song while the other
slaves would answer with the next line. This “call and response method” also happened in the
religious spectrum of African Americans from slavery to emancipation. When attending church
during slavery times, the preacher would often call, and the congregation would respond. This
method of call and response would later be included in the artistry of many rap musicians.

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RAP MUSIC AND CHRISTIANITY
In the 1970’s, the actual formation of the rap genre began. According to Becky
Blanchard’s article, “The Social Significance of Rap and Hip Hop Culture”, rap music generally
started in the South Bronx section of New York City by Jamaican born Disc Jockey, Kool DJ
Herc at a “Halloween dance party thrown by his younger sister” in 1973 (Blanchard, 1999).
According to “The African American Odyssey”, Herc “began using simple raps to cover a mix of
beats played from two turntables” (Hine, 654). Six years later, “Rapper’s Delight”, created by the
Sugar Hill Gang was “the first commercial rap hit” (Hine, 654). “Rapper’s Delight” also
popularized the term, “hip-hop”. Young African Americans adapted to hip-hop due to being
excluded and ignored by society. Hip-hop helped African American youth to cope with the
reality of living in inner city neighborhoods and the troubles that they faced.
Even though rap music is popular, many issues are brought up concerning this music
genre. One issue is the portrayal of women in many rap lyrics as well as the music videos.
Today, many rap songs (particularly gangster rap) promote the idea of degrading women to
objects of admiration and as sex symbols. According to the book, “Hip Hop Culture”, some rap
critics that believe that the women that are portrayed in rap music videos should be the ones
responsible for “allowing themselves to be portrayed and depicted in this manner” (Price: p.69).
Biblically, women should be loved the same way as Christ loved the Church. Fortunately, some
rap artists have spoken out against the negative depictions of women in the music such as Queen
Latifah and Eve, and tried to promote empowerment. However, the portrayal of women is still
prevalent in today’s rap music. Some who are not associated with hip-hop are worried about
what negative effects that rap might have on youth such as a fake idea of how a male-female
relationship should work.

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RAP MUSIC AND CHRISTIANITY
Another issue within rap music is the promotion of materialism. Many songs try to
convince people, especially the youth that earning possessions and gaining wealth is the path true
happiness. However, the Bible contains many scriptures that paint a different picture on
materialism. Hebrews 13:5 (New King James Version) says, “Let your conduct be without
covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never
leave you nor forsake you.”” 1 Timothy 6:9-10 says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction
and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed
from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Rap
music promotes the idea of trying to do anything to become rich or to obtain luxuries such as
selling illegal drugs, prostitution, and stealing.
The third issue that is within rap music is violence. Rap music has been a voice for
political activism during the 1980’s and 90’s. Many African Americans who lived in the inner
parts of major cities, such as New York, Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles were fed up with the
oppressive system. While there were some rappers who directly stood up against any form of
violence, other rappers used violence as “a main ingredient of their particular, stylistic
approaches to the music” (Price, 79). The reason behind using violence in rap music was to paint
a picture of how life was on the streets. Rappers used violent lyrics not to promote or endorse
violence, but to tell an uncut, gory, story about the problems that urban dwellers faced, such as
losing a friend or a loved one to violence or drugs, police brutality, and racial and economic
tensions. While this idea is true, some rappers consider violence as a solution to many problems.
Christians must view violence as Jesus did in Matthew 5:38-39 which reads, “You have heard
that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I tell you not to resist an evil

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RAP MUSIC AND CHRISTIANITY
person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” In addition
Hebrews 10:30 reads, “For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” says the
Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
As Christians, we must realize that it is not the genre of music that is the issue. Instead,
Christians should be more concerned about the messages in the genre instead of the genre itself.
In order for Christians to take action against the negative views on women, the promotion of
materialism, and the encouragement to solve problems with violence we must understand that
there are many different types of rap music, and not all rap songs degrade women, promote
materialism, or encourage violence as a problem solver. As Christians, we must not sit and
criticize rap music, but we must tackle the messages inside the music. In addition, people should
no Fortunately, there are rap artists, such as Lecrae, Tadashi, T-Bone, and TobyMac who try to
promote positive, Christian values, while showing the reality of how the world operates. The
music industry should be one of the areas that Christians should influence, because music is such
a powerful force, that it causes people’s attitudes on how life operates to change.

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RAP MUSIC AND CHRISTIANITY
References
Blanchard, B. (1999, July 26). THE SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RAP & HIP-HOP
CULTURE. Retrieved November 25, 2014, from
https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/mediarace/socialsignificance.htm
Hine, D., Hine, W., & Harrold, S. (2011). The African-American Odyssey (5th ed.). Boston:
Prentice Hall.
Price, E. G. (2006). Hip Hop Culture. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.
Wood, J. (2004, April 1). Rap Music. Retrieved November 23, 2014, from
http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his135/events