My two favorite types of music are classical choral pieces and rap. (Which is sometimes startling to guests when my iPod shuffles from Clemens Non Papa to Tupac.) I am a hopeless lover of a good rhyme over a bass beat, which has left me in a tough spot ever since my conversion to Catholicism. I have brought my rationalization ‘A’ game to the task of trying to figure out how to keep songs like Pass the Courvoisier Part II in my playlist, assuring myself that God must approve of any song whose video begins with Mr. T busting through a wall and ends with Busta Rhymes fighting ninjas. But, alas, I simply can’t justify listening to music whose lyrics glorify all seven of the deadly sins in the first 10 seconds.
Unfortunately I haven’t yet found any Christian rap that I can really get into (though I’m always looking for suggestions). However, after much searching, I have managed to find a few good songs from the traditional rap/hip-hop world that not only are not totally morally reprehensible, but even have some inspiring food for thought. I’m not necessarily suggesting that you go seek out any of this music if you have no interest in rap and/or are currently listening to nothing but spiritually enriching music from devout Catholic artists. Many of these songs still contain profanity and discuss R-rated subjects like the reality of drug abuse and gang violence. But I thought it might be helpful for those of you who have college-aged children who can’t be dissuaded away from the genre, and for fellow Catholic closet rap fans.
1. Changes by Tupac
I’ll start the list with a song that was included on the official Vatican playlist, alongside the work of Mozart and Dame Shirley Bassey. I may have been the only person in the world not surprised to see it on there, since I’ve long found Tupac’s heartfelt lament about life in the ghetto to be a powerful, if raw, call to reflect on the realities of the human condition.
2. Description of a Fool by Tribe Called Quest
This little hip-hop number from People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm has all the playful funkiness you’d expect from a good Tribe song, with a message that speaks out against social ills like the physical abuse of women and dealing drugs.
3. Shallow Days by Blackalicious
In this smooth, mellow song from indie hip-hop group Blackalicious, Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel speak out about kids “who at the young age of four / be seeing more drama than war veterans / instead of learning God’s laws” and implore their fellow rappers to “find a way to break the devil’s master plan.”
4. Sweetest Girl by Wyclef Jean
This track is from an album with the subtitle Reflections of an Immigrant, and thus is a look at American culture from the perspective of someone from a different country (Haiti, in Jean’s case). Playing off of Wu-Tang Clan’s classic line “cash rules everything around me / dolla dolla bill, y’all,” Jean chronicles the tragic lives of women who are sexually exploited, weaving in reflections about how greed fuels some of their heartbreaking decisions.
5. King Without a Crown by Matisyahu
This one is cheating a bit since it’s by a religious artist, but devout Jew Matisyahu has managed to infuse his music with enough raw authenticity that it appeals to secular markets, even getting some play on MTV. I listened to this song all the time during my conversion process, and have fond memories of driving around with the music blasting in my minivan, shouting “Thank you to my God that I finally got it right!” along with Matisyahu.
6. She Watch Channel Zero by Public Enemy
I can’t believe I could actually find a Public Enemy song to include on the list. I read and re-read the lyrics, making sure that I wasn’t missing some reference to drugs or violence, but as far as I can tell it’s just a hard-jamming rant against the mind-numbing effects of television. It has a kind of angry edge, so I wouldn’t listen to it often; I mainly include it for the novelty of finding a Public Enemy song with nothing particularly offensive in it.
7. Airplanes by B.o.B.
I just adore this song from the relatively new artist B.o.B., which features super-cute singer Hayley Williams (who openly identifies herself as a Christian), and talks about the fickle nature of show business, and how success doesn’t always bring the happiness you think it will. Sometimes I have to snicker at a 23-year-old writing such a world-weary song, but it really is very well done.
8. Coming Home by Diddy
If you’ve turned on the radio in the past five minutes, you’ve probably heard the new song from Diddy (a.k.a. Puff Daddy, a.k.a. Sean Combs). I have to say, I’m touched by the honest self-reflection in this piece, with lines like, “What am I supposed to do when the club lights come on? / It’s easy to be Puff but it’s harder to be Sean” and “What if my twins ask why I ain’t married their mom? / How do I respond?” He also references his lingering pain at witnessing his friend Notorious B.I.G.‘s murder, saying “You know you woulda took the bullet if you saw it / But you felt it, and still feel it / And money can’t make up for it, or conceal it.” A nice little song about making wrongs right.
9. The Ave. by Run D.M.C.
In this old-school song from hip-hop royalty Run D.M.C., Run, Jam-Master Jay and D.M.C. chronicle the chaos and destruction on an inner city avenue (“Ave”). I have a special place in my heart for Run D.M.C., and not just for their contributions to the genre. Run is now a practicing minister, and D.M.C. recently recorded a hard-hitting pro-adoption song with fellow adoptee Sarah McLachlan.
10. The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
If The Message isn’t the very epitome of old-school hip-hop goodness, I don’t know what is. The 1982 song speaking out against the problems of the ghetto was also the first hip-hop song ever to be added to the United States Archive of Historic Recordings.
And with that, I’m off to put on my headphones and enjoy some good music. If anyone else is out there from the elusive “National Catholic Register readers who are also rap fans” demographic, I’d be interested to hear what’s on your playlist as well!
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And here I was thinking I was the only rap and classical music fan out there….
My favorite rap song from a Catholic/pro-life perspective has to be “Happy Birthday” by Flipsyde.
I actually like Dear Mama by Tupac Shakur
I love this: “assuring myself that God must approve of any song whose video begins with Mr. T busting through a wall and ends with Busta Rhymes fighting ninjas.” Just my kind of humor!
Seriously, though- before I converted, my brother introduced me to a lot of rap that was surprisingly (to me) smart and lyrical. I mostly favored Wu-Tang (and just to confuse more people, my favorite genre is country music, Barry Manilow is my favorite performer, and I play clarinet so I also enjoy classical music).
Since converting, I have mostly stopped listening to rap for the reasons you described above. I will definitely check out your suggestions!
Jen, You live in Texas. Listen to country music for goodness sakes.
I would recommend Shad- a Canadian Rapper from London Ontario. He finished his masters of philosophy between albums and his songs are thoughtful but also extremely catchy!
Arrested Development (no, not the show, although that’s awesome too)! They had the misfortune of hitting the airways as gangsta rap became dominant. “Tennessee” is directed at God and about coping with the death of loved ones. “Washed Away” is explicitly about the need for faith. And “Mama’s Always on Stage” even has a line that can be viewed as pro-life—“Your conscience told you not to abort / so to your child you’re a hero of some sort.”
Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story” is a fun, bouncy song with a serious message about the consequences of bad decisions.
Lots of stuff by De La Soul and Beastie Boys—not really wholesome, per se, but lots of fun songs that are not offensive or troubling.
“U.N.I.T.Y” by Queen Latifah, about treating women with respect. Monie Love is another female rapper with cute songs.
Spearhead’s “Hole in the Bucket”—a funny song about charity.
There’s a lot out there, if you know where to look.
Ooh, I forgot—Common’s “I used to love H.E.R.” The lyrics are explicit, but the song is about how gangsta rap came to dominate the hip-hop scene, pushing all other sub-genres aside. It’s considered by music critics to be one of the best hip-hop songs ever. Worth a listen if you are interested in music history.
You are strange - http://www.phatmass.com/hiphop
http://www.zealousrapmusic.com/
If you want to hear some great, truly Catholic Rap - check our Zealous. Support him by buying some of his music - it’s awesome!
If you haven’t listened to Lecrae, you must. He’s the rare Christian rapper who is not only a Christian, but is, strangely enough, actually a good rapper too. As a fellow Catholic rap-enthusiast, I strongly recommend his stuff (though he is a Reformed Protestant, so a small percentage of his lyrics highlight those beliefs.)
Evidence of Lecrae’s awesomeness: his last album debuted at #3 on iTunes—overall, not just in the religion category.
I would say that most of the songs done by The Roots would be suitable rap songs for Catholics because of the message behind it. Another good one would “Just to Get By” by Talib Kweli.
This thread begs the question: As Catholics in this messy world, do we have time for musical fluff, for music that kills time or is “just for fun?” Should we financially support a music industry which repeatedly works against our values? And shouldn’t we be listening like adults - spiritual adults - and not still like teenagers?
I used to be a big Heavy Metal guy, but found that I had to give up most of my previous favorite music when I returned to the Church. Sure, lots of it “wasn’t all that bad,” but was it all that good? I am reminded of the dog poop brownies story: If wonderful chocolate brownies have just 1% dog poop in them, will we eat them? No. We should be the same way with our consumption of music and media.
Already in these comments I’m seeing suggestions to “listen to that song” which is “explict” but “interesting” or “not that bad.” Dog poop brownies, I say. We should know better. You might as well write comments about the edifying parts of the movies “Boogie Nights” or “Basic Instinct.”
In the end, I can’t justify listening to Tupac (or Megadeth) when I can have Brahms and Dvorak, let alone modern composers like Arvo Part and Henryk Gorecki. These men want to edify my mind AND my soul. And now that I’m listening, I realize a simple truth: most pop music is simply boring. It no longer is capable of feeding my mind, let alone my soul.
In the end, please consider the high spiritual import which the great philosophers have always assigned to music. To the smartest men in history, it was never about just “a good time.” It was a vital part of our life, and as Catholics, we already have music which can entertain us while also not hampering our road to heaven.
Although not a rap music fan myself, I did run across a Catholic rapper named “The Apologist” or “D-Major”. He raps on Catholic topics (titles like 53 Beads on a String, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam), and sometimes integrates classical music into his songs: www.catholic-rap.com see also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv3cDt0OkMo
I have to second what Mr. Archibold recommends. Country > Rap.
“I Need Love” by Lucious Lover Cool James, a.k.a. LL Cool J!
Jennifer, I was in the same boat as you after I started taking my faith seriously. I used to be a big fan of rap music but I knew that if I was going to be a devout Catholic there was no way I could continue listening to the secular, mainstream rap and hip hop music that’s out there. So I cut it out completely. I tried listening to some Christian and Catholic rap that was out there and it was pretty good, but I lost interest in it eventually.
I completely agree with Mark’s comments. The poop brownies story is a great analogy. It’s also like the old bracelets, “What Would Jesus Do?”, and I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t listen to any of these songs for his own enjoyment. A post that I would have liked to have seen would have been “Top 10 CHRISTIAN Rap Songs for Catholics.”
Tell me how a song about a person who had an abortion is “pro-life” and appeals to Catholics?
Hmmmmmmmm
Mars Ill = talented, faithful.
You absolutely NEED to listen to Nick Cannon’s ‘Can I Live’, an awesome pro-life story
Matt, that may be the only thing you’ve ever written that I have to disagree with you about…
Tom, are you referring to the song I mentioned, “Mama’s Always on Stage”? Because the line as it is and as I quoted it is “your conscience told you NOT to abort”—emphasis mine.
Mark, I think a better allegory would be potato chips. I like vegetables and lean proteins and complex carbs, but I also like potato chips and candy. I also watch tv shows and movies for simple entertainment, and I read mysteries and sci-fi and other light literature, and I make jewelry for myself that has no other purpose than to look pretty.
Oops, I meant “analogy,” not “allegory.”
I second Brandon Vogt, Lecrae is an incredibly talented Christian rap artist. Listen to “Don’t waste your life” and “Far Away” for example. I also recommend Trip Lee “The Invasion (Hero)”, Group 1 Crew, and 116 Clique.
How about “Tha Crossroads” by Bone Thugs N Harmony. I LOVE that one. Whatcha gonna do when Judgement Comes for you?
There’s got to be more Q-Tip to put on this list. He’s such a poet.
c2six is on YouTube, he’s really good! I also like Grits, and Lecrae. Glad to know I’m not the only Catholic into rap! :-)
Mark, people have different music tastes, not everyone wants to just listen to classical music. Rap may not be your taste, but there is a lot of good rap music out there that does not have vugarity in.
This is a great christian rap sound about Christians needing to know how to defend their faith:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96yuKUzrqWw
This makes me laugh. I took a liking to rap when my older brother became a gangsta in the suburban ghetto. LOL. Seriously, we lived in a middle class white WASPy suburb and my brother would go around twisting his fingers saying “West Si-ede!” lmao now. I’m sure he would too. ;)
I have a music degree (liturgical music, actually) so I admired rap songs that truly were good works of musical talent. Some songs are smut, but honestly some are really, really talented pieces woven with so many different layers of rhythm, melody, etc. But it’s cultural, so unfortunately since our culture is not so light filled, the music reflects that. However, I have a difficult time with “trite” Christian music. Just because a song’s lyrics are Christian doesn’t make it a “good” song.
A few examples of Christian hip hop that I personally think stand up to mainstream rap/hip hop is Grits (check out Tennessee Bowys and Here We Go on YouTube.) and Toby Mac. TM is much less rap and has more hip hop/ pop but he is an incredible mixer, producer, etc. There is a lot of musical thought that goes behind his music.
Happy listening!
I am still tickled pink that you’re a rap music fan. Thanks for the recommendations - I also enjoy a good rhyme laid over a smooth bass beat.
And to those who recommended country music, I have to point out that much of country music (new and old and in between) can rival rap music in glorifying sinful living. That’s not to say that I don’t appreciate some Willie and Waylon - just that country music isn’t necessarily the morally superior choice!
Great article but I’m so glad you didn’t say Dwayne Carter (a.k.a. Little Wayne). My older kids deliberatly love him. But I can relate when it comes to being in a “tough spot” when it comes to being Catholic and music, I’m still a fan of the Beatles, Coldplay, Morrissey and almost anything indy or alternative.
The two songs that come to mind might not be considered “rap” but closer to “hip hop”, 911 by Mary J. Blige and Wyclef Jean, a song which makes me think about how grace, though love, can stop us in our tracks, impacting the soul like a bullet. Also the pro-life song Zion by Lauryn Hill. Actually Lauryn Hill’s music in general. I’m not a rap fan, but words are important to me, when I hear a song that communicates something deep, soulful and human it attracts my attention.
Also, the Canadian artist K’naan has some good stuff. He was the guy who wrote “Wavin’ Flag” (the original version, not the World Cup version)
I love this post! I also like everyone’s suggestions.
Mark, you must look for “dog poop” in everything. How do you function because I’m sure everything has 1% “dog poop” in it?
Wow, I sure am surprised to know you like rap music, I wouldn’t have believed it in over a million years! :)
I am definitely not a rap fan, but I very strongly second the reccommendation for Nick Cannon’s “Can I Live?”. Truly beautiful song with an even more beautiful music video, probably the best pro-life song I’ve ever heard, it moves me to tears every time.
Also, I know this is not a Christian song in any type or form, but I really, really liked Eminem’s “Love the Way you Lie”. The strong emotions of love and frustration reflected in that song really appealed to me (I am a sucker for drama, I guess).
Oh yeah, and I agree with you in regards to “Coming Home” by Diddy. I thought it was a pretty nice introspective song, I’m glad you liked it as well!
I used to listen to rap all the time, in fact I would often freestyle with friends (and sometimes random people) on the weekends. Still do to some degree.
The dog poop analogy is interesting. Recently it has become more and more difficult to listen to music which I find glorifies immorality. But this is not isolated to rap, it’s found in really every genre with the exception of instrumental music. Country used to be pretty wholesome but not seems just as bad as all the others.
It isn’t fair to compare classical music to rap. I think you would be hardpressed to find any rap music as complex as classical music, but the experience rap offers is different. I’m not talking about the type of stuff you hear in a club. Good rap delivers a certain personal aspect of humanity, a struggle that comes across very honestly. Good rap is just as soulful as good classical music but in very different ways. Rap has helped me grow spiritually at various points of my life and I think it can for others.
Here are a few good songs for Catholics (or at least have been for me)
Common - THE LIGHT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_-qRcHAhzk
K-os
This guy has a lot of spiritual overtones in his music and is one of the biggest/best rappers in Canada.
CRUCIAL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_nwqkCjQok
THE LOVE SONG
“relationship is a mirror that you see yourself in and the picture is clearer”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyRB00Xe5-E
SUNDAY MORNING
“Every day is Saturday night, I can’t wait until Sunday morning”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afn0h2M6eTg
I could post like ten more songs by K-os but here is one more
MAN I USED TO BE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXFma-SrF7M
Lupe Fiasco - WHAT YOU WANT
Lupe is a devout Muslim which is why his music generally advocates good morality. It’s a contrast to his friends Jay Z and Kanye.
Think “Sweetest Girl” except about the average American 20 something
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0lIkHF2_zo
1. Changes is one of my favorite songs. Matisyahu is awesome.
2. Jesus Walks and Hey Mama by Kanye.
3. Lucifer(son of the morning) by Jay-Z.
4. What I got by Sublime. Not exactly rap, but close.
5. Sing for the moment by Eminem.
I listen to a lot of rap-type music when I work out. And this is a total aside, but House of Pain’s Jump Around might be my favorite rap song ever.
I did a little Google-ing in an attempt to make a joke. I didn’t find what I was looking for, but I did find out that this blog post, hardly a day old, is the second highest Google result for “Rap Songs about Dog Poop”.
More on topic, I would second Sarah’s mention of Eminem’s “Sing for the Moment”. It’s not on my personal playlist, but it’s a refreshingly honest and compelling song from an artist whose first three albums were as much about show and fiction as they were about anything else. (Read: I do NOT recommend 99 percent what I’ve heard from the man, so don’t blame me if you listen to something of his and it’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever heard).
Well, since Christian Rap has been brought up, there is also the idea of musical quality. Listening is an ACTIVE, not a passive subject. To those who are really listening, Rap music will not do it any longer. It’s like the person who truly takes the time to learn how to read beautiful literature—the common Oprah book-club type of fluff just won’t cut it anymore. Not only that, but the person may realize that while something like Shakespeare entertains AND enlivens the soul, something like “Eat, Pray, Love” only makes you dumber. And so it goes with music.
Then there is also the issue of musical material - I will posit that certain rhythms, listened to repeatedly, don’t do you any good. They can build aggression, or sexual frustration, or other feelings or habits contrary to spiritual peace and advancement. It’s a fact.
Speak for yourself, Mark. I recently read the high-falutin’ Life and Opinions of Tristam Shandy, Gentleman, followed by a piece of “Oprah fluff,” The Sugar Queen. Both did me worlds of good, in different ways.
The fact that you don’t like rap music, that you personally find it worthless, does not mean that it IS worthless to everyone else on the planet. I didn’t think it had to be said, but different people find value in different things.
As much “poop” as there is in the secular world, we have to remember that we still live in it… and very few people are called to be cloistered away from it all.
I enjoy listening to secular music, because a lot of times I can find a lot of topics and emotions that can be easily related to faith in these songs. I think it’s easy to recognize that we are all searching for the same thing… or Being… but most of us are just missing the mark. I like to use music to pray a lot, and some of the songs I listen to when I’m praying are not Christian songs - they are mainstream, secular songs that you hear on the radio and see on the Top 100 charts. It’s all about what you take out of it. I was actually praying as I drove the other night and Journey’s “Faithfully” came one that was very indicative to what I was reflecting on.
This is not exactly rap, but wow, what an amazing song/video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I66SDeRQSJ4 (Kirk Franklin-Imagine Me)
You know what I’m finding interesting? The blending of pop melody lines as the recurring “chorus” into the raps. I think that is what has gotten more people into rap, in that it has become mainstream “pop” music played on the major popular stations. I had never listened to rap before it started being played sandwiched between Journey and Celine Dion——songs like Airplane and Coming Home, and I Need a Doctor, Rocketeer (featuring Ryan Tedder) and the like. They have such catchy melodies sung by some great voices (some really pretty, even!) that you can’t get them out of your head, even if you don’t like the rap part. I actually almost teared up the first time I heard the refrain in Airplanes (okay I was having a very emotional day) and was singing it to myself the rest of the day. So this new “blend” intrigues me as it has introduced to a different demographic (like my kids!) this as modern “Top 40” music, and is redefining what is “acceptable” and popular. Anyone know what I mean or have similar observations?
Also have to agree with previous commenters that I, too, love Nick Cannon’s “Can I Live?” and the video.
I don’t really follow rap, but our family LOVES Superchick—they are Christian. Not strictly rap at all, but some songs have elements of rap in it.
Classical is good, but I prefer rock over rap. Still, I haven’t heard anything I like better than Norman Greebaum’s “Spirit in the Sky.”
“Spirit in the Sky” rocks. I played it at a funeral once.
As for the high/low art divide—I have to agree with the potato chip analogy. I’m suspicious, in general, of Puritanism, the force that killed dead the English, Renaissance, and as is apparent more and more in recent scholarship, highly Roman Catholic, theater. Puritanism always starts out ok, but then before you know it you’ve killed a dozen art forms and lopped off the king’s head, so I can’t recommend it.
God gets to us in some sneaky ways, sometimes. I have a real soft spot for “Yellow,” by Coldplay, because it makes me think of what Christ has done for us (and I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the songwriter’s intention). And I really love the line in Paul Simon’s “Graceland” where he sings “my travelling companions are ghosts and empty sockets”—memento mori, anyone?
You should join Phatmass.
@Elizabet K: At least we agree on something.
116 Clique—check them out!!!
I’m sure I will tire of the stylings of Pigeon John; I just don’t think it’ll be anytime soon.
@Adrienne: I imagine we agree on lots of stuff, actually. :)
I would also suggest “I Can” by Nas. No swearing, mentions God, great messages for kids. http://is.gd/Kb0wdG
I’m not sure if someone has mentioned this one already, but I am a big fan of “Can I Live” by Nick Cannon. I’m not advocating for other elements of Cannon’s life that he still needs to straighten out, but this song is a heartfelt chronicle of his single mom’s choice to carry him to term. This may be the most pro-life song I’ve ever found in the mainstream. The music video is also rather tear-jerking.
I am a jr high music teacher and have also be seaching for quality rap music! I recently found “Lacrae”, a christian rapper that I think is excellent! Check out his song “The Background”
Le is also good, he’s a Catholic rapper on YouTube!
Really people? You want to glorify country which extols the virtues of drinking and birth control. Am I the ONLY one who remembers “The Pill” by Loretta Lynn???? Oh but wait, those are only a few songs…I think we’re at another dog poop analogy. ALL music genres aside from liturgical music will have a plethora of examples of immorality, death, profanity, and violence. So, if you’re really going full force with your dog poop analogies…might I suggest throwing away your television, disconnecting your internet (where crap has its home address), and stop listening to ALL music!!! Follow the austerity of Cat Stevens, pardon me, Yusuf Islam who also gave up music for religion, or his understanding of it.
You might like this one Jen. It is a remake of Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite” by some Catholic Seminarians http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KftERzrmKUg
Jurassic 5 is a great rap group and mostly profanity/sex/drugs free. They are very thoughtful and skilled MC’s. Also, The Cross Movement and Lecrae are awesome Christian rapper(s)!!!
My favorite Lecrae:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYnA3yt8_yg
I have a thing for Eminem’s raps, but I’ve been trying to avoid them for a few years.
About the “dog poop” analogy, and expanding it: actually, I am one of “those” people that deliberately does not wash too carefully her vegetables so that her immune system has something to fight that is not her own body… So, a little amount of “dog poop” may even be good for you, unless you have a really weakened immune system (you are a baby, you are already ill, etc.). You must check with your health and your doctors (your moral conscience and your spiritual director, and of course God) what is the little amount that is still healthy.
This means, for me, that I usually flee art (not just music) that strongly glorifies immoral things, but if it’s just a little bit of immorality on a generally good message I may enjoy the art while letting my “moral immune system” (my conscience, helped by God, I hope :) ) fight the “dog poop” in it (I try to understand what sins lead to it, how can I avoid those sins and hence those consequences, and what can I do to show those who don’t know God that these things are wrong and hurt people).
For me, isolating myself from the sinful in our culture is even more dangerous than having a moderate exposure to it. When I don’t have this reality check I sometimes become both over-scrupulous with myself and unforgiving with both myself and others. It’s a balance thing. Neither getting immersed in sin nor supposing I can isolate totally from it.
YMMV.
Hello, I am a rapper from the uk/london. Can I send you one of my songs?
I really like rap, too. Another good rap song for Christians is “Jesus Walks” by Kanye West. Sorry if that is a repeat, I didn’t read all the comments.
I have to agree with rebecca. kanye, jesus walks is the nuber 1 rap song for christian music. but i still enjoy the list
http://toptensongs2011.blogspot.com/
Wow lame
Why not just get authentic hip-hop that is authentically Catholic made by devout Catholic hip-hop artists? There’s many CATHOLIC hip-hop albums at http://www.phatmass.com
www.youtube.com/c2six if you like Catholic Rap check me out.
Regarding your article…word. I really like some rap but I can’t play it around my kids or in my classroom. And I can’t justify listening to the negative stuff. A student introduced me to this one… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_e2v37CRLo&feature=related I love it. I also like “Tennessee” by Arrested Development. I appreciate the other suggestions.
It’s interesting to watch the old school rappers and to witness the changes some have made, many in positive ways. Having kids of your own changes one’s perspective for sure. I wonder if they realize how powerful their music was/is. If they’d just turn the message around, they could be a powerful force of positive change. I’m tired of hearing about people I grew up with dying from drugs, alcohol, violence, aids, and all the other weapons of evil. enuf’s enuf.
Try this one. Type in “Unborn Angels” into Youtube
Joepots.com
“Very Beautiful Song,love it.it feels good in the heart.God bless”......
http://www.everythingrap.com
“A VERY BEAUTIFUL AND HEART RENDERING SONG. IT TOUCHED MY HEART:....
http://www.everythingrap.com/
I’m very surprised how many catholics really like listening to lecrae yet I don’t think catholics realize how much you don’t agree or shouldn’t agree with what he raps about. He doesn’t believe in confessing to priests. There is 1 mediator and that’s Jesus he doesn’t believe in the Eucharist. So how do you guys like him if you really actually disagree?
Lecrae is a great rapper! :D
Music is a beautiful gift of God’s glory. For all of us experience music, whether in nature, or from the men and women that show forth their gifts and talents. Whether through instruments, or even through rap songs, we can see the power of God in something unseen.
I have had a love for rap for several years, and even rap myself (Youtube- ScoobyC116). The power of conveying a message over a beat with rhythm and pattern is so attracting and grabbing. Many of these rappers you have listed, I have listened to as well, and have been drawn to them, and have had many of them on my own playlist. Men like Tupac, B.O.B, and even Matisyahu. But my friends, I must admit to you, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Sacred Scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit, I have long since removed such men from my playlist, and have replaced them with heart filled believers in God like Lecrae, Trip-Lee, and Andy Mineo. I pray these men you have listed will be saved in the Judgement of our Lord, but oh how tricky the devil can be when we give him an inch of compromise, for he indeed comes as an angel of light in many circumstances.
There is no middle ground for us if we love God beloved, and are indeed sanctified by his blood. If we truly are devoted to God, we should not take part in contributing to the world as many of our friends do. I understand these men you have listed have songs that are indeed good in the sense of some messages and language, but oh how many songs are there that they have blatantly shown forth the flesh of sin? Many of these souls are on the fence of damnation, because of their carelessness and their influence on the masses, and most of all, their rejection of Christ Jesus, the Lord of all!
1 John 4:1
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 Peter 2:11
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
James 4:4
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
I encourage you, because of the power of music, to reframe from those that are friends with the world. Stay close to Christ, and listen to those that are filled with the Holy Spirit. There is no deception in Christ, and neither shall there be in his glorious songs, so please ask him for guidance, and test what I have said according to his Word.
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