Christian Hip Hop: The Unknown Genre
By Krystal Wilson
Hip hop is one of the most successful genres of music in America today, but it has a little secret—Christian hip hop. Many people have never heard it, but recently it has been getting some attention and causing debate among many Christians.
The controversial sub-genre has been around for quite some time. Christian aficianados use it to express their love for Jesus Christ and God. The CEO Fellowship of Holyhiphop.com, Eddie Velez, says on holyhiphop.com that the purpose of Christian hip hop is to bring a positive outlook to the genre, compared to its usual negatives. But there are some Christians who believe it is not such a good thing.
At Lehman College’s WHLC radio station, some students are trying to spread the word of this sub-genre. Student Dalila Molina is a faithful Christian and has always been a huge fan of hip hop. Molina says that when she heard Christian hip hop she became inspired; two of her favorite things were combined. She started a Christian hip hop radio program called the “Lila Molina Show” at Lehman in the fall of 2011. During her show, she plays music from Christian hip hop artists like The Ambassador, The Truth and Lecrae.
Molina says that Christian hip hop is a reinterpreted version of gospel. It’s the same message as gospel music with a hip hop flavor that is attracting younger people. Molina is shocked that there are some people who are against the music. She believes that Christian hip hop is a great inspiration that younger people can relate to. Her goal is to become one of the first people to have a Christian hip hop radio show on an FM band.
Many people associate hip hop with superficial values, sex, and drugs. Doubters of Christian hip hop say it’s a contradiction. One student at Lehman College, who converted to Christianity when he was 18, believes that it is mocking gospel music. He says that he lived the lifestyle associated with hip hop before he converted to Christianity. He doesn’t want to mix the two. For him, converting meant leaving hip hop behind.
Kisha Skipper, who is from the Bronx, says she is from the home of hip hop and is a great supporter of Christian hip hop. Skipper is aware that most of today’s hip hop is associated with negative things, but she still believes it can be used to deliver positive messages. “In Matthew 28:19 of the Bible it reads it’s our obligation to get the message out to the masses,” she says. “So it doesn’t really matter what genre of music someone uses to show their love for God as long as God is getting His glory and souls are being saved.” Skipper says that if the music is good enough to dance to, she’ll do a little two-step to it. At her church, Greater Zion Baptist, there are several gospel rappers who come to worship. She says everyone should be allowed to have his or her own way of worshiping the Lord as long as they are not disturbing the peace.
Molina at WHLC believes Christian hip hop is encouraging music. “Whether you’re Christian or not everyone needs that extra push,” she says. Molina sees signs that Christian hip h0p is slowly becoming more accepted. Recently, artist Lecrae was on the BET 2011 Cypher awards, a stepping stone for Christian hip hop int0 the hip hop world at large.
Molina says Christian hip hop artists are rapping and singing about everyday real-life issues, using the Lord to give inspiration.
She has high hopes for Christian hip hop. For those who want to hear the music causing all the commotion, her show “Lila Molina” airs on Lehman College’s radio station on Wednesday afternoons.