The World of Hip Hop

I like Hip Hop, or rap music. There is something about the beats that gets me going, especially when I'm doing work. But people often criticize the style of music for the content. While it's true that some songs are quite graphic in the lyrics and ideas presented, some artists actually use the form as a way of expressing higher ideas. Don't believe me? Check out these examples.

A couple weeks ago I included this verse from J Ivy on a track featured on a Kanye West album.

From "Never Let Me Down" by Kanye West Feat. Jay-Z & J Ivy

(Verse 3, J Ivy)

Determination, dedication, motivation

I'm talking to you, my many inspirations

When I say I can't, let you or self down

If I were of the highest cliff, on the highest riff

And you slipped off the side and clinched on to your life in my grip

I would never, ever let you down

And when these words are found

Let it been known that God's penmanship has been signed with a language called love

That's why my breath is felt by the deaf

And why my words are heard and confined to the ears of the blind

I, too, dream in color and in rhyme

So I guess I'm one of a kind in a full house

Cuz whenever I open my heart, my soul, or my mouth

A touch of God reigns out

It's a beautiful poem, sentiment, and view of our role here on Earth. But he's hardly the only one. British rapper Tiny Tempah has a song called "Written in the Stars," featuring Eric Turner, which has a hook that sounds an awful lot like a promise Jesus has given all mankind. The song talks about Tiny's struggle in life and with faith. But the chorus goes like this:

Written in the Stars

A Million Miles Away

A Message to the Main

Seasons Come and Go

But I Will Never Change

And I'm On My Way

Whenever I hear that, I feel encouraged. I think it is an awesome way to think about the promise of God, which I feel was the intent of the song. It's an inspirational view of God's promise to us, and how that promise props up a guy who has struggled to stay on the path for his life.

In fact, one of the most common themes in rap songs is that struggle. And many artists find a way of expressing their faith and their struggle with faith and walking a righteous path through song. T.I. has definitely made his share of mistakes. He actually ended up in prison. But his song "Dead and Gone" is an anthem and a promise. A promise to try to be smarter and to try and appreciate the grace God has for him.

No more stress, now I'm straight, now I get it, now I take

Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family's sake

That part of me left yesterday

The heart of me is strong today

No regrets I'm blessed to say

The old me dead and gone away

Oh (eyyy)

I've been travellin' on this road too long (too long)

Just tryna find my way back home (back home)

The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone

And oh (eyyy)

I've been travellin' on this road too long (too long)

Just tryna find my way back home (back home)

The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone, dead and gone

I turn my head to the East

I don't see nobody by my side

I turn my head to the West

Still nobody in sight

So I turn my head to the North

Swallow that pill that they call pride

That old me is dead and gone

But that new me will be alright

I turn my head to the East

I don't see nobody by my side

I turn my head to the West

Still nobody in sight

So I turn my head to the North

Swallow that pill that they call pride

That old me is dead and gone

But that new me will be alright

Rap is an imperfect medium, and like other forms of art it's not for everyone. But, like other forms of art, it's an outlet for the free expression of ideas from artists, and some of those ideas are moving and powerful.

Plus you can dance to it!