KB's recently released Christian Hip Hop song, Worship in the Mosh Pit, has a bomb video to eye candy you up this Halloween, flame throwers and all but you can't deny the beat and spirit that carries the tune. It's classic trend and beat-to-go sound will have you missing those pre-covid concert days when you crowded your worship against the front of the stage, pushing the Holy Spirit to deliver more.
Even though I'm in my 60's, I still identify as a black man from Detroit. I got the Jesus music in my soul along with the seeds of the Jackson Five, Diana Ross (who grew up in the projects just down the road from me), Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and that whole Motown scene planted deep within. It's almost impossible to deny your early years and the musical influences that you grew up with. Just watch a few episodes of the sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris, and you'll know what I mean.
We grow up and move through our lives tracked by music, both secular and religious, if your family were church goers. And that's why I switched from writing novels and reviews to writing about the music scene and adding what I can to it. To be sure, there's a lot of talent out there, but there's no reason any of us can't be part of it in some way, either for pleasure or profit or both. But everyone likes to listen to some form of music, no matter what genre, beat or purpose. And the greatest thing about Christian music--and the definition begs interpretation these days--is that there is always room for a New Song in God's infinite celestial ice cream shop. Just pick your flavor. Even if it's Hop.
Besides, I think Jesus sounded more like a Shai Linne then he did a John Hagee. When the Pharisees and the scribes returned to their puppet masters to report about what Christ was saying, they had to admit that "no man had ever spoke like him" (John 7:46). Our Lord spoke in Aramaic, a dialect native to the region and closely related to Hebrew and the Old Testament prophets spoke the language with intensity, rhythm, poignant imagery and a passion that rivals modern rappers. Picture the Son of God healing, feeding, casting out demons and rapping the gospel and I think you'll come closest to mud man music than anyone can. His Father produced and the Holy Spirit executed the sound, lights, miracles and promo--the never ending free trial of eternal hope mixed fresh by the Blood of the Lamb.
