Going gospel rap?

[skiroy]

Yo My good friend was an artist for a while and had some success,but he is a Canibus style lyricist.And he has recently found God and decided to go Gospel rap.I used to not give it a chance but he has put me on some of it that was hot and I think he is one of the dopest MCs I heard in a while in the industry and not.

There is not a market for lyricists in todays mainstream but I think he could be on to something.I feel the message and he wants to take it up serious and we talked about taking the leap.But I have zero idea about this market and Im sure the buisiness of it is alot different.

Has anyone here had any experience in this world or know any leads to findout about it?

[con_thafam]

know to hear His voice, and where he is taking you with this

I rather get a local buzz and know God got me there ( eternal value)
than top billboard and got there by myself ( worthless)

I got saved 2 years ago.
gave ma life to Jesus

man He's good
I dunno how i did it without Him

[DavidG79]

Originally Posted by skiroy

Has anyone here had any experience in this world or know any leads to findout about it?

I think what's important is to find out what your friend wants to accomplish with this. If he wants to pursue a mainstream platform, it is very challenging but not impossible. First of all, there's nothing wrong with a gospel/Christian artist wanting to pursue the mainstream. I think that this generation needs a revolution with all the negative stuff that's floating out there.

However, it would take more than a "gospel rap" or "christian rap" mentality to break through. I don't listen to a lot of gospel rap because I don't find the creativity and innovation that moves me. Every other line has a Bible verse. Most of the beats are ordinary. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against Bible verses and I'm not trying to down any cat out there doing their thing. I have a BA in Ministry, believe in the Word and appreciate those cats out there reaching out to the gospel rap audience. But I believe that a revolution must take place to bring great positive music to the mainstream and gospel rap doesn't seem to have what it takes.

A revolutionary artist must think in terms of kingdom music. This type of music is hard to puts your hands on, but when you hear it you know because it summons you. It is trendy, yet revolutionary. It's message is different and liberating. It embodies true artisty. It is passionate, compelling, irresistible. The music represents musicianship, not just beats that sound like everybody else. The lyrics are superior, innovative, stylish and passionate. But most of all, it flows from or with the heart of God. It is in line with God's passion for this generation. It may be a song about life, about God, about Christ, about the streets, about brotherhood, about love, about struggles, about having a good time, but it is in line with God's kingdom, purpose and passion for this generation.

If this is your friend's passion, I wish him well. If not, disregard everything that I said.

[e-are]

Originally Posted by DavidG79

I think what's important is to find out what your friend wants to accomplish with this. If he wants to pursue a mainstream platform, it is very challenging but not impossible. First of all, there's nothing wrong with a gospel/Christian artist wanting to pursue the mainstream. I think that this generation needs a revolution with all the negative stuff that's floating out there.

However, it would take more than a "gospel rap" or "christian rap" mentality to break through. I don't listen to a lot of gospel rap because I don't find the creativity and innovation that moves me. Every other line has a Bible verse. Most of the beats are ordinary. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against Bible verses and I'm not trying to down any cat out there doing their thing. I have a BA in Ministry, believe in the Word and appreciate those cats out there reaching out to the gospel rap audience. But I believe that a revolution must take place to bring great positive music to the mainstream and gospel rap doesn't seem to have what it takes.

A revolutionary artist must think in terms of kingdom music. This type of music is hard to puts your hands on, but when you hear it you know because it summons you. It is trendy, yet revolutionary. It's message is different and liberating. It embodies true artisty. It is passionate, compelling, irresistible. The music represents musicianship, not just beats that sound like everybody else. The lyrics are superior, innovative, stylish and passionate. But most of all, it flows from or with the heart of God. It is in line with God's passion for this generation. It may be a song about life, about God, about Christ, about the streets, about brotherhood, about love, about struggles, about having a good time, but it is in line with God's kingdom, purpose and passion for this generation.

If this is your friend's passion, I wish him well. If not, disregard everything that I said.

This is absolutely my thought. I too am a christian and have done a few gospel rap songs but they were basically the same. I too would love to see another avenue in hip hop other than the basically one dimension we currently have now. At the same time, a lot of true hip hop listeners aren't going to accept rappers beating them over the head with God. Spoon feed them like babies. A little here- a little there. Do keep it positive without bragging about the 20 cars you don't have or killing everyone! With that said: I have heard some really good gospel rap acts. Basically hip hop with a christian message. If i'm going to listen to gospel rap, it's got to have a nice track and lyrics and delivery has to be on point. Only difference between it and the major artists are subject matter!

Oh, BTW 2pac could have been the 1st major rap artist to switch over to this type of rap IMHO. To me, he rode that line. He knew both sides well
(thuglife yet deep down very spiritual).

[skiroy]

Yeah he wants to pursue it in a way thats promotes christ,but he wants to do it in a way that is still hard.He is a lyricist.What we talked about is keeping it underground sounding on hard beats btu with a message.Although there will be references to christ and GOD I explained to him every track doesnt have to be.He likes all kinds of beats but mostly darker eastcoast beats.But he likes some of todays style beats.Its whatever.I make beats but I dont feel Im ready to try to put them out like that yet so we will get beats where ever we can like most new labels.

But what we hope to accomplish is to do what we love,promote a message,wether its mainstream or a small selected audience and just be able to live.

The best way to get an idea of what we are trying to do is to just listen.He has mad tracks but like I said recently switched it so this is his first "Gospel" track.

MySpace.com - CHAMBERS (Ä.ñ.W) - Bronx NY/Hollis Queens NY/ Panama City, Florida - Christian Rap / Hardcore / Gospel - www.myspace.com/chambersmusic

[filterayok]

Originally Posted by skiroy

Yo My good friend was an artist for a while and had some success,but he is a Canibus style lyricist.And he has recently found God and decided to go Gospel rap.I used to not give it a chance but he has put me on some of it that was hot and I think he is one of the dopest MCs I heard in a while in the industry and not.

There is not a market for lyricists in todays mainstream but I think he could be on to something.I feel the message and he wants to take it up serious and we talked about taking the leap.But I have zero idea about this market and Im sure the buisiness of it is alot different.

Has anyone here had any experience in this world or know any leads to findout about it?

Go to allsp.com ..... Season 7, an episode caled 'Christian rock hard.' There you will find your answersstike

[MarkusColeman]

Originally Posted by filterayok

Go to allsp.com ..... Season 7, an episode caled 'Christian rock hard.' There you will find your answersstike

Faith + 1 is my all-time favorite band.

[filterayok]

Originally Posted by MarkusColeman

Faith + 1 is my all-time favorite band.

mine too!

And disclaimer: I'm Christian, i believe in God, but i can always take a joke, so lets not turn this into a Holy War.

[MarkusColeman]

Originally Posted by filterayok

And disclaimer: I'm Christian

sorry, I didn't know you were handicapped.

[Sugarnutz]

We did the first couple of DC Talk records for Forefront at my place back in the late 80's/early 90's. It was cool back then and although I haven't followed the genre in a while, I see no reason your friend shouldn't be successful at it. Kids still need an alternative message to what's spewed at them today, let them make the choice without pressure from either side. Good luck!

The one thing I noticed about the business end of "Christian" music is that you will undoubtedly find "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" as some people tend to take advantage of the mindset. Remember that business is still business and you will be OK.

[Lawrence]

Originally Posted by Sugarnutz

The one thing I noticed about the business end of "Christian" music is that you will undoubtedly find "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" as some people tend to take advantage of the mindset. Remember that business is still business and you will be OK.

Uh... yep. How about a person from a big-named gospel family being possibly involved in a ponzi scheme?

Video

Michael Winans Jr., the son of one member of the famous singing group, told metro Detroiters they could gain huge profits through a crude oil bond.

But several people and authorities gathered in Detroit this past week to say that wasn't the case.

"Trust me, it's a scheme. There's no investment company," said Detroit police investigator Maurice McClure.

Not music related but God is no guarantee of "truth or fairness" when it comes to business. Greed is a powerful motivator.

[E.rOk.stA]

There are 2 different approaches to this. Most of us were into hip hop/rap before converting so this isn't some "gimmick" to make $$ in the Christian scene, it's just what we do. One thing Rap has always done is give people a peek into what's happenin' in the hood, streets, etc. Well alot of cats livin' that way are growin' up and findin' that there's not much there through consequences of our actions (Homies dyin', prison, and the like) and so we are just doin' what we always did. Rap about what we're goin' through. It just so happens that God is snatchin' alot of cats out of the grimey lifestyle before it kills us. (Thank you Lord!)

Anyway, the 2 approaches are
1. Those who rap specifically about Christ and explore/exposite scripture and
2.Those who give more "testimony" about what happened to them leading up to their conversion and through that up to the now. This often includes stories of the reckless lifestyles that were and are of the streets.

While they overlap in purpose one style reaches out more to unsaved cats to give them hope while the other is more for instructing and discipling converts (explaining common debating points in scripture/ digging into doctrines). Once you fully realize the grace that God gives us by revealing Himself to us and showing us the way to salvation, there's no way you wouldn't want to share it. It just so happens that Rap/Hip Hop is the perfect medium for this gospel.

I'll leave it at that. That's what all my clients as well as myself are about here at Word of Mouf' Recordings. If anyone wants to hear music that we make/track/produce, PM me. This is my whole purpose for living right now. To share Christ.

Peace

[phillysoulman]

I have recorded and produced several Gospel rap artists,one female who is quite good and two different male acts.
She is an exceptionally talented young lady.
One of the males is "in it to win it" and hes like a Gospel version of Biggie.
Great stories and great flow and he's doing reach out ministry at his church which has quite a young congregation.
I used to attend quite a lot and I intend to attend again.
The other brother is a crotch grabbing,thuggish kinda dude whos rapping about the same old ,lame ass materialistic crap and using God's name as a connection to his wanna be materialism and for me,that doesnt fly.

[sinicalmicmusic]

im recording someone now who kind of struck a chord with me. i use to dislike gospel rap because its too preachy. now i have a new found respect for this style of rap/hiphop.

if you want to enlighten someone who really needs it its easy to turn them away with every bar saying some form of "he died for our sins". ya know the same over simplified version of what "non Christians" already know. i want to get deep into how the word of god can help save me while still maintaining that real life perspective. im not always in Church so i dont always want to feel like i am. and like all music once it gets generic it loses the artistic freedom we all love to listen to.

one song from the artist im recording talks about the regret of abortion. thats probably one of the most real songs ive ever heard and it seriously touched a part of my soul that music rarely ventures.

im glad to be apart of his music and if you work your situation just right im sure you will feel the type of success that most "hustlas and rich" artist strive for there whole life.

well thats my thought on the subject. whatever you do i would support you as long as its true. peace

[Sugarnutz]

Originally Posted by the Set Surgeon

Anyway, the 2 approaches are
1. Those who rap specifically about Christ and explore/exposite scripture and
2.Those who give more "testimony" about what happened to them leading up to their conversion and through that up to the now. This often includes stories of the reckless lifestyles that were and are of the streets.

The combination of the two is really where it's at. The testimony to tell your story, how you've changed, what you have seen with your own eyes and pointing to Christ to say that's were you have to go to get it done. Scripture is testimony, it's all history, someone else telling how Christ has affected them.

[E.rOk.stA]

Yeah, I feel you. That's what I was gettin' at when I said this.

Originally Posted by the Set Surgeon

While they overlap in purpose one style reaches out more to unsaved cats to give them hope while the other is more for instructing and discipling converts (explaining common debating points in scripture/ digging into doctrines).

[phillysoulman]

I find that there are WAY too many hypocrites in the Gospel rap game and in Gospel music in general.
If you are gonna talk the talk,you must walk the walk.

My church is full of hypocrites from the pastor on down, and thats why I no longer attend it.

I used to love the place until I discovered all the hypocracy there.

[E.rOk.stA]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

I find that there are WAY too many hypocrates in the Gospel rap game and in Gospel music in general.
If you are gonna talk the talk,you must walk the walk.

My church is full of hypocrites from the pastor on down, and thats why I no longer attend it.

I used to love the place until I discovered all the hypocracy there.

Very true but not a good enough reason to disqualify it altogether. We are ALL sinners, saved or not. Hypocrisy is a shame however when we stand before God, He's not gonna ask us about all the hypocrites we were turned off by. It's your responsibility to find a church that isn't doing that crap, not that attending church saves you but it is good for spiritual growth. I know of at least 3 solid churches you could fellowship at in Philly where you would be challenged to step up your walk. Antioch Fellowship is a good one for starters. I have alot of good friends out there that are for real about it. I'm NOT tryin' to diss or anything. You've been nothin' but cool. I just don't wanna see somethin' dumb like that discourage you. Peace.

[Tha Wiizard]

Church is in the heart, that's where it starts and that's where it will end. I could tell you how to get holy spirit and become 1 with God through Jesus but I have strayed as of right now. Everybody has to die and answer to God for themselves, no church is responsible for ones departure into hell, it is entirely an individuals decision.

[Rev. Robb]

Originally Posted by con_thafam

know to hear His voice, and where he is taking you with this

I rather get a local buzz and know God got me there ( eternal value)
than top billboard and got there by myself ( worthless)

I got saved 2 years ago.
gave ma life to Jesus

man He's good
I dunno how i did it without Him

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by the Set Surgeon

Very true but not a good enough reason to disqualify it altogether. We are ALL sinners, saved or not. Hypocrisy is a shame however when we stand before God, He's not gonna ask us about all the hypocrites we were turned off by. It's your responsibility to find a church that isn't doing that crap, not that attending church saves you but it is good for spiritual growth. I know of at least 3 solid churches you could fellowship at in Philly where you would be challenged to step up your walk. Antioch Fellowship is a good one for starters. I have alot of good friends out there that are for real about it. I'm NOT tryin' to diss or anything. You've been nothin' but cool. I just don't wanna see somethin' dumb like that discourage you. Peace.

Thanks for the recommendation.
I am very familiar with Antioch.
I am not discouraged...not at all.
Its just that after witnessing certain actions by various so called 'Self righteous" folk who were just obviously phony,it just turned me off.

And why do some "Gospel" folk have a problem with paying for a studios services.
When a certain person told me to "charge it to the Lord", I was done.

[E.rOk.stA]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

When a certain person told me to "charge it to the Lord", I was done.

Are you for real!? I don't know whether to laugh or shake my head...

[Sugarnutz]

I good Christian friend told me once that with a lot of diligent research it's possible for me to find the perfect church, but the moment I joined the place is screwed.

[B. SMIF]

It basically comes down to the lifestyle. Whatever you love with all of your heart is basically what you're gonna rap about (If you're real). If God is your number 1, then your music will show that. It's not about trying to get in some "sub-genre"....it's about walking in the call on your life, and serving Him....in life, and on the mic. I hope your friend does just that! Check out my links...I have a pretty big buzz/fan base, and I move more units than the average indie "secular" rapper...but I'm real with mine regardless of that stuff. I just love God!

"...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Math 12:34)."

[skiroy]

Originally Posted by B. SMIF

It basically comes down to the lifestyle. Whatever you love with all of your heart is basically what you're gonna rap about (If you're real). If God is your number 1, then your music will show that. It's not about trying to get in some "sub-genre"....it's about walking in the call on your life, and serving Him....in life, and on the mic. I hope your friend does just that! Check out my links...I have a pretty big buzz/fan base, and I move more units than the average indie "secular" rapper...but I'm real with mine regardless of that stuff. I just love God!

"...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Math 12:34)."

Of coarse but to sell units you have to devote alot of time to get poeple to know who you are.And the time any money it takes to get your units into retailers, and to get shows,market.Do you have a day job and do this as a hobbie on the weekends? I imagine you invest alot into being in a position to move units,so its not just do whats real to you.To take it serious to the point that your trying to move any units you have toapproach it as a business.The whole point to starting this post is to find out if this is something to do as a lifestyle(means of living) or as a hobbie.

Everybody on this side is not in it to get rich,and we are aware of the risks.Im trying to find out if its the same,more forgiving or harder than being an regular artist.

[B. SMIF]

I feel what you're saying...I do this "Full Time." This is my job/ministry, my entire life is invested into what I do. But that's where what is called "Your Faith Walk" kicks into gear. It's kinda hard to talk about it here, cause it comes down to a persons individual walk with God, and what they feel that "He" is telling them to do. Even if you're not "Full Time", you can begin to do "Full Time Things", I say this because it's how I was doing it. I've been "Full Time" for over six years now. Is it harder than being a "regular artist?" of course, but that's what separates the "hirelings and the sent." Back to being real...If it's a "call" on your life to do it, then you're going to do it regardless by faith, simply 'cause you wanna' be in "God's will" for your life, and you want to see people's lives change. That eliminates the fear of success or failure from jump. You just have to "know" that God is with you...."IF" He's telling you to GO (or do it). So with your homies situation, it's actually a decision that he has to make based on his relationship with God. None of us can make the decision for him, regardless of how WE feel about it based on industry terms. Hope this helps...I can give you my phone number through PM if you REALLY wanna chop' it up.

Mynista

[skiroy]

Originally Posted by B. SMIF

I feel what you're saying...I do this "Full Time." This is my job/ministry, my entire life is invested into what I do. But that's where what is called "Your Faith Walk" kicks into gear. It's kinda hard to talk about it here, cause it comes down to a persons individual walk with God, and what they feel that "He" is telling them to do. Even if you're not "Full Time", you can begin to do "Full Time Things", I say this because it's how I was doing it. I've been "Full Time" for over six years now. Is it harder than being a "regular artist?" of course, but that's what separates the "hirelings and the sent." Back to being real...If it's a "call" on your life to do it, then you're going to do it regardless by faith, simply 'cause you wanna' be in "God's will" for your life, and you want to see people's lives change. That eliminates the fear of success or failure from jump. You just have to "know" that God is with you...."IF" He's telling you to GO (or do it). So with your homies situation, it's actually a decision that he has to make based on his relationship with God. None of us can make the decision for him, regardless of how WE feel about it based on industry terms. Hope this helps...I can give you my phone number through PM if you REALLY wanna chop' it up.

Mynista

Deffinately.I emailed you.Hit me up Id be intrested in taliking to you.I been wanting to do this music thing for a while but there was something that always held me back.I got alot of friends doing it but on some bull that never sat right with me.I met this dude when I was thinking about the Gospel thing,even though Im not a Christian but been searching for a path and just wanted to do something that I stand for in regards to music.When I met this dude it was way to much to be a coincidence.I feel like I cant loose by going this route even if it dont turn out to make money.But I do have a wife and 2 kids so its not just a matter of saying Im willing to do it for free if I had to.I know he is in it for the right reasons but IM not sure if he is aware of the dedication its going to take.Thats why I need to find out the deal and let him know whats up. Cause I need to let him know if its something to approach as something that we are really really going to do, or if its going to be something we just do on the weekends because we love doing it and not really consider it a means to support ourselves.

[B. SMIF]

Kool man, I sent you my number....give me a call this evening. I understand where ya' comin' from totally! I have a wife (a stay at home mom) and 5 kids (child support and all that)! and God takes great care of ya' boy and my family. But again...it's all by His Grace through faith. And lives are being changed! (the most important thing!). Holla' at me.

Mynista

[E.rOk.stA]

Originally Posted by B. SMIF

Kool man, I sent you my number....give me a call this evening. I understand where ya' comin' from totally! I have a wife (a stay at home mom) and 5 kids (child support and all that)! and God takes great care of ya' boy and my family. But again...it's all by His Grace through faith. And lives are being changed! (the most important thing!). Holla' at me.

Mynista

Good look, B.

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by the Set Surgeon

Are you for real!? I don't know whether to laugh or shake my head...

VERY MUCH for real,bro!!!

And they were from my church.