Is Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Music Satanic?

Amanda Kidd
Psalms says, "Sing to the Lord a new song and may the praise of God be in their mouths." So this poses the question, are all gospel artists acceptable as long as the lyrics give praise to the Almighty God? Many Christians condemn hip-hop gospel as if God ordained a specific gospel genre that is worthy of Him. I believe hip-hop is acceptable to our Lord as is pop, rock, country, R&B, contemporary and beyond. Society cannot judge one's choice of praise to God, even if it's nontraditional. Certainly God has a set of commandments, laws, decrees, and statutes that all Christians must obey. Hip-hop wasn't included or excluded out of the Bible simply because hip-hop, along with other genres, is new. So shall we now conclude that any lyrics or styles of praise that wasn't recorded during Jesus' ministry is satanic or unacceptable to our Lord? What difference does it make if an artist's deliverance is rapping, opera, or contemporary? The Word says, "Praise Him with the trumpets. Praise Him with the tambourine. Praise Him with the flutes." I didn't see, praise Him with the guitar or saxophone, yet we do. Is this satanic? (Of course not)

The beauty of music is one's freedom of expression. So as long as gospel music isn't defamatory to our Almighty Lord, it is unfair to insist that these artists are satanic or influence society negatively. I personally don't engage in hip-hop or other genres, however, I believe one must enjoy praising the Lord and these artists enjoy praising Him with a hip-hop rhythm. Aren't we all attracted to certain types of gospel? With all due respect, I'm not attracted to the screaming gospel (I've named it), but that's their praise and as long as God accepts it, my opinion is irrelevant. I believe one cannot effectively praise God if the music is not uplifting their spirits. There's music that is demonic and relays an atheistic message that is not gospel, and some Christian parents allow their children to purchase these CD's such as Jay-Z's lyrics that state "Jesus can't save you." Surely he is exercising his freedom of speech, but the church has a relevant argument in this case. Discrimination against hip-hop is stating that God only accepts traditional gospel and we know how God feels about tradition. God himself works signs, wonders, and miracles. Maybe He's anointed the hip-hoppers to reform the street gangsters into gangsters for Jesus, God loves boldness. Furthermore, the Word says, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."

So praise Him, praise Him, praise Him everyday,
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him your way,
Be it R&B and hip-hop too,
As long as you praise, Jesus accepts you! (Amen)

Scriptures paraphrased from the Holy Bible.

Published by Amanda Kidd

Amanda Kidd is married with children and resides in suburban Michigan. She is a freelance writer and author of several published and unpublished work of all genres including books, screen and stage plays,al...  View profile

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  • AJ WOODSON8/18/2010

    I totally agree with you Amanda. The funny thing those who critize holy hip-hop and listen to Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams and Mary Mary forget when the elders didn't think it appropriate to sing gospel over R&B music, now that's the exceptable form of praise right now! I think we miss the message many times critizing the messenger. After all God transformed Saul into Paul The Apostle and he was killin anyone who spoke or preached in the name of Jesus Christ, He straight blasphemed Christ and took out many believers. But God used him. As far as I know the holy hip hop artists arent killin Christians like saul was. So to say God cant use hip-hop to reach his people (the modern day gentiles, that the jews didnt want to share the word with) is saying what about God! Great piece, Im new to AC and look forward to reading more of your work!!!

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