| For many people hip hop proves the existence of a | | | | dope beats. God uses ordinary people in unordinary |
| higher power, because it has allowed them to rise | | | | ways all through the Bible. He calls us to spread the |
| from something to nothing through having faith, being | | | | word and meet the people where they are and |
| persistent, and by pursuing a gift or passion that was | | | | speak to them how they speak. So if hip hop leads |
| given to them by the Most High. As a result, it is | | | | many to Christ who weren't being reached by the |
| safe to assume that religion or spirituality has played | | | | Bible or church services, God is pleased because |
| a part in the development of careers of these artists | | | | ultimately the goal is to lead people to Him. |
| and executives alike. Followers of Christ for instance, | | | | Chimere: Portia, how do you bring your influence of |
| are well aware that no sin is greater than the next | | | | religion to the work place? PK: I always make sure I |
| and as long as you profess your love of God and ask | | | | have the WORD of God with me. I don't do the |
| for forgiveness his love will endure forever. One thing | | | | religion thing and go around telling people they're |
| is for sure, unlike the music industry, your Most High | | | | going to hell for doing things. I have a relationship |
| will be around, no matter how many nominations you | | | | with Jesus Christ and attempt to let people know |
| get or what your record sales look like this year. | | | | that he is THE WAY. I influence people through my |
| Linking faith with secular music known for materialism, | | | | lifestyle. I also cover the people I work with in |
| violence, misogyny a homophobia, has its share of | | | | prayer. My ministry is being a light in dark places. |
| critics. Recently I caught up with two spiritual music | | | | Chimere: How do your beliefs affect your decision |
| industry insiders, A.J. Woodson, a hip hop journalist | | | | making within the secular music industry? PK: They |
| and author of a daily devotional for the hip hop | | | | probably affect what I do to a certain extent. For |
| generation called “Spiritual Minded”, and Portia | | | | example, I don't curse so when I am dealing with |
| Kirkland, Vice President of Marketing for So Icey | | | | record executives who might be shouting and cursing |
| Entertainment and author of “Singing a Song for | | | | people out, I have to make sure I always respond |
| You” to get their take on merging religion with | | | | Godly. That doesn't mean I allow people to take |
| hip hop. | | | | advantage of me, but I have to make the decision |
| Chimere: AJ, how can we bridge the gap between | | | | to always think Godly first. |
| hip hop and religion? AJ: I believe this can be done in | | | | Chimere: What do you say to people that look down |
| several ways, but more importantly through the | | | | on or criticize secular artist who use God/scripture in |
| artist since they have such a direct influence over a | | | | their lyrics? PK: Pay them no mind because people |
| large audience. For example in ‘07, on 106&Park | | | | who are critical are being religious. Religion doesn't |
| Cassidy explained how when he was in a coma in the | | | | bring people to eternity. It's having a relationship |
| hospital and in a jail cell for a crime he didn’t | | | | with Jesus and living by faith that does. Judging |
| commit, he acknowledged how God got him through | | | | people is not my job, but telling people that Jesus |
| those two rough situations. I believe by Cassidy | | | | loves them is. Secular artists are Christians too. |
| sharing his testimony, was a great example of | | | | Take Dave Hollister for example. Another would be |
| bridging the gap! | | | | Tupac Shakur who I was very close with and he |
| Chimere: What has been your defining moment for | | | | knew God. |
| religion and hip hop? AJ: Seeing Run from Run DMC | | | | Chimere: What artist do you think is spearheading a |
| become a reverend, Kurtis Blow starting The Hip Hop | | | | positive and successful movement towards bridging |
| Church, Mase becoming a minister, Kanye West's | | | | hip-hop and Christ? PK: Canton Jones, Edward Long, |
| Jesus Walks and DMX's Lord Give Me a Sign; those | | | | Dave Hollister (r&B hip hop), Kierra Kiki Sheard (r&b |
| were all defying moments for me among many | | | | hip hop) and Mary Mary (r&b hip hop) |
| others! | | | | Chimere: Is there Room for religion in Hip Hop? PK: |
| Chimere: What do you say to people that look | | | | Of course. Holy hip hop is HUGE!! I have seen |
| down on or criticize secular artist who acknowledge | | | | Christian r&b and hip hop fill arenas. But if you're not |
| God during award ceremonies and interviews? AJ: In | | | | in that Christian lifestyle, you might not know about |
| everything you do give God the glory and praise. | | | | these artists. BUT it is a HUGE movement. Try |
| I’ve had a lot of people criticize me for writing | | | | listening to Coco Brother on 97.5 praise. They have |
| this book. They told me what I was doing was | | | | a hot mixshow! I'm a b girl and come from an era |
| mocking God and that hip hop can’t be Holy! But | | | | where rap was clean anyway. So, I think this era is |
| to them I say, God says to make a joyful noise (in | | | | looking for positivity again and music they can share |
| scripture); nowhere in the Bible does it say that it | | | | with all generations. It depends on where you are in |
| can’t be hip hop. | | | | your walk with Christ. While at Gospel Music |
| Chimere: Is there room for religion in hip hop? AJ: | | | | Channel, I tried to STRESS that there are tons of |
| Hip hop at its greatest has been one of the best | | | | Christians who go to the club on Sat and church on |
| ways to communicate our various cultures, ideals and | | | | Sunday. So, I think Holy Hip Hop like the Canton |
| ways of living. In the early 90's The Gods and The | | | | Jones', Edward Long, Oldhead, etc have been |
| Earths (The Five Percent nation) used hip-hop to | | | | underground and out there for a long time, but when |
| spread the word and their religious beliefs over some | | | | you're not on mainstream radio, people don't want to |
| of the hottest beats. Some of the greatest emcees | | | | hear it. I talked to the Real Roxanne who I used to |
| Grand Puba, Brand Nubian, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane | | | | dance for not so long ago and she's a grandparent! |
| and too many others dropped science and Five | | | | Does she really want to play for her grandchildren |
| Percent theology. Whether we all agreed with what | | | | songs about the strip clubs? |
| they believed we rocked to what they spit to the | | | | |