14 Things the Christian Artist MUST really understand:

1. Christian artists should view their talent as a gift from God and see its use ultimately as worship to God.

2. A Christian artist should have a sober assessment of his gift and neither over-estimate the opportunities it should given him or undervalue the contribution he can make with it.

3. The most authentic Christian art results from our joy in Christ overflowing into Christian art, not our strategies to do art that is Christian.

4. Creating art is an expression of faith and obedience, not of compulsion or identity.

5. The Christian artist should see his art as a way to love God, his people, and the world.

6. The Christian Artist sees the sovereign hand of God in both his opportunities and his obstacles.

7. The Christian artist is committed to truth in the way he lives and what he creates.

8. While the Christian artist is under no burden to make all of his art explicitly Christian, it would be an unbiblical use of his gift to intentionally create a body of work without reference to Christ.

9. The Christian artist rejects the worldly concept of artist as an outsider and embraces his place among God’s people in the local church as essential to his life and gifting.

10. The Christian artist should not ignore his personal responsibility to evaluate the theological soundness of his work.

11. Because the Christian artist trusts God, he will battle selfish ambition, competition, and any pretense of entitlement in regard to his art.

12. The Christian artist will see the evaluation of others as an essential help in both growing in their art and assessing its fruitfulness.

13. The Christian artist will resist elitism and care about the accessibility of his art to the average Christian in the congregation

14. The Christian artist must never confuse the joy of creativity with the joy of knowing and pleasing God.

Holy Hip Hop is a term used to describe a genre of music that is also sometimes called Christian Rap, Urban Gospel, Jesus Musik, Contemporary Christian, etc. It is a form of Hip Hop or Rap music, whose main focal point is Jesus Christ & the message of the Gospel.

While the style is not new, it has only just recently begun to take on new proportions, as the content, talent, & production reaches new levels of excellence. There are concerts, conferences, & award shows hosted throughout the U.S. regularly, & some artists have even received the esteemed “Stellar Award” which testifies to the growth & impact that this genre has in our world.

Successful artists include: Cross Movement, 116 Clique, JR, Phanatik, Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii, Sho Baraka, Flame, Da T.R.U.T.H, C.O.F.A.T. Ministries, Blaze Ministries, Canton Jones, Mr. Del, KJ-52, & many, many others. Just do a search for the words: “Christian Rap” or “Holy Hip Hop” at Myspace.com, & you’ll be given a bevy of artists to choose from.

More information on the beginnings, History, & progression of Holy Hip Hop can be found HERE

Are you an Urban Gospel Artist or a Christian Rapper? Over the years, I’ve met a lot of both, & I’ve heard of countless more. I’m always trying to understand why they do what they do. I consider myself the former, an Urban Gospel Artist, because my desire is to use music as a bait to preach Jesus.

See when I think of this small genre, I see two different “sects” if you will. On one hand, we’ve got Urban Gospel Artists, & on the other, Christian Rappers. In identifying the two, I hardly use the term Christian rap anymore, it’s too broad of a generalization. I think “Urban Gospel” is a more fitting title for clarification.

The Urban Gospel artists are those who minister; they speak of Biblical matters, stories, values, & principles, all in the form of Hip Hop music. These are they which operate ministries that are just as valid, & important to the Body of Christ, as any other “ministry”. They provide relevant, accurate teachings from the Bible & the life of Jesus, using music as a means to communicate these truths. At shows, they don’t simply get on stage, do their songs, & then leave, unless time restricts them; no, when they’re given a platform in front of a crowd, they preach, exhort, & edify in between their songs & in the songs themselves.

Those who are called to this ministry, not only make anointed music, they can get up & deliver a message without the music. This is our calling & our passion; to reach the lost in America’s sub-culture of Hip Hop. I am an Urban Gospel Artist. On the other side, we have Christian Rappers… More »

Hook:
Ay, what you see when you lookin’ at me?/
What you see when you lookin’ at me, huh? What?/
When you look at me, what do you see?/
Will you judge, or take me for me? Tell me what its gon’ be/
Is Jesus freak the first thing that ya think?/
Well I’m a born again, child of the King. But is that what ya see?/
Well, when ya look at me, what do see?
What you thinkin’ when you see JG?

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Vs 1:
My jeans low, cap off to the side/
I might emit a lil limp in my walk when I stride/
My shirt big, hair long, I got a couple of tats/
But ya boy ain’t bad-that’s just my swag/
A good guy- with a bad wrap, just cuz I rap/
Why should I-change my wardrobe? Cuz you think that I’m strapped?/
Well look I- ain’t holdin’ homie, no need for all that/
I got these angels camped around me & they holdin’ my back/
Ya dig it? I been saved, been walkin’ in light/
Full of wisdom, bring the Word, when I’m rockin’ the mic/
I’m out the grave, resurrected, & that old man dead/
But I still get disrespected by some old church heads/
& I still got young folk comin’ at me crazy/
Askin’ me where the weed at, like I’m blazin’/
& try as I might, I been workin’ to change it/
But these stereotypes, they just so frustratin.

Hook

Vs 2:
I know it ain’t just me, its lil thangs that bug ya/
Like when girls see the ring, but still want your number/
Young dudes tryna sound cool, but just look dumber/
When they tell me bout the plans they done made for the summer/
Look fellas, I’m not impressed by the girls that ya hit/
Or the stories bout what ya drunk, or blunts that ya lit/
I’m 26, a grown man, I got a wife & a kid/
The last thing I wanna hear, is you tryna be slick/
& can them girls walk past without you callin’ ‘em thick?/
Ay, by the way-”Lil girl, go get some clothes that fit!”/
Look, I know its a trip, cuz most dudes my age/
& in a similar demographic don’t choose to obey/
But the words that Yeshua say- they like a lamp to my feet/
Yeah, a light to my path, my strength when I’m weak/
So I can’t help but to preach, & praise God for that/
But I know He’d be disappointed how some of yall act/
Yeah I know my pants sag & that’s the truth alright/
But judge not the outward man… What that fruit look like?

Hook

Vs 3:
You never know, I could be just like you/
Don’t judge a book by its cover, read the summary through/
I know its hard not to judge, I done that too/
But what you think folks feel when they lookin’ at you?/
& what ya seen in the past- that’s not an excuse/
Take your own eyes out & put God’s to use/
& I admit- that its just a bit- harder to do/
But start lookin’ through love- quit blockin’ the view/
Yeah, stop & think about what the Father would do/
& the type of folks He used to bring His prophecies through/
& no it ain’t gon’ be easy all the time, but if you/
Honor them, watch God start honoring you.

Hook:
If you sold out for real, put your fist up high/
& look to the sky, & testify/
I’ma Disciple, I give you my life/
I’ma Disciple, a Disciple of Christ Yeah, I’m spirit-filled & I walk by faith/
So for the rest of my days, I’ll seek your face/
I’ma Disciple, I lay down my life/
I’ma Disciple, A Disciple of Christ/

Vs 1:
See we answered that callin’, ain’t no talkin, we walkin’/
We ain’t worried bout ballin’, we goin’ after the fallen’/
Tryna bring ‘em the Kingdom, so the Lord can redeem ‘em/
It’s the reason we breathin’, it’s time to bring the regime in/
It’s the Great Commission, but its gon’ take persistence/
To make disciples of all nations & take ‘em fishin’/
We gotta make ‘em listen, they don’t know what they missin’/
Remove the scales from our eyes & consecrate our vision/
See I’m sold out, that means I’d die for this thing/
& if I’m absent from the body, I’m alive with the King/
So every day I suit up, got that armor on me/
Lookin’ for new troops ready to join this army/
We grind, He’s renewin’ our mind/
Keep pursuin’ the blind to graft ‘em in to the vine/
We go where we’re assigned, cuz we have been designed/
To bring the truth of Jesus to all mankind/
We are Disciples!

Hook

Vs 2:
You see that old man dead, I’ma new creature/
& my life would be a waste, if I wasn’t preachin’/
So I use the gift He gave, to go out & reach ‘em/
See Christ got center-stage, I’m just a feature/
He died for us, so let’s live for Him/
He provides for us, so let’s give to Him/
If He abides in us, & forgiven our sins/
Well then its time for us to go & ride for Him/
See we baptized in that fire, & now our only desire/
Is to look more like Him, & He’s takin’ us higher/
But you can’t even join the team if you don’t pick up that cross/
& be willing to leave your loved ones to go after the lost/
“If you abide in my Word, your My disciples indeed”/
Them Jesus’ words, not mine, that’s the Disciple’s Creed/
So we devour His teachings & imitate what we read/
We’ve been empowered to preach it until this mission’s complete.

Hook

Vs 3:
Sho’ ain’t easy tryna walk this walk/
But we fully dedicated, & we give it our all/
Just takin’ it day to day, see we the light & the salt/
Though we may slip from time to time, we never gon’ fall/
Cuz He’s the Author & Finisher of our faith/
That means He right there with us as we runnin’ this race/
The Living Water, so we won’t dehydrate/
If we just keep on pushin’ cuz we covered in Grace/
See He saved us from out of the grave & made us all brand new/
No way to repay Him, thank Him, or show Him our gratitude/
& all we can really do is just pledge our allegiance/
& offer ourselves up, to walk in obedience/
So that’s what we did, & that’s how we live/
As Disciples of Christ, now our lives become His/
See we died, when He did/ Became alive when He did/
I’d give my life like He did/
& I strive to be like He is!

Hook

Bridge:
After the Resurrection, Jesus said “All authority’s been given to Me in Heaven & on Earth, go therefore, making disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, & the Holy Ghost. I’m with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen!

A Song 4 Jesus,
Lord God I love you/
I just wanna lift you up right now, I don’t need nothin’ from ya/
But to take some time to worship & praise who you are without askin’ for nothin’/ Who am I, that you would even lend your ear?/
The Almighty God, I can see you so clear/
You’re callin’ my name, & you’re drawin’ me near/
Now in your presence, can’t stop the tears/
Sweet Jesus, my Lord & my God is sovereign & highly exalted/
Risen King, my Light, my Rock/
I wish that I could just kiss your scars/
Savior, Prince of Peace & Messiah, all that my Spirit desires/
Merciful, Holy, & Righteous, definition of Love & Kindness/
My Sword & my Shepherd, my Shield & protection/
Lord, there is none like you, & I’ll sing your praises forever/
I know I was out there trippin’, heard your voice, but just would not listen/
But you’re so persistent, your Love knows no boundaries or limits/
& now, I have forgiveness, You rain down on me like a thousand kisses/
Can’t explain, no way to describe the feelings/
This relationship with you is just so surreal, its/
Well, like being born again, I guess that’s why you call it being born again/
Lord I open up my spirit, more, give me more of Him!/
Just look at that sunset there/
How could they deny you’re there?/
Your Majesty covers the earth, your presence fills the atmosphere/
& I’m just so glad I know ya/
I wish there was some kind of way to show ya/
So I humbly submit this praise, & I will honor you all my days/
& I’ll acknowledge you in all my ways/
With every breath I will seek your face/
& use my freedom in Christ to become your slave!

Hook:
I walk clean through the streets cuz of one blood/
Death can’t hold me down cuz of one blood/
Hey I done made it this far cuz of one blood/
So now I stand a champion cuz of one blood.
-Repeat-

VS 1
It ain’t but one blood, could wash away that mess/
Its one blood & one name, we MUST confess-Jesus/
Know what I’m sayin’? Ya got that right/
Ya might’ve seen a lot of blood, but not that type/
Ay-this the blood, that came up out the lamb/
Sprinkle it in your cup & gon’ knock it on back/
Drink it, it fills ya up. You’re never gon’ lack/
It’s the reason He was bleedin’, so that He could bring us back/
But ya gotta come under the blood, or you gon’ stay dirty/
& if you ain’t covered up, well then you ain’t worthy/
It’s one blood. Poured out like a flood/
Drippin’ off that rusty nail, makin’ crimson mud/
Yeah, & all the pain it took to cause it to shed/
He endured on a cross, where I should’ve been/
& I can never know the cost, so with that being said/
Man, even with my flaws, He still went up & bled that/
One Blood.

Vs 1
Today looks like a good day to die/
Turn my back on the world, its time to say goodbye, alright/
So next time you see your boy on the corner/
Please understand the man you’re use to seein’ a gonner/
& He ain’t comin’ back so let him rest in his peace please/
& quit tryna resurrect the dead with all these things/
Look-I don’t smoke, man don’t ask me for no lighter/
You really wanna, we could have discussions bout some fire/
Naw, I don’t drink, & I don’t hit the club/
So next time you’re going out, please don’t ask me to come/
Look here, I aint goin’, but I’ll be at the crib man/
So get back with me if you wanna come kick back/
& we could talk, discuss some thangs like/
The game I see you playing, boy you’re walkin’ a thin line/
Man, I’m just sayin’, you know what it is/
You been up in a church, man you know how to live/
Yeah you know that I was worse, ay, I got to admit/
But why you bringin’ up the old stuff that I done did?/
See me? I’m brand new, he died awhile back/
Man I thought you knew/
Yeah man, me & God, we done got back cool/
& all them bad habits-I done dropped that too/
See its strange, I never lived until I actually died/
But I never in my life felt more alive.

Hook:
To get that life you want-ya gotta die/
Put Christ at the throne-u gotta die/
Ya wanna live forever? Well-ya gotta die/
Ya gotta die, lay down your life.
-Repeat-

Vs 2
Man, folks trip, keep an eye out/
Cuz as soon as you move up, they wanna bring ya back down, huh/
That’s why ya gotta keep the right folks around ya/
So they could have your back if them demons come surround ya/
Know what I’m sayin’? I’m built to fight/
& I die every day, but I’m killed to life/
& I got a lil somethin’ that’ll get ya right/
If you’re missin’ it then listen, get crucified/
Ya gotta die, it ain’t no other way/
If yeain’t got it now, ain’t nothin else for me to say/
Told ya once, told ya twice, ya gotta let it go/
Ya gonna talk it, better walk it, or you’re never gonna grow/
You give up the old life & then you’re wantin’ it back/
& then you wonder why you be under attack/
Aw boy, you slow. Open them eyes up/
The truth’s right in front of you. Man when you gon’ wise up?

Bridge:
Hey, you sleepin’ round?-Die to that.
You drinkin’ & goin’ out?-Die to that.
You still been smokin’ out?-Die to that.
You gotta die to that, you gotta die to all that.

Hook

Vs3
See half these rappers got a cross hangin’ of they neck/
With no regard to the God who done took that death/
But see a man like myself, I gotta show some respect/
& the life that I lead-you know it reflects/
Ya gotta kill the flesh, & get up on that cross/
If you wanna be blessed then you know what it costs/
You gotta die daily, see we all got flaws/
But don’t forget that every day, you’re being watched by the lost/
Ay..ay-C’mon dawg, get it together/
Ya gotta die now if you wanna live forever/
& if it ain’t Holy, better cut it on out/
What you waitin’ on homie? Look, time runnin’ out/
You put it off-& you become a slave to that/
& satan tryna make it all fade to black/
& even if you’re saved, sin could lay you on your back/
So don’t let it kill ya,..gon & die to all that.

Hook