Rap Artists versus Ministers

There are some ministers in this country who have made it their crusade to attempt to block some rap artists from performing in their communities. A few of these African-American ministers have been featured on such news organizations such as CNN. I will not reveal any of their names for fear of lawsuit or giving them free publicity.

Rap music is polarized, because whether you are in the suburbs or the inner city on any given day, you can hear its music. It has become such a part of mainstream America that even pro sports team play it during their games. Even when Tipper Gore, in the 1980's protested rap music, it never dawned on her that the music in the future would be so influential not only in American culture but around the globe.

The ministers who observe the actions of others, who listen to some forms of rap music that they may perceive as anything other than wholesome, could be influencing these men and women of the cloth to attack such artists where it hurts most, in their wallets. I remember the late eighties and early nineties battles of Two Live Crew, and the courts fueled by politicians and ministers, and people in the business of trying to stop Tupac Shakur by destroying his CDs in public. So now that many in this country are more willing to weigh issues based on religious lines, some rap artist are getting caught in the cross fire. It is easy to blame rappers for teen pregnancy and drug use of the African-American youth, because some mention or seem to glorify these acts in their songs. The rapper Nelly has come under numerous by ministers, women on college campus, and others for his lyrics and videos. He has been banned from coming to specific communities, where one minister went as far to refund anyone person who bought his ticket, and some colleges have declined his services. Nelly does contribute scholarships for individuals wanting to go to college.

The problem I have with ministers bashing rappers is that we could be closing doors instead of opening them by preventing these artist from performing. Maybe their record label drops them and chooses a genre of music where no money can ever come back into your community. Instead of protesting against them attempt to contact the artist, and try to find common ground. Remember the rapper has an audience that buys their music and attends concerts, so remember it is necessary for us to be diplomatic, otherwise you might find some more pews empty on Sunday. Also, most hip-hop artists are bound by their record label, and sometimes they might be in personal conflict with their own lyrics, but we do not know unless we can have a productive dialogue. You can disagree with me, but if you do, I encourage you to put back every dollar in the community lost by your protest.

To me, it is ironic that rap artists catch as much flack from the African-Americans ministers and other community leaders. When you can drive through any major city, you can find cigarette and alcohol ads on many corners. Some of these advertisers get to participate in the city parades, and yes they provide jobs in the surrounding areas, but look at lives being ruined by the product. You are not going to convince them to stop selling their money makers, but might be able to convince a rapper to do public service announcements or change some lyrics if we attempt to offer solutions instead of criticism. On the record, I do not support women being degraded in music or illegal drug use of any kind.

More News Articles

Time to Reform the Democratic Party

Why People In the Hood Need to Snitch!

How to Improve the Black Community