Are Nigerian Christian Hip-Hop Artistes Doing Enough? [CHH WEEK]

Music is a powerful tool, yes, we all know that. We’ve heard it over and over again but it doesn’t seem
to have sunk in just yet has it? Because if every artiste (whether gospel or secular) truly understood that you can make and break people with your music, cause movements, kill and give life with your music, then perhaps we would have music with far more edifying content today. Back in the day, the so-called secular artistes did, even more, to promote good values and address relevant and pressing issues.

Nonetheless, this is not an article about just any type of music. For this piece, we’re making special
reference to Christian music with a special bias to Nigerian Christian Hip-Hop music and its artistes. All over the world, Christian Hip Hop artistes do their best in dishing out music that bears the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even in these perilous times, we have Christian Hip Hop rappers and artistes showing off for the Lord, unashamed of the gospel (Romans. 1:16). But the question really is ‘’Are They Doing Enough?’’

Yes, your music edifies the church and sure it gives glory to God. But have you sought for other ways to be a vessel unto His glory? From time immemorial, what we’ve always focused on is music ‘’for’’ the church. And this has left no Christian Brother or Sister, no Nigerian Christian Hip-Hop artiste thinking of ways to make music ‘’from’’ the church (to the world). Your worship songs, your praise songs (even while exploiting the hip hop genre) have always been for the church. While it is pertinent to uplift the saints and exalt the name of the Lord within the religious confines of the church, to a congregation of people who are most likely saved and hence can relate to the message in your songs, who’s really exercising the great commission? After making songs for the people who are saved, what of the unbeliever who cannot relate to things like the mercy of God, or who cannot seem to comprehend this grace of God and message of hope that you keep preaching in your songs? Who is going to make music for them? Worldly artistes?

Even if we place a pause for a second on who will reach unbelievers, how about your fellow Christians who need to hear music that speaks to real life problems like depression, how to handle being broke, suicide, economic meltdown and even other important subjects like politics, love, sex, marriages, drugs, birthdays and so on and so forth. The question Nigerian Christian Hip-Hop artistes (all Christian artistes) should ask themselves is this ‘’… after ministering in songs to these people on Sunday, who ministers to them from Monday to Saturday?’’.

You say your music is to minister and you’re exploring ONLY one way to do it? Don’t get it twisted, some are called (like really called) to make music for just the church. But what we mustn’t fail to realize is that the battle is not in the church alone, as it’s also happening outside (Jesus already won the one you’re fighting in the church. You are only foot soldiers ensuring the peace).
A lot of Christians go through events in life and don’t have befitting music for certain occasions because they’re ALMOST non-existent or simply not promoted enough. Take weddings, for example, how many known Christian artistes have good love songs that talk about romantic love even in its pure form? (And no, not the vulgar or derogatory kind you hear at every bus stop). We’d stop here for today, so make sure you keep checking our website for the part 2 of this conversation.

Fingers crossed, prayers up! God bless you real good!

 

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WRITTEN BY: The Gem King

The Gem King is the host of Hip-HopX on XGRadio, an event host and compere. His alter ego is fast rising Christian rapper TNJ @tnjeezy.