Talk This Way: A Look at the Historical Conversation Between Hip- Hop and Christianity

Description

Talk This Way: A Look at the Historical Conversation Between Hip-
Hop and Christianity, Is A Well-Researched Topic, It Is To Be Used As A Guide Or Framework For Your Research.

ABSTRACT

Christianity and Hip-Hop culture are often said to be at odds with one another. One is said to promote a lifestyle of righteousness and love, while the other is said to promote drugs, violence, and pride. As a result, the public has portrayed these two institutions as conflicting with no willingness to resolve their perceived differences. This paper will argue that there has always been a healthy conversation between Hip-Hop and Christianity since Hip-Hop’s inception. Using sources like Hip-Hop lyrics, theologians, historians, autobiographies, sermons, and articles that range from Ma$e to Tipper Gore, this paper will look at the conversation between Hip-Hop and Christianity that has been ongoing for decades. This thesis will show why that conversation is essential for the church and necessary for Hip-Hop artists to express themselves fully. This paper will show rap and Hip-Hop culture to be a complex institution with its own theology, history, and prophets – that uses its own voice to express how urban youth view not only their lives but also how God and the church are present in their lives.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
DEDICATION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………………………. 7
CHAPTER 2. A LOOK AT HIP-HOP HISTORY………………………………………………………….. 12
CHAPTER 3. CRITICIZED AND DEMONIZED…………………………………………………………… 23
CHAPTER 4. A SHIFT BEGINS: A SEARCH FOR CHRISTIANITY IN HIP-HOP ………. 37
CHAPTER 5. HIP-HOP AS A TOOL FOR CHANGE………………………………………………….. 47
CHAPTER 6. THE GOSPEL BEAT…………………………………………………………………………….. 58
CHAPTER 7. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………………… 73
BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 76
VITA……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 80