The Space between Rhymes and Righteousness
Thoughts By
Charlie Paige
charlie_804@yahoo.com
Quote: “In this area flanked by my relationship with Hip-Hop and my faith, I can see that one institution has what the other one needs. Hip-Hop culture has the ears of the population but desperately needs the healing virtue of Christ; church culture has the message of Christ but has failed to effectively tap into the ails of what is plaguing this generation.”
“I like what I like so why am I looking for permission? I love Hip-Hop. I have a connection to this music that some cannot seem to understand. My heart was there when I was living in Azalea Apartments sitting in my room writing “Independent” on my K-Swiss tennis shoe box, playing Salt-n-Pepa on cassette. Hip-Hop helped me tune out my parent’s separation, the drug addiction, the abuse that I saw at the hands of my mother’s pusher just to name a few. I’ve followed it all my life – it’s a heartbeat to me but you can’t like this music when you’re saved, right? Why? I know that I have God in my life but so is Hip-Hop. Why can’t I have both? I don’t agree with all of the rap that’s out there but for those of us who are intimate with this music on a daily basis can discern between what has validity and what’s trash. I personally know the difference but someone please tell me how to talk to the Lord about this relationship with this music”.
These were my thoughts after thoroughly enjoying VH1’s “Storytellers”, which featured Jay Z performing cuts from his new album “American Gangster”. Yet, in a twisted turn of events, my thoughts shifted to “why in the world am I feeling this?” In that moment, I knew that I had to put pen to pad because I wanted to openly explore my relationship with Hip-Hop music. As I began to put words to the mental tug of war that was taking place, I was reminded of a song by Dave Matthews Band entitled “The Space Between”. Now, let me just say that this article is in no way about Jay Z or his music. He simply serves as the catalyst of my mental process, which has manifested itself into this article…back to “The Space Between”.
In this one little four minute, three second song, I finally found a space to express my intersection between Hip-Hop music and my walk with God. This song speaks to the messiness of romantic love but can be so easily applied to the love we share for many other things. For me: Hip-Hop and my Faith and their coexistence in my life have been rather messy. The space between talks about that place that exists amid competing opposites; right or wrong, left or right, Nike or Adidas (that’s a no brainer for me: Nike). This place is more commonly referred to as the “grey” area. As this space relates to my faith, I am thankful that it exists because knowing the importance of this music in life and my relationship with God, it presents a platform to critically think and examine instead of taking the easy way out and residing to either/or without thought or regard.
Resolve:
“Is Hip-Hop the audible, conscious symptom of a culture that failed to maintain the moral fiber for a generation? Moreover, is “Church” culture guilty of turning a deaf ear to the heart cries of this genre of music? My opposing forces: Hip-Hop culture and “Church” culture. The former allegedly tells of the struggles of life in various environments, the highs and lows and the series of compromises that are necessary for survival. Jay Z reminded his audience that his album, “American Gangster” is “a cautionary tale” of the aforementioned statement. The latter occasionally condemns the lyrics, the lifestyle and the behavior of those who ascribe to it, noting that the music is of no substance, no value and only serves as “a tool of the enemy” (my intentions are not to paint everyone with the same paintbrush but I have heard this positions more times than not). …And then there is me, residing in the space between. In this area flanked by my relationship with Hip-Hop and my faith, I can see that one institution has what the other one needs. Hip-Hop culture has the ears of the population but desperately needs the healing virtue of Christ; church culture has the message of Christ but has failed to effectively tap into the ails of what is plaguing this generation. From my post in the space between, both institutions have somewhat attempted to merge the concept of one another into its own acceptable mold (Iced out Jesus’ and Crosses while I blast my gun and slap this b*tch; Gospel Hip-Hop serving as an “alternative” to secular Hip-Hop but perhaps not willing to explore the music beyond beats and rhymes). My bird’s eye view also reveals that currently, neither side is willing to wave its white flag but rather hold steadfast to its beliefs. Are either incorrect for holding their positions, not at all so where does that leave me, the one who has an understanding for both sides…in my space between”.
(Note to the reader: It is understood that there are many different variations of what Hip-Hop is and what Church culture is. This article simply speaks of my perspective)