How religion became the bedrock of modern rap

Today Ryan Bassil explores in The Guardian how, from Stormzy to Kendrick Lamar, rappers are referencing Christianity in their music more than ever before:

'Kanye West’s follow-up to 2013’s Yeezus (no guesses there), The Life of Pablo, was inspired in part by Paul the Apostle. Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book – SoundCloud’s most popular album of 2016 – is an overt reimagining of gospel. Stormzy’s aforementioned debut album repeatedly references his faith, while evangelical themes are also the bedrock of Kendrick’s career. His breakthrough album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, is built around the sinner’s prayer and his magnum opus, To Pimp a Butterfly, loosely manoeuvres through conversations with Satan and God ...

By placing their faith among rap tropes, these artists are drawing attention to the multifaceted lifestyle of modern believers.'

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Chance the Rapper - Blessings.

Farewell Songs of Praise and Earthairwaterfire exhibition

Chelmsford Cathedral was packed today for a truly joyful Songs of Praise service at which we said farewell to Bishop David, the Bishop of Barking, on his retirement. The service reflected the diversity of the Barking Episcopal Area with which Bishop David has fully engaged and celebrated throughout his ministry with us. Contemporary and traditional hymns were mixed with a rapper, African drums, Gospel singers, choral singing, a 50-piece orchestra, the worship band from Good Shepherd Romford, mime from Ken Wylie, along with contributions from Bishop Stephen, Duncan Green, Joel Edwards, Jonathan Oloyede, Martin Webster, John Perumbalath and many others, all organised by Paul Bowtell and a team of helpers.

Bishop David is well known for his visualisations of the Gospel message which have remained in people’s memories and hearts long after his visits. Over the years in church at various confirmation services we have seen him release live doves, wash and iron clothes, pitch a tent and boil a kettle on a camping gaz stove, use a leaf blower to fill the sails of a full-size sailing dinghy, bake a cake, build a wall and burn straw. At my first training weekend as a curate he did a handstand to demonstrate the way in which Jesus, through his teaching in the beatitudes, turns our understanding of life upside down. 

His approach has been to use surprise, shock, mirth and amusement in order to make what are hopefully memorable spiritual and theological points because our insistence on using far too many words often goes right over people’s heads and a picture can say more than a thousand words. Jesus also used visuals in his very concrete teaching, so he always felt he was in good company in using everyday objects to make connections for others. He explained more in an interview with me in 2008 which can be read here and here. 

Before he leaves us Bishop David is exhibiting his paintings at St Peter's Harold Wood from 11th – 21st March. He is a landscape artist who works with acrylics, watercolour, mixed media and installations. He is fascinated by the organic structure of landscape and its transitory appearance as weather and light pass over it. Bishop David has exhibited previously in Stafford, Leeds, Merseyside, London, Nigeria and Capetown. Earthairwaterfire can be viewed weekdays from 9.00am – 5.00pm. Saturday 15th March, 9.00am – 12.30pm. Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6.00 – 9.30pm.

He has said of his artwork: "I am inspired by landscape. Most of what I paint has its inspiration in landscape. I can’t help but be influenced by landscapes and townscapes. As early as I can remember I have enjoyed walking in the countryside. I also enjoy mountain climbing and grasp any opportunities to get out into wide open spaces. My ministry has mainly been urban and time in the countryside is a counterpoint to where I’ve tended to live in my ministry. But I’m also inspired by colourful, busy townscapes and the quirkiness of that as well."

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Brenton Brown - Everlasting God.

Real hope in the face of genuine despair

On Wrecking Ball Bruce Springsteen combines the classic sound of the E Street Band with that of the Seeger Sessions Band. He combines hard times stories of recession hit working people with the language of hope and aspiration in the midst of hard times found in gospel music and spirituals. He even manages to combine folk, gospel and rap within one song ('Rocky Ground') without sounding a false note. He repeats the trick he pulled off with 'Born in the USA' of writing a patriotic sounding song which questions the unthinking patriotism of those who don't appreciate the irony ('We Take Care Of Our Own'). The album is propelled forward by the anger of its storytelling songs before seguing through 'Wrecking Ball' into songs of hopeful fortitude for which Springsteen appropriates the language of faith and the imagery of the Bible. Wrecking Ball is a masterful summation of Springsteen's strengths and an inspirational call to real hope in the face of genuine despair.  

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Bruce Springsteen - Rocky Ground.