Sunday, September 21, 2014

Holy Ghost Movie speaks prophetically about the Arts

"Holy Ghost" is a recently released movie by film-maker Darren Williams. One section in particular features some surprising guests, that have some profound things to say about the arts. These are well worth reading right through:

Brian "Head" Welch:
"You know for so long - cos I was in the world forever you know.. it was like.. those are Christian people, they're all goody goodies, and they do everything right and.. they're over their [points to the side].  They're in their bubble, Christian music, Christian award shows, Christian.. everything and I just think right now.. I totally think that those walls should come down.. you don't gotta be in a country club to be a Christian.. Jesus said go out into all the world, how are you supposed to go out into all the world when you're in your bubble?"

Michael W. Smith
"So yeah, I know that my music which has been a part of Contemporary Christian Music has changed countless lives, and I'm greatful for that, but I also think... I'm not sure that we're having a whole lot of impact on our culture, and that's what bothers me about it."

Lenny Kravitz

"I don't want to follow the world, but I'm in the world. I'm from the street, and I learned and grew up in the street, I still love the streets, and I have a lot of passion for folks out in the street. We're all here to do our thing where God wants us to be and my place happens to be where it is in the world of music and rock and roll and I may reach people where others can't, and they reach people that I can't."

Gary Wilson

"What the world doesn't need are more Christian artists, what we need are more artists who have their Christianity intact, and really understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus. What it means to be a follower of Jesus does not mean to sit in the church, Sunday after Sunday and be good, and be sweet and be polite. We are called to go out into the world. I think one thing that the Western church lacks, is courage. And then you've got those people out there on the Edges.. and many Christians would [say] you know 'you shouldn't be involved in that heavy metal', or whatever the thing is, you know, heavy rap, or whatever.. but that's where the lions live, that's where the natives are, you know. We need people who when they go out there they're creating work that is birthed out love. Listen, art that doesn't have the presence of God in it is idolatry. And what we want is to bring the presence of God to the world.
The world isn't going to come inside church, the church has to go into the world."

Holy Ghost is available on DVD now.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Why Lecrae Should Matter To You (ROE Pt 3)

Rules of Engagement - Part 3: Create great art, and let your worldview influence your art

Indeed, nowhere is culture more ‘unsalted’ than precisely in the field of the arts – and that in a time when the arts (in the widest sense) are gaining a stronger influence than ever through the mass communications.” - Hans Rookmaaker

So get used to me, cos Imma settle in”- Lecrae

Lecrae is likely the most influential hip hop artist today that demonstrates a biblical-Christian word-view. He's proven to be a man of integrity, strong faith, and a very honest and transparent person, who openly shares about his fears, doubts and weaknesses. He's become a leader within the Christian community, but in recent years, has become known to the hip hop world in general, as a compelling artist who happens to have Christian faith. This is the concept he's basing his new record “Anomaly” around. I have never been as excited about a music release, as I am about this album. If you know me well, you'd know that's a big call.

Confession + explanation: I love hip hop music, in fact you could say I'm a BIG hip hop fan. Especially for a drummer. But I've never been solely into that style/genre. The first major CD I bought was Radiohead's third album. The most recent CD I bought was by my favourite jazz trio. Give me a CD of the latest indie band, and I might like it. Show me a singer/song-writer with soul, and I'll probably love them. I even like the odd Coldplay and Katy Perry song. I've played drums in a semi-professional jazz/fusion band, and percussion in a professional symphony orchestra. For an eclectic musician, and a fan of jazz, rock and classical – Lecrae has a lot of my attention at the moment, and there's a good reason for it.

I know that rap and hip hop isn't everyone's cup of tea. I had a good friend the other day sheepishly tell me “I don't really like hip hop” (this was while I was playing some 'underground' rap in the background). I'm ok with that. Especially considering rap/hip hops connection to popular culture, I do suggest that it if you want to forge a career in the arts or the media in some way, that you learn at least a little bit about Lecrae and his journey.

Learn from a man whose journey so far is unparalleled by any Christian in the realm of the arts today. If more people followed his basic approach, the world would be a totally different place today. Read, listen, watch, bob your head, and learn. (You could start by listening to THIS catchy new number that recently hit #1 on iTunes!!!)

In his mind, he's a missionary, but in his approach, he seeks to be the best artist he can be. His new approach combined with his hard-work and latent talent as a poet and an MC, has brought him favour within the industry, without him compromising his convictions. One rapper said in a track Lecrae might “sell a million”, and I think he might be right.

These days, he raps, connects with his crowd, makes great art, and let's his world-view influence his sound and music. But it wasn't until quite recently that he took on that approach.

For almost a decade, Lecrae has been on a journey through the world of “Christian music”. Since 2004, he has released album after album of gospel centered, spiritually edifying, doctrinally eloquent, sonically brilliant rap music. Songs like “Don't Wanna Waste My Life”, “Rebel” and “Just Like You” and many more, have become favourites to believers across the globe. Christians from many cultures and people groups, particularly those that identify with “hip hop culture”, have been encouraged and discipled by music from Lecrae and his rap crew.

Around 2012 however, he went through a major paradigm shift, and began distancing himself from the “Christian rapper” term. His music, his interviews and blog have sought to explain this. Many rappers continue the job of teaching and “discipling” Christians through their music, but it seems Lecrae was moved to reach more “lost” people.

Between 2011 and 2012 however, he documented in a blog that while he knew his music had been used to transform lives, he was still dissatisfied with the limits that labels had put on his music. He said many wouldn't even give his music a real chance, because they felt that it wouldn't speak to them. It makes sense. Why would a non-believer be interested in something marketed as “Christian”?

I was respected by my non-religious friends, but my music to them was very limited and didn't speak to any areas of life other than salvation and living right. I sought advice and was led to books by people like Francis Shaffer, CS Lewis and others... I was challenged in more ways than you can imagine.”

He also commented on labels of artistic genres such as “Christian” and “gospel”: Interestingly enough, those genres are the only ones categorised based off the content and not the style of music.”
Personally, I do believe that those terms can be beneficial for Christians within themselves (eg new-believers, parents and youth leaders), but the labels can be unhelpful for Christians who seek to connect and create culture for those in the world. Lecrae put it this way:

Though it gives people identifying marks for their music, it can also (in many ways) limit their reach. Many people take these titles to mean the music is for an exclusively Christian audience. If indeed the true Gospel is what transforms people outside the faith, then why should the term Gospel seem exclusive to those in the faith? Of course that's not the intention, it's just a reality that any missionary should consider.”

As an artist, this explains why Lecrae went on a mission (from around 2012 onwards) to distance himself from the “Christian rapper” label.

As he told 50 Cents Youtube channel: “If I'm a Christian rapper, then Lupe's a Muslim rapper”.

This approach didn't fail to draw criticism. He's been criticized for wanting to be successful in the world, and for working with non-Christian artists, and a range of other things. He's responded to those critiques at various times, although the various negative blogs, and comments that can be found on his social media sites prove that we will never please everyone, this side of Christ's coming.

Thankfully, he's developed tough skin, worked hard to keep a sweet spirit, and just has simply gotten on with his mission. “I know what they saying, but I promise that I'm cool...” he rapped in his 2012 album “Gravity”.

Before the release of that breakthrough album, he released an underground mixtape. It was as successful as any hip hop album (by a Christ-follower), ever. It's essential listening if you're a hip hop fan, if you're not, maybe check out a bit of background info, and consider listening to the first single.

If you read XXL (a prominent hip hop magazine), listen to Sway (well-known hip hop DJ), and know about rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Hopsin and others... you'd know Lecrae is hitting the mark within hip hop culture. “Hype” is building for his latest album, and this makes me excited.

His first single is here (more heavy)
His second single is here (this one's far more catchy/”pop-py”.)

To further grasp his transition, compare this line in 2008 from his album "Rebel":

"Lord kill me if I don't preach the gospel"...

...to the following statement made on Facebook earlier this year:

"I know most people want every song to have a very explicit moral message but sometimes that sacrifices the art and beauty and skill of communicating. I'm still fighting to give people what they've come to expect from Albums like "Rebel" while still helping them to understand that trying to force that does a disservice to you, me, and the work God has done on me..." (full post here).

Overall, to Lecrae, “success”, is having people connect with his world-view and message. This can't happen as much, if the “artistic” quality in his music is lost because he is trying to force a particular message. He's set out to be an artist... and he's staking his claim in hip hop culture as a great one. If more artists and media professionals learn from people like him, the world would be a different place.

[Edit: Of course, Lecrae has readily admitted that he hasn't done this perfectly. He shares about his mistakes in this interview, and also in the song "If I Die Tonight" (CC2) -  "Sometimes, the first one to lead, is the first to make big mistakes / and the first one to be criticized and the first one to feel hate / But I swear the moves that I made / I was trying to work on my faith / I've been wrong before but where I'm bout to go / they won't put it all in my face / I just dared to do what they scared to do / And if I died tonight, just know - I may need an heir or two"]

[Edit #2: Rapzilla.com just announced Lecrae is releasing a new book. Even if you hate rap, keep this book on your radar as it will no doubt give a view into the mind of a great artist who still has his Christianity intact.]

Monday, September 1, 2014

What does the world need... from you?

Last week, we explored the idea of servant-hood, and what it might look like to apply Mark 10:43 to the creative spheres. (Click here to read..) Basically, it's about doing what you do, with a view to be a blessing to people, and building and creating culture that serves the needs of the people in our community, as opposed to serving our egos & bank accounts. (For some, the best way to do this is simply by finding their own creative voice, and sharing it!)

Of course, there are many “needs” in society. Within the realms of the arts & the media, I've written down what I think some of those needs are. They are in no particular order, and are certainly not exhaustive.In fact, I'm hoping you can add your own thoughts in the comments below!

I think the world needs:

Music that entertains, pleases the ear canals, and the mental & emotional pallet
Good, new indie rock bands
Artists of all kinds that are authentically themselves, that push themselves, artistic boundaries, and move and stretch their audience
Voices that speak prophetically into our culture, and address (for example) “justice issues”
Good music (of all genres... and even genres yet to be created?!)
Pop music
Rock music
And given that there will always be pop stars and rap stars.....We could do with pop/rap stars that know how to live well, have fun, love Jesus, and be cool. Essentially, good “role models”.
(Eg Singers that don't lie naked on their album covers, pay lip service to God, and allow themselves to be marketed to pre-teens.)
More films/TV series/books that entertain AND engage viewers, while exploring deep themes that give meaning to human existence (for example.... love, romance, sacrifice, overcoming adversity, etc)
Fiction, fantasy, comic, suspense thriller books that explore above said themes, and more...*
Visual art that makes the world, our churches and our living rooms, beautiful.
Visual art that stirs & confronts us out of our comfort zone.
TV stations/Media companies that will be selective in who they give air time to. (no soft porn at 4pm please. I'm hoping to have kids some day.)
Entertainment that is uplifting and fun.Jokes that make adults laughJokes that make children laugh
Jokes that make adults and children laugh (admittedly a hard task!)
Entertainers of all types that are role models that speak up for good causes from time to time
Prayers prayed for Justin Bieber (seriously)
Artists that honour, respect, learn and master the traditions found in their art-forms and then build on them, adopting various old forms, adapting them, and then innovating, pushing and progressing the art form forward in new ways
Prayers prayed for all celebrities that you've recently judged
News that informs and doesn't merely “entertain”
Pastors that will care for, and guide people into what God has called them to do - (both outside and inside the church walls)
The continuation of the "Renaissance" of the Arts that is happening within the church at largeMagazines that explore a whole range of sciences, arts, and other human endeavors
Blogs (like this one), that inform, educate and equip readers (and entertain if need be)
The world definitely needs good fashion
Skinny jeans
And even though most aren't aware, the greatest need that the world has is to hear the gospel contextualized

What would you say are some of the worlds “needs” within the realms of the Media and the Arts?