Good Music, Great Music and Gospel Music


Everybody loves music, period. I was going to start this off by saying something witty, or catchy or even melodious, but this is music I'm talking about here, so me trying to write about how great it is would be like trying to capture the glory of the sun in a picture. You could darn well try, but nothing beats the real thing. Music is awesome! It's powerful! It's one of those few avenues (movies, books and drugs) that can give people  an escape from reality. Why else is everyone walking around under the dismissive nose of the older generation, wearing an earpiece, blocking out the whole wide world and its attendant noise. God made a million things and He said, "it is good" then He made music and He cried out "Turn down for what?"


Okay Wayne, point taken, music's wonderful, get on with it. Right. Unlike drug abuse music is good, but not all music is good for you. Great music isn't always good music, good music isn't always great music, and gospel music (oh Lord help me) isn't always great or even good (like at all). In other words just because a song is about God doesn't mean it can't be god-awful, and just because a song isn't overtly about God doesn't mean it can't be God glorifying. When believers decide to be serious with their faith, they tend to quit secular music all together, some even preach against it. I was one of those quitters, and as I have embraced a life of solely gospel music, I have applied mine ear to understanding, shh, listen to:



The Original





No, you don't have to quit listening to secular music all together. The same way not every Christian has to be a teetotaler (non drinker of alcohol) or get married. The Holy Spirit deals with us on a private level about public issues. He is particular about our uniqueness. In my case, I'm a thinker. If you tell me I'm going to die, despite myself-I would begin to imagine and emotionally experience several deaths a la A 1000 ways to die. Same with music, I'd imbibe them lyrics till they became me. Such that 2014, two weeks before my birthday I was listening non stop to Chandelier by Sia, a song about recklessness and alcohol abuse. Two weeks later on my birthday, I was displaying recklessness and alcohol abuse with no prior display of such. And it's not that the music is to blame, far from it, influence takes the horse to the river, but it is the will that drinks. So if your such that music becomes you, you might want to lay off the secular all together, if yor not such, then you don't.



The Remix featuring Secular Artistes





I sat down and thought to myself, who is going to replace Eminem (NF? Meh), The Weekend (NF? Meh), Lana Del Rey (NF? Meh). I couldn't hire the same chef, but I wanted some of the same cuisine, the same flavours the same treatment. And there's step number one, you must realise that music, and all of your media should not be ultimately about your entertainment. Anything that is ultimately about "your" minus the "r" is detrimental, or as Solomon put it, vanity upon vanity. Because we weren't put on earth for ourselves. Nevertheless you should be able to enjoy it, but I'll level with you and say one thing. No rapper, in the face of all history, gospel or secular can replace Eminem based on sheer talent. So you should be prepared to deny yourself some great music that isn't good for you. Sure Em's got a few decent songs, but can you really restrain yourself to just the decent ones? Really?

Additionally, don't get pigeonholed, there's more to gospel music than you hear at your church/fellowship. Your Pastors is 50 years old singing songs that he heard when he was 5, get with the times! Throw out your Hillsong United (they're still awesome though) and get your self some Hillsong Young and Free. Women of Faith were awesome but now we've got Kim Walker and Bethel Music. And Christian Hip Hop (Lecrae, NF, Eshon Burgundy, KB, Derek Minor, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, Tedashii) is arguably better in quality than the bulk of what secular Hip Hop has to offer.

However, Lecrae is starting not to sound like Lecrae (but it works for some) and NF is as his detractors say, truly too emotional, which isn't bad in itself, but I believe that truly great music shouldn't just let you immerse yourself in a baptism of your emotions, it should also lift you up to be a new and refreshed person. NF sounds like his just wallowing, and you shouldn't wallow forever. Which brings us back to secular artistes. Don't wallow in their pool of emotions either, you are a spiritual being more than you're an emotional one, remember that. Adele is wonderful, but her lyrics should be a reflection of your relationships, not an impression. If an Ex of mine hadn't got to listening to  Set Fire To The Rain and the others, we'd probably still be together today (hehehe, no.) Listen to secular music that reflects your reality (of love and peace, and emotional turmoil that can be overcome) not one that informs it.


Finally, Christian music makers. Please, Songs of Solomon is there for a reason, and I laud what Mali Music did on Mali Is, he spoke of love, he spoke of fame, he spoke of doubt. These are things even Jesus went through. God doesn't just want worship and praise, He wants to be introduced to our basic human problems like heartbreak. So let Him join in on the conversation, because if only the world talks about sex and drugs and all those other trending issues, then how will His take on the matter be expressed? And have you ever sang for someone though you have a terrible voice or poor composition skills? And the person really appreciated it because of your passion? Well do you really think the rest of the world needs to hear you singing off key as you serenade the object of your affection? I mean, aren't you doing your lover a disservice? You are, and you should stop, please, if you're going to try and capture the glory of the sun, then at least be a pretty good photographer.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tasha Cobbs Feat. Nicki Minaj: Are Xtians Overreacting?

Image
 When 'Break Every Chain' singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard announced that she would be releasing her new album and that it will feature secular artist Nicki Minaj a lot of holy eyebrows were raised.  Now after the songs release many are sceptical, some outright offended, and a handful even have conspiracy theories (Behold The Illuminati is Everywhere!) The song itself titled 'I'm Getting Ready' is more of the usual fare, the "No Frauds" rappers feature though has made it something of an anomaly. But let's not get into the fact that Fred Hammond featured Snoop Dogg, Lecrae featured Ty Dollar Sign and on and on (so it's no surprise really, these Christian /Secular features.) Let's talk about how insecure Christians make themselves look when they communicate the fear that the secular will taint or overwhelm the gospel. Why can't it be the other way around? In the Old Testament God forbade the Israelites from living among and co-existing...
Read more

NF Releases New Track 'Green Lights'

Image
"Three records,  three years I don't like to waste time. " the impassioned rapper spits on his new track "Green Lights." Indeed it's only been two weeks since Nate released the song "Outro" also presumably off his forthcoming album. Whilst "Outro" followed in the style of "Intro 2" and "Intro" before it,  chronicling where NF is at in his life at a given time. "Green Lights" is a song about confidence,  feeling as though there is nothing that stands in one's way. The track is certainly catchy and is classic NF. However with "Motivated" and "Statement" already under his belt and dealing with almost the same subject matter, this might prove to be three songs in three years-three much. Check out the video here  NF-Green Lights (Video) 
Read more

Joel Osteen Under Fire For Allegedly Refusing to Help Hurricane Victims (Reaction)

Image
Hurricane Harvey which swept through the Houston area of America and took lives and displaced families has also placed Lakewood Church head pastor Joel Osteen at the center of a social media crisis. The 54 year old Preacher with the 'perpetual smile' came under fire when he refused to admit displaced persons into his facility which houses 54, 000 persons a week for services. Claims of being unable to do so due to flooding and counter claims of deception began to float through the social mediascape causing the author of Your Best Life Now   to trend on twitter and not in a good way. Even though the  latest reports  say the Church may finally be opening it's doors,  twitter is still not pleased. As one detractor states below It is fascinating to watch how the world (Christians included) pounces on a public figure after he makes a real (or imagined) mistake. The twitter mob was up early today ready to burn the Preacher at the stake,  citing him as a fraud...
Read more

Christian Leaders on The White Supremacists March

Image
Photo by Steve Helber/ AP The United States of America has had a rough couple of days. Things she would rather not think about and all together deny marched through the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday the 12th of August. White supremacist are as the name suggest those who believe in the superiority of the Caucasian over other races. It's political implications are that since White is better, White should rule a la slave trade and black subjugation. In recent history the movement was considered dead or ailing, until it marched hundreds of men strong chanting 'Unite the right.' Being the light of the world, some Christian leaders have spoken out against this uprising, whilst some have (surprisingly?) kept mum. Senior Pastor of The Potters House TD Jake's appears not to be living in the same America where this incident took place. He is yet to publicly comment on the issue, but it is expected that when pressed for his opinion it would certainly ...
Read more

Christian Rapper Lecrae Set to Perform Alongside Big Sean and 2Chains

Image
They rappin in a bubble can't nobody see they face' rapped Lecrae in 2015 on former label mate KB's single 'Sideways'. Now two years later its safe to say that the rappers bubble has gone pop as the 'Christian who raps' is set to perform alongside mainstream artistes like Big Sean, 2Chains, Steve Aoki and Gucci Mane at this year's Ubahn festival. The event which is set to take place in a tunnel underground and feature live artwork installations, skateboarding demonstrations, vendors and other interactive delights, is scheduled for September 8 and 9, not long before Lecraes #ATWT tour kicks off. The event is no doubt a landmark for the artiste who has long since shown his desire to break out of the restrictive label of being a 'Christian rapper'. While this will certainly raise a number of eyebrows among die hard Christian fans of his, it is undeniable that Lecras is taking the message where it is most needed. After all, no one lights a ca...
Read more