Has HipHop Lost it's Religion?
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“What do you believe in Heaven or Hell ?/ You don’t believe in Heaven cuz we’re livin’ in Hell”
-”Heaven or Hell”, Raekwon and Ghostface Killa
While making a surprise visit to WLTI 144FM, last week, Platinum-selling artist, Emperor Nero D, was asked for the millionth time about the rumors that he was a devil worshiper. Obviously annoyed, the artist vehemently denied the accusation and flashed his $50,000 golden cross necklace to prove his point. However, on his way out he tagged the station’s celebrity graffiti wall with “666,” winked at the DJ, and faded into the New York night…
Although the issue of Hip-Hop and Spirituality has been discussed over the last couple of years, Nicki Minaj’s “exorcism of Roman” performance at the last Grammy Awards show has once again sparked the discussion.
Has Hip-Hop lost its soul?
Since its genesis, Hip-Hop has had a strong link with Spirituality. As far back as the early ’80s, Melle Mel was preachin’ that “? is smilin’ on you/ But he’s frownin’, too” on “The Message,” and RunDMC told Hip-Hop kids to “stop playin’, start prayin’” on “It’s Like That,” so the spiritual connection has always been there.
During the mid to late ’80s, Hip-Hop began to embrace other forms of spirituality outside of the traditional “Western” theologies, when Boogie Down Productions put sections of Ella Hughley’s book “The Truth About the Black Biblical Hebrew-Israelites ” into lyrical form on “You Must Learn.” Also various groups like Brand Nubian started teaching the doctrines of the 5% Nation of Islam (NGE) and Jaz-O and others embraced the “Factology” of the Nuwaubian Nation. Even Jay Z was, at least, exposed to Factology as evidenced by his appearance in Jaz-O’s video “The Originators.”
Hip-Hop has also had a darker side. As early as 1991, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony were playing with Ouja Boards, and in 1994 The Gravediggers introduced “horror core” into Hip Hop. However, it was not until Snoop Dogg’s “Murder Was the Case,” that same year, that the notion of rappers selling their souls to the Prince of Darkness become believable.
The next year, the group Three-six Mafia was accused of devil worship because of its name and song lyrics. However, when properly understood, people who rep 666 (or according to some scholars, 616) are actually paying homage to to the Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD) who the early church thought was Nero reincarnated according to James Efird’s book “How to Interpret the Bible.” Also, Dr. Hugh Schonfield in “Those Incredible Christians” wrote that those who did not wear the Emperor’s stamp (the Mark of the Beast) on their right hands or foreheads would not be able to buy or sell.” (Kinda like if a rapper doesn’t have tattoos and saggin’ pants, he won’t be able to get a record deal.)
The reason why the dark side has been able to dominate Hip-Hop today is that we have been trained to accept half truths and lies with questioning them.
According to Alan Watts in his book, Myth and Ritual in Christianity, “Christian mythology involves problems of interpretation because it is a strange confusion of two types of knowledge metaphysical (beyond nature) and science.” Much of the discussion about Hip-Hop and religion has dealt with metaphysics which cannot be proven nor disproven, so we must deal with it as a science, which can.
In his book, The Origin and Evolution of Religion, Albert Churchward wrote that all religions derived from either the ancient Stellar, Lunar or Solar cults thousands of years ago. So all religions have a common origin.
Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan in his book, African Origins of the Major Western Religions, argues that the traditional religions of the “indigenous African people” are the forerunners of the “Nile Valley Religions” which produced the mystery systems from which Judaism, Christianity and Islam are derived.
However, the “Euro-Christianity” that was introduced by Portuguese missionaries was not a spiritual practice, but a tool to colonize and later enslave Africans. Also, it must be noted that during chattel slavery, it was illegal for Black people to read the Bible so, they had to accept the slave owner’s version as the Gospel.
This has caused a confusion regarding religion that has been inherited by the Hip-Hop generation.
Although America prides herself as being a “Christian” nation according to Anthony Browder in his book, Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization, the founding fathers of this country were not only slave owners but also deists who believed that man could know ? through reason and refinement of intellect,” even though they were well aware of the power of African culture. (Just look on the back of that dollar bill in your pocket.)
As Erykah Badu sang on “On and On,” “Most intellects do not believe in ? , but they fear us just the same.”
So, this country has a tradition of reppin’ a religion that it never truly practiced. (Just like the rapper who wears a Jesus piece but has never set foot in a church.) And the masses have accepted myths as reality.
It must be noted that the Western concept of “Devil” and “Hell” are taken from a combination of Greek myths and Dante’s “Inferno,” but the real power of the Luciferian doctrine lies in “deception,” and since the oppressed have been robbed of the knowledge of their spirituality, they can be easily deceived – so much so that Jay Z, can reportedly say that he “believes in ? but not the Devil,” and people accept this without question. Even though it defies all laws of physics. And Nicki Minaj can perform a ritual on stage, and people accept it as Hip-Hop.
Spirituality is a major part of any civilized culture, and without it the culture spirals downward into absolute chaos – the type that is present in Hip-Hop in 2012. With all the mayhem going on around the planet, it is imperative that Hip-Hop gets back in touch with its spiritual side.
As Craig Mack said on “When ? Comes,” “I hope the subject won’t turn you away/ But the whole Hip-Hop generation needs to pray.”
Amen.
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop,” a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com or on his website, www.NoWarningShotsFired.com Follow him on Twitter (@truthminista).
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Lecrae (dude has a cult following), Killer Mike, Tedashii etc.
It's gone nowhere just keeping away from the mainstream I guess -
What dumb ? wrote this?
"Spirituality is a major part of any civilized culture, and without it the culture spirals downward into absolute chaos – the type that is present in Hip-Hop in 2012. With all the mayhem going on around the planet, it is imperative that Hip-Hop gets back in touch with its spiritual side."
truthminista? -
Ickshonpay wrote: »What dumb ? wrote this?
"Spirituality is a major part of any civilized culture, and without it the culture spirals downward into absolute chaos – the type that is present in Hip-Hop in 2012. With all the mayhem going on around the planet, it is imperative that Hip-Hop gets back in touch with its spiritual side."
truthminista?
No need for disrespect, just state what you disagree with and if you have intelligence refute it or provide a contrary argument.
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Cain Marko wrote: »666 is not the sign of the devil.
777 are the sign if the beast......class dismissed.
Naw bruh you can't dismiss the class without dropping some proper lessons.
Why you say it's 777, were you get that from?
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does it matter, why are people so concerned in what people believe in. It's like people need confirmation in their beliefs or something, who really is the cult? lol
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hip-hop hasn't lost it spirituality but the powers to be put a muzzle around the spirituality of hip-hop. It's up to us FATHERS, BROTHERS, SONS, UNCLE to show our kids SPIRITUALITY IN OUR LIFES, GIVE THEMM BOOKS AND PLAY SPIRITUALITY hip-hop around the young ones, support artist that feeds us those jewels. I was bless to learn from Jungle Brothers, X-Clan, Boogiemonsters, Boogie Down Productions, Poor Righteous Teachers ect...
Just like in life there is light and darkness what you attract is up to you -
waterproof wrote: »hip-hop hasn't lost it spirituality but the powers to be put a muzzle around the spirituality of hip-hop. It's up to us FATHERS, BROTHERS, SONS, UNCLE to show our kids SPIRITUALITY IN OUR LIFES, GIVE THEMM BOOKS AND PLAY SPIRITUALITY hip-hop around the young ones, support artist that feeds us those jewels. I was bless to learn from Jungle Brothers, X-Clan, Boogiemonsters, Boogie Down Productions, Poor Righteous Teachers ect...
Just like in life there is light and darkness what you attract is up to youwaterproof wrote: »hip-hop hasn't lost it spirituality but the powers to be put a muzzle around the spirituality of hip-hop. It's up to us FATHERS, BROTHERS, SONS, UNCLE to show our kids SPIRITUALITY IN OUR LIFES, GIVE THEMM BOOKS AND PLAY SPIRITUALITY hip-hop around the young ones, support artist that feeds us those jewels. I was bless to learn from Jungle Brothers, X-Clan, Boogiemonsters, Boogie Down Productions, Poor Righteous Teachers ect...
Just like in life there is light and darkness what you attract is up to you
Yes it's obvious that a muzzle is in place because I remember when spirituality in HipHop was fashionable and the spirituality balanced out the materialism but nowadays it's really lopsided.
Good info, imma check for that program.Cain Marko wrote: »Cain Marko wrote: »666 is not the sign of the devil.
777 are the sign if the beast......class dismissed.
Naw bruh you can't dismiss the class without dropping some proper lessons.
Why you say it's 777, were you get that from?
The so called 666 being the sign of the beast was always a misconception due to the fact of bad re-writes of the scribes. The history channel did a whole series on the devil and his marks. Three 7 in in concession means evil one 7 meant goodluck. Like on how the sabbath is on the seventh day Saturday. Time of the sun Sunday was always the first day to start your week. Rambling my bad back to topic I can't pull up the program cause im on my phone but look it up.
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I know it lost it's base and principles.. where the dudes that can really freestyle the dudes than can Bboy the dudes we can call MCs.. graffiti on the walls.. now we just got graffiti on our bodies... i feel we lost the culture over time...everyone just raps or auto tuned out.
if Flo-Rida is hip hop and "Take care' was a hip hop album than I'm out and I'm actually a fan of Drake, but sooner or later it's gonna be like R&B where everyone is rapping to Euro House beats...? that.
/rant -
i thought 777 was the sign the of ? ...its a perfect number...7 days, 7 tongues, 7 gifts...6 is one short of perfect...grouping a number in threes is representative of the holy trinity...666 would be representative of man,...revelations says let him with great wisdon calculate the number of the beast for it is man's number. his number is 666...we are not perfect. just my 2 cents
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KingGivBiz wrote: »I know it lost it's base and principles.. where the dudes that can really freestyle the dudes than can Bboy the dudes we can call MCs.. graffiti on the walls.. now we just got graffiti on our bodies... i feel we lost the culture over time...everyone just raps or auto tuned out.
if Flo-Rida is hip hop and "Take care' was a hip hop album than I'm out and I'm actually a fan of Drake, but sooner or later it's gonna be like R&B where everyone is rapping to Euro House beats...? that.
/rant
Righteous post.
With your permission I'd like to use that analogy you made about graffitti on walls- now just grafitti on our body.
I have this vision that one day HipHop will come full circle and get back to it's roots but the culture is still so young.
Im one of the few people that ain't even mad at Drake I just see him as a Trey Songz, Chris Brown dude a singer who occasionally raps.
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I feel like this is a legit question. Blax and latins have always used religion as a crutch and a moral compass. The more hip hop has moved away from it's roots, the more urban america has moved away from having spirituality as a centerpiece in life.
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Spirituality in Hip Hop gave various identities to the artists to express their beliefs and balanced the culture..nowadays these artists are afraid and keep their beliefs shrouded in secrecy to keep from losing fans and the reason they do that is because those powers that control Hip Hop are into some ? (Luciferean doctrine) and pays the artists to spread the beliefs through lyrics, videos, etc...smh @ ? still in denial.
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THis is a deep thread brother I have said many times that not just HipHop but all music is spiritual and mental food what we consume effects us and the loss of the soul in the music makes it unhealthy and damaging to us spiritually socially and mentally...
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but do we need to know what religion an artist believes in? as far as music it's irrelevant imo. it wouldn't turn me off from an artist per say, all i'm saying is that it really doesn't make a difference to me.
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to each there own you can kind of see the pattern of a mentality by the favorites of an individual...but do we need to know what religion an artist believes in? as far as music it's irrelevant imo. it wouldn't turn me off from an artist per say, all i'm saying is that it really doesn't make a difference to me.
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Oh lordH-Rap 180 wrote:
“What do you believe in Heaven or Hell ?/ You don’t believe in Heaven cuz we’re livin’ in Hell”
-”Heaven or Hell”, Raekwon and Ghostface Killa
While making a surprise visit to WLTI 144FM, last week, Platinum-selling artist, Emperor Nero D, was asked for the millionth time about the rumors that he was a devil worshiper. Obviously annoyed, the artist vehemently denied the accusation and flashed his $50,000 golden cross necklace to prove his point. However, on his way out he tagged the station’s celebrity graffiti wall with “666,” winked at the DJ, and faded into the New York night…
Although the issue of Hip-Hop and Spirituality has been discussed over the last couple of years, Nicki Minaj’s “exorcism of Roman” performance at the last Grammy Awards show has once again sparked the discussion.
Has Hip-Hop lost its soul?
Since its genesis, Hip-Hop has had a strong link with Spirituality. As far back as the early ’80s, Melle Mel was preachin’ that “? is smilin’ on you/ But he’s frownin’, too” on “The Message,” and RunDMC told Hip-Hop kids to “stop playin’, start prayin’” on “It’s Like That,” so the spiritual connection has always been there.
During the mid to late ’80s, Hip-Hop began to embrace other forms of spirituality outside of the traditional “Western” theologies, when Boogie Down Productions put sections of Ella Hughley’s book “The Truth About the Black Biblical Hebrew-Israelites ” into lyrical form on “You Must Learn.” Also various groups like Brand Nubian started teaching the doctrines of the 5% Nation of Islam (NGE) and Jaz-O and others embraced the “Factology” of the Nuwaubian Nation. Even Jay Z was, at least, exposed to Factology as evidenced by his appearance in Jaz-O’s video “The Originators.”
Hip-Hop has also had a darker side. As early as 1991, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony were playing with Ouja Boards, and in 1994 The Gravediggers introduced “horror core” into Hip Hop. However, it was not until Snoop Dogg’s “Murder Was the Case,” that same year, that the notion of rappers selling their souls to the Prince of Darkness become believable.
The next year, the group Three-six Mafia was accused of devil worship because of its name and song lyrics. However, when properly understood, people who rep 666 (or according to some scholars, 616) are actually paying homage to to the Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD) who the early church thought was Nero reincarnated according to James Efird’s book “How to Interpret the Bible.” Also, Dr. Hugh Schonfield in “Those Incredible Christians” wrote that those who did not wear the Emperor’s stamp (the Mark of the Beast) on their right hands or foreheads would not be able to buy or sell.” (Kinda like if a rapper doesn’t have tattoos and saggin’ pants, he won’t be able to get a record deal.)
The reason why the dark side has been able to dominate Hip-Hop today is that we have been trained to accept half truths and lies with questioning them.
According to Alan Watts in his book, Myth and Ritual in Christianity, “Christian mythology involves problems of interpretation because it is a strange confusion of two types of knowledge metaphysical (beyond nature) and science.” Much of the discussion about Hip-Hop and religion has dealt with metaphysics which cannot be proven nor disproven, so we must deal with it as a science, which can.
In his book, The Origin and Evolution of Religion, Albert Churchward wrote that all religions derived from either the ancient Stellar, Lunar or Solar cults thousands of years ago. So all religions have a common origin.
Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan in his book, African Origins of the Major Western Religions, argues that the traditional religions of the “indigenous African people” are the forerunners of the “Nile Valley Religions” which produced the mystery systems from which Judaism, Christianity and Islam are derived.
However, the “Euro-Christianity” that was introduced by Portuguese missionaries was not a spiritual practice, but a tool to colonize and later enslave Africans. Also, it must be noted that during chattel slavery, it was illegal for Black people to read the Bible so, they had to accept the slave owner’s version as the Gospel.
This has caused a confusion regarding religion that has been inherited by the Hip-Hop generation.
Although America prides herself as being a “Christian” nation according to Anthony Browder in his book, Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization, the founding fathers of this country were not only slave owners but also deists who believed that man could know ? through reason and refinement of intellect,” even though they were well aware of the power of African culture. (Just look on the back of that dollar bill in your pocket.)
As Erykah Badu sang on “On and On,” “Most intellects do not believe in ? , but they fear us just the same.”
So, this country has a tradition of reppin’ a religion that it never truly practiced. (Just like the rapper who wears a Jesus piece but has never set foot in a church.) And the masses have accepted myths as reality.
It must be noted that the Western concept of “Devil” and “Hell” are taken from a combination of Greek myths and Dante’s “Inferno,” but the real power of the Luciferian doctrine lies in “deception,” and since the oppressed have been robbed of the knowledge of their spirituality, they can be easily deceived – so much so that Jay Z, can reportedly say that he “believes in ? but not the Devil,” and people accept this without question. Even though it defies all laws of physics. And Nicki Minaj can perform a ritual on stage, and people accept it as Hip-Hop.
Spirituality is a major part of any civilized culture, and without it the culture spirals downward into absolute chaos – the type that is present in Hip-Hop in 2012. With all the mayhem going on around the planet, it is imperative that Hip-Hop gets back in touch with its spiritual side.
As Craig Mack said on “When ? Comes,” “I hope the subject won’t turn you away/ But the whole Hip-Hop generation needs to pray.”
Amen.
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop,” a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com or on his website, www.NoWarningShotsFired.com Follow him on Twitter (@truthminista).
Share AllHipHop.com:
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Disciplined InSight wrote: »Spirituality in Hip Hop gave various identities to the artists to express their beliefs and balanced the culture..nowadays these artists are afraid and keep their beliefs shrouded in secrecy to keep from losing fans and the reason they do that is because those powers that control Hip Hop are into some ? (Luciferean doctrine) and pays the artists to spread the beliefs through lyrics, videos, etc...smh @ ? still in denial.
i feel that hip hop almost wouldnt even be hip hop as we know it if not for islam and the nation of gods & earths
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nope id say it hasn't....it's just not mainstream or very popular....usually the only time I hear ? 's name is when someone is winning an award.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xVEa0SMxFg&ob=av3e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgzginmZeQw -
I agreeDisciplined InSight wrote: »Spirituality in Hip Hop gave various identities to the artists to express their beliefs and balanced the culture..nowadays these artists are afraid and keep their beliefs shrouded in secrecy to keep from losing fans and the reason they do that is because those powers that control Hip Hop are into some ? (Luciferean doctrine) and pays the artists to spread the beliefs through lyrics, videos, etc...smh @ ? still in denial.
i feel that hip hop almost wouldnt even be hip hop as we know it if not for islam and the nation of gods & earthshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq9nKvYoNSM
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Money.....plain and simple. Most Rappers will do anything for it.
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? organized religion though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbzeY53o47I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27HVvRUMy7E -
genocidecutter wrote: »
posting ? like this is why people ? with you the way they do.....you actually like this type of ? bro? lol serious question.....
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Ickshonpay wrote: »What dumb ? wrote this?
"Spirituality is a major part of any civilized culture, and without it the culture spirals downward into absolute chaos – the type that is present in Hip-Hop in 2012. With all the mayhem going on around the planet, it is imperative that Hip-Hop gets back in touch with its spiritual side."
truthminista?
No need for disrespect, just state what you disagree with and if you have intelligence refute it or provide a contrary argument.
There is no proof to support the claim that without spirituality civilization will spiral downward into absolute chaos.
Plus, there are currently very successful countries such as Norway, Denmark Sweden, etc with very high populations of people who do not believe in the super natural, and they're doing just fine.
Then there is the Pirahã trabe. They have no concept of a ? , nor any set systems of spirituality, and there doing just fine. Some of them believe in things such as animal spirits, but that's more like a boogy man thing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirahã_people
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What does this meanSoloman the Wise wrote: »
to each there own you can kind of see the pattern of a mentality by the favorites of an individual...but do we need to know what religion an artist believes in? as far as music it's irrelevant imo. it wouldn't turn me off from an artist per say, all i'm saying is that it really doesn't make a difference to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i98U46evbls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03tSCcvz7HM