Conway Norwood, III

As recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addressed a group of priests and Pharisees through a parable and uttered one of the most powerful phrases ever to resound in the gospels: "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14, KJV). It's an element in truth that takes salvation into a challenging perspective, but Detroit-based gospel rapper T. Church has no doubt that he is just that: chosen.

Where it regards the prevalence of worldly influences and ideologies, there is no more capable opponent than the army of the Lord. Detroit-based rap group God's Army are the personification of the strength and victory that God has given his people in the war against the devil. From what began as the union of two separate gospel rap groups a decade ago emerges a unique and nonetheless anointed music ministry. In 2003, God's Army released their debut project, Mission Not Impossible to an incredible reception. This year, they're back for a second round with the promising and powerful 6:12.

Detroit Gospel presents to some and introduces to others Erik Harvey and Paul Collins, better known as Emazin & Goodson. Their brand is hip-hop without the games and without the compromise. Last month, Emazin & Goodson released National Anthems, the follow-up to their 2005 release Serious. The title alone promises that this is a project that reaches far and wide, and they have every intention of taking advantage of that versatility to inspire and minister.

“Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
-Matthew 10:38

“If God is so real, then why isn’t He in hip-hop?” Years ago, that was a question that stumped Eddie “Substance” Cortes. Now, it’s no longer the puzzle it once was. Substance and his partner Jeremiah “Prophesyer” Smaha form the gospel rap duo known as the Carriers of the Cross, and with production by Remy “Remyx” Basuri, they’re exhibiting God’s power through rap and proving that there is a certain hunger for God’s truth that holy hip-hop is perfect for satisfying.

 

My pastor regularly quotes those eternal words from II Corinthians chapter 5: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" That passage of scripture has always stood out to me personally because of what it goes on to proclaim: God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

What do you get when you cross TBN's "Praise the Lord" with BET's "106 & Park?" The answer is the Inspiration Network's timely and vibrant "Mixx Master's Lounge." Holy hip-hoppers Ricky B. and 4Given host a weekly broadcast that represents precisely the gospel rap culture and glorifies the Most High God without compromise.

“Why don’t you try God?” From the surface, the five words that make up that question don’t really sound like too much, but considering the living God in all of His power and glory, the love that He expressed for the whole world, and the way that He wants to use us to be a blessing to each other, those five words link up to form an invitation with a meaning so profound, it’s nothing less than life-changing.

Every year, an artist comes along and makes a seminal album that changes the way we think about music…He or she makes a connection that we don’t make…They make an album that blows everyone away, which in turn inspires a brand new generation of artists. -Intro (King Ray Version)

Stylistically, there isn’t too much difference between secular and holy hip-hop music. In order for holy hip-hop to be what the adjective suggests, it has to be distinct from worldly hip-hop in purpose and presentation for God’s use, ministry to lost souls, and the edification of God’s people. Christ and Him crucified are the key elements that are absolutely necessary for gospel music to be what it is. Gospel rapper LaRue Hill is one artist that has stood without compromise, taking and aiming for the opportunity to do what the old church hymn proclaims: “I can tell the world about this!”