Unwrapping Rap Music
UNWRAPPING RAP MUSIC
Proverbs 4:14-27
Introduction: Today we are going to take a look at rap music. We are going to unwrap it and peel away its layers to see what it is really made of. I’m not dealing today with all rap music – rather the form known as gangsta rap or any form of rap that is vulgar and obscene though it may not be considered gangsta. To really get to the, real issue I want to peel away the layers to get to what’s behind it all. The Bible tells us in Eph 5:13,14 But everything can be tested by the light and thus be shown in its true colors; for whatever shines of itself is light. 14. For this reason it is said, "Rise, sleeper; rise from among the dead, and Christ will shed light upon you." That is exactly what I want to do with rap, shed light on it to expose its true colors.
Thesis: Expose the harmful effects of gangsta rap music.
I. THE CULTURE – HIP HOP
a. It is the way of life and mindset of the youth of our inner cities. It is the “hip” way of thinking, dressing, talking, believing, etc. Hip hop takes everything about life and gives it a different look or expression – or “flavor”.
b. You cannot control or determine the culture in which you are born and raised. The Apostle Paul did not determine the culture in which he was raised.
Phil. 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Today, through technology the hip hop culture is brought to us by way of television, the Internet, music CD's, videos, etc. People in rural America and in remote places of the world are introduced to hip hop. It is no surprise that the biggest consumers of hip hop music is not the inner city black kids, but rather the white kids from middle and upper middle class suburbia. According to Soundscan, a company that charts record sales, three-quarters of all hard-core rap albums were sold to white consumers in 1994.
II. THE MINDSET – VICTIMIZATION
a. Just as freedom of expression and challenging the status quo or the establishment was the mindset of the youth of the sixties, victimization became the mindset of the youth of our inner cities. The freedom of expression of the sixties sparked the sexual revolution, drug use and the peace movement. The youth of the sixties wanted to break through every social boundary put in place by the previous generation.
b. Victimization says, “Life has dealt me a bad hand. I am the oppressed. Don’t expect me to act a certain way. I must survive and I will do it on my own terms.” When one takes on the victim hood status, it is easy to not just be culturally distinct but to also blame someone else for one’s plight. Every victim necessitates a victimizer. In other words, every victim has someone to point their finger at and say, “You did this to me.”
Eph. 5:8-10 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9. (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 4:17-18 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
We are all victims of something. Jesus spoke to a crowd of victims in the Sermon on the Mount and His main point to them was, “I know you are all victims, but from this moment forward don’t live and act like you are!”
Matt. 5:38-41 (SIM) 38. ``You have heard that this was said: `Get back an eye for an eye. Get back a tooth for a tooth.' 39. But I am telling you this: Do not fight back against evil. Instead, if a person hits you on the right side of your face, turn the other side to him, too! 40. If someone wants to sue you in order to take your shirt, let him have your robe, too! 41. If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him!
III. THE ART – RAP
The culture is hip hop. The mindset is victimization. The victimization has expressed itself in the art form – rap. Rap is simply the musical form whereby all kinds of ideas are expressed and the way those ideas are expressed becomes irrelevant because a victim has a right to vent and tell his story in what ever style or words he chooses. No one on the outside of the culture has the right to criticize the mode, means or manner of expression of the hip hop life experience.
That is why these rap artist feel justified in singing all kinds of profane lyrics.
Young Jeesy – “Then What” (about selling drugs, sleeping around) Heard it loud and clear at Doak Campbell stadium over the loud speakers.
TI – “I’m A King”
D4L – “Laffy Taffy” (“Girl shake that Laffy Taffy”)
50 cent – “Many Men”
T-Pain – “I’m In Love With A Stripper”
Paul Wall – “Grillz”
Ying Yang Twins – “I need a dime that’s top of the line, cute face, slim waist with a big behind.”
Psalm 10:8 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and Fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Matt: 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
IV. THE CORE – SATANIC DECEPTION
First deception – I’m a victim. I can express myself anyway I want.
As a Christian, you have no right to express yourself anyway you please. Jesus dealt with the victims’ mentality in the Sermon on the mount. Satan used the victim’s mentality to deceive Eve.
Gen. 3:1 And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? V. 4,5 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Second deception – There is no harm in listening.
Prov. 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Satan knows whatever you allow to contaminate your heart will affect every area of your life.