No Eminem, Jay Z and Kanye you are not a god
Photo Credit: Justin Turner - Dorset Media
I don't know about you but as far as I'm concerned I'm not liking where this whole thing is heading. The level of arrogance in Hip Hop has hit an all time high.
It's like that moment when someone says something foolish and you instinctively take a step back as if you are expecting lighting to strike them from the sky.
There has been a disturbing trend of late where rappers are comparing themselves to God. Rappers like Jay Z have alluded to it for years with lines like "god flow" calling himself J-Hova and other such disturbing remarks.
There is lyrical craft, and then there is just pure blasphemy. In my mind, these rappers have pretty much crossed that line and people either don't notice or don't seem to care.
Since rap began emcees have battled each other, and in an attempt to belittle their competition, have called themselves the master, the greatest, Kings etc. But as Eminem says in his latest release Rap god: "what's a king to a god."
They are pretty much saying that there is nothing else on earth they can compare themselves to.
Really?!
You want to compare yourself to God... Really...
They make good music, but come on!?
Kanye West's Jezus album, as artistic and experimental as it may be, is pretty much rubbish in comparison to the name of Jesus. I think his mother would be ashamed. So in short Kanye, No! You are not a god. Let's get that out of the way very quickly. It is foolishness to think that money, fame, talent and praise would make someone a god.
I love reading about lyrics and what people think they mean. Sometimes artists themselves explain what they wrote. By far the best place to get that information on rap music is a site I recently discovered called Rap Genius - The Wikipedia of Rap lyrics. (Expect a blog post in the near future talking about that site). In the meantime you can click on the artist and songs below to have a look at the various interpretations.
A word of caution. Whenever somebody quotes from the Bible to justify what they are trying to say, please read the entire chapter/book to gain context, consult a concordance (which breaks down the text and gives relevant interpretations on the selected scripture), and pray about what you have just heard. When people use scripture to justify what "they" want to say and lead other people astray, it is known as heresy. The devil probably knows the bible better than you do. He was there when it was written.
Take Aways:
1. There is more to this than meets the eye. A battle of good vs evil is really taking place.
2. Be careful with what you feed your soul.
3. Influence is important. Who are you influencing and who influences you?
4. How you are influenced by the music you listen to?
5. They are mere mortals. Men. Talented men, but human like you and me. 24 hours in a day. Breathe air and need the bathroom. Don't get it twisted.
Questions:
Do you agree with musicians of influence calling themselves gods?
Leave a comment by clicking below.