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Political Melodies in the Pews?: Is Black Christian Rap the New Voice of Black Liberation Theology?

Moody, David L., III

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, American Culture Studies/Popular Culture.

Liberation from oppression, racism, and poverty is a long-awaited dream for many African Americans. The “liberating” dream for most African Americans in times past was achieved through a spiritual commitment to God and communal support from fellow believers within a given church body. How does one achieve liberation today? Is it through Christian theology? Is it through artistic musical expression? Or is through both? On the other hand, is it achieved through religious ideology packaged as political expository preaching?

Black Christian rappers are the latest in a far-reaching procession of African Americans to participate in a “redeemer exercise” dedicated to the safeguarding of ethnic-gender hierarchies. Similar to the social and psychological messages for slaves that were revealed in the old Negro Spirituals during the nineteenth- and twentieth-century, Christian rappers and Black liberation theologians, use a personified –social form of politics to convey meaning and substance to challenge racial intimidation in America. Moreover, these spiritual activists focus on liberation from social, political, economic, and religious oppression that has kept African Americans in bondage for many years.

This study argues that Christian rappers interpret the effects of postmodern and post-civil rights social, economic, and political transformations in a similar mode to the messages declared from the pulpit by Black liberation theologians. However, these spiritual rappers adopt a different agenda for empowerment and religious freedom from the one proclaimed by their elder counterparts.In particular, the study explores the views that Christian theology is a theology of liberation and by means of this spiritual deliverance, an innovative, yet, revolutionary voice (Gospel hip hop) has emerged from the pews of the Sunday morning worship hour in the Black church. It is my contention that the emergence of Christian hip hop based ministries has taken on the role of a new liberating theological theme among youth within the Black community.

Moreover, as controversy surrounds the provocative sermons by the former pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, a similar tone of discontent at present, challenges the discipleship and evangelism efforts of Christian rappers such as: Antonious, B.B. Jay, Elle R.O.C., Gospel Gangstaz, Grits, King Cyz, Knowdaverbs, Lil’ Raskull, Mr. Real, Toby Mac, Willie Will, and Kirk Franklin.

Angela Nelson, PhD (Committee Chair)
Khani Begum, PhD (Committee Member)
Franklin Goza, PhD (Committee Member)
Bettina Shuford, PhD (Committee Member)
163 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Moody, III, D. L. (2010). Political Melodies in the Pews?: Is Black Christian Rap the New Voice of Black Liberation Theology? [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1269285586

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Moody, III, David. Political Melodies in the Pews?: Is Black Christian Rap the New Voice of Black Liberation Theology? 2010. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1269285586.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Moody, III, David. "Political Melodies in the Pews?: Is Black Christian Rap the New Voice of Black Liberation Theology?" Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1269285586

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)