It's been a little while since I've made a post, but I figured since I'm in the process of getting a mixtape done, my thoughts on this topic should be talked about a little bit.
In the Christian community there is what's known as "Christian Hip Hop" and "Christian Rappers." I would like to take a moment and announce now before I release my first project that I do not plan on taking on that title. Not because I don't love Jesus, or because I plan on rapping about things other than Jesus, in fact, it's quite the contrary. I don't want the title because I love Jesus, and I do plan on talking about things other than him (but don't get it twisted, Jesus is going to be present in my lyrics).
Looking at how things have been going in CHH, especially as an upcoming artist, when I see cats leaving the faith after being all in at the start of their music careers, I have to ask myself: "Do I really want that kind of pressure put on me?" Quite frankly, in a word: No. I'm an outsider looking in. I'm an anomaly (lol, Lecrae puns...). I'm an outcast and quite frankly in a mess spiritually. My goals for my music projects isn't to get anyone on an emotional hype train about Jesus. My goals is to show you what matters, both the good stuff and the bad. The dark days where I just don't feel Jesus' presence, and the bright days when I do. I want to show the journey of my heart working it's way to being in the right place, and I'm not going to lie, there are going to be times when it just isn't. I want anyone who ever listens to anything I ever release to understand that.
I understand why people within the CHH community see the music as a plane of ministry, but in my opinion, I don't think it should be. At least not in the context of training and raising disciples. By all means, rap about Jesus and let people learn about God, I'm not going to diminish that, but to me, I think ministering needs to be more personal. More direct. I have no doubt in my mind that many of these rappers right now have people in their personal lives that they are in fact ministering to, and that's wonderful, but I've listened to every Lecrae album, save "Real Talk" and have never met the man in person (among any other artist that I've listened to, with the exception of Thi'sl, Rawservant, Dillon Chase, and Cash Hollistah. Met each of them once. Cool dudes.). So how can Lecrae really minister to me if he doesn't know me personally? He really can't. He can't take time to pray for me or learn of what my struggles are, but I bet the pastor or elder at the church down the street can. I bet I can run into someone who's a little wiser and a little more mature in faith here where I'm at can minister to me. I'd rather take that.
And this same rule will eventually apply to me as a musician. Who knows how far any of my music will travel? I don't. I do know though that I can't have deep, meaningful relationships with everyone all around the world. There's not enough time on this Earth for that. What I do have time for is finding the people here that Christ has in store for me to meet and walk with. I'm getting married soon. My wife will be my number 1 ministry. My second ministry will be the body. Third is everyone else I come in contact with. It doesn't mean that I'm going to bring everyone to Christ, but if I plant or water a seed in good faith, then I know that I've done what the Lord requires of me. If music helps to do that, then so be it, I will still serve my God how he wills, but I wish to view my music, my art, as it is. Just that: Art. Anything else that comes from it is God's doing, not mine. As you'll someday hear me say "I'm just a story telling rapper that's rapping to tell a story." Everything else is between God and the one who hears what I have to rap and sing about.
Till Next Time
Richie Buzz
