That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes
But if I talk about God my record won't get played Huh?” (“Jesus Walks”, Kanye West)
The Christian music world has boomed with $300 million to $500 million profits (Forbes & Mahan) and created their own stars in an ever-growing niche market. In this market they can talk about God as much as they want, and their listeners want to hear more.
But what place does Christianity and God have on mainstream music? How is it interpreted in different genres of music like Country, Hip Hop and Pop music?
Kanye is right that most mainstream music is about sex, love, heartbreak and drama. While these are often glorified, religion is virtually shunned and seen as the most offensive and divisive of any subject matter. But we will see that religion, specifically Christianity, still finds a place (even sometimes a very small place) in every genre of music.
Pop music probably references religion and God the least out of all the genres of music. Top 40 music is created to entertain the masses and appeal to the most listeners as possible. Perhaps this is why God is mostly found absent on its charts. Mentions of God and religion would divide audiences and turn away those who disagree with religion, in a format that is meant to attract as many listeners as possible.
Although there are acts like Lifehouse, Creed and The Fray who have references to God in their music, they are often vague and generic. One of The Fray’s biggest hits “You Found Me” discusses the doubts the singer is having about God while dealing with hard times. But there is no mention of a specific God and he is humanized “smoking his last cigarette”.
The most blatant religious statements in pop music are made with great controversy. Take Madonna’s 1989 hit “Like A Prayer” as an example. Burning crosses, making love to a black Christ and stigmata are all focuses of the music video. She was making a statement against the Catholic faith in this video. While the song has very vague religious references, like most of pop music’s references to God, the video used religious references to cause controversy.
While Hip-Hop music can be argued to be the least saintly genre of music, its artists often claim close associations with religion. One of the most popular tattoos and accessories amongst rappers is a cross. Ironically, they wear a cross that represents a sacred act as they rap about very unholy acts such as pre-marital and extra-marital sex, drugs and violence. But some rappers and R & B singers “namedrop” God in their lyrics.
Mary J Blige, Destinys Child, Coolio all make respectful references to God. But the most recent "religious" hit to my knowledge in hip hop is Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks”. This whole record is about whether or not talking about God in popular music is acceptable or not. It is more specific than popular music, but God is still rarely found in hip hop. Like Madonna's video, Kanye's video for "Jesus Walks" is controversial and uses religion to shock audiences.
Country music is the music that tends to be the most closely associated with God and religion. Nashville artists tend to wear their faith on their sleeves and openly acknowledge God and religion in their music. Whether it is Martina McBride, Diamond Rio or Tim McGraw, faith is as valued in their lyrics as romance.
The most recent popular example I can think of is American Idol winner Carrie Underwood. Two of her hits, “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “Don’t Forget to Remember Me”, are open prayers for mercy to God to “take the wheel, take it from [her] hands, because [she] can’t do this on [her] own.” She also pleads for course correction and for Got to “give [her] one more chance, save [her] from this road I’m on”
Neither hits hide her faith in God or tries to use Him as a metaphor. Neither song keeps the subject matter vague. They are straightforwardly Christian and both were #1 Country hits.
What makes Country music different that it can mention a Christian God and still be a hit? Where does Christianity fit in with mainstream music? Is it regarded differently in different genres and how?
As with Carrie Underwood's song, I don't think it's that country music gets away with mentioning God more so than other music, I believe country music is more slow and reverent and people accept it when they speak of God easier than a rapper. Because I think most people associate God with someone who is humble, meek, submissive...etc. Country music usually doesn't have people swearing and risky music videos like Madonna or a rapper would have. I think people choose to believe that country music singers act and behave a certain way, opposite of pop music singers or rappers- so they accept them singing about God. Everyone stereotypes and I think people who sing or listen to country music are stereotyped to be more easy-going and slow in relation to music standards. I just believe it has to do with the stereotyping we do as people, that country music is known for talking about/singing about God.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Chad, great blog post!
ReplyDeleteYour post/questions really got me thinking about how artists for various genres of music tailor their religious messages to their audiences. For example, Kanye raps mostly about redemption and forgiveness. He targets a group that has had hard times, poor luck and all-around crummy circumstances. Though Madonna's video was incredibly provocative, her lyrics to "Like a Prayer" discuss her feelings for a significant other and have a light religious undertone. All I really remember from that song (which is a personal fave, by the way) is the chorus: "When you call my name/ It's like a little prayer ..." So, I totally agree with Chad when he says that pop music is lighter on the religious side because of the need to appeal to a mass audience. As for country music, I must admit I don't know much about it and its religious tendencies. However, it seems to me that when country singers tie religious themes into their music, they focus on gratitude and being uplifted. This could be off-base, but it's my interpretation at least.
One reason I believe country music can mention a Christian God and still be a hit has to do with the audience that generally follows country music--studies show the bulk of its audience is young adults from 20 to 35 who are white. That demographic lines up quite well with a significant portion of Christianity's followers. So it follows that country can get away with playing music that addresses a topic that a large portion of its listeners believe in--a Christian God. Compare the audience demographics for pop and hip hop music, and you will see a notable difference in ethnicity and age. Hip hop is followed by 24 million people between the age of 19, from a range of nationalities, ethnic groups and religions. Pop music, meanwhile, generally targets a much younger audience. So I think the reason country music can address topics like a Christian god so blatantly and still be such a big hit has a lot to do with the demographics of the audience and the way that topic matches up with the audience's beliefs and values. Country music's demographics would obviously better identify with and respond to overt Christian themes.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s interesting how mainstream (pop/hip hop) musicians walk on eggshells when it comes to religious themes in music because it may supposedly polarize or alienate listeners of different faiths. Meanwhile, there is no hesitation to throw in references to sex, drug use, and violence. Applying similar logic, the majority of the audience must engage in or at least support these behaviors or else the dissonance would alienate them, right? Wrong. I highly doubt the majority of mainstream music fans are gang members. For some reason we don’t mind listening to songs that promote these foreign behaviors, but artists tiptoe around religion because some of their fans might not go to church.
ReplyDeleteEven though I agree with Obama that Kanye West is a jackass and his opinions are stupid, I think he has a point about the lack of Jesus in rap music.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this post for awhile and I don't know why nor do I have a good explanation why religion and rap can't and don't go together. I personally don't think they mesh, but I can see an audience of rap fans that would like a religious/rap niche.
I don't think either rap or country have very high morals portrayed in their music (rap -- sex, violence, riding dirty; country -- infidelity, alcohol abuse, spousal abuse.
But I think that country music fans are more accepting and even desire religious themed songs. As for the future of religion in rap and country music I don't know, but I hope both can improve their overall messages.
I agree with a lot of what has been said both by Chad and those who have commented on his post. Personally, it seems to me that most people who listen to country music tend to lead a more simple, humble life. They come from backgrounds which are more conservative and traditional that a lot of others, and therefore they wouldn’t be so opposed to the idea of religious messages in country music. I imagine that if a survey was taken about the religious activity/beliefs of each of these three styles of music, country music listeners would have the strongest spiritual convictions.
ReplyDeleteDue to the overall nature of hip hop and rap, the religious references just feel so out of place. Probably because the majority of songs have a fairly immoral message (although I agree that a lot of country songs do as well). Or maybe simply because of the faster, more intense beat behind the lyrics of the first two genres.
I know that I personally would be much less surprised/uncomfortable with a country song which had religious lyrics than a rap or hip hop song. It seems to fit so much better in that genre than the other two. So I guess I would fit in with the masses that Chad was talking about, being more accepting of religious references if it were from a country singer.
Like others have said, I believe it is all about the tone of the music. With country music, the way the performers sing brings about a more slow and relaxed tone than rap. When I listen to rap music, I automatically associate the hard tone and rhythm with hard lyrics, without even listening to the meaning within the song. But with country music, the tone is much different and light hearted. I feel that with that kind of tone, the spirit, if you will, is more invited and one's heart can be softened more so than with other types of music. I also have noticed that with country music, the artists tend to tell more of a story. And so, people tend to give more thought into each song and what they are saying instead of just listening to a beat. Perhaps this is the reason why it is more acceptable to relate religion and God to country than to other forms of music.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point. I think hip-hop music hold the perception that it is rowdy and irreverent, so any mention of Christianity or religion is seen as mockery or at least insincere. Because of the generally more mellow tone of country or even some rock, religion is not as taboo. The reality is that hip-hop is music too. And music is poetry. And poetry is a way to express feelings, emotions, and beliefs. Just because the beat is faster does not mean that they message is less sincere.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I enjoy hip-hop music more than any white girl you will ever meet, but I do not typically listen to it for spiritual messages or to feel emotion. The pace and beat of the melody create other emotions than, say, when I listen to country. If I am listening to hip-hop for the message, it is never a mainstream song- but a less popular song from the artist's album. Mainstream country songs are more spiritual because it is fit for the genre and pace of the music. People don't listen to hip-hop to feel something they listen to it as an escape.
Latter Day Saints believe that music is a way to pray. D&C 25:12 says, "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me." With religious references being so widespread in so many genres of music, it seems that music may be a religious experience for many people. Though it seems more natural for many people, to sing about religious things to slower, softer ballads, everyone has their own way to express themselves. Somebody who performs a certain genre of music such as rap or hip hop, is most likely so accustomed to their own genre of music, that it would not seem unusual to worship God through their music.
ReplyDeleteIt is not common that a pop star uses God as reference on its music. However, most likely when when they do it is almost disrespectful. In the cse of Madonna she is almosy mocking religion and exploiting it as a way of entertainment. IN the case of the fray humanazing God by referring to him as "smoking a cigarette." If Anything it seems that they want to treat God as an equal when he is not. I have to agree that country music is more associated to God than any other genre. It almost seems that singing respectfully about religion is not popular.
ReplyDeleteAnnie
Art is a way of expression and most artists will express their beliefs and emotions through their chosen art form. That is why we get music that is all about hatred and violence, or music that actually has positive messages and promotes faith, plus everything in between. It is a reflection of the artist AND an attempt to sell their product. Music is a powerful tool and is used for a force of good and evil. One of Satan's most effective ways to entice and lure youth especially, is music. Luckily, since we've been given the gift of free agency, we can easily turn off that which doesn't lift us.
ReplyDelete