Political Melodies in the Pews?

The Voice of the Black Christian Rapper in the Twenty-first-Century Church

By (author) David L. Moody

Publication date:

27 September 2012

Length of book:

132 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

ISBN-13: 9780739172360

In this fascinating study of contemporary Christian worshippers, David L. Moody analyzes Christian rap music against traditional Christian theology. For many, mixing the sanctified worship of God with music originating from unconsecrated avenues has become difficult to accept. From the back alleys and streets of “the hood” to the club scene of urban America, Christian rappers walk to a different beat than the preacher at the pulpit. However, similar to a street evangelist, the Black Christian rapper is about singing praise to God and delivering the gospel message to his “lost homies” on the streets. Moody examines the emergence of hip hop based ministries and their place among youth with the Black community.

Introduction: Sing my Brother, Sing! Say what’s on your mind; Do it with a rhyme!
Chapter 1: The “Liberating Dream” through Black Christian Rap Music
Chapter 2: Performing Hip Hop in the Black Church: Political, Spiritual, or just plain Entertaining? Hip Hop as a Culture: Rap as an Art Form
Chapter 3: Black Liberation Theology: Political, Spiritual, or just a plain old voice from the Past?
Chapter 4: Jesus “The Brown Skin-Revolutionary”: Was Jesus a Marxist Rapper?
Chapter 5: What Would Jesus Rap About?
Conclusion: The Role of the Church Today
Appendix A. ABC Transcript/Jeremiah Wright
Appendix B. RIAA 2008 Consumer Profile
Appendix C. Slave Population of the U.S.

In Political Melodies in the Pews?, Moody opens the door for us to examine an understudied subject, and he has raised poignant questions to consider. As Christian music continues to play an important role as part of the worship service in Black churches across the United States, studies such as these are important contributions to better understanding cultural practices within these and similar communities.