Good Talks|March 02, 2015 03:58 EST
Hot 97 Host Says Lecrae's Christianity is a 'Gimmick'; Bun B Credits DC Talk for Paving the Way for 'Anomaly' Rapper [VIDEO]
Christianity and Hip-Hop have been brought to the forefront of a new class at RICE University that is taught by Professor Anthony Pinn and hip-hop legend Bun B, who are looking to tie the two subjects together.
The six-week course wants to mix hip-hop culture with religion in order to help people think at a deeper level and have a better understanding of the world around them. On Hot 97, the two cited that "most black or brown people" come from some sort of religious background whether it be Christian or Muslim.
Pinn said the goal of the course is to "Define religion in the context of the course and define hip-hop in the context of the course...." After that is established they can compare the two - Hip-Hop and Christianity and Hip-Hop in Islam. The last part of the course ends with Hip-Hop actually replacing religion for some people.
Throughout the conversation with hosts, Paul Rosenberg and Ebro, they began to talk about Christian rap music. DC Talk and Lecrae were mentioned, with the first being looked at unfavorably by Rosenberg. As the hosts joked about the perceived corniness of DCT, Bun B came to their defense.
"There probably wouldn't be a Lecrae without DC Talk."
Rosenberg said being a Christian is Lecrae's "gimmick" and that is why he is known. The host clarified he did not mean that in negative way, but more so, it is his lane that he is successful at.
Bun B feels Lecrae's approach would be different if he was not Christian.
Ebro's approach was a bit different as he stated, "Christian rap has this kind of stigma." He continued by saying that "Christian rap" is just really hip-hop. He thinks of rap in terms of, "Is it good or not...when we fragment our culture, it makes it weak."
"We have a very big movement for Christian hip-hop in Houston," said Bun B who agreed with Ebro's statement.
However, the main goal is for the students to walk away with "a stronger knowledge of religion and hip-hop...they also walk away with some tools that allow them to raise questions and interrogate their own life circumstances" said Pinn.
Watch the interview below (WARNING ADULT LANGUAGE)
