HHH vs. Secualr rap

[MayDay1]

"Punk rock is freedom."

I think our individual definitions of "inspired" are totally different. The definition I seem to be reading from you (at least this is feeling I get) is that since the big guy in the sky inspired said musician to write this little ditty then the song is therefore "inspired". My definition of "inspired" is that the music itself comes from such obvious passion from the musician that even if he/she messes up, the song is still great. This brings us back to Nirvana. Yeah, it's loud, it's messy, Kurt screams a whole lot, some of the time they aren't even in tune, and a lot of the lyrics seem to be about various bodily functions. But are those great songs? A thousand times yes. Whyzatt? Because those songs were written for the sheer passion of making music. You mentioned you couldn't get into Nirvana because of the unprofesionality of it. Have you heard their Unplugged album? Check it out. Those songs stick like peanut butter on the brain (who said that?)

My point is that truly inspiring music is made by bands who do the music they want to do, commercially viable or not. The Ramones influenced countless bands by simply going "Onetwothreefo!" and blasting into a two minute frenzy. Mike Patton's musical taste is so diverse he's done an album in almost every conceivable style gathering a million fanatics in the process. Jimi Hendrix was on an endless pursuit to recreate the sounds he heard in his head, and he became a legend by accident in the process. That's what I mean by "inspired".

Unfortunatly, I don't get that from Christain bands. I just hear "Well, this is what the kids seem to be into these days. Let's take that sound, round off the edges so nobody gets hurt, throw Jesus in there, and make our album." Not in the same league.

 

[Switchback]

Ok ok, i have to put in my two pesos.....

Mayday has a good point...that some of todays Christian music is "borrowed" and reapplied to make an appeal to the current generation. But, this begs the question...so what? Countless artisits today have been "inspired" by others' musical styles and go out in an effort to sing their message in a style similar to or same as those that inspired them (not all the time, but sometimes).

But this is not what I wanna blab about. The ORIGINAL question asked (prior to the fire-starters chiming in) was about HHH vs. Secular rap.

There is one awesome band i love to listen to.....Theyre called the Cross Movement. Their CD, Human Emergency, got me listening to them and I like their style. Their rap is awesome, and is full of genius in terms of beat and lyrical style. They are masters of the art of rapping and choose to use it as a ministry. If youre into "bitches and ho's", "gats and pluggin' peeps" it will not be your cup of tea. But if you wanna hear from real thugs-turned-good, check em out. It cant hurt.

I like all kinds of artists, and not just focus on secular or Christian. However, I always feel good and uplifted when I hear Chistian music (its just my thing), whereas im hitting 50/50 with secular. No biggie, just personal taste is all.

I hope I answered the original question. Itd be nice to read any other feedback.

Oh by the way, Never Say Die was an awesome album. I remember listening to it as a child in the early eighties. That was one of Petra's best ever works, a real pioneer in Christian music.

 

[SheDevil1]

You guys are missin out on the Three 6 Mafia. 😀

 

[Cbarton]

On inspiration, it seems that we agree more than we disagree. I have always felt the best way to see who the good ones are is to see them perform in some sort of 'live format, even if "Live On Tape." I learn alot about artists that way. YOU can separate the wheat from the weeds very quickly that way. I have come to love artist I just passively listen to int he past that way or at least gained new respect.

On Christian artists that use styles made popular by secular artists, it's usually more of a case that they were doing it that way as well, hitting the same road blocks. Sometimes it takes secular artist breaking through to get them noticed as well. I don't mind it as long as the music is solid (musically and lyrically). I follow the words I heard by the lead singer of Harvest 15 years ago. During a concert, he told us that his label was considering singing some new artists but wanted their input. He told them to "sign the ones that if you didn't sign them, they would keep singing anyway." I concurr with that philosphy. Whether Christian or secular, the cream rises to the top when you love what you do and stay true to it (applies in any profession, actually).

Your quote: Unfortunatly, I don't get that from Christain bands. I just hear "Well, this is what the kids seem to be into these days. Let's take that sound, round off the edges so nobody gets hurt, throw Jesus in there, and make our album." Not in the same league.

Some may be that way. A number of them like that style and perform it as a way to evangelize. It's more than just "throw Jesus in" for the ones that stick around. Take Petra. The current lead singer, John Schlitt, was a rock and roller that got into drug problems, left and left the scene. When he wanted back into the music scene, he was able to do the style of music he loves, stay clean, and even reach out to others to boot. Most Christian artist choose the style they like and can do, not just what well get them airplay. For example, I love Petra, but my voice (being a bass) is more suited for SOuthern Gospel or CCM. Heck, I could even do rap with enough practice, but would not fit my personality and style (I'm more of a cross between Wayne Watson, Stephen Curtis Chapman, and Carman).

I'm sure you get just as much inspiration from Nirvana and the Ramones as I do from Stephen Curtis Chapman, Petra, and Michael Card (one of the most awesome songwriters and singers I have ever listend to...seen him live twice). I have also heard some that you could tell were in it to be seen and try to hit it 'big.' Michael Omartian (who has produced many Christian AND secular hit and Grammy winning albums) has a song on the "White Horse" album called "Big Time" that exposes just that.

And so you know, just it takes more than being on a Christian artist label or claiming "heavenly voices" for it to be inspiring to me. If it's a sappy "Jesus Love Song" like a number of people did in the early 80's trying to hit both charts, or someone with no talent that was able to con their way onto a label, I chuck it in the dumpter like you would if someone tried to be a Nirvana clone just to try to cash in.

Talent without Inspiration= one hit wonder or doing the lounge circuit (or the eternal Sunday Evening service circuit in church circles)

Inspiration without Talent= wannabes

Talent with Inspiration= the ones that touch the heart and soul two measures into the intro.

I think we can both agree on that, even if you use "chunky peanut butter" and I use "creamy" 😉

P.S. whay section would I find Michael Patton in? I like artists that don't limit themselves to just one style...