Religion in Rap

As a society we are fascinated with the unknown and the mysterious. We are drawn to cultures and people that bring us further away from our comfort zones. Throughout history music has attracted individuals looking for an escape from their mundane and safe lifestyles. Music is a way for individuals to feel connected to something unknown and potentially dangerous, without fully submerging themselves into the culture that the music represents. For example, millions of people joined the Rock movement in the 50s and 60s but many followers didn’t truly understand the lyrics that the music represented. Anthony Pinn relates this idea to rap music and explains that many individuals “lack any understanding of the complexity of its message.”

“Who Do You Believe In?” by 2 pac references his struggle to maintain his faith while living a poor and violent neighborhood. His lyrics express how he was affected by his surrounding environment, “Maybe it’s just the drugs, visions of how the block was/Crack came and it was strange how it rocked us.” Ultimately, 2 pac proclaims that his faith in God kept him “blessed and still breathin.” While many people can’t relate to the struggles that 2 pac has gone through in his life, individuals are attracted to his music because his lyrics represent someone who has fought to overcome struggle and become successful. 2 pac illustrates that rap does not “promote a culture of disrespect and immorality,” but rather rap needs to be analyzed and discussed to understand its influences, such as religion.