Hip Hop & Homilies

The guys are taking a break and will see you next season. Stay tuned for updates .

Much fanfare has surrounded the Nipsey Hussle and Jay Z track, "What it Feels Like," from the Judas and the Black Messiah Inspired Album (Not Soundtrack). However, Rakim - the god MC, contributed an autobiographical track dedicated to Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party and main subject of the new movie. Hampton held that position from 1966 until his assassination in 1969. Chris and Mars discuss this track and when they first heard about the Black Panthers. Additionally, the guys explore the question: What has western Christianity done to cause Black Christians and Black people to seek a Black Messiah?

In a conversation that includes a review of D. Smoke's banger, Black Habits, the guys discuss their definition of what is and what is not blackness and how they have seen this understanding change over the years. 

The guys discuss what they look for most during the holidays in this holiday special. 

Chris and Mars discuss the United States' presidential election results. 

The guys dive into Mars' song "Pray" and discuss the role of prayer in their own lives and its potential role in the current political landscape. 

The guys discuss Kanye West's song "Closed on Sunday" from his last album "Jesus is King." Throughout this album there is a consistent theme of being counter cultural.  "Closed on Sunday" epitomizes that theme using Chic-Fil-A’s  counter cultural practice of being closed on Sunday.  The guys reflect on their lives as they explore what it looks like to be different in this season of turmoil in U.S.A. and the world.

Derek Minor called Da Truth the Kobe Bryant of Christian Hip Hop (CHH). Was he right? The guys tackle this topic and discuss the insatiable desire for hip hop artists, mainstream and CHH alike, to achieve greatness.