So It Has Been Said...

So protected from the world by my religious parents, was I, that I did not come to know of the multi-genre world of music until I hit middle school. Forced to ride the bus, I was introduced to rhythms and beats different from the contemporary gospel sound I had grown up with. So new to me and widely embraced by my peers, I followed the (what was called) HIPHOP trend and sang along with Jay-Z's, "H to the Izzo, V to the Izza" and Creed's "With arms wide open..." Did it define me? No. It moved me.
Once a quiet child, I became outspoken and challenging. Though I could not understand completely what I was listening to, the obsession with hip-hop/R&B/Neo-Soul overcame me. I had to wake up to it, eat to it, dance to it, sleep to it - I had so embraced the sound. A part of me wants to believe it grew from a lyrical passion which defines me today.
You can imagine then, my devastation when Hip-hop’s morality came into question. Of course I understood that the message being portrayed of Black women (or Black Americans as a whole) was negative and degrading, but at such a young age this did not hold much weight on me. However, the supposed underlying morality of Hip-hop is what threw me. Many make claim that Hip-hop and many others musical genres (Heavy metal, Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Neo-Soul) is rooted in demonic acts; that it forces people to do or act with certain behaviors that are not initially their own.
Though there are some who support music, "Music...has played an instrumental role in healing and harmonizing the mind, body, and spirit(CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd);" However, there are many more to say that these genres are foul ; corrupting the people who listen to it - especially the impressionable youth.
The question now is:
True or false?

Country

Also known as Western music, Country music originates from southern parts of U.S. and is deeply rooted in celtic, folk, and gospel music. Many popular artists, as you may have heard, seem to come from America's most southern state, Texas.
Country music first started off as what was called Hillbillie music, utilizing mainly the African Banjo, the Irish fiddle, and the Spanish guitar. Musicians did not appreciate the name, thus "Hillbillie music" turned into "Country" or "Western music." This music, which when played force a unresistable need to jump, dance, and hollar, allowed its listeners a chance to find peace and happiness amoungst any uncomfortable situation. It later found its place in Gospel for a while, but it do not remain in the mainstream of religious music for too long.

Country music, which has pretty much acquired a neutral sense about it amoungst the American people, has dipped its hand in the style of different musical genres and topics. It has spoken on God as well as sex. It has touched on the joys of life, as well as the terrors of life. It has breached areas of life after death, heave - and hell. Yet still, people do not have much to say for or against the musical genre of Country music.

JAZZ/BLUES

Oh how far back in time we can go when it comes to the genre of Jazz. Rooted in so many different genres from Dixieland music to ragtime, from swing to bebop, it’s hard to know where to begin.
What I know for sure is that this form of music originated from southern African American communities. The term Jazz, its derivation uncertain, was first referred to as music played in Chicago. Composed of people from West Africa, the Africans gathered at what was called the Congo Square and danced to beating drums. In their songs, a release-source for emotion – be it joy or sorrow, the rhythms with which they sang reflected the way they spoke, and this rhythm led to what is called the “blue notes” in jazz and blues music. As blacks learned to play instruments, not only did their dances change but their music as well. Many other influences helped to form and reform this “black music”. As Blacks learned the musical style of hymns, they incorporated it into their own singing, creating what was known as spirituals. Blues are somewhat a secular version of these spirituals, owning pretty much the same sound. The only (big) difference is the message.

The lawful end of slavery, brought about opportunities. Though the situations were still hard and trying, this abolition provided for faith, courage, and hope for many Blacks in America. There were not a lot of job opportunities, so many African Americans took up work as entertainers singing, dancing, or playing instruments in saloons, bars, and clubs. Within Jazz, we went from Ragtime in the 1890's, to swing in the 1920's and 30's, to Bebop in the 1940's, Cool Jazz and Free Jazz in the 1950's, and Latin Jazz and Soul Jazz in the 60's and 70's. Jazz fusions of many kind would follow.
Primarily due to the sexual or intimate content within Jazz music, many traditionalist (and/or religious followers) felt strongly against this genre of music. Its wide derivations, taking sounds and rhythms from all sorts of music, added to its bad rep. Some argued that Jazz was pulling people away from the values and morals they all once shared, and pushing them into a lifestyle that is without discipline.
If music is its instrument, then this was proved in the lives of many artists such as Billie Holiday so lived unstable lifestyles.

RELIGIOUS

Encouraging a positive atmosphere, self-love, and growth, Religious (Christian, that is) music, for a long time, has been known to cause an “uplifting of the spirit” for anyone, whether the person is religious or not. There are a couple different sub-genres or branches of religious music (Contemporary Christian, Christian Rock, Gospel, etc), so it is difficult to describe it as a whole genre. Though contemporary religious music may find its roots in early Gregorian chant, Gospel music can be said to have sprouted from or be partners along with Rhythm&Blues sound (thus creating much controversy among traditional religious followers).

Contemporary
Contemporary Christian music currently represented by artists such as Avalon, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Amy Grant, and Jars of Clay, is “lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith.” This branch of Christian music became popular after a 1970’s “Jesus Movement” revival, and its sound sprouted from that of rock and roll. It's appeal is more to a white majority, and the elderly. This music, personally, owns most of its potency within its lyrics. In order for me to be touched by Contemporary Christian music, the words have to be unique, original, and own a connection to me - provide some type of relation to the words. I have noticed that it is not so much the vocalists sound that causing a church crowd to "jump for joy" but rather the words.

Gospel
Gospel music, "Written to express either personal or communal belief regarding Christian life (wikipedia)," can provide an alternative to mainstream secular music" Its most powerful instrument is found in the vocals. The stronger the vocals, the more intense the music is. Not many words have to go in to the song - a simple "Yeeeeeeessss, yeeeeeeees, yeeeees," as in Shekinah Glory's Say Yes can move an audience, if the vocals command them too.

The Devil's Doing?
Many traditionalists do not agree with the modern day gospel music, claiming that it is derived from the secular music -mostly R&B and HipHop. Gospel artists have argued that they are simply trying to reach out and connect with the younger generations who enjoy the beats and rhythms of the secular sound. However, traditionalists argue that the devil does not belong in the church. Modern-day gospel artists have worked together with many secular artists. Kirk Franklin is considered to be the leader of the urban contemporary gospel choirs and the initiator of the convergence of secular artist in gospel music. On some of Franklin's albums you find the voices of Cheryl James (from Salt-n-Pepa), R. Kelly, Mary J. Blige, Stevey Wonder, Jill Scott, BoyzIIMen, and a few others. Gospel artist J.Moss has sung with Neo-Soul/R&B artist Anthony Hamilton and Mary Mary has recently released a song called "Superfriend" with rapper David Banner. There are blogs all over the web relating their concerns with religious musical crossovers and what it means to be a true Christian.
In Craig Lewis' "Exodus to Egypt" video, he describes how many people walked out on Patti LaBelle's performance at a Gospel awards show, due to her past performance, her musical genre, and (if I'm correct) the way she dressed. Lewis apologized the organization for placing her in a situation that could have been avoided had they realized that they should not use a secular artist to minister through Christian music at their show.

NEO-SOUL

The term Neo-Soul, also known as "Nu Soul," was originated in the 1990's by Motown Records' Kedar Massenburg. It is a genre which branches off that of R&B. It focuses less on popular appeal and more on "inner interests" or expression. Wikipedia describes the difference separating this subgenre from R&B's other subgenres is its relation to the ethnocentric sense of music. Neo-soul artists (or as they like to be called: teachers, educators, or musicians) tend to be well learned on the topics of the African-American people and their African roots. They relate a lot of their music to the disciplines, morals, and ways of love and living of the African - or Black people. What makes this genre so well liked and popular is its connection to poetry. Neo-soul songs are like a sung poem. It embodies the same emotion, rhythm, and smooth groove of many "Def Poetry" poets such as Shihan, Jessica Holter a.k.a.Ghetto Girl Blue, or Shanelle Gabriel (all which can be found on YouTube and/or Myspace). Many listeners have made claim that this genre provides a sort of spiritual release and offers a true connection of reality while teaching wisdom both new and old. From the 1970's soul music existed - its origin both questionable and debatable. It wasn't until Erykah Badu (who was discovered after opening a show for D'Angelo one night) came out with her debuted album "Baduizm," that Massenburg, changed the direction of Motown music and began calling it "Neo-Soul," neo meaning New. However, though, the movement may have began here, it was Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" which set the gears in true motion for this particular type of music and grabbed the attention of many other artists.



In the Beginning
Craig Lewis, a "musical-researcher"(if I may call him so), has put together a video, Exodus into Egypt, branching off of his first video called "The Truth Behind Hip-hop." Within this video he speaks on the musical genre labeled "Neo-Soul."
Africa Bambaataa, he begins, was a man who traveled to Africa determined to find the cause to the constant downfall in the Black race. After joining a group of people called Amazulu, he came back to America with the teachings he had acquired, one of them being that the Black man was God. Wanting to pass to the American Youth his new found knowledge of Pharakhan being the one true God, black people being superior begins on Earth, the need to obey only to oneself, and so-on and so-forth, he conjured of a creative way to impact a tremendous group of people at one time.
Music.

Neo-Soul music has been said to change behavior in people. It has been said to change characters and attitudes. In one document, it was said to have had sexual affects on its listeners, turning a natural heterosexual into a homosexual. One girl reported that it the feelings were "almost instant." Claiming that the music gave her a sense of freedom, a free spirit have you.

Craig Lewis explains in his video how Africa Bambaataa and a couple of other people (Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash) got together and began to place their messages within beats, rhythms, and lyrics in music. Lewis notes that though the listeners never knew what they were actually saying, the spirits knew. Bambaataa started The New Nation (song: Planet Rock) which, as a group of followers, believe in one God of many names (Jehovah, Allah, Jah, etc). The group believes in the Bible and the Quran (- the two contradict each other). Bambaataa wore and encouraged the wearing of the Ankh, which Craig describes to mean 360 degrees (the circle about the cross), man and woman are God. Three hundred-sixty meaning it comes back to you, you are your own God.


KRS 1:
"In Hip Hop, there are no gods or goddesses. We are the gods and goddesses. We say to each other, 'peace god, peace goddess.' This concept has been lent to us by the 5% Nation of Gods and earths...Be God, stop worshipping god. Be God. If your religion is Islam, eliminate the distance, stop worshipping Allah. And be Allah. If your religion is Judaism, stop studying the 5 books of Moses. Be the law. Be Moses. If you are Christian, stop worshipping Jesus Christ and calling his name out. Be Jesus Christ. Be Buddha. Be Krishna."

Recall, if you can, King Solomon. The Bible tells that the Son of God was to come out of the house of David to produce Jesus Christ. This seed is in Solomon. Solomon was known to mess around with the Egyptians, which caused him to produce what Craig Lewis describes to be a "false lineage." A man named Ras Tafari (who later changed his name to Haile Selassie) was became king of Ethiopia. Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie is the true Jesus Christ - the black one. Worshipping him as so, they believe that he is the lion of Judah, as the Bible says and so they began to wear their hair as the lions do...
Dreads.

EXTRA EXTRA!!
On D'Angelo's "Voodoo" Album
"I am using the word 'artist' loosely. I personally believe in art as it exist in the context of the phrase 'thou art God.' In this phrase, Art is the word that connects the individual (thou) to their higher self (God)...We have come adorned in apparel of the anointed. We have come to seduce and serenade the night and the powers of darkness."
Craig Lewis claims this artist, D'Angelo, went to Haiti, the country which has declared Voodoo to be their official religion, and performed a voodoo ceremony on his album (calling it "Voodoo") so that Christian woman would buy it. Knowing he could never get them to change their ideas, and agree with his Anti-Christ ideas, he plays his beliefs in their head with his subliminal messages within the songs.

Erykah Badu: "On and On"
"Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned, if knowledge were your wealth then it would be earned. If we were made in his image then call us by our names. Most intellects do not believe in god, but they fear us just the same."
In Genesis 1 verse 27, the first book in the Bible, it says: "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female, he created them." Being made in the image of God is not simply taken in the physical, but meant also in the sense of the emotional, the mental, the spiritual. Therefore many neo-soul artists (as well as HipHop artists) believe that in the image of God, they themselves are gods.
"I was born under water, with three dollars and six dimes."
You might be thinking - Okay, so what?
"Yeah, you may laugh, 'cause you did not do your math."
Number one, references to things under water tend to involve occurrences that are demonic, or wicked. Two, "three dollars and six dimes (3.60)" may be Erykah's reference to 360 - three hundred sixty degrees, Erykah is "god"(in referrence to what I mentioned concerning the Ankh). Without doing your research - yeah, you might laugh.

CLASSICAL

THE GOOD...
Known as therapeutic, Classical music holds true to a long life time sprouting out from The Catholic church through Gregorian chant of the 10th century. Many scientist claim classical music benefits moods, reduces crime, and encourages learning in children. In "Classical Music Therapy" by C. Bailey Lloyd claims that classical music can be "used to for pain, migraines, cancer, stress, upset stomach, fatigue, depression and other multiple disorders." He goes on to say that it can help stress and reduce heart and breathing rate.
In one of London, England's most dangerous areas, a British Transport police played classical music and reportedly after 6 months found that robberies were cut 33% and staff assaults decreased by 25%. Vandalism went down as well.
In hospitals, some physicians have commented that classical music creates an efficient and relaxed work place. There are documents which states that classical music creates an environment conducive to creative and intellectual development in unborn babies (The Secret Life of the Unborn Child). For preschoolers studying piano, performed 34% better than other preschoolers who spent the same amount of time on the learning the use of computers in spatial and temporal reasoning ability (Rauscher and Shaw).
An article titled, "Psychology of Classical Music," Mozart's music has displayed many benefits for those suffering from epilepsy. Though its affects on mood vary depending on music preference, classical music has shown to decrease tension.


...AND THE BAD
"If you walk into a store that's playing classical music, be careful: the music is likely being played on purpose, as a tool to get you to buy more" comments "How Classical Music Can Reduce Crime, Benefit Your Mood and Increase Your Spending", referring to Brian Vaszily's "How Stores are Secretly Using Barry Manilow to Rob You." One of Cincinnati's marketing professors, James Kellaris explains that music contorts the customer's time perception and lowers sales resistance causing them to want to spend more money. In Don Roberson's "About Positive Music" he describes the "father of negative music" to be Arnold Schönberg, the first person, in the 20th century that is, to openly create negative music. His music, rejected by Europeans, Schönberg's music caused his audience much discomfort. Robert continues to explain that Schönberg's music opened doors to Western Classical music which would then contribute to the introduction of Rock music in 1960's.

HIPHOP

HipHop...It's a What?
In Craig Lewis' DVD video "Out of Egypt" he makes claim that Hiphop is not just a musical genre but that it is indeed a religion. One which "rests upon the belief that the white man is the devil and the black man is god." Many Black Supremacy groups (i.e. Nation of Islam, New Black Panther Party, Nation of Yahweh) sprang forth during the 1980's, encouraging black people to get-back-to-their-roots. These groups pushed Black Americans to celebrate their blackness. Supported by Black celebrities, many did come to embrace this new trend; wearing daski's, sporting dreads or long braids, and decorating their homes with African sculptures and paintings. Lewis believes that these groups attempt to rid black people of the belief of "white Jesus" claiming that they do not celebrate Christmas because it celebrates the birth of Christ. He goes on to explain the belief behind the celebration of Kwanza. The founder was a studnet of Egyptology who wanted all the all the Egyptian doctrines that proclaimed the Black man to be God.

The plan was to delete Jesus Christ - that is the white man's Jesus - out of the picture by utilizing music, which your brain cant reject and through the influence of popular music artists. Craig Lewis speaks on Jay Z, who claims himself to be God in one of his early songs "Izzo" "H to the Izzo, V to the izzA." H.O.V.A. which spells HOVA thus, J.HOVA, as in Jehovah God. In the French language, Jezu is pronounced as jay zu or jay zee. It means Jesus. Also said to be connect to the rapper’s name, Jay Z."Baptized in Dirty Water" which is on David Banner's album cover. The whole idea of baptism purification; to get back to one's innocence. It means to be white as snow; starting on a fresh slate. To be baptized in dirty water defeats the purpose of the cleansing act. Instead it would allow oneself to, in a spiritual and metaphorical sense of course, become more sinful and impure. In Kanye West's "Jesus Walks" Craig Lewis explains that it isnt at all about Jesus walking with him in the sense of "ordering his steps," but rather that it is Jesus walking with him as he commits his wrong doings. It is blasphemy, Lewis declares.

Mujahideen Ryder, what seems to be an Islamic social-site, commented on hip-hop and its rapping entertainers: "[They have] something common. They are all Muslims. Regardless of their lifestyles, lyrics and actions they have accepted Allah as their creator and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His messenger. (*Rumor)"
He provides these examples:
Beanie Sigel "I Can’t Go On This Way": My heart in the faith I don’t practice,I still pray along, forgive me for my actions,Cause I still spit gangsta, think Muslim, act Kafir,I can’t go on this way. Comomn "G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition)" Qu’ran and the Bible, to me they all vitalAnd got truth within ‘em, gotta read them boysYou just can’t skim ‘em, different branches of beliefBut one root that stem ‘em Akon "Sengal": So what you know about how God comes first. And everything we do is for Allah. The author of the article/blog continues, saying "The hip-hop culture is part of the pop culture nowadays. It is everywhere. In the cities, the suburbs and the farm lands. Young boys and girls from the Queensbridge projects all the way to the Hamptons of Long Island and everything in between promote, practice...and enjoy hip-hop. With an Islamic influence, they can have a dramatic effect on the future and public image of Islam."

TEMPLE OF HIPHOP
KRS-One, who calls himself a hip-hop philosopher and claiming the "I am HipHop" philosophy, created the "Temple of Hiphop Kulture" in 1998 which boasts 25,000 members. Believing the "I Am HipHop" philosophy to be his calling, KRS-One describes its goal or mission statement (have you) to establish health, love, wealth, and awareness. The article I read on this was written sometime between 1995-2000. Then, the Temple had plans of building a school in New Jersey that would have nine-tiered curriculum of knowledge and trade but also emceeing, beatboxing, breaking, graffiti art, DJing, fashion, language. Claiming HipHop as its religion, the Temple of HipHop is convinced that HipHop proves the existence of God, "When you talk to Hiphop pioneers like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaata, and Grandmaster Flash they will tell you about being overcome by a certain kind of spirit."

Myspace: Chamillionaire While you wait for his next album to drop later this year, check out “Street Mixtape Messiah 6,” exclusively on MySpace.

EXTRA, EXTRA...

-Nation of Islam
Classified as Black Nationalist/Separatists and considered a hate group in some places, Nation of Islam emerged in the 30's but was resurrected by Malcolm X in the 60's. Group's founders taught the doctrine of Yakub. This doctrine explains the original man to have been an Asiatic Black man. The early belief of the doctrine for every Muslim was sacrificial and ritual murder of four Caucasian devils. Louis Farrahkhan, Nation of Islam leader, later explained that the teachings were not meant to be taken in such a literal sense but rather that they were to kill the white man's social (and even mental) hold on them.
Want more? Click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_supremacy#Black_Muslim_groups

-New Black Panther Party
Founded in Dallas Texas, 1989 and formerly known as Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, attracted many Nation of Islam members.
Want more? Click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_supremacy#New_Black_Panther_Party
-Nation of Yahweh
Similar to Black Hebrew Israelites in their beliefs, Nation of Yahweh was founded by Hulon Mitchell Jr. a.k.a. Yahweh ben Yahweh (meaning God, the son of God). The Nation of Yahweh believed Blacks were the true Jews and that White Jews came from Satan. Some followers, formed what they called the Brotherhood. To join, an applicant had to kill a white man and bring a body part as proof to Hulon Mitchell.
Want more? Click here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_supremacy#Nation_of_Yahweh