With the releases of his latest album, “Damn”, Kendrick Lamar once again returns to the airwaves with a stir as he communicates his stance as a Hebrew Israelite; a philosophy and viewpoint that is becoming more mainstream to a new generation.
Kendrick Lamar is well known for combining his socially conscious, introspective lyrics alongside his faith; exemplified in ‘G.K.M.C’ & ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ which won a Grammy.
This got the attention of both the hip-hop community and the Christian sphere. Many held up Kendrick Lamar
as a model for Christian artists who wanted to make music in the secular sphere.
Rapzilla previously championed Kendrick Lamar as ‘The biggest Christian rapper of all time’:
Now, people are beginning to pick up how Hebrew Israelite ideology runs throughout Kendrick’s album. Who are the Black Hebrew Israelites (also known as Hebrew Israelites) and what are their beliefs?
Popular online Hip-Hop media outlet, HipHopDx reported on this influence on Kendrick’s album (above) while Rasool Berry recently gave insight into the group’s origin and their idealogy in the interview below on the Wade-O Radio Show:
Scott Lane with Vocab Malone, & Pastor Tony Ares also discuss here the background of BHI including an insight into the identity of Kendrick Lamar’s cousin, mentioned on the album.
Oftentimes, Christians and Christian media are quick to champion any celebrity or popular figure who “convert”. Remember the storm around artists such as Kanye West, David Banner’s Collaboration with Mary Mary or Justin Bieber? Maybe, in our longing for a champion who will make us relevant to popular culture, we prematurely jerk to embrace such figures. We long for a David; a fighter who can stand against the armies of the Philistines and best their greatest warrior.
We must stay away from latching our faith unto individuals and events & unto God. We should be cautious not to follow “Pauls’s, Apollos’s & Cephas’s”; We weren’t baptized into their name! What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:12)
But who are our champions?
Will our Davids truly stands for God and be committed to his will?
When our Davids stray from God, will there be a Nathan to speak up?
Who’s working behind the scenes with these artists to bring the light of truth to them?
Are we championing our community’s artists as we should?
Are we allowing them to express their struggles and help them to navigate their perspectives biblically?
I believe there are many artists within and without the CHH scene that do a great job of blending social community and ethnic interests with the changing power of the Gospel, notably Propaganda and Sho Baraka, to name a few in the US.
Lastly, although we may disagree with and be disappointed by these public figures, two important questions remain:
Do we show love towards them? and, do we pray for them?
BE EQUIPPED!
The Bible tells us that we should “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
It’s not all about blessings & bright lights (Hebrews 11), but the Gospel of God who can confidently address all issues, even those in our innermost parts!
So Here Are Some Tools for your Study:
Free At Last? by Carl Ellis
Urban Apologetics by Christopher Brooks
How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind by Thomas Oden
Eternity In Their Hearts by Don Richardson
