‘Ready or not,’ here comes sacred hip-hop
By Shawn Guy-Pitts
For the St. Louis American
Services, seminars, conferences and broadcasts with gospel themes are the church’s traditional answers for society’s ills, but bringing calm to the chaos through gospel rap may be the next ticket.
Local gospel rapper Focus Inc. dived into hip-hop with an uncharacteristic message for a genre that is typically overrun with misogyny and a thug mentality. When most artists are rapping about the external acquisitions of bling, champagne, cars and women, Focus Inc.’s music is directed toward internal gains such as sacrifice, salvation and serenity.
The musical blend of heavy bass, catchy hooks and rap lingo may be the right combination to bring misguided young souls out of the streets and into the arms of God. With head-bopping beats, Focus Inc. is able to speak about what often causes pain, particularly to young African Americans. His style may catch the attention of the hip-hop crowd, who could gravitate to the tunes. Basic melodies and repetitious hooks make the songs reverberate in the heads of fans, allowing the message to penetrate not just their ears, but their hearts as well.
On his demo disc’s fifth track, Focus Inc. uses the rhythm from secular rapper Mystical’s infamous hip-hop anthem, “Danger,” replacing the title with the word “stranger” to help his Godly message infiltrate secular hearts. Track 2 has Focus Inc. telling listeners that they will hear his positive message to dispel the lies and deceit that the streets promise. Thus, “Ready or Not”are fitting words for the hook, explaining that he will spread the gospel, whether people are ready or not.
The fourth cut grabs you with a call to Yahweh, the Hebrew word for God, and the positive affects Yahweh has on one’s life. On track number 6, Focus Inc. voices his political views of not just the streets, but of the world, affirming the power of peace.
Upon hearing Focus Inc, listeners may be reminded of the distinctive voice of the oft-embattled rapper, DMX. Both artists deliver lyrics with a gritty, raspy, hard-edged voice that is reflective of the mean streets and struggles of urban neighborhoods. What differentiates Focus Inc. from other street-conscious rappers is that while he desires to fiercely speak on behalf of the streets, his biggest goal is to speak on God’s behalf.
Focus Inc. possesses similar parallels to DMX’s expressionistic journey of strife, survival and strength, but takes the articulation of his struggles a step further by praising the omniscience of a higher power. For a man with a tough tone and street knowledge, implying willfulness and resistance, it is ironic that his real message is asking people to submit to God. That uniqueness is sure to give him an edge of his own, just as Kanye West’s Jesus Walks had a tremendous impact on the hip-hop scene and taught people of all ages and walks of life the benefits of maintaining a spiritual life.
Some listeners may question if this CD really represents gospel, possibly viewing the music as too secular, the sound too hardcore. This may be true, but for the age group that enjoys and buys secular, hardcore music, this approach can be a impetus to attract them to the music first and then deliver the intended message. The music seems to meet individuals where they are, bringing the gospel to the people instead of leaving it to the people to seek the gospel.
Gospel or not, Focus Inc. uses rap as the lens through which defeated spirits can be uplifted and demonstrates a clear vision of what he wants to accomplish – to deliver a positive message about God for the world today.
