Kanye West (OK, OK, not JUST him)

I long ago left my "I love Rap" phase and couldn't tell you much about it. My wife, however listens to some, and I get exposed to it more than I would like. For example, I can't get "Apple Bottom jeans and the boots with the fur..." out of my head. I know too many uses for the word "shawty." Through my reluctant exposure to Rap music, I hear things from time to time that have to do with what Barack Obama or John McCain would call "Hip-Hop" Culture. For instance, when the MTV Video Music Awards, Grammys, or any other awards show comes on, The first thing the Artist does is climb up to that podium, and say "I just have to give thanks to God." And at that moment, the Heavens open up, a dove comes down and lands on their shoulders and a voice rings out, "This is my playa and I ain't ashamed of his game." OK...maybe that doesn't happen, but isn't it the hope that it will that drives these people?

Why do they do it? The albums are laced with promiscuity, degredation of women, language that would make pirates blush, and a token song about God. Kanye had "Jesus Walks" and then subsequently talked about his Porn Addiction in Rolling Stone. It's good that he realizes he has an addiction...but the point is not to give into it, but to try and overcome it. Relying on God to help you through it is the only way to get through it, but we can't just give 50, 75, or 90% of our lives over to God. It's gotta be the whole thing, or it doesn't even matter.

After such a great post, I just want to say that I've got to give all the credit to the Man Upstairs.