Are you living hip-hop or are you just a rapper?

So by some twist of, Gods plan and on the journey of following him around Europe we find ourselves at ‘SommerLoch’ a music festival in Germany, a little way from Frankfurt. The concept is intense, it’s not about the music, although there are some big names from the German, indie, rock and metal scene’s here. It’s not just about Christians; Christian bands make up about 20% of the bill. But it is about God, it’s about relationships, building together a network of lives that maybe somehow wouldn’t come into contact otherwise, but with the same passion for music are drawn together in God’s plan. Sometimes I feel like a piece in a game of chess. I don’t really understand the game or what everybody does or even what everybody is capable of, I’ve got an idea of how to move, although it’s a bit restricted in my mind and I don’t know why I move like this. But. And the But is big. God’s moving the pieces, with the skilled mind and hands of a master, simply using the pieces to move in just the way they were made to move in the right spaces at the right times for the eventual goal that he has already in mind. Maybe it’s not even about winning, not even about being the last piece on the board, but it’s about being used to your maximum potential even when the movements seem out of place.

So we’re sitting in this guy’s house, eating a bowl of noodles warmed up from the night before. He doesn’t really know us or what we stand for but we are his workers for the day, lifting sound gear and parts of stages, putting up tents and doing general stuff. But as we share some food, he begins to tell us about his life; he runs sound in a place called ‘the slaughter house’ he’s in a band, he has a recording studio where he records young in-experienced bands for cheap to keep his head in the music biz, he lives the life kids dream of. His name’s Thomas, he works in partnership with Florian (our host) to run this festival. He’s not a Christian, but we are, and we are here, how does this happen, I don’t know. But I’m confident in the fact that it is for a reason. In true rock and roll style he tells us life is all about his wife, his kids and the music. We pray there will be an addition to that list, of the truth!

In steps German action-man, let battle commence. Travelling with the Baytonater I’ve learned a lot about living in the wild, tying knots, survival techniques and general macho stuff, but now in this foreign land, the master of the towel had his work cut out. Our English action man sleeps inside on a bed, but German action man sleeps in the garden under a plastic sheet, not coz there’s no room, coz he likes it. Simmo wins on knowledge of tent erection and superior knot tying skills. Sim has a knife on his belt; German-action man had a lighter for his roll ups. Then a curve ball is thrown into play, German action man is a DJ, his in-depth knowledge of Hip-Hop culture and bag of vinyl adds massively to his credibility, and he’s actually a good DJ. His army like appearance and long platted hair may put you off at first, but when he gets into the funky rhythm it transforms him to a musical monster, Simmo’s knowledge of the bugle just doesn’t quite step up.
However, it is our Simmo, wielder of the latest addition of the trek and field catalogue who’s in-depth understanding of sound equipment, stage erection and the intricate ways of the gaffer that gives him the title of Ultimate Action-Man/fox’s squeaker

N e way this post isn’t about that, it’s about life. We sat one day and had a deep discussion with German action man, aka Tillman, aka DJ Snooka. About life and God and being a true disciple, we also discussed hip-hop and culture. The bushman hat wearing German laid down some knowledge that I will not forget. ‘’A Rapper is a rapper, he does his thing, he entertains, he knows his skill and how to use it, he can impress the crowd with vocal delivery and rhyme styles. But an MC, an MC, in the world of Hip-Hop has to earn the title; he doesn’t just rap, he controls the mic the crowd and the scene. He lives hip hop, not just by wearing baggy jeans but by being the embodiment of the culture: he has a rhyme book in his back pocket, he grew up in rap battles to win sweets and lunch money, his body is tattered with war scars from tails of street notoriety which he can expertly depict in verse’s but his social commentary on the political implications to his environment inflict equally hard hitting blows to the ear, he knows the four elements of hip hop and they govern his life. People like Puff Daddy and Kanye West and flow rider are rappers, maybe they make a good track, and yeah they entertain, but it’s the under dogs, the seldom heard that claim the MC title, Scarface, Rakim, Pharo March, KRS1 Rakewon, skinnyman, these are the guys whose head stones, probably too soon would read, for the love of Hip Hop.
In these words that reflect life I have to ask myself ‘do I live hip hop?’ not literally coz that would be silly, but as a Christian do I live the life? Is it evident in every part of me? Even down the way I walk and talk? Do I live Christ or I’m I just a Christian? Can I put on a good show, make the people cheer and become a name? Or is there more to me? Is the very way I live a reflection of the true God? Here in lies the biggest lesson and challenge of this trip so far.

Wot about you? Do you live Hip-Hop, or do you just Rap?