Certain people demand attention, both due and undue, based on the level of success they have garnered. The epitome of this in the world of Hip-Hop is Shawn Carter a.k.a. Jay-Z.
From his lyrical prowess to his business savvy, none can argue that this man has pushed this genre’s envelope to the edge; doing so while collecting reparations for other artists who were taken advantage of by the industry:
“I’m overchargin n*ggas for what they did to the Cold Crush. Pay us like you owe us for all the years that you hoed us. We can talk, but money talks so talk mo’ bucks!” – Izzo (H.O.V.A.), The Blueprint
This is an example of the type of lyricism that turned a former detractor of his into a late blooming advocate. The sense of humor/dry wit. The sense of his place in the history of the music. The sense of purpose. He is the quintessential rapper that broke down my defenses against rap music that eventually opened up the flood gates while I was in college. I was that former detractor turned advocate. But what I have witnessed in my own life since then has caused me to backslide to my former ways.
Before all the talk of his Masonic ties and satanic undertones, I began withdrawing myself from listening to Jay-Z – and all rap for that matter. While I understand that entertainment can be seen as a harmless indulgence, a greater calling has convicted me to put away such childish things. If you don’t think being a fan is childish, simply compare the devotion of Justin Bieber’s teeny-bopper fans to that of Jay-Z’s.
I have chosen to put away childish things in favor of a strong desire to manifest the power of the Holy Spirit to impact those around me – to advance the Kingdom of God here on earth as we all are purposed to do. As such, any distractions to this charge in my life had to be cut out.
But Jay-Z was more than a distraction for me. I’ve raised my hands and gotten emotional when chanting along with his lyrics. At the same time, my praise in Church, one of Christians’ ultimate weapons of warfare, was completely lame and detached. I began to see that I couldn’t usher in the presence of God while I was serving a false idol that I’d set up in my life.
As such, I speak to others about my change of heart. And while I do take up issue with Jay-Z distorting the name of Jehovah in his knack for wordplay and name recognition, I draw the line there with my fellow brothers in Christ who have taken things a bit further.
The first time I heard folks talking about how Jay-Z has subliminal messages and symbolism, I scoffed at such an idea. If I’m honest with myself, I was still a recovering detractor with traces of my former habit still in me.
Yet as I watched his resurgence after an early retirement – I did note a few questionable images and lyrics. I’ve attended a few workshops and watched a few video blogs that drew connections between his inferences and darker matters but I was still skeptical. But the coincidences kept coming. Jay-Z’s book is blatant fuel for the fire as it clearly depicts a Rorschach image that resembles a goat – which is a major symbol in devil worship.
But I cannot judge the heart of a man – only God can do that. Jay-Z is either doing this willfully or being manipulated in spiritual warfare in the same manner that all of us are.
But my less tolerant Christian family has already condemned him as if his soul is not worth salvaging by stacking the table against him. And if you stare long enough at the dark looking for monsters, eventually your mind will provide you with what you’re looking for.
People are saying his diamond hand gesture is linked to the all-seeing eye on the back of the dollar bill which is emblematic of the heritage of Masons and Egyptian paganism. Okay – well I’m a member, inactive nonetheless, of Alpha Phi Alpha. Echoing the Egyptian theme of my fraternity, I purchased a chess set that has Egyptian characterized pieces and a glass cover shaped like a pyramid. Does that mean I’m channeling some dark power into my home?!! Does that mean that the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta are Wiccans?
The worst that I’ve heard thus far is from a Christian rapper who went in on Jay-Z. One of my friends who knows my stance on rap thought I’d enjoy it as it echoed some of my sentiments. But the larger voice in the song drew connections such as the following: track 9 on the Black Album was 99 Problem which is 666 upside down (paraphrasing).
Really?!! Now we’re just trying too hard! That’s where I have to draw the line and distinguish myself. I can speak on the intentions of only one person: Reginald Kee a.k.a. Reggie Legend. My hope is that through sharing my own failures and recoveries, that someone else can be lead to a fuller service to the world devoid of idle worship of another man and his talents.
Jay – I pray that you do consider your impact, though. Because at the end of the day, any person that you caused to stumble, intentionally or otherwise, you will be held accountable for. Is that really worth propagating these controversial themes for the sake of keeping your name out there? I know the strategy – punk rockers did this back in the day, too. If Alice Cooper had put to rest the untruth that he bit a chicken’s head off at his concert, his lore wouldn’t have grown as much. But is it really worth your eternal life?
~
The Scape G.O.A.T.
With the Roc at the throne,
You and Kanye may have us watchin’ the throne –
But I’ve been watchin’ your tone and your aims as of late.
That’s why I’ve targeted the rocks that I’ve thrown.
That’s why I’m loggin’ topics most don’t condone…
As I’m knockin’ at your windowpane for the sake of forsaken traits.
I know you’ve forgotten more
than most will ever learn –
And that you’ve profited more
than most will ever earn
But being a prophet for the Lord
of Hosts is a pleasure I yearn for intensely and earnestly.
As such, I had to drop the
more unpleasant terms
From my iPod’s stored register…
As I’ve replaced and restored a sepulcher of words with a sense of urgency.
But because I speak life against your insane flow,
Your fans are writing me off in the same boat
As those who aim and throw crazy blows at the state
of your soul from bloggin’ buttons.
Even though you could be savin’ souls
instead of claimin’ ‘jay hov’,
I’m not trying to make you a scape G.O.A.T. …
I’ve been charged, I’m on my J-O – be warned, the wrath of God is comin’.
But you’re worst critics? – they’re linking you to Baphomet goats.
I’d say it wasn’t true but what about that innocuous quote?!! –
Did you know Crowley – the satanic father of cults coined ‘Do what thou wilt’?!!
You had that phrase plastered on a shirt you sported –
Not that that means satan’s your master
whom you worship and consort with…
But as a wordsmith, you DO put purpose in words reported
and Decoded in the power you wield.
You know the words you display speak
out louder than what most folks tout.
Your wordplay is like talcum powder –
what you’re rappin’ ‘bout closes mouths.
This is a fact that NO ONE doubts –
your outfits start unquestionable, new trends.
Which means you’re accountable –
remember the BAPE clothing line?
There’s no doubt you’re powerful –
but you shouldn’t be labeled a scape goat for all time…
Even though you’re playing a role that’s plaguing
your soul and mind thanks in part to impressionable humans.
It’s like Chappelle said in Killin’ ‘Em Softly
When he was gettin’ at women who’re salty –
Tired of men gawking at them for the low cut tops and high skirts they sway.
So while I’m not saying satan is your lord
The same way Dave said ‘I’m not saying you’re a whore…’
But based on what you wore, ‘you’ve got on a whore’s uniform’
when you’re (ad)dressed a certain way.
So while I’m not saying you’re
a servant to the serpent snake,
You could be pervertin’ conversions to the Church’s saved.
A person’s words either save or serve as a curse of decay –
that’s the power of the tongue’s treasured crescendo.
Granted, it’s up to individuals to prefer and conform to a path –
But do you want such a critical truth to incur the Lord’s wrath?…
The truth that you deterred or distorted some daft
kid’s potential with clever innuendo?!!
So while I’m not saying you sold your soul, Jigga –
You are portraying a broken toll’s token figure.
You can tell a ‘gold digga’ by the flash in the (s)pan of her eyelids.
From the right vantage of your diamond-stoned iris
All seeing eyes see the eye of Osiris…
That’s a sign of Imhotep’s applied science –
a truth that’s stretched out over your agitators’ horizons.
I’m not making this up, I’m just conversatin’ –
I’m not the one sayin’ you’re conjurin’ satan.
I’m the one saying Shawn’s worth debatin’ and savin’ –
you and any other rapper for that matter.
Even so – despite my introspective spiritual thesis,
I don’t know if it’s a demon flow, but I respected your lyrical genius…
I’m just reflecting on the empirical seed of the semen batter you spatter.
Rather – after all, you said it yourself:
‘I impregnate the world when I come through the speakers.’
After all the breadth of your wealth,
You can’t regulate your worth once you leave it.
I’m not talking ‘bout dedicating Bleek in your will somewhere, either –
I’m talking about logging eternal chapters right.
You can’t take all this with you –
it could rot and decay any day.
When the Kingdom Comes – God’s riches will eclipse its view
as the Roc will rock away anyway…
Saved or not – the way you swayed His flock
will approximate your burial’s afterlife.
So to be clear – when you came back from getting Ethered,
I wasn’t callin’ you the devil’s Lazarus.
Since Fade to Black’s feature,
I’ve just been playin’ devil’s advocate.
I’ve become incredibly passionate when it
comes to the impact of resilient lyrics used.
I know what it can do –
I worshipped like a pagan at your feats myself.
I know that wasn’t you –
I nourished a praise for you that depleted my wealth…
And if I can speak for myself – I’m sure others can feel it in their spirits, too.
