Sometimes you talk to Christian Emcees and they say that they use Hip-Hop as a tool to reach the youth of their city. I have a problem with this comment or idea. Hip-Hop is a culture, NOT an tool. I think it basically comes down to respect for the culture. HIP-HOP is not just music, but the culture consist of 4 elements. which non of the elements is speech or style of clothing (just to break some ideas of those who stereotype). Nobody says, "We use gospel music as a tool to get people in the church." That's crap. We use praise and worship music to give God glory among other things. Gospel music inspires, motivates, and comforts. So does country music. R'n'b brings relationships together or helps vent a broken heart. Which also applys to country music. The point I'm trying to make is that how can people only talk about one form of music like it's meaningless and compare it to a tool. Hip-Hop speakes to the youth of this generation not because of the way it audibly sounds, but because the way it makes them feel. And us as emcee's ,whether we're christian or not, just have to make sure that we speak of the good things of life and not the negative. When people like to listen to hip-hop, their ears are wide open to whatever the rapper has to say. Sometimes people agree and disagree with what is being said, but the young people work differently. They like what they hear, they like the beat, and then they just swallow whatever the emcee tells them. After they hear so much of one thing they start becoming like what they hear about. This is what the phrase "you are what you eat" came from. So a note to Christian rappers and emcees, don't push commercialize the name of Jesus, because if you do, you are only gonna reach to those who need a substitute for ludacris or lil jon. Instead, make songs like Jesus preached. I'm talking about parables. So that way it ministers to the body of Christ at the same time, the youth that are out there on the street can relate to it and not feel like someone is just shoving religion in their face.