Hip Hop Redemption: Finding God in the Rhythm and the Rhyme (Engaging Culture)

"Watkins's gifts as a socio-theologian and hip-hop devotee come together in a way that redeems an essential dialogue for engaging realities of the church and today's urbanized and global society."--Ronald E. Peters, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta
Hip-hop culture is experiencing a sea change today that has implications for evangelism, worship, and spiritual practices. Yet Christians have often failed to interpret this culture with sensitivity. Sociologist, preacher, pop-culture expert, and DJ Ralph Watkins understands that while there is room for a critique of mainstream hip-hop and culture, by listening more intently to the music's story listeners can hear a prophet crying out, sharing the pain of a generation that feels as though it hasn't been heard. His accessible, balanced engagement reveals what is inherently good and redeeming in hip-hop and rap music and uses that culture as a lens to open up the power of the Bible for ministry to a generation.
Contents
1. When Did You Fall in Love with Hip-Hop? My Story and the Story of Hip-Hop: Intersections, Revelations, and Transformations
2. I Said a Hip-Hop: A Snapshot of Hip-Hop History
3. R U Still Down? Hip-Hop Culture as an Extension of the Blues
4. I Used to Love Her and I Still Love Her: Loving the Broken Beauty of Hip-Hop
5. "Slippin' and Slidin' I'm about to Give Up": The Theological Truth in the Story
6. God Skipped Pass the Church: A Hip-Hop Theology and a Hip-Hop Theologian
7. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill: A Socio-Theological Critique of Hip-Hop
Conclusion: Umi Says: From Gil Scott-Heron to Mos Def