Hey folks!
I will return to my "Hand That Rocks the Record" series soon.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Hand that Rocks the Record pt. 1: The Stolen Jesus
After having an intense twitter discussion...i was compelled to share my thoughts on the treatment of Gospel artists.
I often find myself battling with the reasons why gospel music and artists don't get the recognition, airtime, notoriety, nor money that mainstream secular artists get. Most retailers will tell you that the reason they don't promote gospel artists as much as secular is because "there isn't a high demand for it". So here's where my battle begins. Could it be that gospel artists aren't effective enough? Could it be that their music isn't anointed enough? Are they not putting out good quality material? or is it something deeper and more complex?
Many times I hear several people, who would be considered the "gospel audience" talk about the latest gospel music...or who's cd is hot...and I wonder...if ALL of you have these cds or have heard them, yet the gospel artists are BARELY selling units...WHERE'S THE DISCONNECT?
It all boils down to BOOTLEGS and HOOKUPS...which FURTHER puzzles me. Maybe I'm looking at things the wrong way, but it seems to me that when you bootleg...ESPECIALLY gospel music...isn't that like STEALING JESUS?! Talk about an oxymoron. I find it quite disheartening when people BRAG about getting a gospel artists' album on a hook up...as if they have "special privileges"...that doesn't make you special...that makes you a PROUD THIEF. Now I must admit that I have received music and albums before they came out, HOWEVER, I can HONESTLY say that I still BOUGHT the cd after the release date. Knowing that there is a lot, including time and money that goes into creating a project, I've even bought albums that I KNEW weren't that great but it's about supporting someone else's craft.
I also find it funny when those same bootleggers come out with a project or have someone they're friends with release a project and they expect US to buy it. That cracks me up! If you don't respect an artist enough to buy their material, don't look for respect to be given to you.
With all of this combined, I suppose my biggest problem with this issue is the fact that all of this "illegal activity" is done by "church folks". Now don't get me wrong, I am in NO way bashing the church nor am I bitter...just simply saddened at how people misquote scriptures and misinterpret meanings of God's word in an effort to basically keep their money in their pockets.
I am a believer in Zachariah 4:10*, because you have to start somewhere, but it's not right when people use that as an excuse to NOT bless/promote an artist. That's basically like saying, if I'm an artist, who is truly promoting the Kingdom of God and His word through my music, it's wrong for me to make a living off of what God has given me. Should I just GIVE my material with no reward for the labor I put into it? Preachers do this sort of thing everyday, some with MINIMAL effort. Yet, we all know of preachers who have nearly torn churches up when they didn't "get paid" for giving what "thus said the Lord". We hear people say all the time that they are Kingdom Minded and they are representing the Kingdom of God, however, their lack of support says otherwise. How can you be Kingdom Minded when you don't take the time to build the Kingdom up?
*Zechariah 4:10 (beginning)-Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...*
COMING SOON:
"The Hand that Rocks the Record pt. 2: Color Struck Gospel"
I often find myself battling with the reasons why gospel music and artists don't get the recognition, airtime, notoriety, nor money that mainstream secular artists get. Most retailers will tell you that the reason they don't promote gospel artists as much as secular is because "there isn't a high demand for it". So here's where my battle begins. Could it be that gospel artists aren't effective enough? Could it be that their music isn't anointed enough? Are they not putting out good quality material? or is it something deeper and more complex?
Many times I hear several people, who would be considered the "gospel audience" talk about the latest gospel music...or who's cd is hot...and I wonder...if ALL of you have these cds or have heard them, yet the gospel artists are BARELY selling units...WHERE'S THE DISCONNECT?
It all boils down to BOOTLEGS and HOOKUPS...which FURTHER puzzles me. Maybe I'm looking at things the wrong way, but it seems to me that when you bootleg...ESPECIALLY gospel music...isn't that like STEALING JESUS?! Talk about an oxymoron. I find it quite disheartening when people BRAG about getting a gospel artists' album on a hook up...as if they have "special privileges"...that doesn't make you special...that makes you a PROUD THIEF. Now I must admit that I have received music and albums before they came out, HOWEVER, I can HONESTLY say that I still BOUGHT the cd after the release date. Knowing that there is a lot, including time and money that goes into creating a project, I've even bought albums that I KNEW weren't that great but it's about supporting someone else's craft.
I also find it funny when those same bootleggers come out with a project or have someone they're friends with release a project and they expect US to buy it. That cracks me up! If you don't respect an artist enough to buy their material, don't look for respect to be given to you.
With all of this combined, I suppose my biggest problem with this issue is the fact that all of this "illegal activity" is done by "church folks". Now don't get me wrong, I am in NO way bashing the church nor am I bitter...just simply saddened at how people misquote scriptures and misinterpret meanings of God's word in an effort to basically keep their money in their pockets.
I am a believer in Zachariah 4:10*, because you have to start somewhere, but it's not right when people use that as an excuse to NOT bless/promote an artist. That's basically like saying, if I'm an artist, who is truly promoting the Kingdom of God and His word through my music, it's wrong for me to make a living off of what God has given me. Should I just GIVE my material with no reward for the labor I put into it? Preachers do this sort of thing everyday, some with MINIMAL effort. Yet, we all know of preachers who have nearly torn churches up when they didn't "get paid" for giving what "thus said the Lord". We hear people say all the time that they are Kingdom Minded and they are representing the Kingdom of God, however, their lack of support says otherwise. How can you be Kingdom Minded when you don't take the time to build the Kingdom up?
*Zechariah 4:10 (beginning)-Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...*
COMING SOON:
"The Hand that Rocks the Record pt. 2: Color Struck Gospel"
Preliminaries...
Although I have been a blogger for the past 5-6 years I created a new page that will STRICTLY deal with all things Gospel, music, ministry...basically things that go on in the Christian community...the good, the bad, and the UGLY truths.
Stay tuned...I have a LOT on my mind...
Hope you all join me on this journey!
Love ya bunches...
-Megz
Stay tuned...I have a LOT on my mind...
Hope you all join me on this journey!
Love ya bunches...
-Megz
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