You’ll be forgiven for not knowing Hong Kong hip-hopper Jin. He gained noteriety for not only being the first Chinese rapper signed to a major U.S record label, but also for his “Learn Chinese” collabo with Wyclef Jean. Now I thought this (former) Ruff Ryders lyricist was a decent rapper, but I really sat up and took notice when he released a mixtape titled “Say Something” (free legal download HERE).

It’s tough talking title-track made an indelible mark on me. Peep some of it’s chorus lyrics.

“Get on the mic and say something baby.
Say, say, say something baby.
Gotta get on the mic and say something baby”.

One listen and I fell in love. I was hooked. Jin was part of the Ruff Ryders crew, and released all sorts of music. He did however seem to have an epiphany of sorts (possibly coinciding with his conversion to Christianity). Jin seemed to realize that he was more powerful and influential than he thought. He realized that the mic in his hand gave him power over people’s minds and actions. As a result, he had to say something. Something meaningful.

Listening to Jin, I couldn’t help but think of the local Gospel music scene. I love our local scene. I think there are many hugely talented singers, rappers and musicians out there. I am constantly in awe of the creativity and diversity of the current artists. My trepidation comes as I survey the landscape and realize that our spiritual IQ isn’t always as high as it should be. I listen to lyrics that are nothing more than cheap cliches, and songs that, as catchy as they may be, are empty and shallow, devoid of any real potency. They do nothing more than tantalize the taste buds for a few seconds, but just like a stick of cheap gum, it’s super sweet at first, but within two minutes feels like one is chewing a piece of cardboard.

Again, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not one of those Christian fundamentalists who believe every song should have the word Jesus in it, and every corresponding video should feature an exorcism. Or stained glass. Or doves flying in perfect unison. Not at all. I appreciate that the Christian faith is exciting and is to be enjoyed. I think it’s great to have fun songs. Silly songs. Songs people can get down to. Daddy Owen‘s Tobina is exhibit A. I love it. And even with my two left feet, Furi Furi Dance always makes me want to get up and get down (God be praised. I resist that temptation!). But when a large chunk of an artist’s discography, or a radio station’s playlist flies by and nothing meaningful has been said, should it not be disturbing?

There are many Gospel artists who have fully understood the potency of the message they carry, and come correct with powerful messages of transformation and change. They realize there is a fight going on for the hearts and minds of men and women, and they are engaging in battle. I salute them. But “are we there yet?” I doubt it! I look at many others who haven’t understood two things that are currently working in their favor. Firstly that they have in their armory the most powerful message the world has ever heard. A message that is potent, and has the power to transform lives, change nations and establish God’s kingdom on earth. Secondly, they haven’t fully grasped that at this moment in time, Gospel music in Kenya has been given a remarkable platform and been elevated to a position of potential significant impact. Yet with the goalkeeper hamstrung, and the goal wide open before them, they somehow conspire to miss the mark by getting on the mic and not delivering anything worthwhile.

I wonder about them. I wonder if they have just decided to play to the gallery. More interested in spins, hit singles, ululation of adoring fans, promise of awards and center-page spreads. I love what Jin proceeds to say on the same song – “Nowadays, artists ain’t trying to be legendary, as long as business is good, spitting is secondary“. Spitting is about the truth. It’s about saying something. It’s about having a fire in your belly. It’s about having a message that will outlast you. A real message. In this context, a message of the Gospel. A message of hope. Of redemption. Of restoration.

It makes me wonder; who’s going to stand up and say something when our generation is desperately seeking lasting answers to haunting questions? As young ladies struggle with the real challenge of singleness, is meaningful instruction going to be received from Pastor Chinedu’s dial-a-husband ministry? Will Nonini‘s ‘Mtoto Mzuri’ be the soundtrack to some poor girl’s life? Or is someone going to take the mic and say something?

As Kenya grapples with mediocre political leadership and prepares for a critical election year, will Jaguar‘s honest yet exceedingly cynical Kigeugeu be our nation’s unofficial anthem? Or is someone going to tear themselves away from shallow and meaningless Christian cliches long enough for them to actually say something?

Will a generation learn the meaning of true love from divorced R&B singers, Mexican soap operas, and breakfast radio call-ins, or will a carrier of the world’s most redemptive message break free from the castigation of spiritual fundamentalists and begin to talk about what REAL LOVE actually means?

Who will say something?

Who will say something when a generation is being given an introduction to Money 101 from Jay-Z/Kanye West‘s “Ni**as in Paris“, or when the family unit is under attack from Fountains Of Wayne‘s “Stacey’s Mom“? Who is going to rise up in righteous indignation when wave after wave of calculated misinformation and propaganda from biased mainstream media attempts to rob the church of its credibility?

Gospel artist, do you want to be legendary? To make music that will outlast you? To stand up and be counted? To speak to and inspire an entire generation? Do you want to be credited with cleaning the airwaves?

Then get busy. Read God’s word. Start writing. Get creative. Pray. Fast. Make the most banging tracks and eye catching music videos that mainstream media has ever heard. Be trendy. Purple mo hawk if you must. Be exceptional. Aim for the top of the charts. Win awards. But by all means, say something!

Don’t ever cheapen the most powerful message on the planet with meaningless lyrics and empty cliches. Don’t be flippant or casual with the message. You can Furi Furi your way to the top of the charts. And that’s all well and good. Or you can decide to Do Something. Say something. Change something. What you need to do is…

“Get on the mic and say something baby.
Say, say, say something baby.
Gotta get on the mic and say something baby”.

Send this article to someone you know who is saying something. Or needs to say something.