2 singers, 3 spoken words artists and 1 powerful message
Friday night at the Roulette, The Source hosted its first ever Hip Hop Inspiration event featuring 5 talented artists who find strength through spirituality. Rather than glorifying violence, sexism and drug abuse, these artists examine these issues with a critical lens, while promoting christian values.
Headliner and Ohio native, Christon Gray got the crowd moving as did ADIA, who opened the event, but the three spoken word artists unarguably stole the show.
When AllMessiah is not mentoring incarcerated youth, you can find him spitting poetry so cold that it gives you chills. Last night AllMessiah spoke on white supremacy and the oppressions endured by African Americans. To paraphrase one of his verses “theres more black people in jail today than in 1850, how can you tell me that’s not a conspiracy ? ” His words left the audience both riled up and speechless.
Thee Apprentice discussed how Jesus helped free his soul and how knowing yourself is the only way to not be misguided. This New York native’s lyrics preached honesty and moral integrity in a society where it’s so easy to be swayed.
HurtJohn started off with “embrace yourself and your histories” and by doing so empowered the crowd and unified them regardless of their various religions, races and genders. In a fast-paced and ruthless place such as New York we tend to become desensitized, that is until HurtJohn said, “When was the last time you asked yourself how you feel ? ” The simplistic, yet moving question resonated with everyone in the audience.
The Hip Hop Inspiration event reminded us that poetry, rap and hip-hop, like any creative outlet is meant to unify people through messages that carry weight and self-expression. These five talents came together to demonstrate the power of spirituality, religion and words.
Written & Photographed by: Nishat Baig
