Grammy Award-winning contemporary Christian singer Mandisa Lynn Hundley, a former Lifeway Christian Resources employee and top-10 “American Idol” finisher, was found dead on April 18 at her Nashville home, her publicist announced on social media. No cause of death was given.
Read More“Bob Marley: One Love,” a new movie that chronicles on the life of legendary reggae singer and songwriter — from his rise to fame in the mid-1970s up until his death in 1981 — has put a spotlight on what it means to be Rastafarian. Widely considered an iconic figure in the history of music, he is revered as the pioneer of reggae and a symbol of peace.
Read MoreJohn Cooper’s straightforward opinions mirror the musical style that has brought numerous awards and nominations over the years. Around 2013, Cooper, by his own description, was an “average, Christian layperson who loved God, loved my church and loved my Bible.” He had a successful music career, and doing anything outside of that could potentially endanger the comfort he enjoyed.
Read More(ANALYSIS) If punk music is about being countercultural, then religious punk is, perhaps, the most punk of all. In an increasingly secular world, to deviate from secularism is to embrace the outcast mentality. The rebels of today, it seems, are those pitting themselves against a purely material reality.
Read More(OPINION) Everyone is mad at Taylor Swift. I mean, everyone is always mad at Taylor Swift. Over football, her boyfriends, her music. This week, it’s over her failure to call for a ceasefire during the Grammys. Perhaps Swift’s silence on the destruction in Gaza would not have made waves had Annie Lennox not used her moment on the Grammys stage to raise her fist and proclaim “artists for a ceasefire.”
Read MoreGo to a contemporary Christian music concert and often you’ll be greeted by materials about a child sponsorship ministry or other charitable group the band asks you to support. But do concertgoers know that, behind the scenes, money is being exchanged between the charity and musical artists?
Read MoreThe Grammys, held this year on Feb. 4, are the largest annual awards ceremony held for music. This year, there are no real surprises in the five categories dedicated to Christian and gospel music. Instead, two notable Christian artists with great music have been nominated for some of the top awards of the night.
Read More(REVIEW) Famous musician Lil Nas X is making his “comeback” to music — to do it, he’s paying homage to Jesus, “who had the greatest comeback of all time.” The single, “J Christ,” and its music video are saturated with over-the-top, “scandalous” religious images that have generated more than their fair share of controversy.
Read MoreThe fact that MacGowan even had any sense of the supernatural will come as a surprise to some. In all the potted obituaries written since his death, it’s often mentioned as a one-sentence afterthought, if at all. His struggles with substance abuse and regular fallings out with his bandmates get more column inches.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The name Sabrina Carpenter may not mean anything to anyone over 25, but she was at the center of a major religion story involving the Catholic church. A new video shows Carpenter in an outfit not suitable for church as several men fight over her. It also shows her attending their funerals at a New York church with candy-colored coffins.
Read MoreThe journey of Kashmiri rappers began with a desire to be heard. With each rhyme, they found solace and empowerment, creating a path for future generations to follow. The verses of Kashmiri rappers unmask the harsh realities of their homeland, shedding light on the pain and resilience of its people. Their lyrics become a mirror, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of a generation yearning for peace.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Can the faith-based film industry shift from appealing to married women to single women? It’s highly doubtful. It would require a huge shift in talent and genre that I don’t see evidence for. Certainly, the happily-married, evangelical men who now run the faith-based film industry would be unlikely to do it.
Read More(OPINION) In a divided America, music is just another means of dividing based on political affiliation and race. While country music has the image of being “All-American,” hip-hop often sheds light on the social injustices to minority people. When listening to music, it can seem as if there is no unity among people from different backgrounds. However, Gangstagrass is fighting back against that narrative by bringing people from two different genres together.
Read MoreWhen people think of the most influential rappers of all time, Kendrick Lamar is definitely on the list. The hip-hop artist made history in 2018 by winning a Pulitzer Prize in songwriting for his album “DAMN.” His lyrical genius and socially conscious rap resonate with millions. To many, he is considered the greatest rapper of all time. This is why we were curious when an anonymous package labeled “Kendrick Lamar's diss track” showed up in our mailbox.
Read MoreOliver Anthony counted about 20 listeners when he performed earlier this summer at a produce market in coastal North Carolina. That was before Aug. 8, when YouTube channel radio posted his “Rich Men North Of Richmond” video. More than 35 million views later, as of this week, the unknown country singer from Farmville, Virginia, has become a culture-wars lightning rod.
Read More(OPINION) Online narratives distort real life more often than you might realize. Research consistently shows that a small minority of people who have social media accounts post the vast majority of content.
Read More(ANALYSIS) There is an unstudied wisdom in the defiant, dirty beats of hip-hop, and even religious dimensions – a focus of my research today, which explores the prophetic and even mystical elements in the genre. Its lyrics can be sweet like honey, as the biblical prophet Ezekiel describes the scroll of the Lord. Yet they can also be bitter, like the herbs of Passover – a remembrance of pains and indignities.
Read More(OPINION) Bono, the frontman of the band U2, has published a new memoir “Surrender.” His music has been shaped by thinkers like William Blake, a poet who opposed the Enlightenment in favor of imaginative thinking. Bono also has parallels with Christian apologist and thinker C.S. Lewis.
Read MoreThe Abrahamic Symphony, which is being billed as the first international interfaith symphony, features three celebrated composers who each represent one of the Abrahamic religions. Its goal is to promote unity and harmony between religions. The symphony is rich with diverse culture and religion, featuring an ensemble of talented musicians and dynamic vocalists.
Read MoreWhen fans aren’t packing stadiums to watch soccer matches, another thing that will get a lot of attention will be Qatar’s Islamic art and culture. As is the case with any country that plays World Cup host, visitors will get a real chance to see things in person they may not otherwise ever see anywhere else. Among those things will be the Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque in the capital city, Doha.
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