Keep The Faith magazine - Britain's leading publication about Black faith

Juliet Fletcher writes how Britain’s gospel music artists can respond to the issues raised by the riots, and says we have much to learn from gospel music legend, Mahalia Jackson 

Gosh! This whole matter of ‘The Riots’, which I have labelled the ‘2011 Summer of Madness’, is so humongous, but, unlike the root derivation of this word, there is nothing funny about it!

Much of the blame for young people’s behaviour and attitude during and after the riots was laid squarely at the feet of negative aspects contained in Black youth culture. Some of the material evidence supporting this claim is difficult to deny. Many struggles that young people have to contend with on a daily basis are things I would not have dreamed of in my teenage years – and all are connected to urban, Black music & entertainment, fashion and lifestyle.

When US hip hop and rap evolved into musical art forms, through which you could talk about your everyday – even moment by moment - experiences, expressing the most intimate feelings and extreme views, and backed by infectious beats, very few predicted its global dominance. And very few predicted the levels of abusive language; glorification of gang violence, and denigration of women that would ensue.

If you’ve never listened to a Jay-Z, Naz or 50 Cents song before, go online and check them out, then you might better understand the appeal that our young people in church have for an alternative choice of lyrical content, yet with the same massive sounds. If we are truthful, we can admit in our teenage years to having wanted something musically different to the adults.

So in what way does our gospel music scene provide a counter response? And if the current response is not adequate, what should happen to improve or change matters?

COUNTERING THROUGH RELEVANCE
There is no doubt that the youth of today have found their own form of gospel music which, for me (as I will shortly explain), isn’t really gospel. Now, it’s a pre-fix to every popular genre and sub genre known: gospel reggae, hip-hop, rap, grime and dancehall. But it was not always so.

I recall back in the ’90s there was much resistance to young people who wanted to venture heavily into speaking through these forms to their peers. Pioneers included female rapper, Anne Swinton, and The Gifted.

I recently spoke to The Gifted, who lives in LA but is still involved with youth mentoring over here. He said: “Back then, the Church couldn’t understand where I was going, and they couldn’t handle it and didn’t support it. We (Watchman and I) were targeting mainstream – being relevant and biblical. I remember when the Nation of Islam did a march on Trafalgar Square. They knew we were Christian, and they knew where we stood. But they called us to perform because we were relevant.” If they had been supported back then, who knows how much of a difference they could have made to young lives 10 years on?

On the official MOBO website, I read an article hailing Guvna B’s brand-new single and music video, entitled “Hometown Riots”, released shortly after the events. There, right at the centre of a brand which exalts the entertainment and lifestyle that directs the hearts and minds of our young people, is a young Christian reppin’ like how their peers would know and understand.

The truth is, music has and always will be lifestyle-related, and some of the young people have formed fashion lines, like SOAK and IDoNotConform, supported by artists. Is this following the world? Well, we are meant to go and get them from the world...

Young Christians want to do worship – and they do - but they also want to comment on the same things that Jay-Z and Beyoncé talk about. They want to give musical opinions on love, sex and money; cry out about various angst, and describe social commentaries that include a political view.

AN ARMY OF SPIRITUAL, CULTURAL AMBASSADORS
Our past and present equals our future. If there is any truth in that statement, we need to change something pretty quickly - NOW!

We need to offer communities our cultural, yet vibrantly spiritual, alternatives in music. We need both the traditional and contemporary approaches to our music ‘out there’ - professionally supported with Church investment. ‘One-offs’ no longer suffice; we need an army of spiritual, cultural ambassadors. We need our rush of choirs and groups, like we had in the 80s during our Golden Age of British gospel, who were dedicated to that gospel sound, AND we need more Guvna Bs, who communicate to peers in the latest beats.

Done correctly, the returns will come in hearts, income, employment, and so much more.
At this point I would say: I’m now convinced that if these urban gospel artists just allowed themselves to be recognised within the genres from which their music is derived, they would be considered more genuine and true to form. I predict they would earn the respect due, and have more success.

MAHALIA JACKSON
In this Black History Month, we are privileged to remember one of the greatest exponents of gospel music – Mahalia Jackson! Wednesday 26th October is the centenary of her birth. She opened the world to the spiritual magnetic power of gospel music, with her astounding performances of hymns and spiritual songs.

She sang alongside Dr Martin Luther King Jr during his freedom marches, as well as at his funeral. Courted by Presidents, her unmistakeable quality of voice enthralled audiences at sold-out venues – including our own Royal Albert Hall. She held the stage alongside jazz and blues greats, like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole; headlining at festivals; on television and radio, and selling millions of records. In the UK and Europe, Mahalia changed forever the perception of singing gospel, and to this day influences artists across many genres. She has proved you can be huge success just singing gospel.

Juliet Fletcher runs Greentree, a gospel development company. Phone 07535 964442 or email contactgreentree@googlemail.com