Sean Slaughter

By Robin Caldwell

Sean Slaughter is more than psalmist Alvin Slaughter 's baby boy. In his own right, Sean has and is currently revolutionizing holy hip hop—taking it to that next level of ministry and musical excellence. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Sean gave up a $100,000 University of Rhode Island full football scholarship to pursue the life of a thug—a life in the streets. In this interview with GospelCity.com, he explains the turnaround and shares his opinion on everything - from Ma$e to ministry to the musicians who minister to him. Sean's eleventh CD, Die Another Day , is soon to be released.

GospelCity.com: You prefer being an independent artist versus being signed to a label. Please explain this choice.

Sean Slaughter: We run an independent label called Slaughter Music where I'm the CEO. I have nothing against major labels, it's just you have so much more freedom when you're an independent. The labels have more money and more power to get you out there faster, but I'd rather have the freedom to do musically what I want and let God elevate me.

GC: You're a versatile artist who has collaborated with modern dance choreographer Steve Rooks and commissioned your music to be set to his work. How did this come about? Would you do it again?

SS: I saw Steve dance a long time ago, before I was saved. He is super-talented and passionate about what he does. Steve and Desiree, his wife, used to go to a church; we attended called Brooklyn Tabernacle. I've known them since I was like 7 or 8 years old. It's the first time someone asked for my music to be incorporated in the style of dance Steve does. I don't know if I'll do it again, but I'm definitely for it. Music has a unique way to cross so many boundaries, genres and cultures.

GC: No one can accuse Sean Slaughter of imitating anyone, which is often the case when music ministers take on a genre popular in the secular arena. Without question, you have a serious/unique gift. What do you feel sets you apart from others in holy hip hop?

SS: I don't know… Seriously, I do think that God has given me a gift and that I take time to learn and craft my gift to a point of excellence. When you copy someone else and try to sound like them, you're just being lazy with what God has given you. You have a responsibility with what God has invested in you and he definitely wants a return on his investment.

GC: Mason Betha (Ma$e) has returned to hip hop after a leave of absence. Originally, he said that he'd never return to secular music. And, he has stated that he doesn't believe in gospel rap. Any thoughts?

SS: I don't know him personally, but it does seem a bit hypocritical. He does not believe in gospel rap but he believes in secular rap? I just pray the church he pastors (S.A.N.E.) won't suffer from whatever's going on in his soul. I haven't had contact with him, but my father (Alvin Slaughter) interviewed him a year or two ago and said he was a genuine Man of God with a heart on fire. I've also heard him preach—about 4 years ago— in Harlem and the dude has a powerful anointing. It's hard to serve two masters and be faithful to one. You can't serve the mindsets of people and the will of God and be faithful to both.

GC: Would you ever consider a secular career? What if God said, “Sean, I want you to do this type of music?”

SS: The Webster definition of secular is "not connected to church." Christ died for the church because he loved it. So no, I believe God would not ask me to do music that is not connected to church or the Body of Christ. Music can touch your emotions and mind but God-music changes your life.

GC: Many in the Christian community have a hard time accepting the church musician who makes money as a secular artist. Is that fair? Do you think it's possible to be an effective Christian in the entertainment industry?

SS: You can be a strong Christian in the entertainment industry, but it's hard. Let's say you have a church musician who plays an instrument at the nightclub on the weekend to pay the bills. We can understand he has a family and the church won't pay him, so he feels he has to play secular cover songs to eat. His problem is not so much what he's playing but the atmosphere that surrounds him: drinking, flirting, etc. The musician who actually writes the music, forms the band, and has purposed in his heart he is going to do secular music. Not only is he constantly in a demonic atmosphere, but in order to write certain kinds of music, you must have it in your heart. Out of your mouth comes the things stored up in your heart. It's hard to write about things you don't experience.

GC: Whose music ministers to you? Who are some of your favorite musicians—any genre?

SS: I love (hip-hop) Corey Red & Precise, Petidee, Shabach , (gospel) Fred Hammond, Israel and some contemporary Christian music such as Michael W. Smith .

GC: Your lyrics are powerful and incredibly blunt without being offensive. Still, they are edifying. Have you been the subject of criticism because you address subjects like hustling and strip clubs?

SS: Not really. People want reality in music; especially when videos pass off fake as being real and authentic. People want music to reach right where they are and at the same time elevate them.

GC: Tell me about Sean Slaughter, the minister of the gospel. What vision has God given you? Discuss your mission field.

SS: Our motto is "Music that Impacts." But, it just doesn't stop at music. My wife (Kim) and I are the youth leaders at our church; sing on the praise team; and run the sound. We make an impact there. My wife speaks to young women and just finished writing a book called "Rags to Riches.” Impact. We own a commercial studio and recording label to help young ministries get on their feet. And, of course the music ministry which includes concerts, block parties, detention centers, foster homes, etc. That's more impact. We want to leave a dent in every responsibility Christ has given us!

GC: You, at one time, lived a duality: a toe in the world while doing side gigs in music ministry. What defining event occurred to change your direction?

SS: I never really lived two lives. In ‘97 I started traveling with my father running his sound. I was very much doing my thing in the world and let everyone know I was doing it no matter where I was… I was still doing my secular rap and getting pretty successful at it. But, in '99 I got into a beef with a dude I was doing music with and got scared for my life because we all had guns. And out of that fear, I ran to God and have been ridin' ever since.

GC: Many holy hip hop artists don't share your type of testimony; you actually experienced and know street life. Does this make you more authentic? Is this a challenge in any way?

SS: I think a testimony is a testimony. Now hip-hop heads might look at me as being more "real" but I don't see it that way. I believe our experiences allow us to minister more effectively to a certain type of people. I hated church but I grew up in church my whole life. I loved street life and what I thought it could offer. So, because of my testimony I can speak to church kids, street kids or the mixture of both. My testimony has opened a lot of doors for our ministry so our troubles have turned into triumph.

GC: A prominent preacher says there are men and women God has selected and set apart to minister to this hip hop generation—the folks who are often ignored in traditional ministry and written off as useless. Is Sean Slaughter a Sanctified Thug™ ?

SS: Hip-Hop isn't all thugs. Matter fact, most hip hop heads are not thugs. Most are regular people trying to get by, trying to live a good life and have fun. The media have taken a small sect of the hip-hop culture and magnified it so we think this is what hip hop is all about. So I understand where the preacher is coming from, but no, I'm not a thug. I'm a souljah.

Visit www.slaughtermusic.com for more information on Sean Slaughter, his music and his testimony.