Interviews
KRS-One
So for about two years I studied the sermons of Bishop McClendon, Rev. Dr. Horton, and many others. As you know theres a whole community once you get into the black Christian church. I had a chance to delve into the black perspective of Christianity, which I must say was very refreshing for me. When I got to the black church, I started seeing a motivational speaking kind of perspective to the Bible, and to Christianity as a religion, clearly in what the black church is practicing. It is not the mainstream. Clearly what the black church is doing is not that, it is not what they are doing.
C.H: Its primarily a message of empowerment
KRS-One: Exactly, motivation, empowerment, encouragement. Thats what I got confronted with when I got to Bishop McClendons church.
C.H: Coincidently I was in Los Angeles a few weeks ago for the BET Gospel Celebration Taping and I did take in his service at Church of the Harvest for the very first time. I found his message and presentation quite overwhelming; part theology, part theatrics, but it left such an indelible impression upon those in attendance.
KRS-ONE: Right, thats Clarence (laughs)
C.H: Thats Bishop McClendon. Ive got to get in a few other questions that people would definitely like answers to. As you move into another phase of your life more adult than adolescent in presentation and message - do you still see yourself as a true hip-hop prophet or are you at this stage taking a more practical approach towards your ministry other than providing a lyrical message, lets say by implementing projects and tools to help another generation?
KRS-ONE: Hip-Hop is a culture, rap is something we do and hip-hop is something we live. With our ministry The Temple Of Hip-Hop - the idea is to create a central base for discussion on God and spiritual life within hip-hop. Yes, I consider myself still an authentic and true hip-hopper. In fact, we are even more true because hip-hop is not a material or tangible thing; therefore we recognize the divinity of hip-hop. We recognize it is God that created hip-hop and that God answered our prayers. At the Temple of Hip-Hop over the past four years we teach courses of Gods relationship to hip-hop based on what our real life experiences did.
