Ice Cube’s song “Go to Church” introduces a religious theme. It is evident from the title that the rap lyrics will encompass Craig Werner’s three step process related to the gospel. Werner, author of A Change is Gonne Come: Music, Race Sould of America, discusses the genre of gospel as a way to understand how music plays a role in Black culture. Craig Werner’s three step process includes: acknowledging the burden; bearing witness; and finally finding redemption. The burden that is introduced in the songs of this genre connect the history of suffering that links an African American individual and community experience. (Sanchez). The narrative in the song “Go to Church” is pertinent to the three step process introduced by Craig Werner because
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The lyrics, “Yo it’s either thank ya, or it’s fuck ya” (Genius), help the reader understand and acknowledge the burden of living in a community like this. Their community is all they have. These lyrics emphasis that if they do not participate, then they will be at risk, as well as their family and friends(Genius). It stresses the burden of not letting the community down or throwing anyone under the bus. The documentary, “Rap: Looking for the Perfect Beat”, makes it clear that rap in the 1980’s was a powerful protest of inner city struggles. Men and women were angry from the past and the lack of concern for the future of civil rights (Rap: Looking for the Perfect …show more content…
The title of the song- “Go to Church” indicates that to find forgiveness in this community, one must go to church and ask help from someone who is not involved(Genius). This is the only way that they will find redemption in this community. Werner’s three step process is based on the gospel. The literal meaning of the song reflects how much the gospel will impact an individual’s experience in finding forgiveness. The line, “If you scared, go to church, we gon’ hit you where it hurts” is an example that this is the only place in the community where one can talk openly about their fears and faults(Genius). It also suggests that since this person is no longer with the community, going to church might help protect their loved ones. It reminds the audience that if they do not follow through with their task they might be the next
The lyrics, “Yo it’s either thank ya, or it’s fuck ya” (Genius), help the reader understand and acknowledge the burden of living in a community like this. Their community is all they have. These lyrics emphasis that if they do not participate, then they will be at risk, as well as their family and friends(Genius). It stresses the burden of not letting the community down or throwing anyone under the bus. The documentary, “Rap: Looking for the Perfect Beat”, makes it clear that rap in the 1980’s was a powerful protest of inner city struggles. Men and women were angry from the past and the lack of concern for the future of civil rights (Rap: Looking for the Perfect …show more content…
The title of the song- “Go to Church” indicates that to find forgiveness in this community, one must go to church and ask help from someone who is not involved(Genius). This is the only way that they will find redemption in this community. Werner’s three step process is based on the gospel. The literal meaning of the song reflects how much the gospel will impact an individual’s experience in finding forgiveness. The line, “If you scared, go to church, we gon’ hit you where it hurts” is an example that this is the only place in the community where one can talk openly about their fears and faults(Genius). It also suggests that since this person is no longer with the community, going to church might help protect their loved ones. It reminds the audience that if they do not follow through with their task they might be the next