Urban God Talk: Constructing a Hip Hop Spirituality

(Paperback)

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Urban God Talk: Constructing a Hip Hop Spirituality, edited by Andre Johnson, is a collection of essays that examine the religious and spiritual in hip hop. The contributors argue that the prevailing narrative that hip hop offers nothing in the way of religion and spirituality is false. From its beginning, hip hop has had a profound spirituality and advocates religious viewsand while not orthodox or systemic, nevertheless, many in traditional orthodox religions would find the theological and spiritual underpinnings in hip hop comforting, empowering, and liberating. In addition, this volume demonstrates how scholars in different disciplines approach the study of hip hop, religion, and spirituality. Whether it is a close reading of a hip hop text, ethnography, a critical studies approach or even a mixed method approach, this study is a pedagogical tool for students and scholars in various disciplines to use and appropriate for their own research and understanding. Urban God Talk will inspire not only scholars to further their research, but will also encourage publishers to print more in this field. The contributors to this in-depth study show how this subject is an underrepresented area within hip hop studies, and that the field is broad enough for numerous monographs, edited works, and journal publications in the future.

Reviews

Johnsons efforts to promote ongoing dialogue between religious expressions and the ever-expanding cultural force of hip hop are laudable and useful for their interdisciplinary reach beyond religious and theological studies. This book is a valuable read for laity, students, and scholars alike that promises to make a robust contribution to the diversity of intellectual resources in the burgeoning area of religion in hip hop studies. -- Monica R. Miller, Lehigh University; author of Religion and Hip Hop
The scholarly study of hip hop and spirituality is strong and growing. Urban God Talk: Constructing a Hip Hop Spirituality adds a serious and much needed anthology to this field of study. What Dr. Johnson has done is essentially capture cutting edge research and help the field rise to new levels of thought and scholarship. What Dr. Johnson has here is a canon for a stronger understanding of hip hop and spirituality. A must read! -- Daniel White Hodge, North Park University, Chicago and author of "The Soul Of Hip Hop: Rimbs, Timbs, & A Cultural Theology"

Author Bio

Andre E. Johnson is the Dr. James L. Netters Associate Professor of Rhetoric & Religion and African American Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary.