"Rappin' for Jesus" is a 2013 viral music video.[1] It was purportedly written for a Christian youth outreach program in Dubuque, Iowa, by Pastor Jim Colerick and his wife Mary Sue, but is generally thought to be a hoax or parody.
| "Rappin' for Jesus" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Pastor Jim and Mary Sue Colerick | |
| Released | February 5, 2013 (video)[1] February 14, 2013 (single)[2] |
| Genre | Christian hip hop |
| Length | 2:32 |
| Label | Self-released |
| Music video | |
| "Rappin' for Jesus" on YouTube | |
Video
editThe video is introduced as a product of West Dubuque 2nd Church of Christ's Youth Outreach Program. It is set in a fellowship hall with an older man as a disc jockey.
It shows a male pastor, Jim Colerick, aiming to appeal to youth through rap. He and his wife Mary Sue describe the life of Jesus Christ and criticize acts that they believe are sinful, such as blasphemy and recreational drug use. Colerick and his wife declare that "Jesus Christ is my nigga".
History
editThe original video was uploaded to YouTube by user Brian Spinney on February 5, 2013, and garnered wider attention through the website Reddit.[3][4] Spinney claimed to have directed the video with his pastor while in high school.[5]
Authenticity
editThe Daily Dot concluded the video is a hoax, calling it "obviously fake".[5] Chris English, pastor of GracePoint Church in Dubuque, Iowa, said in 2013 that he had never heard of Pastor Jim Colerick or West Dubuque 2nd Church of Christ, the church supposedly affiliated with the song.[6][1][7]
The website of West Dubuque 2nd Church of Christ, linked to by the original video, claims that the church closed in 2004. However, The Daily Dot pointed out that the website had been created on January 15, 2013, the same day as Spinney's YouTube channel.[4][5] In light of this, The Huffington Post questioned the authenticity of the video, calling it "very peculiar indeed".[3]
Criticism
editThe song has the chorus line "Jesus Christ is my nigga". Pastor Chris English, in an email to The Christian Post, said the use of the word nigga was "clearly over the line, and offensive".[6] He thought the video, parody or not, perpetuated many negative stereotypes about Christians, and as such, would have never worked in an outreach program for young people.[6]
The Dallas Observer also criticized the song, saying: "it's cheesy. It's bad. It's painful." It described the song as having a negative impact on public perception of Christian rap.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Spinney, Brian (February 5, 2013). Rappin' for Jesus. Retrieved June 19, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Pastor & Mrs. Jim Colerick". Retrieved February 13, 2021 – via Bandcamp.
- ^ a b Thomas, Emily (February 13, 2013). "Rappin' For Jesus: Music Video Births New Rap Star Of Christianity (NSFW Language)". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "White Pastor Rhymes 'Jesus Is My N*gga' In Rap Video". NewsOne. Urban One. February 15, 2013. Archived from the original on January 23, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c Hoffberge, Chase (February 13, 2013). "That "Rappin For Jesus" video is obviously fake". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c Schapiro, Jeff (February 21, 2013). "Iowa Church's YouTube Hit 'Rappin' for Jesus' Video a Hoax?". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Home Page". West Dubuque 2nd Church of Christ. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ Skinner, Paige (June 12, 2018). "Dallas' Christian Rappers Have Beats and Holy Spirit, But Is What They Do Rap?". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
External links
edit- "Rappin' for Jesus" on YouTube (archive)
- "Rappin' for Jesus" on Bandcamp