Now before you get all excited like kids running to a schoolyard fight because of the pictures or logos in the collage, know that its just that, a COLLAGE. It’s not to insinuate anything or implicate anyone. But I will say this, if the shoe fits…. you know the rest. And that includes Yuinon members, artists, and affiliates. The only provocation intended by this spill is the Holy Spirit lead kind that results in the reconciliation and healing of known wounded, estranged, and broken relationships among those within HHH. Some of you might recall in the article I wrote on handling conflict, I gave us as, the Body of Christ, an “F” on the subject. What’s sad is that though this is a “fictional DVD cover”, there is actually enough beef in HHH to do such a DVD. We’ve already seen how the Body, like Springer’s audiences, are rabid to gobble up gossip, ignorance, half-truth and untruth. I’ve thought about the best way to breach this subject for a while now. This was supposed to be a post on the BuildBoard, which in theory would’ve made it easier for me to NOT elaborate much or violate scripture.

So with those biblical principles for handling conflict in mind, because I am not directly involved, I will be vague and relatively unspecific. Although, through consultation as a “third party,” I have encouraged initiation and conversation where estrangement exists. Sometimes the advice was taken, sometimes it wasn’t. What can you do? Expanding on what I alluded to above, when I say “beef” I mean, tension, estrangement, wounds, roots of bitterness, isolation, and no communication stemming from specific incidents, hearsay, and differing ministry approaches including collaborations, personal relationships, and lyrical content. So as a result, conversations that need to occur don’t, or often do with people other than the ones that SHOULD BE involved, adding to gossip, slander, misinformation, fake smiles, inherited beefs, chilly interactions, and patriarchy (the sisters have openly complained and wondered if their exclusion from the roster of HHH events is rooted in willful sexism, oblivion, resource hoarding, reluctance due to differing “affiliations”, etc. but they DO know that a lack of quality, mature options isn’t the reason; that’s another article perhaps, but beef noted) instead of the abiding love God wants us to be known for.

The actual reason I finally put pen to paper (or well fingers to keypad) is I keep hearing people talking about HHH is in a “lull”, or stagnant, “still not blowing up”, etc. There was a time when we could attribute a “lack of progress” within the genre to: subpar lyrical skills, beats, or business savvy (marketing, etc.) but we’re almost two decades in now and these issues have been primarily eliminated. However, one of the things I can’t help but wonder about is, to the degree that this thing CAN “blow up” in a world system, how much is in-fighting, “friendly fire”, intra-ecclesia cannibalism, amongst the saints in HHH, hindering a truly powerful move of God?! My answer, more than we care to consider. Some would argue that others, for notoriety and selfish gain, have already exploited this truth, affecting our impact within the Body, our supposed built-in support base. A decade ago when I began accumulating over 80 hours of HHH footage (performances & interviews), that ultimately became Next Level: Hip-Hop’s Final Frontier, I was concerned at what I saw emerging then, denominationalism perpetuated, just remixed hip-hop style. My personality has always been one of an independent thinker, a peacemaker, not one to “tow the party line” so to speak. I remember being in elementary school mediating squabbles with separate sets of friends that had beef with each other. I refused to “inherit” their respective beefs or allow them to prevent me from undergoing the process building of relationships with them as individuals that subsequently enabled me to be transparent, and when appropriate, offer an unbiased opinion when conflicts emerged.

Today, perhaps due to the relationships the documentary helped me to build, I find myself in a similar role with HHH. Refusing to be a “garbage dump,” i.e. the recipient of gossip or slander, unable to address the situation with the parties involved, I still witness and hear things first and secondhand that anger, grieve, and exasperate me. Sometimes I wonder if some HHH boxing matches with bickering camps, labels, and individuals squaring off would help get some things out in the open. But even with that, you have to have some FIGHT in you. In addition to possibly hindering maximum impact for the kingdom by the genre we all love, is the lack of going to brothers or sisters that we offend, or have offended us within HHH indicative of our generation not only lacking the bravado (the righteous kind) hip-hop supposedly imbues, but also us perpetuating some of the same things we hated in the current/previous “church culture?” No accountability, preachers out of pocket without consequences, factions, or an overall unwillingness to have “difficult” or uncomfortable conversations? Is this reality more difficult to recognize because it’s us and we don’t have the appearance of these traditions of silence & compliance as a result of our hip-hop gear? Are we guilty of pointing out specks while logs (Matt. 7:3) remain in our own eyes as it relates to gripes, or legitimate concerns with the diverse approaches HHH ministers take with their music? Even in a worse case scenario where carnality is clearly evident, can we initiate, converse and ask the tough questions rather than disassociate, blacklist, and besmirch one another in “third party conversations, on message boards and behind each other’s backs?

Ever wonder after completing the Old Testament and starting the New, where Pharisees, and Sadducees came from? Well I’m no theologian, but this is a brief summation of what I’ve read and understand. During the time between the testaments, its been said that as a result of the Jews not having a temple, thus no “official” priests, “caretakers” of the Law in an attempt to preserve and explain the religious traditions of the Jews, these groups emerged. For them Judaism became of religion of scholarship and false piety rather than one rooted in heartfelt obedience. Thus the burdensome addendums to the law, issues of semantics and the emergence of the practice of “letter of the law” versus the “spirit of the law.” Just like with many things that are well intentioned, when disagreements occur, usually over non-essentials, instead of love predominating, covering a multitude of sins, splits and schisms result.

One of the things I’ve noticed in the many debates I’ve heard and the observations I’ve made at various HHH events is the lack of love demonstrated for fellow saints of God. A person’s MC skills, the camp they may affiliate with etc. should be all secondary. God is not a respecter of persons but often in our conduct, we are. It seems that the amount of love you get is based on how known you are, what crew you roll wit, or how "right" your doctrine is. If a brother were in error, yet sincere in heart, according to scripture wouldn’t it be easier to “win” him with love and authentic relationship rather than if I offend him through “funny style” behavior, assumptions, and condescension?

Sometimes it’s difficult to depart from what we’ve always known or done. Pride has a way of rearing its ugly head within us all. That rigidity and tradition caused many of the abovementioned “religious scholars” to miss their own Messiah! Has that same spirit of having to be first, always right, deep, created a hip-hop Pharisee that is smothering the love God wants his people to be known for and thus a greater impact for HHH? As it relates to stylistic lyrical approaches, as in explicitly bibliocentric or more implicitly so, a longstanding source of “beef” (or at least “factions”) in HHH, here’s a question to consider? Who is in a position to gauge the true Kingdom impact of a HHH MC? Is it based on sales, a per track Jesus-o-meter, amount of theological concepts exegeted, numbers at a concert, buzz on the street, number of gigs, size of the gigs, some other criteria? Of course the question is rhetorical, and the answer is only God. Just like I can’t tell you about the fruit every church in MY city is bearing let alone a church across the country, how can one artist dogmatically speak on the Kingdom impact of another? One well-known HHH MC has said that he “doesn’t have a word for the lost”, that’s cool, the Body most definitely needs edification and clarity of one’s call is a good thing, but there IS an equally valuable “lane” for those that DO have a word for the lost and their ministry does not have to be validated in the minds of "self-appointed" gate keepers. Pioneer and gate-keeper is not one and the same. Gatekeepers can’t function in judgmental isolation, fearful of confrontation or difficult conversation, nor can they be effective if they only allow clones to “pass through” Instead, can a continuum of lyrical content exist? Does unity equate to uniformity? Were the disciples identical in thought and practice? Did they disagree? Did ministry still go forth? Is one type of bait sufficient for ALL fish? More rhetorical questions to ponder. Jesus forbade sectarianism, and eschatologically, HHH’s version of it in the gospel of Mark.

Man, I was feelin’ Wells on these bars from on one of my favorite tracks off Cross Movement's Holy Culture Cd...

This rhyme should’ve deaded a lot of stuff, but sadly and unfortunately, it seems the hate has persisted, (through silence and factions primarily) and the enemy has turned a toehold into a foothold and quite possibly a stronghold. I understand if cats are content with operating in their own kingdom silos or even using the genre as a personal ministry opportunity, just be clear about it and don’t talk about the body en masse if you are knowingly not in right relationship with certain individuals and you allow these issues of the body continue to go unaddressed. Sometimes our rationale is, I don’t have an issue, I’m bearing fruit, so if there is an issue, it must be theirs.” Isn’t that all the more reason we should feel free to be the “bigger man” and initiate conversation and dialogue if we know, hear or even suspect that there’s an issue? Initiate, reconcile. Function as one who doesn’t want his “good to be evil spoken of”, who understands the enemies tactics, who knows what’s at stake. One well-respected MC actually said that the reason these issues exist is because cats in HHH have not been discipled. Wow, can you believe that?! The implication in this statement is that those in HHH who HAVE been discipled are either: never wrong, don’t have beef amongst themselves, handle beef appropriately (dozens would and do disagree), or the statement is nonsense, an “easy out” to not “examine oneself” and begin the uncomfortable but vital work of cleaning out our respective rooms in the proverbial HHH house.

Another interesting note to this tragic state of affairs is that a significant number of HHH fans, or rather believers, are oblivious to it. This is a good thing in some regards, perhaps an indication that gossip isn’t as pervasive as some think. It can also speak to a religious version of groupie-ism where the commitment isn’t to God’s Word alone, but to your own favorite MCs, whom you can’t imagine being wrong about anything, whose opinions become your own. I mean after all, they’re zealous for the Lord and they know the Word, so the only thing of importance to the groupie is when their next album is coming out, not whether biblical truth meets real life practice in the life of the MC when those complex, thorny, adult issues occur when we are involved in real relationships. Basically, when they live life, not rap about it. There’s a different level of comfort when an MC, isn’t the center of attention after a concert or event appearance, holding court with
“believer-fans” than when they’re among peers, or slightly older saints in the faith who may actually want to maturely address the elephant in the room…beef. In this case, everyone isn’t hanging on to their every syllable, clamoring for pics or autographs, but looking to BUILD for real, have some grown-up convo. Like I’ve said before, if iron is to sharpen iron, at some point, sparks will fly. I think we’re content with iron "polishing" iron. So we gas each other up with our hip-hop version of Christianese, and though skills improves beat wise and lyrically,
the genre stays right where it is.

When you think of how cults emerge, don’t you wonder if people are in the Word for themselves like the Bereans and why they can’t see a gradual, systematic deviation from truth unfolding before their eyes? Usually what happens is, charismatic leaders prey on the biblical ignorance of saints and new believers and do away with those who are able to discern, object or ask questions. When we cannot tolerate people disagreeing with us, or are unwilling to consider that we could be wrong about something, we inevitably surround ourselves with “yes men” who will only co-sign our every thought, or distance ourselves from those who think differently, thus keeping us oblivious to the need for change, and in denial about our own fallibility. Subsequently, to our own detriment, and growth, we shrink back from the Nathans of the world, who though seemingly decreasing in number, speak the truth in love.

Again, if the shoe fits, put that boy on and run to your brother (or sister) and be reconciled. Bottom line, let the Holy Spirit lead you and bring to your remembrance people that you have wronged, wounded, cut off, starting treating differently with no explanation, slandered etc; knowingly or unknowingly. I commend those who’ve told me they’ve initiated contact where beefs exist and been have persistent albeit in many cases to no avail. Move on, with a clear conscience. I wrote this piece in a very general way, minimizing specifics I am aware of, but God knows the specifics, He knows exactly where to insert your name. Don’t concern yourselves with how others you know who aren’t willing to man up and repent will react. Clean your slate before a Holy God so He can maximize your service of Him. If you are a “fan” who didn’t know cats weren’t “all just getting along”, pray, and pray some more.

Several people have asked The Yuinon when we will do a conference. We had never considered it. Having been to the HHH Awards, Rap Fest, and Flavor Fest, we felt it would be redundant to have a similar focus. One sister suggested a prayer focused gathering, a solemn assembly for HHH to bombard the heavens on behalf of the lost, the culture and the genre. It was even mentioned that we have foot washing sessions for cats who wanted to “take it there” and model true repentance and service to brothers and sisters they had “beef” or unresolved issues with. This would be the place where the specifics I can’t get into here would be addressed, where both sides to numerous stories would be told to the parties actually involved, where wounds old and new are painfully revisited and finally given the balm of Gilead. Late night closed door sessions with the bible as the authority, where gripes can be exhausted, emotions can be expressed, tears freely shed, but truth and honesty prevail because pride and egos are underfoot and love is the order of the day. The result? An unstoppable united movement that God could truly entrust with greater things. Other life circumstances caused us to have to delay this event but the feedback we received was not encouraging. Things like “so and so won’t come” or “they’ll be mad it wasn’t their idea, or “go ahead, but don’t expect this…” I was like wow, as the people of faith where is OUR hope?! If WE can’t love and reconcile, how can we expect to penetrate a rapidly eroding secular culture full of desperate and hopeless people?!

In our five years with our website as our cyberhub, we’ve learned that people will “lurk” on the site and use aliases which is cool, one of the benefits of the internet. But sometimes the anonymity is rooted in pride and not wanting to be “seen” posting on a forum other than your own as an “established artist” or posting something that is NOT connected to your own CD. We can’t be held accountable for our words or views if no one really knows they are ours right? I can be as dogmatic, condescending, contentious and untruthful as I want to be. The anonymity often gives us the will to confront what we as believers should be willing to deal with in person or via a phone call. So with that said, we know that many will view the posts and not respond (their prerogative of course) pretend they never saw this article and continue on with business as usual. What, me, reconcile? OR, God could move on their hearts and before you know it, a revival is taking place in HHH, its impact maximized because those in it who name the name of the Most High actually love and support each other, imagine that!

- vessel (Local 313) 10.2.08

PS. I’m keeping a running list of those interested in that Solemn Assembly, so holla!

PPS. For those of you who cringe at the idea of “sharing dirty laundry” in cyberspace (gasp) where unbelievers can see it, rest assured, they already know about our “issues”.