Jemonde Taylor, rector of St. Ambrose, told Episcopal News Service. The a. Eastern service is scheduled to be livestreamed. Wearing attire representative of culture โ country of origin, ancestral tribal affiliation or hip-hop fashion โ is encouraged.
After the Hop Hop Mass concludes, worshippers are welcome to stay at St. Ambrose for a potluck luncheon beginning at noon, followed by a Black History Month quiz bowl. Timothy Holder, rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Elizabethtown, Tennessee โ as an outline, the Hip Hop Mass will follow a standard Episcopal liturgy and incorporate rapping from young adult parishioners, live music and a professional DJ.
Imani Nia is a young adult spoken-word artist and parishioner of St. She told ENS that music and musical expression are important facets of African American culture and should be included in Black History Month discussions.
It emerged as a music genre and culture in at a party in Bronx borough of New York City. Globally, hip-hop has influenced other art and entertainment forms, fashion, language, technology and much more. Kurtis Walker, known professionally by his stage name Kurtis Blow, deejayed the worship service. Everyone involved with organizing the Hip Hop Mass carefully curated the songs to showcase different eras and based on how well they mesh with liturgy.
As a music genre, hip-hop has been a driving force for social change, activism and empowerment. Artists like hip-hop group Public Enemy and the late Tupac Shakur โ also known by his stage name 2Pac โ have used their platforms to call out systemic injustices Black Americans face, especially police brutality, mass incarceration, poverty and mental health challenges.
