In this episode of Church on the Block we delved into the art of rap, its cultural impact, and the transformative power of hip hop. We also share the importance of the DNA of music and how to bridge the gap between the generations.

The Power of Hip Hop: A Weapon of Mass Construction

Our guest, Phenom, a hip hop artist and mentor to young people, describes himself as a “weapon of mass construction.” He is unapologetically in love with God, and he sees this love as encompassing everything in life. The Chicago emcee uses hip hop as a method to teach, listen, and engage with others, demonstrating the power of this art form to uplift society.

Phenom’s journey into hip hop began as a way to escape school and be cool. He wrote his own rhymes, performed them at school, and experienced the power of hip hop to captivate an audience. However, a pivotal moment came when his crew signed a deal without him, making him realize the importance of not getting caught up in the industry’s temptations.

The Impact of Hip Hop and Poetry Community

The conversation also touched on the history and impact of Phenom’s work in the hip hop and poetry community. Starting off as a group of 11, eventually narrowing down to four core members. Phenom emphasized the importance of his crew and how he always made sure to pay everyone, even if they couldn’t make it to a show. We highlighted Brother Mike’s contributions to the community, including starting You Media and working with artists like Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa.

The Purity and Substance of Hip Hop

We discussed the purity and substance of hip hop as an art form and its ability to connect with people on a deeper level compared to traditional church settings. We emphasized the importance of both genders and different perspectives in the community. Despite the challenges and frustrations of the industry, our work is driven by our passion and the impact it has on others.

The Power of Freestyling and the Importance of Knowledge

We shared insights on the importance of freestyling and the power of words. They compared freestyling to the concept of sipping versus drinking, encouraging artists to delve into the rich history of hip hop and draw inspiration from legends like Nina Simone, Aaron Neville, and Bill Withers.

The Meaning Behind “Wake Up Now”

We discussed the meaning behind the song “Wake Up Now.” Phenom wrote the song to express his determination to pursue his passion for hip hop, despite the doubts and criticisms he faced. The song also touches on the theme of self-discovery and finding one’s purpose.

The DNA of Gospel Music

Pastor Phil and Phenom emphasized the power of music and its ability to bring life and shine a light on important messages. We believe that gospel music is life-giving and will never die.

Phenom’s Music and the Reach of Hip Hop

Phenom’s music can be found on YouTube by searching for “Phenom Universal.” His website, phenomuniversal.com, showcases videos of his experiences, including a trip to Iraq where he learned valuable lessons and witnessed the power of hip hop.

In conclusion, our conversation highlighted the transformative power of hip hop, the importance of self-expression, and the impact of music on society. As artists, we have a responsibility to use our craft to uplift and inspire, and to continue its rich legacy.

Thank you for tapping in and remember you can catch Church on the Block every Sunday morning at 10 am est. | 9 am cst. on Holy Culture Radio, Sirius XM, Channel 154. Want to support the work? Make a one-time donation or shop our online store!

Timecode references:

The Power of Hip Hop [00:04:04] Phenom talks about his early experiences with hip hop and how it empowered him to express himself.

Learning from the Industry [00:08:31] Phenom shares his journey to New York City to battle other artists and the lessons he learned about the business side of the music industry.

Fusing Poetry and Art [00:09:36] Phenom discusses starting his own crew called Poetry Chicago and how they combined various art forms to tell their story in a unique way.

The growth and challenges of the poetry group [00:10:33] Phenom discusses the growth and challenges of their poetry group, including the fluctuation in membership and the importance of supporting the crew.

Brother Mike’s absence and impact on the group [00:11:32] The speaker talks about Brother Mike’s absence during a project and how they still gave him full publishing rights, highlighting the loyalty and support within the crew.

The power of hip hop and its impact on youth [00:12:29] Phenom shares their experience of using hip hop to mentor and empower young people, emphasizing the importance of both genders and the positive influence of the culture.

The power of freestyle [00:21:20] Explains the importance of keeping your mind and spirit aligned when freestyling and how it reflects your current thoughts and feelings.

The importance of digging deeper [00:22:23] Discusses the significance of going beyond surface-level knowledge and exploring different elements and patterns in rhymes.

The DNA of hip hop [00:26:40] Explores the influence of past artists and the importance of paying homage to them in creating new music.

The song “Better Than I’ve Ever Been” [00:32:10] Phenom explains the inspiration behind his song and how it reflects his journey in the music industry.

The impact of music on young people [00:35:34] Pastor Phil and Phenom discuss the power of music to connect with and impact the lives of young people.

Choosing joy over money in the music industry [00:41:08] Phenom shares his decision to prioritize spreading joy and positivity through his music, even if it means missing out on financial opportunities.

The Power of Hip Hop in Iraq [00:43:03] Phenom shares his experience of being in Iraq and witnessing the power of hip hop reaching even the middle of the desert.

The Art of Rap in Iraq [00:44:57] Phenom recounts a moment in Iraq where a young boy spontaneously started rhyming in Arabic to a beat, highlighting the universal nature of rap.

Belonging to One Another [00:45:50] Pastor Phil discusses the responsibility we have towards each other and quotes Mother Teresa’s idea that an absence of peace is due to forgetting our interconnectedness.