It's Your Flava! Segment 13 Welcome to the 13th installment of "It's Your Flava!", where we from time to time feature opinion and comments from visitors. Note that the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of GospelFlava.com! With the continued controversy surrounding the Kanye West song, "Jesus Walks", it is no surprise that several different perspectives and opinions have been offered up. In this editorial, radio executive Christopher Squire brings home his well-reasoned points, as music industry veteran Neily Dickerson did before him, and Gospelflava.com's Gerard Bonner before that. Here is Christopher Squire's flava on the topic: Submitted by Christopher Squire October, 2004 Recently, a friend of mine asked my opinion on the Kanye West song, “Jesus Walks" being on [the ballot for potential nominations] for a Stellar Award. Because I worked in New York City at ICBC Broadcast Holdings, (home of heritage station WBLS-FM) I was familiar with the song. I actually like the song. As I began to listen closely to the song, the Stellar Award nomination was no longer an issue. I became concerned with what I perceived to be the conflicting nature of the song. Without becoming “preachy” let me try and explain. The profanity within the song as well as the rest of the CD sends out a mixed message. It says, you can continue to talk or act the way you act and it’s okay with Jesus. You know “Jesus walks with me.” As long as you acknowledge Jesus, it’s okay whatever comes out of Related Editorials More editorials and points of view on the same issue: Gerard Bonner writes an editorial on the emergence of artists such as Kanye West, R.Kelly and Mase in Gospel radio charts. Neily Dickerson give her insider perspective on the inclusion of "Jesus Walks" on the 2005 Stellar ballot. your mouth. Out of one side of your mouth there’s profanity. While on the other side of your mouth, we say “Jesus walks with me". This, my friend, is a contradiction. When Jesus truly walks with us, there are some things that we can’t and won’t do anymore. Love, kindness, gentleness, mercy and forgiveness are by product of Jesus walking with us. Another lyric in the song also troubled me. In one of the stanzas West says “Somebody tell these niggaz who Kanye West iz”. Forget the bad grammar. Even forget the use of the “N” word. As Christians, we are taught that we must deny ourselves and follow Christ. In other words, (remember we’re trying to keep this simple), it’s not about Kanye West; it’s about the Christ that is in him. The message of Christ should be more important then the messenger. In the song West also says “I wanna talk to God but I'm afraid, cuz we ain't spoke in so long”. Again, ignore the grammar. The basis of any religion is its relationship with its deity. In Christianity, we are encouraged to talk to God all of the time. Prayer is our connection with God. “Man should always pray… prayer without ceasing. A walk only comes with a relationship. A true relationship only happens when you spend time with Jesus. It is apparent that secular artists singing about Jesus is becoming a major trend. From Kanye West to Smokey Robinson: Whitney Houston to R. Kelly: Gospel music is one of the music industry's hottest trends. (Yes, I love the R. Kelly CD as well.) I am not questioning any of these artists’ motivation or sincerity in their desire to sing Gospel music. But Gospel is not a trend… it’s a lifestyle. It is more than the emotion of the moment; it is the commitment of a lifetime. It doesn’t mean that you are perfect; it means that you are committed. Committed to a message that is designed to bring men and women to a full knowledge and understanding of Christ... A life-changing experience. "Jesus Walks" is definitely inspirational. It is not Gospel, nor STELLAR! Christopher Squire ICBC Broadcast Holding Inc. Vice-President of Operations Email This To A Friend All content in GospelFlava © copyright 1997 - 2004. All content in GospelFlava © copyright 2004. No information to be reprinted or re-broadcast from this site without the expressed written consent of GospelFlava.com. All rights reserved.