ACCOUNTABILITY?

To whom it may concern: I was born & raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. I have been a part of the Christian hip hop world since 1999. I’ve never cared about computers or doing albums. I was busy serving in my local church (Armor Bearer, Counselor, Sound Man, etc.) and doing local outreaches. As you might remember, Hurricane Katrina hit my city hard so my family and I moved to Houston in 2005. It was then I discovered “Dasouth.com” and how large the CHH genre really was.

I waited eight (‘99’- ‘07’) before I released my first album because I wanted to be firm in the Word before I just jumped on an 808 drumbeat and ran my mouth. This brings me to my point. I see a lot of artists doing shows, traveling, selling CDs, and doing other business related activities. What I don’t see is a lot of talk about ACCOUNTABILITY and SERVANTHOOD. Submission should be a key factor in any man or woman of God’s life. Artists, I would like to know who you are SUBMITTED TO and what local ministry do YOU SERVE? If you are a Pastor, who is your Overseer?

Having these things in place is imperative to keep those on the frontlines of ministry with the proper perspective. To date I have seen the ministry focus of our movement switch to a charting (iTunes, Billboard, Amazon etc.) and sales focus. Artists are developing gimmicks and offering sales incentives with the hope of driving the consumer to purchase his or her product. Now don’t misunderstand, I am all for marketing. My question here is what is the motive?

From an artist’s perspective I understand how the general public, specifically Christian music consumers, can drive you to drastic measures. Some artists feel they are unheard and over looked.

Other artist feels that if they get acknowledged by a “big dog” in the industry they will be accepted in the CHH community. In my opinion this is why accountability is so important. This is why being submitted to a local ministry is important in the life of someone who feels they are called to minister the Gospel. The accountability will be there to tell you when too much is too much. The accountability will be there to guide you when the flesh is saying “do more, they are not recognizing you.” Submission is the thing that will keep you grounded and humble. Remaining in a humble state of mind will force you to not pay attention to how people look at or celebrate you. Being in the state of submission frees you from wanting the applause of people. Submission allows you to focus on getting the applause of God

My friend Cam did a song a while back whose hook said “God gave me a Platform.” James 3:1 says “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers; for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” If you are on a platform and people look to you then you are a leader. The question is, at the end of the day, where are you leading your followers?

If you are not submitted or serving in a local church I encourage you to find one. My coverings are Bound 4 Glory Ministries; Pastors Mukes and Lady T (Houston, TX), The City of Love; Bishop Lester Love and Pastor Fran Love (New Orleans, La) and my mentor is Melvin Adams; a former Harlem Globetrotter. In my local church, I serve as the sound man, janitor, and minister. It is through my obedience and submission that God has elevated me to the platform I am currently on not my grind or hustle. This has been my two cents, take it or leave it.