Hip-Hop And The BibleExemplo

“Numerous Bible Verses Inspire Chance The Rapper’s Breakout Album”

In 2011, an aspiring rap artist from Chicago named Chancelor Bennett was barely on the national radar much less in his hometown. That all changed a year later with the release of the mixtape 10 Day and then the critically acclaimed follow-up Acid Rap in 2013.

Now known as Chance the Rapper, his accomplishments include three Grammy Awards (including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album) plus four more nominations thanks to the groundbreaking 2016 project Coloring Book. What makes the megastar even more unique, however, is the consistent use of biblical references in his music.

Take for instance the inspirational song “How Great,” which he performed live at the 2017 Grammy Awards alongside gospel music legends Kirk Franklin and Tamela Mann. In one verse he raps, Lullabies and alibis/The book don’t end with Malachi.

Chance also paraphrases multiple Bible verses including a portion of his favorite passage, Proverbs 8:1-11:

With the faith of a pumpkin seed sized mustard seed [Matthew 17:20]

Hear, for I will speak noble things as entrusted me

Only righteous, I might just shrug at the skullduggery [Proverbs 8:6]

The Bible-themed song is especially highlighted in the hook, which was taken directly from Chris Tomlin’s multi-platinum worship song “How Great Is Our God” and references Philippians 2:9-11 and Psalm 145:3.

“My cousin Nicole sang the song at three different, very important events at my church: my daughter’s christening, my uncle’s funeral, and my grandmother’s funeral,” Chance told Teen Vogue. “Every time it came across, I felt some type of calling from it, but I didn’t fully understand what it was meant to be in my life. I had her record it, and eventually I put it on the project.”