Rick Ross performs "I'm On One" at the 2011 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California, June 26, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (BETAWARDS-SHOW)
Top selling secular rapper Rick Ross recently stirred controversy with the release of his song entitled “Holy Ghost” which has been criticized for twisting scriptures and degrading the Holy Spirit by using Him as a consultant that helps lead him further into sin.
The first verse of the song depicts Ross, a self proclaimed Christian, relishing in the riches of sitting in his expensive Bugatti as he makes a drug deal. Proclaiming that being “dead broke” is the “root of all evil” instead of the love of money, he is attempting to dodge cops and asks for the Holy Ghost to intervene.
Amongst those offended by the song are rappers within the Christian hip hop community. Being vocal about their disapproval, some have offered responses to the record, being careful to label it as a response so as to not come off disrespectfully.
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Making a response to the record, Christian rapper Gifted da Flamethrowa, though offended wanted to use it as a means to reach out to Ross.
“It’s obvious he [Ross] is going out of his way to disrespect God. We can’t say he is doing it for [publicity] because he is already a top seller. So what he is doing is from his heart,” he told popular Christian hip hop Journalist Sketch. “When I heard that song it immediately sparked my brain to reach out.”
Using clips of Ross’ previous statements of faith, saying that he “put[s] Jesus first,” Gifted uses this to question Ross’ intentions.
Discussing his faith in “The Fence” documentary, Ross explains that he puts his all into what he believes, uses the money and influence for positivity, and believes that God is the reason behind his success in the music industry.
When asked about the criticism that he receives from Christians who judge his lyrics for not reflecting his religious beliefs, Ross who derived his stage name from the 1980s drug dealer “Freeway” Rick Ross, the rapper said he reflects what he has seen in his lyrics whether or not people want to look at it and that he embraces the judgements.
Ross’ “Holy Ghost” also features Sean “P. Diddy Combs” who also professes to be a Christian. After Ross’ first verse, Combs appears on the song saying a prayer in which he curses several times.
Aside from drug dealing, Ross also speaks of overdosing on drugs and premarital sex as he and Combs asks God to forgive those who are after them because “they know not what they do.”
Which such references and twisting of scriptures, many, such as Gifted believe that Ross is not operating in ignorance but rather a bold disrespect.
Ross’ song comes after a string of controversial songs involving Christianity that sparked controversy in 2011 such Lady Gaga’s “Judas” Jay Z and Kanye West’s “No Church In The Wild” and Jonny Depp and Babybird’s “Jesus Stag Night Club.”
