A monthly message from Fred Lynch. Fred is the founder of GodStyle Productions, a ministry committed to changing youth culture. For more information on Fred, visit his website or check out his latest project, The Epic (the gospel of John translated into rap).
July 2006
Everyone knows that when it comes to teens, summers are always associated with having fun, getting away from the academic grind and enjoying some really good music. Most of us can remember our summer escapades by the hits that came out that year. Whether secular or sacred we all can hear certain songs and be carried back to in time. Remember Will Smith releasing 'Summer Time' or Kirk Franklin dropping 'Stomp'(now you can't tell me that Stomp doesn't take you back to one of your favorite summers); or what about SWV (Sister's With Voices) releasing 'I'm so into you' (all of my students went around all summer mimicking them and sounding like chipmunks), or what about my man Fred Hammond breaking out w/ 'Blessed…blessed…blessed' or Cross Movement bringing it with House of Representatives that whole album was a summer's theme!
Teens are always looking for and using music to help define who they are.
I better get off of memory lane or I won't finish this article. My point is that music is often the soundtrack of a student's life, and although a few things have changed such as the iPod replacing the walkman, or bootlegs replacing the radio dub; the principle remains: teens are always looking for and using music to help define who they are.
As youth workers we know this so it doesn't help to ignore the fact: they're gonna find it. Yes we are living in a time where art so often gets hijacked by industrial predators looking for a buck. Yes we have an overstock of half-baked so-called entertainers who would rather shock with lewdness than actually come up with something creative or analogous of love. And yes, with so many rumors going around today about the lifestyles of gospel groups and singers you wish you could just put the brakes on the music thing till the clouds lift and we can see things clearer. But you and I know that for a teen, that won't happen. So how can we help them?
For the next two months, I will attempt to share some of my favorite places to score the best sounds quick and easy. Speaking of quick and easy, this is one of the best things about being connected online; you don't have to wait anymore for the Bible Bookstore down the street to get a copy of your latest jam. I mentioned iPod earlier. Go and check out their site. iTunes is one of the leading methods of finding great music. Now if you don't have an iPod, don't worry. Many 'legal' music download sites are up now. I'll give you a list of some of the leading spots at the bottom of this article. Although many 'mainstream' groups are on these sites, you can also find many independent artists as well. Speaking of independent artists, you have to check out Indie Heaven for a huge variety of great inspirational music to download, or jump over to Independent Bands and connect with them. If you need to get some great hip hop or R&B style or even reggae you want to go over to Hip Hop for the Soul or Quality Junk and I'm sure you'll be satisfied. Next month we'll talk more about great music sites and how you can help any of your students or friends out there who may have a gift and want to go global by selling it on the web. I want to close by reminding you that we don't have to bury our heads in the sand and be overtaken by the booty shakers, flossers, and thugs; there is some good music out there! Our job is to get it into the hands of our students. See you next month.
FREDDIE FREEBIE: Here's a list of some great sites to buy music online:
www.puretracks.com
www.connect.com
www.emusic.com
www.towerrecords.com
www.burnlounge.com
www.rhapsody.com
Sharing the gospel from 'Street to Street',
Fred Lynch III
GodStyle Productions
Fred Lynch is the founder of GodStyle Productions, a ministry committed to changing youth culture. For more information on Fred, visit his website or check out his latest project, The Epic (the gospel of John translated into rap).
