LIBERATION: Two Snaps for Uncle Snoop!
By Ms. Lauren Wilson, Columnist
So, let me get this straight. It’s ok for you to go to the club to drink, smoke, and twerk to back that *** up and crip-walk to Uncle Snoop’s hip-hop music but it’s not ok for him to make a gospel album? It’s ok for you to do the same things he does or did in the past but it’s not ok for him to make an album praising the Lord and thanking him for everything he has done in his life? You praise the Lord on Sundays, while Monday through Saturday you do things you most likely have no business doing. What makes you different from him?
It’s always funny to me that we pick and choose scriptures from the Bible to throw shade at one another. I’ve read countless statuses from people who quoted scriptures and expressed how disgusted they are that Uncle Snoop made a gospel album. They feel he should not have made an album due to some of the things he does such as smoke, drink, curse, and his gang affiliation but they don’t mention all the good he does. He has his own youth football league and helps his players reconnect with their fathers. If they don’t have one, he serves as a father-figure and continuously invests in his community.
He went from being a gangster to a businessman and entrepreneur, while still remaining himself and doing the things he wants to do which includes making a gospel album. He is allowed to praise the Lord just like us. The only difference between him and most of us is that he is real about what he does and doesn’t hide it. Seems like the people who hate on him are actually envious of him because he is honest and does not front on everything he indulges in and has no problem expressing his love for God.
Why can’t more of us be honest about the things we do and stop acting like we are perfect and too good for the other folks, you know, sinners? I listen and dance to Cardi B, Jay-Z, Yo Gotti, Snoop, Migos, Beyonce, and countless others with my friends, some of whom are PKs, at a club and lounge. I brunch with my girls and enjoy a nice mimosa, Bellini, and glass of wine. I go to music festivals where there are tons of millennials and generation Xs smoking, drinking, and vibing to music but who am I to judge when I’ve had my fair share of fun? Haven’t we all? Shoot, some of us are still having fun. Point is, own up to what you do. There is nothing wrong with being honest about your journey. You’re only hurting yourself when you try to act like somebody you are not. People will respect you more if you keep it real.
I commend Uncle Snoop for taking a leap of faith and making the album. I won’t lie, I went into it thinking it wouldn’t be all that great but all 32 songs are polished. Artists such as John P. Kee, Tye Tribbett, Pattie LaBelle, Jazzy Pha, Fred Hammond, Rance Allen, Charlie Wilson, Marvin Sapp, Mali Music, The Clark Sisters, and others are featured on the album. They seem to be ok with it so why aren’t we?
In spite of the haters, this album is top on the Billboard chart and attracting major attention from non-believers and those on the fence about believing in God. Isn’t that the point of the church: to help those who don’t believe to believe and to help those suffering in any way? Isn’t church supposed to be a non-judgmental place for sinners to come, repent, and attempt to start a new life with Jesus Christ in their life? Snoop did nothing different than what the church is supposed to do, which is to accept those who may not look like, think, and act like us and offer hope and words of encouragement. Even if we do not agree with them, our job is to love them. Maybe that is why he named his album “Bible of Love.”
I am all for secular artists expressing their love for God. I encourage everyone to not only listen to his album but also check out the interviews and other songs by artists expressing their love for God. You’ll quickly realize that they are just like us.
