Rap music holds God's message, speaker says

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat "People find clues on how to interpret life's unanswerable complexities in Black secular music. Clues they do not find or wish to find in orthodox religion." Jon Michael Spencer University of Richmond American studies and music professor

Jon Michael Spencer, a University of Richmond American studies and music professor, proposed that African American secular music is actually more spiritual than gospel music.

"People find clues on how to interpret life's unanswerable complexities in Black secular music," Spencer said. "Clues they do not find or wish to find in orthodox religion."

Spencer explained religion in the context of African American popular music to about 75 people at a Black History Month lecture in the Memorial Student Union Rincon room.

He highlighted the religious undertones in the music of contemporary artists including Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Run DMC and Prince.

"Pop and rap music are vehicles for expression of religion and concern," Spencer said, pointing to music of artists ranging from Ray Charles to Bob Marley.

Spencer also detected spirituality in the music of late rapper TuPac Shakur.

"TuPac's lyrics show a man obsessed with death and the mysteries of death," he said. "This shows a man with a powerful religious imagination."

Spencer coined the term "theomusicol-ogy," - the theory and methodology used to break down layers of meaning in music, he said.

He said secular genres of music do not merely enhance life but impact the way people interpret the world.

"My purpose was not to give an academic lecture, but to transform your understanding of black music," Spencer said after the talk.

Erin Reid, a University of Arizona anthropology senior, said the presentation was interesting.

"I own a lot of the music Dr. Spencer was talking about and the lecture gave me a new perspective on the lyrics and spirituality of music," Reid said.

Camilla Bhagwan, a religious studies senior, identified with Spencer's perceptions.

"I thought Dr. Spencer's idea of religion being more than ceremony was very innovative," she said. "I agree that religion exists in daily activities and in music."

Spencer received his doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He has written 13 books and numerous articles on African American music and religion.

The lecture series is co-sponsored by the College of Humanities and the department of anthropology. Another lecture series will take place between Feb. 26 and March 12.

A Black History Month film series will run every Tuesday in February and March in the basement of the Martin Luther King building.