A rapper’s typical speech at award shows begin with: “First and foremost I would like to thank God” …Some of the audience reaction, “What?!”

So many people become bewildered that most rappers who aggressively rhyme about violence, women, money and power, turn around and “Thank God” at award shows, because the same people rarely associate rap with religion. But for CSULB Professor and author, Dr. Ebony A. Utley, the correlation between the two is evident in some rap lyrics and videos. Dr. Utley studies over 100 rappers such as Jay-Z, Lil’ Kim, Kanye West, Immortal Technique, 2Pac and more, and their relationship with God, in her first and forthcoming book, Rap and Religion: Understanding the Gangsta’s God.

In this edition of Conversations with Caprice, Dr. Utley and I discussed what made her analyze and write about the subject of Rap and Religion. We conversed about the Illuminati,  women and power, her favorite chapter of the book, and of course, the Gangsta’s God. I didn’t want to end the interview!

Tune in to the conversation.

Rap and Religion Trailer

The book is available now! Purchase your copy at RapandReligion.com.

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~ Ashley Caprice