DeAndre’ Burns said a song is the only thing a person will listen to hundreds and hundreds of times.
“I have a favorite sermon, but I have not listened to it 100 times. Same with movies,” he said. “But with music, you listen to it so much that you recite what is being said even if you don’t like what is being said.”
That’s the problem, he noted — hip-hop music is filling the minds of young people with messages that are tearing them down. And Burns and others are trying to find the solution.
“Our goal is to saturate the music world with what we have to offer,” said Burns, general manager of Flatline Movement, a ministry started years ago to reach urban youth through Christian hip-hop.
Right now, they’re working hard on that goal from the studio and planning tour dates for the coming months. They’re getting close to finishing their first solo project, which covers rap, rhythm, praise and even jazz, Burns said.
Burns is one of the artists, along with his son, Dillon; daughter, Christa; and seven others.
‘Blessed to work together’
“I’m blessed by what comes from all of us together. Altogether it’s 10 of us in the group, and our goal is to release two projects a year in addition to our solo projects. People are going to be tired of seeing us,” he joked.
But Burns knows in order to get the message out there, that’s what’s needed.
Hip-hop is the No. 1-selling genre in the world right now, he said. “Over the years, it’s continued in its momentum, and it’s become a regular in most households, especially those with young people.”
And the influences are becoming darker, he said.
That’s why Flatline Movement wants to produce music that’s full of light, Burns said. “We have to use everything at our disposal to make sure people get to hear the gospel in a way they understand.”
That’s why the tour is important to them too — they want to get the word out and saturate Alabama with the message of the gospel through rap, he said. “We want people who host us to rest assured we’re coming with the gospel and only that, and we pray everyone would be able to hear it and receive the Lord where they are.”
Alternative message
Dewayne Rembert, pastor of Flatline Church at Chisholm and founder of Flatline Movement, said even Christian youth are listening to secular hip-hop music, so it’s a concern not only for unchurched youth, but also those growing up in the church.
“We need to do a better job as a church of giving them an alternative with a different message,” he said.
Burns said anyone interested in bringing Flatline Movement to their church, school or other local venue this year can reach out through the contact information on its website.
“We’re excited about what the Lord is going to do. We’re ready for it, whatever it is He would have for us.”
For more information, visit flatlinemovement.org or email Burns at dburns@flatlinechurch.org.
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