The lights dimmed. More than 350 heads began to bounce to the beat of the shuttering speakers. Synchronized rhythm broke loose across the audience like a wave crashing upon the stage.
This was not the first time this had happened in Birmingham, and certainly it would not be the last.
And it’s all because one Birmingham pastor, best known for his gospel-amped, rigorous raps, knew that what the city needed was a little “holy hip-hop.”
“It’s more than just a show,” U. Torrence “Short-Tee” Sims, associate pastor of Solid Rock Church in Pinson, shouted from the stage Oct. 31 as the audience confirmed his call with a roar.
More than a show indeed. It’s the gospel — the Alabama Gospel Hip Hop Awards (AGHHA).
“Hip-hop is the only genre of music that crosses all races, denominations (and) even countries,” said Sims, founder of the AGHHA. “So God placed on my heart to honor those in the genre on the Christian side. As this grows every year, my vision is for this awards show to launch artists to record deals or to higher plateaus, [while] at the same time, expose this city and state to holy/gospel hip-hop.”
Many were honored at the show from national gospel hip-hop pioneer BB Jay to Wayne Golden, pastor of The Room in Montgomery, who received the Elijah Award for serving as a mentor for the hip-hop culture.
“I just want to see God bring our churches together,” Golden said. “And if it takes holy hip-hop to do it … then let’s do it.”
Award winners included:
• Big Prophet, of Birmingham, for the Alabama gospel hip-hop pioneer
• Holy Alliance, of Huntsville, for the gospel hip-hop group pioneer
• Infamous SD, of Gadsden, for gospel hip-hop solo artist of the year
• Battle C.A.T.S., of Birmingham, for gospel hip-hop duo or group of the year
• Boyz of Triumph, of Sylacauga, for album of the year
• T-Won, of Birmingham, for producer of the year
• D-Hall, of Montgomery, for rhythm and praise artist of the year
• M.A.J.O.R. for new artist and The Grind Award/Mixtape Artist
• Casey Eggleston, of Florence, for the Servitude Award
But this wasn’t just a one-day affair. It was an entire week of gospel-driven events Oct. 26–31, from seminars and evangelistic services to hospital visits and a block party, all aimed at giving the “hip-hop community” a chance to touch the city of Birmingham and share Christ.
“We (hip-hop artists) are out in the streets doing outreach, going to schools, youth detention centers, prisons and many other areas,” Sims said.
“Hip-hop is a key component of the streets. We’ll speak to them, show love and let them know that just because this is your situation, it doesn’t have to be your outcome.”
And it’s also a positive, Christ-honoring alternative for the heavy partying often associated with events during the week of the Magic City Classic — an annual rivalry football game between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, Sims added.
For one beat-boxer, known to most as Float Daddy, the most important part of the week was “rep’n Jesus.”
“The main thing for me is to get fired up for Jesus and empowered to take that to the streets because that’s where it’s at, that’s the main thing — hittin’ the streets to reach the lost.”
For more information, visit www.aghha.org.
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