Prophetic art is often described as a deep concept. It’s the idea that something creative can hold a perspective that makes people think about the future. It’s the idea that art and music can “create both rest and unrest in the soul,” said Rev. Julian “J.Kewst” DeShazier, a pastor, activist and hip-hop artist. In music, it makes the listener actively hear and perceive a message. It can enact social change.
DeShazier brought up this concept during his conversation with students Feb. 25 evening in the McBride Gathering Space in Numen Lumen Pavilion. His talk, “Strange Fruit: Music, Justice and Prophetic Speech” was part of the weekend’s Ripple Conference, designed to promote interfaith celebration and awareness. DeShazier prides himself on being able to merge his belief in faith with his passion for social change and racial activism. He surprised the audience by opening with a rap. His album, titled “Lemonade,” focuses on staying positive despite the challenges of life, and seeks to reach people through hip-hop.
The interactive presentation is centered on these types of music and their ability to communicate a need for change.
“Some songs are soundtracks for conversations,” Deshazier said. “Others create a conversation by illuminating a part of society we didn’t know existed.”
He gave numerous examples, including the memorable performance of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock. During the anti-war movement, that version of the song challenged what people held to be a sacred staple of their patriotism.
Other examples included “We Shall Overcome”, a gospel song that became a soundtrack to the backdrop of the civil rights movement; Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, which was influenced by issues of poverty; and Jermaine Stewart’s “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off,” which alludes to the AIDS epidemic.
Each song was written within the popular rhythm of its time, provoking thoughts about social issues by meeting people where they were in culture and bringing them in to a new conversation.
DeShazier described these songs and their ability to bring social issues to the “forefront of public consciousness.”
With hopes of bringing ongoing racial issues to the public conscious, DeShazier contributed to the Emmy-winning short film “Strange Fruit”. The raw, graphic and provocative film celebrates the controversial Billie Holiday song of the same name and honors the lives of three young black men who were hanged during the 1960s. DeShazier said the goal for the film is to help start a conversation about race in places where it is tough to talk about.
“The less we speak, the more hate overwhelms, and so we must yell,” DeShazier said in his rap.
Bringing in conversations about modern rap, DeShazier acknowledges that hip-hop has evolved into a subculture and $1 billion business that may sometimes lose its ability of prophetic art. He said he’s in modern radio only wants to play one side or type of hip-hop.
Referencing rapper Kendrick Lamar’s latest controversial Grammy performance as a conversation starter more than a publicity stunt, DeShazier still believes in the importance of messages in music.