In the 1960’s, there were many “hippies” in the United States, especially in the Southern California area, who roamed the streets as musicians but their lives were in total disarray. They were usually seen playing their instruments as a form of livelihood to feed themselves as they wandered in the streets.
A New Life Which Started Music Jesus
A hippie preacher, Lonnie Frisbee, and Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, saw this problem especially in the youth and they reached out to them by spreading the love of Jesus. They touched the lives and hearts of these young men and women and inspired them with the teachings of God. It was at this time that nay of these street musicians began converting to born-again Christianity. They continued to play music with the same style, but infused their lyrics with a Christian message that was later called Music Jesus. There were several different terms for the music, including “Jesus culture music,” “come to Jesus music,” “music Jesus Christ,” “victory in Jesus music,” “give me Jesus music,” and others.
Most viewed their music as a way of sharing their new found faith and encouraging others to listen and submit their lives to Jesus, come what may. With no money and support, these musicians formed a band and hit the road just to play their songs, living in homes together and eating whatever was available to them from donations. It was also in the 1970’s when the Jesus Movement started. Many of the young generation at that time confessed how this movement played a large role in their growth as a Christians.
Music Jesus Criticized
The youth would usually play music with a blend of folk music and folk rock and it was quite often both lyrically and musically simple, as well as theologically immature. But in the early 1970’s, this kind of praise music attracted the mainstream media that an industry began to emerge. However, conservatives reacted to the way this music sounded and their lyrics that caused many American churches to largely reject the movement and these artists, too. Still, it was in a phase where people embraced this kind of industry, and the Music Jesus Movement was replaced by the industry which focused on earning money.
Today, musicians still reminisce the time of the Music Jesus as the roots of what is now known as “contemporary Christian music.” It is still celebrated as the era when music was shared out of purity and innocence and genuine love for Jesus with commitment to ideals and unashamedly proclaiming the message of Jesus. Unfortunately, some Christians have forgotten their musical roots, but the contribution of these artists is important whether acknowledged or not.
Lecrae Jesus Music
Lecrae is the name of one of the popular Christian artists today. His Jesus Muzik contains the popular chorus refrain, “riding with my top down listening to my Jesus music.” Here are the complete lyrics:
Lecrae:
“Yeah back on the grind again I know it’s been a lil while but it’s time again
Folks askin Crae when ya gonna rhyme again? I’m like hold up give me time my man
See a lot of thangs change some stay the same went from H Town to D Town to Memphis mayn
One thang that’s fasho, everywhere I go people caught up in theyself money cars and clothes (yep)
They talk about it all the time and put it in they songs
They drive around and play it loud like it ain’t nothin wrong
And all they talk about is sinful stuff, got everybody actin bad thinkin that they a thug (weeelll)
They tryna drown me out, but nah they ain’t gon count me out
I got a back pack full of tracks plus I keep a Johnny Mac so we can pound it out
Plus I’m bumpin dese JESUS BEATS whenever they SEEIN ME
People lookin all confused, cuz every one of my tunes is screamin JESUS peeps
I was bumpin dat TRIP LEE, BJ rollin WIT ME both our heads noddin like we dozin or we TIPSY
But we ain’t been drankin mayn nah this song just bangin mayn
Got us screamin JESUS out the window while we changin lanes, while we just”
Chorus 3X
“Ridin wit my top down listenin to this Jesus music
Rid-ridin wit my top down down top top down ridin wit my top down
Listenin to this Jesus Music”
Trip Lee:
“If you hear that the bass bang and you see us in ya streets
That stuff ya boy’s playin mayn it’s gon be dem Jesus beats (yall ready)
That stuff we bumpin ain’t that lean wit it rock wit it (nope)
It’s that change ya life and please let the rock hit it
Now that stuff that we bump bring the sound of Christ
Lyrics
Christ 116 our prayer to Christ was once lost then found now we down wit Christ
In the dark hearts stop but we found the light now it’s soundin right
Suicide to the good and the phantom life cuz the gospel is good
In the past I don’t think yall understood now ya got it messed up
Let us outta ya hood, we got the windows down and when we finna cruise
We tryna glorify the Lord with what we listen to (OK) we bump dat Cross Movement
We bump that Lampmode (Lampmode) we bout that Jesus musik
Get up yo hands bro (get up yo hands bro) yeah
It might be screwed and chopped it might be east coast
Either way this Jesus musik’s hot bump this in ya speakers bro (they laugh)
The Lord ain’t pleased wit that money and weed
So if you hear them ‘sup and ya see us up in ya streets
I might be”
Chorus 3X
“Ridin wit my top down listenin to this Jesus music
Rid-ridin wit my top down down top top down ridin wit my top down
Listenin to this Jesus Music”
Lecrae:
“You like music from rap to gospel but ya prolly neva heard nobody rap the gospel
Different sound but the truth’s the same no choirs no bands but the truth remains
We got fam and the clique set the booth on flames St Louis others philly
Like Duce and Flame’s if ya lost in the flow don’t lose the name
It’s Jesus Christ the king of the jews my mayn
This ain’t entertainment dawg it’s timeless truth
Would you rather hear a song about shiny coupes, nope
Non-fat non-gat non-killa rap, 100% christ da blood spilla rap
Yall feelin that, rap wrapped up with the gospel, ay trip dawg run it back
Yall feelin that? Rap wrapped up with the gospel ay trip dawg run it back”
Trip Lee:
“If in our car you hear that boom-bep and you hear some dude’s rep
It ain’t dem folks that boast, it’s folks that tell you where the truth’s at
We don’t wanna hear about dimes and dope (nope)
We don’t wanna hear about nines and smoke
We don’t wanna hear about movin packs and foolish cats
Who lie and boast
We do wanna hear about Christ the king
Do wanna hear how lives is changed
We do wanna hear how God is pleased
And theology of the Bible mayn
This Jesus music turn heads, so turn it up and let em know
In all we do he’s first and, this Jesus music’s better bro (yeah)”
Chorus 3X
“Ridin wit my top down listenin to this Jesus music
Rid-ridin wit my top down down top top down ridin wit my top down
Listenin to this Jesus Music”
Jesus Freak Music Video
The popular Jesus Freak Music Video from DC talk can be found on YouTube.
For other Jesus music videos and music Jesus downloads, Christianbook.com, one of the sites with the highest customer satisfaction ratings that can be achieved. You can also find music Jesus downloads, music Jesus Christ Superstar lyrics, and sheet music Jesus Christ Superstar at this and similar Christian music sites. Also, search our Internet for Christians site for other Christian music topics.