Dear Chas:

Sorry for the delay in responding. I have been with my daughter whom I have not seen since 1994.

I praise God that this young man wishes to turn his life around and his interest in the Catholic Church. I praise God for your positive influence in his life.

As for Rap, Ray Charles says it is not music. But, it is a form of expression. Whether we are talking about Rap, Rock, Country, Jazz, Blues, or whatever, the first analysis is to the lyrics. The lyrics can be bad, good, depressing, uplifting, psychological or even physically healthful or destructive to health.

The second analysis is on the musicology, that is, the way the music is written. Scientific studies have shown that the kind of musical sound can effect the brain in various ways. The harder rock, such as heavy metal, for example, uses a musical style that is not healthy. Studies have shown that even some Classical music is not healthy.

So, both the lyrics (the most important thing) and the style of music must be considered as to whether or not it is healthful psychologically, physically, and spiritually.

As to Rap: I do not see any particularly serious problem with the musical background to the Rap talk for the most part. The lyrics of Rap is the huge problem.

But, any Rap style that has good lyrics is probably okay, unless the background music is a problem.

There is another consideration. Even in music that is perfectly okay, it may not be wise for a particular person to listen to it. If the music is a trigger for depression, unchristian thoughts, immoral thoughts or actions, then that person should not listen to it. This is not because there is anything wrong with the music, but because it triggers the individual person listening to it. Thus, a third analysis is the personal effects of the music.

As to the Kid Ink song: I imagine your friend is responding to the phrase, 'What doesn't kill me can only make me stronger', which has some truth in it. It fact, it relates to Romans 8:28, which you ought to mention to him and teach him the meaning of that verse.

But there is a problem with the Chorus, which states:

You can tell them that
I've been from hell and back
When the heat is on
I fire back
In this cold world
Where your lighters at?
Let's burn it down
Fire back 

This seems to say that when the heat is on, when we are attacked, we fire back. This is not Christian. It implies revenge, it implies that we give what we are given. the Christian ethic is that vengeance is the Lord's. While we have a right to self-defense, this imagery does not seem to apply to self-defense. Rather, it appears to say that we give back what we are given when attacked. This is the wrong and unchristian message. I am attacked all the time. My response is to correct any lies with the truth, to forgive, and to pray for the attacker. That is the Christian way. I do not slander my attacker when he slanders me.

It seems clear that the chorus is promoting violence, whether actual or metaphorical. The image of arson is absolutely contrary not only to Christianity, but to a civilized society.

This is the primary problem with Rap. It is violent, angry, destructive, and immoral in its actual message or in its imagery. Such Rap lyrics is not good for someone trying to adopt the Christian path.

There are plenty of songs that may give him comfort. In addition, he needs to be careful about being attached to this song if he is resistant to let it go. The Christian life is about giving up attachments. He will likely have to learn this slowly.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary