KING DAVID SYNDROME

by YOH

The shock value of my success put bolts in me

All this money, is God playin' a joke on me?

Is it for the moment, and will he see me as Job?

― Kendrick Lamar (“FEAR”)

Hip Hop is a culture with a wide spectrum of spiritual outlooks, and although GOD is often rapped about from a Christian perspective, the source of a rapper’s spiritual understanding can come from various religious practices. Artists at times imitate the almighty, borrowing his name, exuding his swagger, projecting an identity that is godly, but we all know they are man, that they may be anointed, but they aren’t GOD-like. 

I think of rappers as psalmists, making records for the clouds, sending songs to the sky, praying that GOD decides to bless them with a hit. Drake is one of rap's most accurate portrayers that GOD has a plan and he’s just living out what was written for him. 

Because of Drake’s economic success and celebrity status, it’s easy to perceive that his life is one long easy street. That he is more than stable, but striving, in an unshakeable castle built on words and melodies. A dream for most. Who wouldn’t want a life where, each time they record audio, it has the potential to be worth its weight in gold?

But wealth and celebrity doesn’t determine longevity or a good life. Even Drake has hurdles and hiccups. He makes mistakes. Missteps. Private burdens that come with public success. 

In the King James Bible, of the 150 psalms written, King David is credited for 70 of them. David is considered the apple of GOD’s eye in the bible. The boy was anointed to be king. Yet, throughout Psalms, David is going through it. He isn’t just praising the almighty for his blessing, he’s praying for protection against his worldly mistakes. 

The book of Psalms is where you see a wide spectrum of emotions from someone who is said to be GOD’s favorite. David, unlike JOB, wasn’t picked by Satan to be tested. No, what happened to David were occurrences that could’ve been avoided. He chose to act as a man, he chose to act of the world, and the world rewarded him with a response. 

So when his actions created disaster, he went to GOD. Always going back to GOD the way Kendrick does on DAMN. The way Kanye does on Jesus is King. Rappers, as psalmists, often seem like magnets to their own disasters. Attractors of self-destruction. The cause of cruelty and affliction that could have been avoided with better decision-making. As was King David. 

David risked so much, but no matter how deep the grave he dug for himself, GOD never buried him. GOD always raised him up. GOD gave him a fortress. GOD protected him from the parts of himself that weren't perfect. GOD loved David because David loved GOD even though he wasn't a flawless human. 

Rappers, like David, are always praying for a better way, a better future, a better life for themselves and their families. Just praying for a way out. That doesn’t change with wealth. I think artists like Kanye, Drake, Kendrick, JAY-Z, SZA, whoever the artist may be, the richer they get of the world, the deeper their spiritual relationship with GOD becomes.

That’s the beautiful thing about rap, it’s always darkest before the dawn, but the sun rises and reminds us that GOD is good. 

Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” -- King David (Psalm 25)