No Church In The Wild: 10 Hip-Hop Moments That Got Religious Folks All Riled Up [GALLERY]

Religion has played a part in Hip-Hop since its halcyon days, but that doesn’t mean the relationship between rap music and God-fearing folk has always been on the up and up. Sure secular rap artists have released a number of semi-church friendly tracks like Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks,” Common’s “Faithful” and MC Hammer’s “Pray,” but more times than not, the negative themes in rap music make it impossible for the two to coexist without some conflict arising.

And when conflicts arise, it can get ugly. Let’s just be real. At times, church folk are just too damn sensitive and at times rappers are too damn close-minded when it comes to the things they do and say towards other people’s religions; which inevitably leads to circumstances like these.

Here are 10 Hip-Hop related happenings that caused church folk to lift every voice and proclaim, ye gots to chill…

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Photo: Instagram

Nas & Diddy Puffy – “Hate Me Now” Cross Scene

The original video for Nas’ 1999 hit “Hate Me Now” featured Nas and Diddy nailed to a crossed wearing a of crown of thorns ala Jesus’ crucifixtion. When Puff’s priest told him (Big voice) you know that aint right, the mogul ordered his cross hanging parts to be removed. After the OG version aired on MTV, Diddy allegedly blessed Steve Stoute with a wine bottle fade for his part in the mix-up. That didn’t stop many Christain groups from calling the video blasphemous.

Eminem – Concert Conflict

Eminem had a large group of Irish churchgoers brewing over with anger after he accidentally scheduled a concert in Bangor, North Ireland the same day that a missionary convention was being held. Church members went as far as attempting to have Shady’s show cancelled, citing his bad image and vulgar content.

Tupac – Don Killuminati Cover Art

The album art for Tupac’s last “real” album, Don Killuminati: The Seven Day Theory featured a painting of Pac nailed to the cross and so many religious innuendos that many copies of the disk came with a disclaimer that read : In no way is this portrait an expression of disrespect for Jesus Christ. Still, some religious folks raised hell over the cover. A Pac look alike would later be depicted on a cross again in Scarface’s “Smile” video.

Game – Jesus Piece Cover Art

The cover for Game’s fifth album, Jesus Piece caused an uproar when the rapper revealed it in October 2012, via Instagram. The cover, which features Jesus with a teardrop tattoo and a red bandana surrounded by cannabis plants, didn’t fly too well with many of Chuck’s followers who deemed the work of art blasphemous.

Meek Mill – “Amen” 

Millie’s 2012 summer hit, “Amen” was a smash in the clubs but didn’t sit too well in the pulpit. In fact, Philadelphia pastor Jomo Johnson actually attempted a boycott of the MMG rapper’s music for the track which he said, “blasted Jesus Christ.” The two men even had a back and forth on a Philly radio station before Mill later apologized and the disagreement was settled.

T-Bone – Bone-A-Fide Cover Art

Bay area Christian rapper T-Bone had some explaining to do after the cover art for his 2005 album Bone-A-Fide featured a picture of the rapper evoking the image of communist activist Che Guevara and had tracks featuring Mack 10 and Chino XL. The cover lead people to believe he was switching up advocating a religious stance to promoting communist ideologies, which he later denied.

Gangsta Rappers – Rev. Calvin Butts Incident In 1993

In 1993 Harlem pastor Calvin Butts had had enough of gangster rap. Angered by the gangster rap scene, Butts decided to protest explicit lyrics by steamrolling a large pile of rap tapes and CDS from artists like 2 Live Crew, Scarface, NWA and Tupac as a part of his demonstration.

Nicki Minaj – Faux Exorcism

Nicki Minaj’s head turning date and performance at the 2012 Grammys had the Catholic church livid. Nicki showed up to the event rocking a Versace nun’s habit, chaperoned by a man dressed like the Pope, and her performance included a faux exorcism. Catholic League President, Bill Donohue, later rebuked Minaj’s performance saying it was disrespectful to the church.

Shahin Najafi – Imam Diss

In 2012, Iranian rapper Shahin Najafi put out the song “Naghi” which criticized the Iran’s government. The song was taken as disrespect by a certain Imam, and instead of getting a dis track in response, an Islamic website later place a $100,000 bounty on Najafi’s life for the song which they felt was “grossly insulting.”

NAACP – Image Awards

In 2007, the NAACP awarded several rappers including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Diddy and B.o.B with Image awards shortly after “ceremonially burying” the N-word earlier that year. That didn’t ride with Maryland pastor Rev. Delman Coates who took shots at the NAACP for what he felt were hypocritical actions by the organization.