The time is now 11:00 A.M.
I hurriedly steal a few minutes while my boss walks out the office door to listen with unbiased non-judgment to “Bawl Out” by Dovey Magnum on the “Rum and Boom” instrumental. Commendable effort, catchy lyrics and a wonderful melody perfectly depicted her fantasies, desire and need. I could appreciate what sounded like a strong, confident woman reaffirming her independence, sexual liberty and the right to be properly pleased. As soon as the final note played, I immediately found the gospel version recorded by Chozenn.
To be fair, all individuals have a right to express, be and do as they please and neither religion nor any other school of thought can comfortably deny this universal right of free choice theoretically shared by all human citizens. This could not stop me from cringing however as the lyrics, an almost-exact copy of Ms. Magnum’s rendition, referred to the goodness of Jesus causing him to bawl out. One could see this as crying out unto the Lord (Psalm 130:1). But, alternatively, there are many other possible mixed messages that can be transmitted, such as Jesus causing one to bawl out in the same manner that Dovey Magnum described based on the specific handling instructions she outlined – slapping, hair grabbing and all. Imagine if this had been the upper room experience noted in Acts 1:12-15.
The elephant in the room here is birthed from words and their meanings, how they are understood and how we use them. From a marketing point of view, one could say Chozenn simply took a secular song, anointed and sanctified it and now is representing the message of salvation on a musical vehicle that was touting gross slackness (depending on your upbringing) before. Social media is amazing at collecting feedback and many online users defended him, stating that even the very hymns we know and love often come from similarly uncouth backgrounds (lyrics, melody and all). It’s the trend for gospel artistes to follow secular people anyway, some would conclude, and if hype and views are anything to go by, then this guy hit the jackpot for sure. Naysayers strongly refute this, latching on to a moral viewpoint that finds Chozenn guilty for tainting his soul with the original melody and sexual intent, hijacking “worldlian” culture and slapping the name of Jesus into some lines that aren’t necessarily fresh or indigenous to the vocalist, simply for his own gain. Call it fake, false, deceptive, or use any other adjective you might happen to find more befitting.
To Dovey Magnum: Thank you for your creation. “Bawl Out” will be added to many a nighttime playlists, and I’m looking forward to more great material. To Chozenn: commendable effort, though I would love to see an original piece from you getting this much preparation, promotion and publicity. To the Christian and the Unsaved (and any other John/Jane Doe listener): the artistes constructed both songs for any purpose they chose, as is their right. You, likewise, have the right to accept or decline whichever version you prefer. Thanks to you, all for such an entertaining time in our industry and culture, where the “heathens” are more vocal about purity than the church and the church is more vocally divided about who to condemn to hell first. Too often, I hear that it’s hard to differentiate between the two. True or not, Another, Greater than me, will be the judge. I am just here for the music. Blessings in abundance!
