Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower are linked to Ja Rule, Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes
By Spider Perez, GroupSRV.com – Ja Rule, The Notorious B.I.G., Krayzie Bone, Busta Rhymes, along with current hot Rap artists “K-OS” (pronounced “chaos”) and MTV’s Pimp My Ride host, “XZIBIT”, as well as DMX were all reared as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Who would suspect that the Watchtower Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses was the religious and moral “spring” from which these Rappers “drank” during their formative years? Many, if not most of these Rappers once spent their Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons peddling Watchtower magazines door-to-door.
This is a “phenomenon” which is begging to be researched and explained.
Ordinarily, most informed persons are surprised when they learn that a Jehovah’s Witnesses individual or even a JW family has/have attained celebrity status. Why?
The latest 2005 statistics released by the WatchTower Society indicate that out of the United States’ population of 290,000,000 people, only about 1,000,000 Americans are active Jehovah’s Witnesses; with another 1,300,000 persons occasionally attending WatchTower meetings.
With Jehovah’s Witnesses comprising such a small percentage of American society, it does seem rather odd that so many JW-Reared persons would show up in any specific category of celebrities; and even more so when that category is Rap or Hip-Hop musicians.
Can you name a JW-reared tennis superstar; other than sisters Venus and Serena Williams? Can you name a JW-reared super Model; other than Naomi Campbell? Can you name a JW-reared NBA superstar; other than Kevin Garnett?
MTV’s Pimp My Ride host XZIBIT, an earlier career selling WatchTower subscriptions
Can you name a JW-reared television or movie actor/actress/producer who is a current superstar; other than the various members of the “Wayans Family” — Kennan Ivory, Damon, Marlon, Shawn, Kim, etc.? (Yes, you can thank the next JWs who knock at your door for influencing IN LIVING COLOR and other Wayans family projects.)
In music genres other than Rap/Hip-Hop, there are a few scattered artists who were reared as Jehovah’s Witnesses, but nowhere as many as is found in the unlikely Rap and Hip-Hop genre.
There are the various “Jackson Family” children — Michael, Janet, LaToya, etc. There is Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine (heavy-metal). Then there is Prince, who has had much made of his recent so-called “conversion”, but he may have actually been “reared” as such.
This ongoing phenomenon is screaming for attention from not only students of the WatchTower Society, but for the recognition and study by social scientists.
No one should think that the above named Rappers exhaust the list of those who were reared as Jehovah’s Witnesses, or the Rappers who have other JW connections. There are many other “less well-known” Hip-Hop and Rap musicians who were reared JW (Phife Dawg, Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, other “Bones” and other artists on the “Mo Thugs” label), as well as many other JW-reared “wanna bees” and others who use “Jehovah” (or variations thereof) in their lyrics or even titles.
There are even at least two other Rappers who have use variations of “Jehovah” as their own monikers. Then, there are the “behind-the-scenes” people with JW connections, such as the JW-reared Rap producers Focus and Earl Mackie .
Editor – Ja Rule is a play on “Jah or Jehovah rules” a biblical reference Jehovah’s Witnesses share with Rastafarians. The other side of the coin may be the musicians are on the “smart” side of being brought up Jehovah’s Witness: they left.
Sources
Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Problem of Mental Illness
Famous or infamous Jehovah’s Witnesses
Rule 3:36
(CD, Release Year: 2000)
Born Again The Notorious B.I.G.
Music
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not sell their magazines. They do not peddle. The magazines are given free of charge. They do accept voluntary donations, but if not given, the publications are still freely given. These figures on attendance and active members are way off. There are well over 7 million Witnesses worldwide.
ExJW
The figures represent US population. Read closer next time.
Marsha
My take on Rappers of the type you wrote about are open to the opinions of others. I was raised a JW and at 52 atill an active member. I don’t listen to a lot of rap music, but the songs void of too much profanity I can tolerate. Often these guys show an insight into the human pain. Actually if those young men did go door-to-door they made themselves open to the thoughts and pains of others. JW’s have a lot of empathy for people. Our intent is to direct them to Bible teaching and hope that they can see the beauty of Jehovah’s God’s provision to save mankind by means of our savior Jesus Christ. I can understand these rappers may have an impatience in waiting on Jehovah to intervene, therefore, they use music to help them through their own pain and to touch others in the process. I don’t see this an exhausive study, but a simple answer to people wanting to help others in the way they think best.
I of couse would hope they reaquaint themselves with what they learned as a child and now see it from adult eyes. It has been the best life for me and spared me from much of the difficult challenges in life that only a person of color could understand.
martial
http://jehovahh.canalblog.com/
look at this diabolic pictures from WT
Evan II
Jesus Christ said his (true) followers would be hated by the world and that they would be no part of it. I’m sure the Editor feels quite justified and “smart” in displaying such a disapproving (and disrespectful) attitude. JW’s understand, strive not to return evil for evil and recognize the fulfillment of prophecy.
Love to (and Hope for) the world!
Stephen Pate
Based on the false premise JWs hold the franchise rights on true believers, a dubious position. Jesus also said the devil can make himself look good quoting scripture.
pat
Fun Fact…The Jehovah Witness Organization explicitly commands their members not to engage in online preaching, or commenting, or debating as a member in threads online. Therefore when they do, they are acting as apostates. Makes you laugh when they pop in and start defending their religion, doesn’t it? Bragging about how long they’ve been in. The Org considers this bring reproach upon Jehovah and his people, but 10’s of thousands of the poor uneducated dears do, anyway.
Zothie
Omg listen to yourselves!! Best life.. like hell. Seriously this cult has caused nothing but problems my entire life. Get out while you still can & start LIVING!!!
Roy
Reply to Marsha’s comment. There is only one way to express our concern for mankind. That’s by following Jesus’ example. As far as I’m aware he didn’t “rap” or “hip-hop”.
Tic
Poor black inner city areas are prime, recruiting grounds for Jehovah’s Witnesses. I was raised at Jehovah’s Witness, and even preached full-time for them. We would get very little response in the suburban parts of our territory, but have massive amounts of interest in Bible studies In the poor, low income, black neighborhoods. people in poverty are desperate, looking for relief, and Jehovah’s Witnesses Have a great sales pitch. There are so many famous hip-hop Artists raised his witnesses, because they grew up in these communities. Even Friday acknowledges it, and it’s opening scene.