Call for Chapters

Call for chapters for the forthcoming volume “Hip Hop Spirituality and Urban God Talk.”

As framed and constructed by the media and even some practitioners, hip hop culture is considered a hyper-violent, misogynistic, and materialistic culture devoid of anything holy, sacred and good. Indeed, many spiritual leaders of all faiths indict the entire culture of hip hop and promote it as the work of the devil (or Evil One). However, we suggest that a different reading of hip hop culture will allow one to discover a profound; yet diverse spirituality emanating throughout the culture. While not orthodox by typical religious standards and traditions, hip hop culture, like any other culture, finds hope, joy, comfort, relief, and understanding, through the practice(s) of its worship and spirituality.

Therefore, I am interested in compiling and editing a book of original essays on hip hop’s spirituality. Essayists in this volume hope not only to contribute to the lack of scholarship that focuses on hip hop’s spirituality, but we are also interested in examining how discourses concerning hip hop could change if a reading of hip hop included its spirituality. In addition, we hope this book begins an interdisciplinary dialogue that provides a rigorous, creative, and critical examination that encourages others to take up this exciting field of study. Essays in this volume will cover all aspects of spirituality and hip hop.

Please submit a 300-500 word proposal and CV to me at aejohnson762@bellsouth.net by July 31, 2010