Despite the fact that the gospel sound heard churches across the United States continue to influence and shape the sound of hip-hop music (Snoop Dogg is even crafting his own gospel album as we speak), but based on this story, it would seem that the church isn't overly welcoming to rap music, especially when the rapper in question is XXXTentacion.
According to a report from Drill King, a teenager was arrested in Brampton, Ontario, Canada and is now facing three criminal charges for bumping X's tracks "Look At Me" within the hallowed halls of the place of worship. Apparently, two well-dressed young men dropped by a service at St. Eugene De Mazenod Parish with the intention of interrupting the proceedings just before 8 p.m. local time. One of them then held their smartphone up to the microphone and played the infamous rap track so that it could be heard over the church's PA system. Those in attendance has supposedly just finished singing a hymn and, when the lyrics, which are heavy in profanity, hit their ears, it resulted in a classic case of sonic shock treatment.
"They felt deeply threatened," said one parishioner, who admits that those in attendance at the service took issue with the two young men bringing such aggressive and perhaps violent-sounding material into what most would consider a safe space from any of those kinds of influences. The 16-year-old whose phone was used to perpetrate this act has been charged with mischief to religious property, disturbing a religious service and breach of recognizance. He cannot be identified by name, based an provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act that bar us from obtaining that kind of information. There's currently no information on the identity of the teen's accomplice either.
Church disruption or not (and not directly, of course), XXXTentacion's music has definitely impressed others not involved with this little incident. His new track, "Ok Shorty," has racked up a sizable amount of listens online since its release just days ago. He was also recently featured in our list of the best Soundcloud rap songs of all time, which you can check out here.
