WS Chronicle

The 4th annual Gospel Hip-Hop Showcase, presented by D-Unity X and the Lighthouse Flag Football League, will take place on Friday, Sept. 27, at Word of Truth International Life Center in Winston-Salem.

The theme for this year’s event is “Forgiven.” It will be a display for gospel rap artists, dancers and gospel singers, according to Darryl Gordon, event organizer. School supplies will be given away at the end of the show, as well.

“This event is important to me, because it started with the first miscarriage of my former wife in October of 2015,” Gordon said. “When that happened, God revealed to me to do something, not only for Him, but for the city at the same time.

“I had a dream of seeing Him and he was telling me to use what I know, so the first showcase was called “I Ain’t Turning Back,” which happened October 1, 2016.”

Gordon says that was supposed to be a one-time event, but his soul said to do it again, he said. “So, we came back with the second one called ‘Man Up’ and then after that was a success, last year’s event was called ‘I’m going In’ and now we are at ‘Forgiven.’

“My thing is, I want to present a different culture to the city of Winston,” he continued. “I think that gospel hip-hop is so underrated and the message is not getting out there and we have a lot of talent out here, as well, that we don’t know.”

Gordon said one of his main goals is to present gospel hip-hop, not only to the church, but also to the streets. He feels that using gospel hip-hop is a way to reach the younger generation and bring them closer to Christ.

Gordon has been able to grow the event every year. This year, he has talent coming from all over the country, such as Texas and Ohio.  

“This is going to be amazing and this just shows God’s grace and mercy,” he said. “I had other rappers hitting me up that I was not able to put on the roster. If I was able to put everyone up there, I would have had over 30 performers.”

There has been nothing but great reviews from the participants and crowd, Gordon said. Soon enough, he feels they will need to move to a bigger venue to accommodate the acts and crowd.

Gordon says that gospel hip-hop saved his life, so he feels it’s his mission to spread the word these artists are saying.

“You want the kids to get hype, you want them to get lit and you want them to get turned, but let’s do it in a positive way,” said Gordon. “These guys are bringing the same records and the same noise, but with a message and that message is the key. That’s what separates gospel hip-hop from the rap culture we hear now.

“My thing is, I’m trying to introduce this culture to people so they can say ‘hey, we can do this in our churches and our communities,’ because it is positive and uplifting.”

In the years to come, Gordon would like to “pass the torch” to his daughter as the leader of presenting gospel hip-hop to the community.