Crossover Hit?

“You work so hard for a crossover hit but a song without the cross is all that you get.”  – Curtis Zackery

I’ve noticed a trend recently with Christian artists who downplay their faith in order to try to appeal to a broader audience.  Actually, it’s not much of a ‘trend’ anymore as much as it has become a standard operating procedure.  In an effort to get their product sold they tend to minimize the faith elements while at the same time having enough secondary or tertiary elements of faith to appeal to the Christian market as simply that; a market.

I’m wrestling with the ethical elements of this.  On one hand it is not bad at all for someone to make a living for their effort.  On the other hand I’m not sure how much I’m a fan of believers in Christ being seen as merely a market for a product.  I’m doubly concerned if the church market is a springboard upon which a greater sum of money will be made from the product spreading beyond that ‘market’.  That has the fingerprints of faith being used as a means to an end.

One of my friends from college is a hip-hop artist.  His quote at the top of this post is from one of the songs on his album.  The point he’s making here is the point I’d love for Christian artists to consider.  If you’re going to crossover, no problem… you don’t have to do “Christian” music.  I get it.  But why flirt with the Christian market by using some elements of faith in your song just to tease a cert