Does anyone else think we are in an exciting time for christian dance music?

It seems that a few years ago things were looking quite bleak, as more and more we saw a move away from dance music amongst ccm. But things have really moved on. It seems that we have seen a slow and ever increasing infiltration of the dance music scene with excellent christian artists, and that many are now doing their thing and shining a light amongst the darkness. I think this is such a positive step, and this move into the mainstream has really helped raise the standard of christian dance music, to the point where many of our most talented brothers and sisters now lead the field in their respective genres, and are producing music that truly glorifies God. I am truly inspired and encouraged!

Its also something ive noticed in other genres too, and is particularly happening in the hip hop realm also. I have always had visions of God using music to glorify His name, and i believe he wants to use us as Christians in a powerful way as we produce music (and more importantly live lives) that glorify him.

Be inspired my friends!

Jay -
yeah, I really hope we are.   I have been a part of the christian EDM scene for about 15 years now with 10 of those years being a producer of the music.   And I have seen amazing bands and artists come and go, as well as the scene fluxuate between full scale activity to nilch.  But, in the process I think I have kind of been too close to the wall to see the window (does that make sense?) and I missed the big picture that anyone outside the scene might be seeing.

I am encouraged to see so many christian artists being effective in their genres and their areas. There is definately some great potential for everyone.  I, myself, have seen God taking my music to the world.

So, yes, I think this is an exciting time for christian EDM.  But it is the people who are working and striving and progressing that will see it come to fruitfulness.   

Amen!  ;)

z.

I agree 150%! The time for us to shine is NOW! The Lord has blessed ALL of us with so many different talent, abilites, and now resources that we have NO EXCUSE but to blow this scene up for Him. And that's what I have every intention of doing. For the rest of my life. THIS IS NOT A PHASE. This is simply what is RIGHT and GOOD. And I'm so encouraged to see that most everyone else here feels the same way!  :-X

Does anyone else though notice the trend and emerging pattern to this?

The reason that most of the artists who are doing well are doing well, is because they don't see themselves as being part of the CCM scene or 'Christian' dance music scene.  It's because they see themselves as part of the house, d&b, breaks scene etc. 

It's the charecter of a person that makes them who they are (in a sense and not wanting to go into a deep thological one so bear with me).  The artists are Christians and make the type of music that they love.  Because of the Christ like charecter that people then take on, it lets them go a lot further than the masses of people with bad attitudes.

It's time the preverbial church left the building.

oh man you couldn't be more right! we have a similar discussion on this thread : (bottom 1/2 of the thread)

http://www.tastyfresh.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,97/topic,6087.msg64307#new (http://www.tastyfresh.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,97/topic,6087.msg64307#new)

Ha ha, I think I will stay well clear of that one.

waaah? your not scared are ya (-: jk

Bring on the Christian Dance Music...I am ready to dance...Lets GLORIFY THE LORD!

Oh I am definatly not scared.  But it's my opinion that my opinion is the right one and to be honest I'm not interested in changing it cos it's working and am 100% sure I am doing what's right for now.  So any debate would be pointless and only upset someone, and that person wouldn't be me.

Ya get me.

Christian Dance Music?  See thats the first problem.  Labels separate.  There's a difference between the common "christian music" and christian influenced artists who make music.  Personally i think labeling it just serves as a marketing tool to christians only.  But i will rock my tastyfresh Tee when im on the decks.

I had this talk with someone today...that it doesnt really matter what genre the music is, it is about the dancing. You can take any form of music and dance to it...my personal opinion on this is that any music that glorifies God is danceable. If your heart is aligned with God's then to me it is Christian...in a round about way...whether it specifically says the name Jesus in it or not.  :)

Thats my point exactly.  If the music helps you connect to the people around you and to God himself, its serving its purpose.  There is no need to separate our music or anything else.  Thats like growing trees to glorify God, and then go around telling people they are Christian trees...and better than your secular trees.  Everything is a gift from God. Jesus didnt stay in one place, build a church with a nice sign, and wait for people to come in.  HE went to them.  He sat with the sinners.  He realized that being in the world is different from being of the world.  So it should be the same for the music ministry.

dude. every single word you just said i agree with 100%. "There is no need to separate our music or anything else.  Thats like growing trees to glorify God, and then go around telling people they are Christian trees...and better than your secular trees."
I hope you don't mind but I'm gonna quote you on this from time to time ... 8)

Thats one of the things that has got me excited lately - to see so many christians doing just that: getting out there.

My particular passion is to see music that worships God taken out into the world, not in order to try and save the world through the music, cos thats the job of the church, but to see Gods spirit taken into places it wouldnt otherwise be taken as we as christians go into these places with hearts and lives laid down before him.


I think in many ways we can look at what we do as most important, ie i am a youth pastor or i write worship songs or i write dance music etc instead of focusing on the important thing: Just being a servant of Jesus Christ and living for Him.

My intention with this thread was to encourage those with a similar passion: to take Jesus into the nightclubs and gig venues etc. Yet as i think about my post i am more challenged than inspired as it really isnt about the music. Its about loving God and loving your neighbour, and worshipping the creator using the gifts he has given us.

But the thing is...It's not like we're JUST getting out there.  Christians have been MAJOR movers and shakers in electronic music for quite some time.  It's just now instead of guys like Terrance Parker and Roy Davis Jr being at the forefront,  it's guys like Shiloh and Kenneth Thomas and Hemstock & Jennings. 

um...are we talking about the same scene? ...25 year Christian here...15 year EMD fan...and 5 year trance DJ...never new Christian EDM even existed till this summer...  :'(

Yeah...We are...  15 year christian here...10 years as a DJ.... 6 years as a producer. 

It's like anything else..  It's out there,  you just have to find it.  Many artists (myself included) don't market themselves as "Christian DJ" or "Christian Producer."  Instead,  we are DJs and producers that happen to be Christians.  For me,  it's always been a "personal walk" type thing.  I feel I should never have to tell someone I'm a Christian.  Instead,  my walk with the Lord should be my witness.

Plus,  I've always had a problem with people using religion to further their careers.  I always felt that if I played of the Christian DJ angle,  then I was using God to advance myself,  which seems inheritantly wrong to me.  Others don't see it that way,  but that's cool!

WELL SAID MAN.

Um.     I really don't know how you missed us.   I have been listening to christian EDM even before I really got into secular music.   I mean, a quick search anytime in the last 10 years for Christian EDM would have at least brought up Nsoul if nothing else.   Didn't you ever check out any Christian music stores or do internet searches?    Sure, we haven't really been throwing raves every weekend or anything but we have definately been there, infiltrating... 

And also, I would like to point out, that not all of us are here to make an impact specifically in that "rave/club" area of the scene. Quite a few of us are djing and producing electronica and EDM because that is just the style we like.    Take me for instance, I have been to 1 rave in my entire life and I am not really into dancing at all.  So, I am not going to be throwing parties or hosting raves or events. That isn't my area of interest.  I make electronica for other reasons. So, maybe our impact and involvement in the world of electronic music has been there all along but it isn't the "hyped-electrified-Christian-EDM-rave-scene" that you are looking for. 

So, I encourage you to be a leader in that niche of the scene.  If you have an interest in impacting that aspect of the scene then get together with the TFers who are interested in influencing that area and go for it.  Start a GrooveFellowship in your area.  Head up an event.  Etc... I mean, sure some of us won't be there because some of us are not called to that area but that doesn't mean you can't be the catalyst to jumpstart something like that. Go for it.

But I feel called elsewhere in the same scene. I will pray for you and you pray for me. We will meet half way. ;)

z. 

i understand all of that. and to date i actually have thrown 4 Christian parties in clubs / churches and they were moderatly successfull. for me dancing is just as big of a part of the music as the music it self. i definiftly understand that many people dont like to dance and thats cool. im just glad that you (non-dancers) support the music! and of course man ill keep ya in my prayers...btw your site looks a lot better! ( dont forget to link back to me once you get the links up )  8)

i'm also seeing an encouraging trend of more and more of the "shiloh" type of artist getting out there & just being themselves & writing the best music they can: whether it's an instumental or a worship song.  (you go, joel!  i'm proud of you & excited for you,homie  ;D )

i think that's where my heart has been for years now (since the release of i see grace, at least) ,i just haven't always been the quickest to change gears.  you forget how sheltered we are if you're not out their every week.  there's all sorts of great people out there that need Jesus' love. 




this type of party definitely has it's place. i love seeing church kids worship God through dance music. wish i had more opportunity to spin at this type of event quite honestly.   

well man, your local... lets do something! might have to wait a couple of months cuz im super busy but we should start planning something. for realz...  :-X

honestly? i have neither the time nor inclination to do that much work again for so little result.