Reading The Grammy Music Awards Theomusicologically

Last updated on: February 6, 2026 at 6:50 pm By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

The 68th Grammy Awards brought glimmer and bright lights to the music industry. A highly anticipated evening, this year’s awards ceremony was no exception. For the Christian/Gospel music community, this evening is of particular excitement. This is a rare moment when the secular artistic community sees the scope and work of the contemporary Christian/Gospel music community. Framing a relevant and accurate representation of the Christian/Gospel music genre for a non-faith-based audience is important. It is incumbent on the nominees, winners,... Read more

All I Needed To Know I Learned From Snoop Dog: A Faith Walk

Last updated on: January 31, 2026 at 6:41 pm By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

Growing up in Hip Hop, you find yourself on either side of the East Coast/West Coast divide. Being from the West Coast, if you didn’t know about Snoop Dogg and support his prominence in Hip Hop, you found yourself ostracized by friends and, at times, family. Snoop Dogg’s image became synonymous with a second wave of gangster rap. Retaining the stereotypical images and lifestyle of gangster rap (exoticizing women, drug and alcohol culture, crime and incarceration pride, extravagant living, glorifying... Read more

You Were So Close: U2’s Failure With Pride And Dr. King

Last updated on: January 21, 2026 at 4:45 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

We all recount specific moments in our days where it felt like time stood still. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holds that sober position all too well. Likewise, hearing the song dedicated to Dr. King from the band U2 summons a similar emotional chill. Pride (In the Name of Love) has gone on to become an anthem, a question, and a personal memory. Speaking to generations decades after that shocking evening, Pride (In the Name of Love)... Read more

It Took You All Long Enough! The Pastoral Ordination Of DMX

Last updated on: January 17, 2026 at 4:41 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Take Aaron and his sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, and set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel to be my priests’” (Exodus 29:28 NLT). This track continues to follow me wherever I go. DMX, Lord Give Me A Sign (Official Video), October 25, 2009 It was this track, years ago, which introduced me to the work of DMX. I had no idea who he was at the... Read more

Does Christian Punk Even Matter? An Apologetic Reading

Last updated on: January 13, 2026 at 10:31 pm By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

I have had the recent opportunity to interview an environmentalist for a podcast. The interview discussed Punk culture and aesthetics, along with environmental activism. Following the interview, I began to think back on the intersectionality between environmentalist activism and Punk aesthetics. When analyzed through a Christian apologetic reading, these two areas become more aligned. The fluidity of Punk, as a genre and aesthetic discipline, opens itself to such a Christian apologetic. Knowing the breadth and depth of Christian Punk, the... Read more

Managing Things Differently: Living Christianity In Culture

Last updated on: January 2, 2026 at 1:23 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV). We start a new year with vigor and personal intent. Seizing the new moments on the calendar to move from past actions, give an honest survey of how we can better ourselves, and delve with enthusiasm into a new direction. “According to a 2023 poll from Forbes Health, the statistics on how long people maintain their... Read more

Spiritual And Musical Devotion: The Passion Of Arvo Part

Last updated on: December 26, 2025 at 2:51 pm By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

Truth be told, I’m no fan of holiday music. The seasonal time doesn’t matter. I just don’t enjoy music that requires a calendar appointment. There are, however, works by artists, bands, and composers that could qualify or expand the understanding of seasonal music, which I do value. One such composer is Arvo Part. The Seven Last Statements of Jesus “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 NKJV). “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they... Read more

Religious Mosh Pit Cousins: Jewish and Christian Punk Rock

Last updated on: December 17, 2025 at 1:13 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!” (Psalm 100:1 NEV). “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song” (Psalm 95:1–2 NEV). Punk is more than a musical genre; it’s a style, a way of life, and an expression of culture. Often not joined in a conversation of faith, Punk has come to... Read more

Cuttin’ Christianity And Mixing The Beat In Gospel Hip Hop

Last updated on: December 13, 2025 at 12:09 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord” (Psalms 40:3 ESV). A Blavity article published on December 7, 2025, caught my attention, which discussed the work of the faith-based rapper Miles Minnick. The article went on to present this youngblood as one who is changing the current direction of gospel rap/Christian Hip Hop. “Faith-based rapper Miles Minnick has quickly become one... Read more

Reading And Hearing Seven Psalms According To Paul Simon

Last updated on: December 4, 2025 at 5:51 pm By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 NLT). “A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7 NLT). “But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him” (Habakkuk 2:20 NLT). “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him” (Psalm 62:1... Read more

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