Joe always loved music. Growing up in a quiet suburb, his playlists were filled with classic rock, country music, and a little bit of pop. But hip-hop? That was uncharted territory. I loved it. He didn’t dislike it—he just didn’t understand it. The beats, the flow, the way the words seemed to pour out in rapid-fire.

One day, I played him The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby. The song was familiar, even comforting, with its smooth piano melody and soulful lyrics about social change. Joe liked the song’s message: life isn’t always fair, but things can change. 

Then I introduced him to Changes by Tupac Shakur. As soon as the beat dropped, Joe recognized the melody—it was the same as The Way It Is! But the lyrics? Completely different. This wasn’t just a song about injustice; it was raw, personal, and urgent. Tupac wasn’t just singing about change—he was demanding it.

A Moment of Recognition

That moment was a turning point for Joe. He started thinking about how different artists interpret the same themes through their own experiences. The Way It Is spoke about injustice from an observer’s perspective. On the other hand, Changes wasn’t just an observation—it was a lived experience. Tupac’s lyrics brought the struggle to life, weaving in issues like police brutality, systemic racism, and survival in a broken system. The same melody, two different messages—each powerful in its own way.

What about the bible?

This idea of interpretation reminded us of 1 Corinthians 14:28, which talks about the importance of language interpretation in the Church: “But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.” Just like language needs interpretation to be understood, so does music. Bruce Hornsby’s song was powerful, but for many, it needed an interpreter—someone like Tupac—to translate its meaning into something more urgent and relatable.

Joe realized that hip-hop wasn’t just about catchy beats or rhyming words. It was about storytelling, about translating struggle into something the world could hear. And just like in Corinthians, where language is meant to build up and bring understanding, hip-hop serves as an interpreter of real-life experiences, bringing deeper meaning to those willing to listen.

Joe’s journey into hip-hop didn’t stop there. Together, we explored more artists, learning about the genre’s history and listening with new ears. He realized that interpretation isn’t just about words—it’s about understanding where someone is coming from, hearing their story, and recognizing the truth in their voice.

Maybe that’s what music—and life—is all about.

Watch the videos for yourself:

• The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby: https://youtu.be/cOeKidp-iWo?si=5uVR9rA1-UavYY3N
• Changes by Tupac Shakur: https://youtu.be/eXvBjCO19QY?si=LUVH57fg3b_hflCa