Mary Mary's new video-GOD IN ME. Too worldly?

[PaperClip]

I like the song...I dont like the video, After listening to the words of the song, I kinda pictured this successful woman in business attire, driving her nice ride, living in a nice home with a good job, while people who were in the world were hating, talking about her and standing around trying to figure out how she got it all together. But what they didn't know was that when she got home, she was on her knees praying. She was giving her money to the things of god, etc. The video was nothing like I imagined it would be.

Again, another issue/downfall with the music video phenomenon.... the creativity and space to imagine a song is reduced when someone else does it for us....

And yet, in this case: you say the video was nothing like you imagined it (your right and space to imagine it the way you want to) but does this mean the song is any less impactful (in either a positive or negative way)?

 

[CandiceC]

I like the song...I dont like the video, After listening to the words of the song, I kinda pictured this successful woman in business attire, driving her nice ride, living in a nice home with a good job, while people who were in the world were hating, talking about her and standing around trying to figure out how she got it all together. But what they didn't know was that when she got home, she was on her knees praying. She was giving her money to the things of god, etc. The video was nothing like I imagined it would be.

^^ I would have liked to see a concept like this too.

 

[Mrs.TheBronx]

I understand your gentleness.....

So when you see my 'fire' it's not aimed at you. I promise.

I'm just standing my ground against satan. Jesus did that too. He told the woman caught in adultery, 'Go and sin no more.' (and wear decent clothes )

Thanks honee! We are all sista's in Christ and have the same goal in mind.. to serve the Lord and be sold out for Him and His works!! It does cause us to be on fire, different and stand out. Have a blessed rest of the day! Friday is round' the corner!

 

[Browndilocks]

Re: the video - Uh, what that got to do with Jesus?

I am actually very disappointed because I *love* this song and I thought the video would be feature a character going through life with all of the material trappings but then showing how they also pray, give charitably, attend church, etc. THAT, to me, is the heart of the song - that the blessing come from the Lord. The fashion show concept is just played out to me, period.

I am another one who agrees that Mary Mary needs to act they age - especially Tina with them glasses

Nice try, but from both an entertainment and a spiritual perspective, I have to give them a FAIL.

Yeah. That's what I thought it would be too. It's what I envisioned when I first heard the song, but that clearly isnt what the video shows. I'll give yall that.

 

[Shimmie]

Thanks honee! We are all sista's in Christ and have the same goal in mind.. to serve the Lord and be sold out for Him and His works!! It does cause us to be on fire, different and stand out.

Have a blessed rest of the day! Friday is round' the corner!

I just bolded your entire post. Indeed we are sista's, I used to live in the Bronx.

You have a blessed day too, dear one, and a very happy Friday and each day thereafter ...

 

[Shimmie]

And a video is a weak indication of somebody's religious beliefs. In fact, it's an empty indication.

Consider: Pastor Creflo Dollar is in the "Welcome to Atlanta" video w/Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri (go to 1:12). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpKZ1aWB_OE

Does the one image of him standing in front of his church ediface in the midst of profanities, barely-clothed (exploited) women confirm or display or indicate his religious beliefs?

Can someone explain this video meaning to me? Please?

Thanks in advance. I don't understand the purpose of Pastor Creflo being in it. Thanks again, everyone.

Not hatin' :Rose:

 

[kinkicurlyfyne]

When I first heard the CD I thought the same thing. They are obviously trying to reel in people who would normally not listen to gospel. The majority of the songs on that CD are not their style, IMO.

 

[PaperClip]

Can someone explain this video meaning to me? Please?

Thanks in advance. I don't understand the purpose of Pastor Creflo being in it. Thanks again, everyone.

Not hatin' :Rose:

Here's a start with the lyrics:

http://www.lyrics007.com/Ludacris Lyrics/Welcome To Atlanta Lyrics.html

[Ludacris]
Yeah, Welcome to Atlanta, jack and hammer and vogues'
Back to the mackin' and jackin' the clothes, adolescent packin a fo'
A knock on the do', who is it?
I would happen to know, the one with the flow
Who did it?, it was me I suppose
J-D in the Rollz and Luda's in the Cutt Supreme
Skatin down old Nat, Gat tooked and lean
I split ya spleen, as matter' fact I split ya team
No blood on the sneak's, gotta keep it so my kicks is clean
I get the cream, cops see me flick my beams
Im allergic to 'doc perscribed anti-histemines
Oink Oink, Pig Pig, do away with the pork
Only siguar needs a steak knife and a fork
Did you forget your ****in manners, Im loose with banners
Ludacris, Johnny Rockets when i shoot the cannon
The Wooley mammoth saber-tooth, ***** bite your tounge
I wont stop until Im rich as them white-boy come
I pull up in the black Lotus, you're plaque's are bogus
So I stripped them off the wall
Waiting for my cue to corner pocket eight balls
You rackin' 'em up, Im big paper like pancakes, stackin' 'em up
In fact Im slappin' 'em up, Cadallacin' the truck
I cant loose with 22"s, ***** thats whats up
Runnin in the back the ****, runnin better than aquaduct
chil-li-li-li-li-n.. what

[Chorus]
[JD]
Yo, Yo.. Yo..Yo, Yo,
Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play
And we ride on them things like every day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangsta's roamin'
And parties dont stop til' eight in the mornin'

[Ludacris]
Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play
And we ride on them things like every day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangsta's roamin'
And parties dont stop til' eight in the mornin'

[JD]
Now the party dont start 'til I walk in
And I usually dont leave until the thing ends
But in the mean-time, in between time
You work yo thing, I'll work mine
I been puttin' it down here since 83'
Since the late show MD rivalry
More froze than bad ice, with a place to be
If you was ridin, you was ballin to homie Shadi
Im the MBP, Most Ballernous Player
Make my own rules, ***** call me the mayor
Monday night, Gentlemen's Club
Tuesday night, Im up in the velvet room, gettin ****ed up
Wednesday, Im at strokers on lean
Thursday, jump clean, and I fall up in cream
Friday, shark bar kyack with Frank Skeem, right on the floor is where you can find me
Saturday, is off the heezy fo' sheezy, you can find me up in one-tweezy
Sunday, is when i get my sleepin'
Cause on Monday we be at it again, Holla!

 

[PaperClip]

When I first heard the CD I thought the same thing. They are obviously trying to reel in people who would normally not listen to gospel. The majority of the songs on that CD are not their style, IMO.

Sooo... what is their style? And how are we supposed to know their style? I thought it would be by listening to their music.

I really liked their first CD. But it seems that they've deviated from the style of that first CD into more...how shall I say.... stretching the boundaries of a "gospel" sound... and not necessarily in a good way.

 

[Mrs.TheBronx]

I just bolded your entire post. Indeed we are sista's, I used to live in the Bronx.

You have a blessed day too, dear one, and a very happy Friday and each day thereafter ...

Aww THANKS!!!

did u really?? wow! round' what parts?

 

[Shimmie]

Sooo... what is their style? And how are we supposed to know their style? I thought it would be by listening to their music.

I really liked their first CD. But it seems that they've deviated from the style of that first CD into more...how shall I say.... stretching the boundaries of a "gospel" sound... and not necessarily in a good way.

My family and I fell in love with 'Shackles".

Wasn't this out about the same time as Kirk Franklin's 'GP' (God's People)? It was a 'new wave' of Gospel music and it took on like wild fire.

I also like Mary Mary's, "Trevor's Birthday". Catchy rhythm for family parties along with the Winans, Take 6, Commissioned, Men of Standard, Winans 2 (the sons), Helen Baylor, CeCe Winans, and others.

Here's the thing, I have never seen Mary Mary's videos. Only their TV appearances.

The video in this thread was the first I've seen of theirs. In the other thread, I couldn't view the entire video because my signal was slow.

Had I heard their song (only) and not seen the video, I probably wouldn't be in this thread.... No doubt.

 

[Shimmie]

Aww THANKS!!!

did u really?? wow! round' what parts?

It was a while back. I was born in Harlem (121 st Street); moved to the Bronx near the 3rd Avenue 'L'. My parents moved back to Maryland and I lived in the Bronx every summer, holiday and most weekends with my grandparents. New York is in my Bloodline....

You're blood kin to me...

 

[Mrs.TheBronx]

It was a while back. I was born in Harlem (121 st Street); moved to the Bronx near the 3rd Avenue 'L'. My parents moved back to Maryland and I lived in the Bronx every summer, holiday and most weekends with my grandparents. New York is in my Bloodline....

You're blood kin to me...

Oh okay!!! cool! I'm from the soundview area. went to hs in harlem tho. around Adam clayton and 145th. I was just tellin my hubby how 3rd ave used to have the carnival there every year! lol (not sure if u was there then)

 

[Shimmie]

Here's a start with the lyrics:

http://www.lyrics007.com/Ludacris Lyrics/Welcome To Atlanta Lyrics.html

[Ludacris]
Yeah, Welcome to Atlanta, jack and hammer and vogues'
Back to the mackin' and jackin' the clothes, adolescent packin a fo'
A knock on the do', who is it?
I would happen to know, the one with the flow
Who did it?, it was me I suppose
J-D in the Rollz and Luda's in the Cutt Supreme
Skatin down old Nat, Gat tooked and lean
I split ya spleen, as matter' fact I split ya team
No blood on the sneak's, gotta keep it so my kicks is clean
I get the cream, cops see me flick my beams
Im allergic to 'doc perscribed anti-histemines
Oink Oink, Pig Pig, do away with the pork
Only siguar needs a steak knife and a fork
Did you forget your ****in manners, Im loose with banners
Ludacris, Johnny Rockets when i shoot the cannon
The Wooley mammoth saber-tooth, ***** bite your tounge
I wont stop until Im rich as them white-boy come
I pull up in the black Lotus, you're plaque's are bogus
So I stripped them off the wall
Waiting for my cue to corner pocket eight balls
You rackin' 'em up, Im big paper like pancakes, stackin' 'em up
In fact Im slappin' 'em up, Cadallacin' the truck
I cant loose with 22"s, ***** thats whats up
Runnin in the back the ****, runnin better than aquaduct
chil-li-li-li-li-n.. what

[Chorus]
[JD]
Yo, Yo.. Yo..Yo, Yo,
Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play
And we ride on them things like every day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangsta's roamin'
And parties dont stop til' eight in the mornin'

[Ludacris]
Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play
And we ride on them things like every day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangsta's roamin'
And parties dont stop til' eight in the mornin'

[JD]
Now the party dont start 'til I walk in
And I usually dont leave until the thing ends
But in the mean-time, in between time
You work yo thing, I'll work mine
I been puttin' it down here since 83'
Since the late show MD rivalry
More froze than bad ice, with a place to be
If you was ridin, you was ballin to homie Shadi
Im the MBP, Most Ballernous Player
Make my own rules, ***** call me the mayor
Monday night, Gentlemen's Club
Tuesday night, Im up in the velvet room, gettin ****ed up
Wednesday, Im at strokers on lean
Thursday, jump clean, and I fall up in cream
Friday, shark bar kyack with Frank Skeem, right on the floor is where you can find me
Saturday, is off the heezy fo' sheezy, you can find me up in one-tweezy
Sunday, is when i get my sleepin'
Cause on Monday we be at it again, Holla!

I gave up after Welcome to Atlanta. Tried again, lost on the oink, oink, pig, pig.....

Thanks for trying Foxy....

I have never been able to disect a rap song....

 

[Shimmie]

Oh okay!!! cool! I'm from the soundview area. went to hs in harlem tho. around Adam clayton and 145th. I was just tellin my hubby how 3rd ave used to have the carnival there every year! lol (not sure if u was there then)

I remember carnivals on 3rd Avenue.... It's been a long while, though. Most of my mom's family lived in Manhattan on Convent Avenue. My aunt lived on Colgate Avenue in the Bronx; across from her building was an eletric plant of some type. She worked in the main library on 5th Avenue across from Saks. (Memories )

I remember 'Con Edison' being the gas and electric company that our power source came from In other words, the electric bill lol.

Most of my family there have passed away; my mom's brother is 95 years old; he and his wife still live in Manhattan. Most of my life there was spent in the Arts, the operas, concerts, music/dancing. AND Nathans... love me some Nathans' hot dogs and orange juice.

Now I'm more into visiting the fabric vendors (the vendors near 5th and Broadway area). The fabrics and multi stores in a row. We're planning a potential visit there this summer (depends on work and budget ).

Thanks for putting up with me. You DO have a loving heart.

 

[BeautifulFlower]

I havent read through this thread but I saw Ludacris lyrics and now I am afraid...

 

[Precious_1]

Again, another issue/downfall with the music video phenomenon.... the creativity and space to imagine a song is reduced when someone else does it for us....

And yet, in this case: you say the video was nothing like you imagined it (your right and space to imagine it the way you want to) but does this mean the song is any less impactful (in either a positive or negative way)?

To answer your question No, in my reply I said nothing about how the song impacts on a negative or positive level, in my reply I was simply stating that the song basically had a message, and I was expecting it to be brought to life by the video, but the video had no correlation to the song or its message in my opinion.

 

[RavenMaven]

Dude can someone direct to me when it was not Christian to go to the club? Dag...
It's all about "The GOD In Me" meaning okay I can go to the club but I am not going to get pissy drunk and sloppy screaming obscenities to everyone. And I can still go to the club and dance around, but I'm not taking the dude next to me home...
People need to stop getting their panties so daggon bunched up. You can still go to the club, just don't act a fool. GOD wants us to have a good time... like Mary Mary is saying, it's about the GOD in us.
My opinion.

 

[divya]

Young or old is relative, in a sense. In other words, the younger set doesn't have exclusivity to being fresh, cute, lively, fun, etc.

I'm not as bothered by what Mary Mary wear when they are in ENTERTAINING MODE (which is pretty much all the time when I see them on TV, although they might be insulted by my take on their "ministry").

CeCe Winans is not in my age bracket, either and she's always been more conservative, most likely because of her upbringing and personal fashion style, etc.

I would venture to say that when Mary Mary are in a more traditional church setting, they dress in a way that is appropriate for that setting. When they are on the concert stage, they dress in a way that they feel is more appropriate for that.

When Mary Mary appeared on President Obama's Stevie Wonder tribute, they were dressed more conservatively (and they did sing their Stevie song very well).

We REALLY NEED to stop majoring in the minors about this dress thing. I know better than to step into church with my cleveage hanging out and my dress five inches above my knees, not (mainly) because of what the church says, but because of what the HOLY GHOST says...and sometimes we need to step aside and let the Holy Ghost do His perfect work directly with/to that person.

At the same time, it is important for all of us as Christians to remember who we are representing in everything we do. It's a challenge, but we have to face that challenge. And with Christ, all things are possible.

 

[BeautifulFlower]

Dude can someone direct to me when it was not Christian to go to the club? Dag...
It's all about "The GOD In Me" meaning okay I can go to the club but I am not going to get pissy drunk and sloppy screaming obscenities to everyone. And I can still go to the club and dance around, but I'm not taking the dude next to me home...
People need to stop getting their panties so daggon bunched up. You can still go to the club, just don't act a fool. GOD wants us to have a good time... like Mary Mary is saying, it's about the GOD in us.
My opinion.

 

[Samory07]

Maybe Im missing it but I dont see where they were "overexposed". If you don't like the beat...then don't listen. I love Mary Mary and their music doesn't make me wanna drop it like its hot. It's about the lyrics. If people can't keep their minds stayed on Christ and listen to the message of the song, then who is at fault? Everybody is not going to like everything. It's all about whether God is pleased with it. And since none of us are God, then......it's just our opinion.

I think that many of the previous poster's, me included, point was not that the beat or the lyrics were inappropriate but that the content of the video was.

 

[meka]

I think that many of the previous poster's, me included, point was not that the beat or the lyrics were inappropriate but that the content of the video was.

The content meaning they way they dressed? And the people they had in it right?

But Jesus sat with sinners, correct? His disciples were some messed up folk but he still used them correct?

Ive already stated my opinion on how they were dressed, so no need to restate it. LOL

 

[Samory07]

The content meaning they way they dressed? And the people they had in it right?

But Jesus sat with sinners, correct? His disciples were some messed up folk but he still used them correct?

Ive already stated my opinion on how they were dressed, so no need to restate it. LOL

Yes Jesus did do those things but there is a difference. Tn the bible it says that Jesus told the disciples to "follow Him" now someone please correct me if I'm wrong but when you begin to follow Jesus even in those days, you left your old ways and became a new creature in Christ, He even went as far as to change some of their names. And He did use them to perform miracles and things of that nature but the key point is that though they were not perfect, they left they were saved and lived a life that was pleasing to God, (or else he wouldn't of had them as his disciples lol) And when Jesus dined with the tax collectors he did so because He wanted to show them the love that the high priests thought they were "too good" to show. This to me is not what MaryMary are doing, if anything this video is distraction from where God wants us to go.

Jesus did not portray himself the way Mary Mary does, everything he said he lived. If this was Jesus song you would of had no question about how it relates to the song lyrics, because Jesus always keeps it real, there would be no explanation needed. lol. This is just my humble opinion and I;m not in any way judgeing your way of thinking.

 

[PaperClip]

At the same time, it is important for all of us as Christians to remember who we are representing in everything we do. It's a challenge, but we have to face that challenge. And with Christ, all things are possible.

Operative word being "we", not "we" collectively, but "we" individually:

Philippians 2:12: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

WE ALL have to answer to the Lord INDIVIDUALLY for what we say, do, and wear. I don't have to answer to the Lord for what Mary Mary wears. But I do have to answer to what I wore... although, I'm thinking the Lord is probably going to be more concerned about whether or not I fulfilled my calling on Planet Earth as He ordained for me to do.

Does that mean that I should be mindful that my conduct does not lead someone astray? Yes. But at the same time, I believe the Lord would not have us IMPRISONED by someone else's weakness/lack of self-control. Men have been known to be turned on by an elbow. Does that mean I shouldn't wear short-sleeve shirts?

And yes, this is coming from someone who grew up in a denomination that forbid short-sleeve shirts.

 

[PaperClip]

To answer your question No, in my reply I said nothing about how the song impacts on a negative or positive level, in my reply I was simply stating that the song basically had a message, and I was expecting it to be brought to life by the video, but the video had no correlation to the song or its message in my opinion.

Your expectation. Your opinion. So noted.

I'll give the benefit of the doubt and reiterate my point:

My point was that an unintended consequence of the music video movement is that it has tainted, if you will, one's imagination of a song.

Ergo my question: because YOUR particular vision of the song was not seen, in your opinion, does that mean that the video did not fulfill its intended purpose? Apparently to you it did not. But it may have to others, as indicated in this thread.

 

[msa]

Dude can someone direct to me when it was not Christian to go to the club? Dag...
It's all about "The GOD In Me" meaning okay I can go to the club but I am not going to get pissy drunk and sloppy screaming obscenities to everyone. And I can still go to the club and dance around, but I'm not taking the dude next to me home...
People need to stop getting their panties so daggon bunched up. You can still go to the club, just don't act a fool. GOD wants us to have a good time... like Mary Mary is saying, it's about the GOD in us.
My opinion.

Wait wait wait.

We can go to the club?!??! For real for real?!?!?

I can go to the club, dance, dutty wine, grind, have a couple drinks, listen to music with profanity and unsavory lyrics, and have dudes try to be on me...and that's all ok as long as I don't get pissy drunk, scream obscenities, and take a dude home when I leave?

I'm going out with my friends tomorrow night. Praise the Lord, I'm gonna have me some fun!

 

[divya]

Operative word being "we", not "we" collectively, but "we" individually:

Philippians 2:12: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

WE ALL have to answer to the Lord INDIVIDUALLY for what we say, do, and wear. I don't have to answer to the Lord for what Mary Mary wears. But I do have to answer to what I wore... although, I'm thinking the Lord is probably going to be more concerned about whether or not I fulfilled my calling on Planet Earth as He ordained for me to do.

Does that mean that I should be mindful that my conduct does not lead someone astray? Yes. But at the same time, I believe the Lord would not have us IMPRISONED by someone else's weakness/lack of self-control. Men have been known to be turned on by an elbow. Does that mean I shouldn't wear short-sleeve shirts?

And yes, this is coming from someone who grew up in a denomination that forbid short-sleeve shirts.

Yes, that was my point - we as individuals. Not sure what exactly you are getting at here...

 

[Zeal]

What on earth do they have on? It's just not age appropriate but anyway... I don't like the video or the song so... It is geared toward bipolar Christians-one foot in and one foot out at the club.

LOL Bi-polar? I liked the song from the first time I heard. When The cd first came out in OCt I purchased it. I used to play iy at work and say it was my theme song.

HOWEVER..... I feel as htough this video has nothing to do whatsoever with the song. Why couldn't they have them nicely dressed, (not sayin that they were not) driving a nice whip, and people looking at them in admiration.

Then show their personal life. Them helping the homeless, at home after work praying hard, Their bills piling up and then someone helping them, then pan into a chirch seen with them tithing.

That's the way I would have did. IMHO.

 

[Mrs.TheBronx]

I remember carnivals on 3rd Avenue.... It's been a long while, though. Most of my mom's family lived in Manhattan on Convent Avenue. My aunt lived on Colgate Avenue in the Bronx; across from her building was an eletric plant of some type. She worked in the main library on 5th Avenue across from Saks. (Memories )

I remember 'Con Edison' being the gas and electric company that our power source came from In other words, the electric bill lol.

Most of my family there have passed away; my mom's brother is 95 years old; he and his wife still live in Manhattan. Most of my life there was spent in the Arts, the operas, concerts, music/dancing. AND Nathans... love me some Nathans' hot dogs and orange juice.

Now I'm more into visiting the fabric vendors (the vendors near 5th and Broadway area). The fabrics and multi stores in a row. We're planning a potential visit there this summer (depends on work and budget ).

Thanks for putting up with me. You DO have a loving heart.

Oh okay! so u do remember the carnivals.. i wonder if they still do em. very familiar with colgate and the #5 bus.. lol yes coned was the electric company of choice. LOL Girl love me some nathans!!! they have great grilled burgers too! (umm umm!! ) lol

 

[Nice & Wavy]

Dude can someone direct to me when it was not Christian to go to the club? Dag...
It's all about "The GOD In Me" meaning okay I can go to the club but I am not going to get pissy drunk and sloppy screaming obscenities to everyone. And I can still go to the club and dance around, but I'm not taking the dude next to me home...
People need to stop getting their panties so daggon bunched up. You can still go to the club, just don't act a fool. GOD wants us to have a good time... like Mary Mary is saying, it's about the GOD in us.
My opinion.

Really?