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MIXING HIP HOP LYRICS AND HOLY SCRIPTURES Psychology major’s forthcoming manuscript focuses on impact of popular rap artist’s emphasis on spirituality
Only a few years ago, while still attending high school in his hometown of San Antonio, Clarence Williams first began to consider becoming a psychiatrist. Williams’ interest arose from his own battle with depression following the death of his father in the summer following his high school sophomore year. “I became interested in psychology after realizing African-American males aren’t represented heavily in the medical and mental health fields,” Williams says, “so I focused on becoming a psychiatrist.”
Now, as a junior psychology major at Prairie View A&M University, Williams is nearing completion of a manuscript about the religious themes frequently associated with one of the most popular contemporary rappers — Chance the Rapper (real name: Chancelor Jonathan Bennett). The manuscript is an outgrowth of Williams’ assignment in a broad-based research project launched by one of his professors — Dr. Pamela Martin of the College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology. Dr. Martin’s research deals with African American Protestant faith communities and primarily focuses on black adolescents and the role of faith in their daily lives. Martin’s research is funded by the Hogg Foundation, with $105,000 specifically covering a three-year span of research at PVAMU.
