Album Review: Paul Hernandez’ Deeper Things

by Keegan Drummond

As Bible and Pop Culture explores the idea of Purpose in this August Issue, I sat down with Vancouver based (Christian) rapper Paul Hernandez (at a socially distant 2,965 miles over Zoom) to talk about the purpose behind his new EP released in late June of this year titled Deeper Things (2020). 

One vision carried Paul through the production of this project: “...creating anthems that not just the Church could sing, but the world could sing--that the lost could sing.” The anthemic nature of this EP is made clear to any listener because Paul swings for the fences on every single track with large compositions that he humorously referred to as “stadium bangers.”  Hernandez weds melodies inspired by his work as a worship leader with the heavy 808s and drums of a producer to create five memorable tracks.

However, what is most striking about this EP for me, is not Paul’s masterful flow and cadence nor his high-quality production, but his authenticity. Often, I have found modern Christian art as not accurately representative of a lived Christian experience (or any experience for that matter). 

On the Deeper Things EP, Hernandez reveals his own experience and his own problems of anxiety, keeping secrets, and marital stresses while still being someone committed to following Jesus. Yet, Hernandez broaches these issues with both feet on the ground, recognizing they are part of life but require Divine intervention. 

This grounded approach by Hernandez is evident in the 4th track “Runaway” in which Paul wrestles with the origins of his anxiety. He questions whether it was the “trauma when (he) was a child” or whether he was “born with it in (his) blood” but either way knows the “day will come” when God will bring Him peace. On the other hand, in the second verse, Paul recognizes that perhaps anxiety is sometimes “the thunder keeping (him) alive” and keeps him sober-minded. This non-dualistic approach was refreshing to hear from a rapper who has cut his teeth in the Christian hip-hop world since 2012. 

While other tracks on the EP have clear inspiration from scripture, such as “Little Bit” which references St. Paul’s appeal to love in 1 Corinthians 13 reminding the church that “we know only in part (a little bit),” the scriptural ties of “Runaway” are more nuanced. Paul cannot see God, yet knows he must pursue God on “the beautiful road.” In our discussion, Hernandez informed me that one might interpret this “beautiful road” as the “narrow gate” and “hard road” which “leads to life” (Matthew 7:14). Paul sees the “hard road” as “beautiful” because it is where he will face his own problems head-on, but will also find life. Yet, in the song, he makes clear that this road is one which “many men fear and only few will go.” Paul’s decision to use the neutral term “beautiful” is intentional. “I didn’t say the ‘Gospel road.’” He said with tongue firmly in cheek. He continued explaining that this diction helps any listener to recognize that the path towards life is dark and challenging, it will force anyone to question why their life has turned out the way it has, but in that struggle with God and self, life is discovered. 

Growing up in church, my friends and I probably wouldn’t have listened to a Christian rapper like Paul Hernandez. We thought Christian rap was corny and fake. We thought Christian rap tried way too hard to convince everyone it was Christian while forgetting to make it enjoyable. Paul Hernandez isn’t trying to convince anyone of anything, he is telling his story. In asking Hernandez about how he navigates staying true to his Christian identity while still being excellent in his craft, Paul replied, 

“There isn’t anything to navigate, I just do it.”

The Deeper Things EP is a reflection of this attitude and showcases Paul’s musical talent while exploring his own experience. I’ve already recommended this EP to many of my friends who have been disillusioned with the Christian hip-hop scene as well as my friends who have exclusively listened to Christian music that lacks the same candor as Hernandez.

If you find yourself in either of these groups, I recommend checking out the Deeper Things EP on your preferred streaming service. You can also be on the lookout for a Deeper Things Pt. 2 which Paul hinted at during our interview.

Resources

We’ve created a free downloadable PDF to explore the article deeper. It contains discussion questions about the topic in general terms that will give you a jumping-off point for beginning a conversation.

The second page contains a way to see the topic from a biblical perspective.

And finally, to go deeper into the subject, we have chosen a few curated resources to explore from other authors’ and thinkers’ research or perspectives.

Read. Engage. Enjoy!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Depending on how a gem is held, light refracts differently. At B+PC we engage in Pop Culture topics to see ideas from a new angle, to bring us to a deeper understanding. And like Pastor Shane Willard notes, we want “…Jesus to get bigger, the cross to get clearer, the Resurrection to be central…” Instead of approaching a topic from “I don’t want to be wrong,“ we strive for the alternative “I want to expand my perspective.” 

So, we invite you to engage with us here. What piqued your curiosity to dig deeper? What line inspired you to action? What idea made you ask, “Hmmm?” Let’s join with our community to wrestle with our thoughts in love in the Comment Section! See you there!