A new kind of religious outreach has been born on the mean streets of south London. It’s called the Gospel Drill, a particularly aggressive form of rap that’s been reworked to spread a positive message of hope and redemption. Gangs, Drill & Prayer examines this explosive phenomenon, the most important players at its center and the controversies that have arisen over their unorthodox approach.
The most popular drill rapper wears a mask on his face and spits out rat lyrics at machine gun speed, using street music to transform the vulnerable and the heartless. They may look and sound dangerous to traditional churchgoers, but they do reflect their intended audience.
Enrique is such a character. Immerse yourself in the life of a gangster rapper whose young life was marked by hostility and violence. After surviving a knife wound at the age of 17 – an event he recounts in detail in the film – Enrique decided to change his life and refocus on his musical skills in order to serve God’s word and spread it . Today, at 21, he is a priest and an inspiration to many. He and three other rappers formed a group called Radical Soldiers, a youth awakening troupe that toured across London preaching and entertaining at-risk students.
The filmmakers introduced audiences to several high-profile groups working on this unique form of outreach, including Hope Dealers. The camera follows them into their humble homemade recording studio, capturing their efforts to craft the perfect message out of the heaviest beats.
Critics have accused some artists in this community of being insincere. They saw this new musical movement as just a get-rich-quick scheme masquerading as a legitimate and visceral venture. The means, these detractors claim, may differ from their former mob life, but the goals remain the same, as evidenced by their frequent displays of flashy jewelry, new cars and high status.
However you interpret its intent, Gangs, Drill & Prayer manages to present viewers with a captivating community that turns desperation into triumph.
Directed by: Dan Lucas
