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October
23, 2006
VOL.
44, NO. 18Oakland,
CA
Rapping priest says genre speaks to young people
PHILADELPHIA
(CNS) -- He’s at it again. Father Stan Fortuna, the Franciscan Friar
of the Renewal who is known as the “rapping priest,” has released
his latest CD in the genre.
Eighteen songs, ranging from old-school rap to world beats, make up the
new release, which completes the series of rap albums he has released
over the past few years.
“Sacro Song 3: The Completion of the Trilogy” deals with a
range of topics, from the negative effects visited on fatherless children
in “Daddy Wound,” and the grip of the culture of death in
“Hangin’ in There,” to a message of peace in “Peace
Shout Out,” and a tribute to his beloved role model, the late Pope
John Paul II, in “I’m Loving You,” “The Great
One” and “KW.”
Throughout the album, the doctrines of the Catholic Church are a consistent
thread.
“I continue to do rap music because it’s a genre that makes
the message intelligible to many young people,” Father Stan said
in an interview with The Catholic Standard & Times, newspaper of the
Philadelphia Archdiocese. “And it even challenges people who don’t
like the genre, because the rap music affords the message to transcend
boundaries and make an impact on the culture.”
The new album includes the aspiring young rappers Sean Santiago, youth
director of the South Bronx Youth Cultural Center in New York founded
by Father Stan, and Glenda Mortoral, who is a member of the center. Their
song, “Ima Do Me,” deals with their experiences growing up
in the inner city of the South Bronx.
The album also features the rap artist Righteous B in “Jesus Talks,”
and the lyrical prose of Brother Agostino Torres, also a Franciscan Friar
of the Renewal, in “Mezcia.”
“I didn’t go into working on this CD saying, ‘Here is
what I need to touch upon.’ It was very spontaneous,” Father
Stan said.
For instance, the idea for “Daddy Wound” came to him during
a conversation with another friar about the children and teens to whom
they minister in the South Bronx and, specifically, about how the lack
of a father figure has severely wounded those young people.
Rappin’ Father Stan Fortuna performs various
musical genres from old-school rap to world beats.
CNS PHOTO/COURTESY OF FRANCESCO PRODUCTIONS
The cover of the latest CD release by Father StanFortuna,
a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal.
CATHOLIC
NEWS SERVICE
He
was on his way to World Youth Day 2005 in Germany and was missing the
late pontiff, who had so greatly desired to make it to that youth festival,
when Father Stan was inspired to write “I’m Missing You,”
which is his own favorite track on the album.
He has dedicated the album to Pope John Paul II, writing: “This
project is dedicated to none other than my hero now and (forever), the
late, great Pope John Paul II. What can I say but ‘Thanks JP. I’m
Lovin’ You,’ and see you soon.”
During the same trip, Father Stan was impressed with Pope Benedict XVI
and the current pope's clear but profound explanations of the faith.
“I love his spirituality, and the way God made his brain. He’s
extremely clear,” Father Stan said.
That was also when he was inspired to write the song dedicated to Pope
Benedict: “B16 Bomber.” In the song, Father Stan includes
excerpts of Pope Benedict’s closing Mass homily from World Youth
Day.
All proceeds from the CD go to Francesco Productions, Father Stan’s
nonprofit organization, which works with the poor and needy in the South
Bronx.
(Information on how to purchase “Sacro Song 3” is available
at www.francescoproductions.com.)
