MuslimHipHop.com -> Muslim rappers seek to combine Islamic beliefs with popular music

MuslimHipHop.com -> MuslimHipHop.com on AP Wire! CHICAGO - When David Kelly - aka "Capital D" - raps, he doesn't follow the mainstream hip-hop mantra: women, cars and jewelry.

Instead, the Chicago rapper uses his rhymes to dish out praise for Allah, criticize the war in Iraq and blast corporate America.

Kelly is among a new group of Muslim hip-hop artists gaining popularity among Muslim-Americans looking for music that reflects both their mainstream music tastes and their religious beliefs.

"Muslims in the United States are not going away. They're part of the culture, but they're not creating their own culture," said Kelly, 34. "I try to show them that you can be creative, artistic, happy and still be Muslim."

Islam is not new to hip-hop. Nation of Islam and other nontraditional sects have influenced hip-hop through lyrics and images since the late 1970s - with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan repeatedly mentioned and his voice featured in raps.

But this new wave of Muslim-influenced rap music seeks to convey messages and images more in line with orthodox Islam.

ANNA JOHNSON
Associated Press

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