Last night I listened to coverage of the Republican National Convention on NPR as echoing guitars and the distinctive voice of lead singer Mac Powell from the Christian rock band Third Day unexpectedly drowned out the announcer. The band, along with fellow Christian music artists Michael W. Smith and Nicole C. Mullen, had a prime time, main stage slot during the convention. Oddly enough, NPR continued with their report from the floor of the convention, going head to head with Third Day. I think it’s fair to say they lost.

MTV covers the rise of religion in hip-hop, from the success of Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” to rapper-turned-minister Mason “Mase” Betha.