Buddhism in Hip-Hop: Born I on Lyrical Dharma, Mindfulness & Rap Culture Religion has always had a place in hip-hop, from ‘god-body’ flows to references of the “third eye” and quoting Surahs; but what happens when you sit down with an actual Buddhist rapper? This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill is joined by rapper, author, and practitioner Born I to explore the long-standing (and often misunderstood) relationship between Buddhism and hip-hop culture. From references to “Buddha” in rap lyrics to deeper conversations around mindfulness, suffering, and self-compassion, this episode separates fact from folklore. Born I will break down:
- Key Buddhist concepts like the Four Noble Truths, Dharma, and mantras
- His own journey navigating hip-hop, electronic music, and spiritual practice
- How artists use music as testimony, how hooks can function like mantras, and why hip-hop’s connection to Buddhism runs deeper than weed references and fashion logos.
Plus, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, and Childish Gambino lyrics get put under the microscope…are they actually tapping into Buddhist philosophy, or just vibing? (You be the judge.)
The post What Happens When You Mix Buddhism with Hip-Hop? Born I Tells Us (Audio Only) | The Almanac of Rap first appeared on Siccness Network.
