R3 Contributor: Ebony A. Utley

Ebony A. Utley, Ph.D. is an expert in popular culture, race, and romantic relationships. Her book, Rap and Religion: Understanding the Gangsta’s God tackles a sensitive and controversial topic: the juxtaposition—and seeming hypocrisy—of references to God within rap music. In her other research, Utley examines how Americans talk about race and racism, asks probing questions about women’s experiences with infidelity, investigates beliefs about marriage, and explores the tenuous relationship between hip hop and love. In addition to national radio, print, and online appearances. Utley lectures at universities across the country and is an assistant professor of communication studies at California State University Long Beach. She resides on the web at theutleyexperience.com. Follow her on Twitter @u_experience

Ebony’s Articles: 
1. Slouching Towards Washington: A Book Review
2. Resurrection Power: Rapper Appropriation of the Crucified Jesus
3. Hip Hop and Religion
4. God Forgives, I Don’t
5. A Killer From the Start
6. Being Meek (Mill)
7. Celebrating Religious Freedom
8. Jesus is my Nigga (in Paris)
9. They Call Her Ms. Hill
10. LeCrae’s Church Clothes
11. Resurrection Power: Remembering Tupac Shukur
12. Rap, Religion and the BET Awards
13. Hip Hop, Religion, and the Black Church
14. Kanye West’s Yeezus May Be Sexist But Is Not Blasphemous  
15. Book Review: The End of God Talk