#65 - Reflection Music Group, DJ Promote, 5ive, & More...
NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, September 3, 2021. (Photo: Derek Minor)
Each week, dozens of singles and a handful of projects are released in the Christian Hip-Hop (CHH) and Urban Soul spaces. Below, we listen to a few highlights and list the rest for your own discovery. As always, follow our New Christian Rap & Hip Hop playlist on Spotify and Apple Music to listen to all the latest.
Highlight Tapes, Vol. 1 by Reflection Music Group (RMG)
Reflection Music Group’s (RMG) co-founder Derek Minor assembled his home team, along with a prevalent group of indie and established all-stars, to create thematic sports anthems capable of blasting at a major collegiate or professional sports venue near you. Minor and Doc Watson partnered with Universal Publishing to pursue sync placements with heavyweights like YouTube (commercials), video gaming (Xbox, Playstation), NFL, NBA, Nike, network television mainstays TNT, ESPN, NHL and NFL Networks, and a handful of other influential media outlets. In turn, these partnerships generate a steady flow of revenue for the CHH community and individual artists. Also, sports fans and communities are introduced to artists otherwise they may never discover because of the Christian tag. It’s a win, win all around for RMG, the industry, the artists, and the mainstream partnerships established through the various sync placements. It’s exciting, to say the least!
Minor embraces more of a narrator or hype man role on the project allowing his team and the features to shine. This too speaks volumes, as Minor has always been a strong voice to see others win and succeed. That same team mentality I love personally. The feature list includes Foggieraw, Jon Keith, Parris Chariz, King Chav, Aaron Dews, MvkkeyJ, Quinten Coblentz, Mission, and a handful of others.
Standout tracks include “All In the Wrist” featuring Foggieraw and Parris Chariz, “Triple Double” featuring A.I. the Anamoly and R-Swift as well as “Wins On Me” featuring Tony Tillman and Canon. The soundscape in the form of the overall production shares the spotlight too. Thunderous bass, guitar riffs, hypnotic high hats, and an array of ear candy. Within this nearly 32-minute collection, listeners will be sweating from the rapid head and body movements forced by the energetic vibes throughout. Stream Highlight Tapes, Vol. 1 on Spotify here.
DJ Promote x Swoope - "Good Day"
DJ Promote delivers a bouncy, feel-good vibe for the people laced with a strong feature from Swoope. Promote’s notoriety in the CHH space derived from his work and contributions to Reach Records, especially Lecrae. Swoope has always been a mainstay in the CHH subgenre delivering one iconic album after another with his latest being 24 from this past summer.
“Good Day” encompasses various life aspects and what we individually consider a good day. Also, pays homage to friendship and how vital those types of relationships are in daily life. The production behind the lyrics is creative and spunky. The tone of keys used is brilliant behind the trap high hats. I can definitely see me throwing this track on to kick of a weekend of relaxation. Stream “Good Day” on Spotify here.
5ive - "All My Life"
Potiphar House’s 5ive returns with his second single released in 2021. His release schedule may not rival some of the well-known artists in the CHH space, however, each single is intentional and drenched in the love of Christ. 5ive has never backed down or watered-down lyrics. Each track has the message of the Gospel contained and the love God shares for His children. “All My Life” is no different.
5ive’s auto-tuned laced delivery tells his story from childhood forward. He speaks to a culture that doesn’t celebrate men showing emotion or crying. Therefore, struggled to find other emotional outlets to harness those feelings. 5ive clung to the love of Christ and the art of music as a form of expression. Production is pretty atypical for the culture; however, the hook stands tall. It’s expressive and hits different. Stream “All My Life” on Spotify here.