NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo: Jude Barclay)
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.
Jude Barclay x Mogli the Iceberg - "jokes on you"
Michigan’s Jude Barclay returns with another certified hit from 2021. Barclay has experienced quite the success this year, including a spot on Reach Records’ Summer ’21 playlist. He’s also been fervently busy, as he’s released over 30 singles in under a year. The singles haven’t just been weekly noise, but quality with an array of featured artists along for the journey. This week, he’s invited indie tribe.’s Mogli the Iceberg. At times, listeners in CHH tire of yet another typical trap beat. With this single, Barclay and Mogli switched it up with the addition of guitars adding a rock vibe intertwined. The song was previewed in July during the Holy Smoke! Festival. I love its overall energy and appeal. Mogli is a special breed of artist equipped with a multitude of talents and capabilities. Stream “jokes on you” on Spotify here.
NXT MOVE - "ICE PACK"
In 2017, the NXT MOVE record label was established by recording artist, YB. It was only recently; several young talented artists began to sign with the label. Coop, Henrik, Christopher Syncere, and producer 100graham have collectively signed building a youth-driven faith-on-blast machine. The single released tonight is the first off, their collective EP coming to our eardrums soon. Not only do listeners gain the unleashed energy of up-and-coming rappers, but they’re all outwardly on fire for Christ. One of the best qualities of the single is the creative wordplay. Each artist provides a tidbit of the talents they bring forward while complimenting each other lyrically. YB is a killer emcee in his own right, but he’s definitely built something special with NXT MOVE. Buckle up as the rest of 2021 is about to go crazy! Stream “ICE PACK” on Spotify here.
Shepherd feat. Parris Chariz & Jon Keith - "Too Easy"
RMG Amplify’s Shepherd returns with his third hard-hitting single of 2021. This time around, he brought with him World 45’s Parris Chariz and indie tribe.’s Jon Keith; two of the hottest emcees in the CHH space. Miami’s Shepherd has a knack for handcrafting arena anthems, just take a listen to his “Gametime” single that reached the masses for the past two years. Using sports as a vehicle to fuel music’s artform to crowds in the thousands just seems like a natural move. What better way to blast the Good News worldwide?
Shepherd not only handled the hook for the track, but his verse is all kinds of lethal. When you invite the likes of Chariz and Keith on a track, you’re required to go hard from start to finish. One of my favorite aspects of this one is the solid production between the excellence the three rappers put forward lyrically. Sonically, the innovative sounds intertwined into street trap beats was a huge compliment. This track doesn’t disappoint by any means, and could easily be planned in NBA arenas across Canada and the United States. Stream “Too Easy” on Spotify here.
