NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, December 10, 2021. (Photo: Trip Lee)
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.
Trip Lee - "Supernatural"
Reach Records' Trip Lee returns with his second single of 2021. His first single, "You Got It" was a part of the Summer '21 playlist and is featured on NFL Shop commercials during televised NFL football broadcasts (such as the Steelers vs. Vikings game aired tonight). Lee hasn't released an album since 2016 when The Waiting Room dropped in December of that year. He's only released five singles during the five-year hiatus and added a contribution to the label's Christmas album entitled The Gift. However, when Lee does release art into the world for his fans to consume, the content is special. The new single is no different, as Lee has quite a bit to communicate with "Supernatural." The track runs through a personal wish list of sorts commenting on what things from our dysfunctional world he'd like to see different. This leads to why a supernatural force, such as God, is necessary to return situations to a positive format.
Lee raps on the track, "I wish everybody knew my God, the Healer, the cancer killer." His content always reaches deep into pop culture, faith, societal happenings, and erupts from his own heart. For me, Lee's tracks always keep me encouraged regardless of what's going on around me; like worship of sorts. Stream "Supernatural" on Spotify here and check out the music video below.
Legin feat. The Last Take - "In Awe (Live)"
Partnered with RMG Amplify, this Virginia-based independent rapper offers quite a skill set to the CHH space. Between hard-hitting, gospel-laced content to a spoken word flow and even equipped with the inspirational speaker hat, Legin uses the gifts from God in a variety of platforms. Originally released as a studio single in June of 2021, "In Awe" was a part of Legin's virtual concert set performed in November. The concert was performed at Grace Bible Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Performing with The Last Take, the live version of the track refreshed as part gospel music, part hip-hop and a testimony of God's goodness spread throughout Legin's life. The live band complete with keys, saxophone, bass guitar, and drums brings a completely different energy to the song; a welcomed difference. Stream "In Awe (Live)" on Spotify here and check out the live performance video below.
WHATUPRG & Friends - "PRAISE!" (Soundcloud Exclusive)
This was the week of dormant artists from Reach Records to check-in. WHATUPRG released a surprise single titled, "PRAISE!" featuring 10 (himself included) of the hottest artists in CHH on a single track. The feature list includes Foggieraw, Ty Brasel, Parris Chariz, Not Klyde, 1K Phew, J. Monty, Aha Gazelle, 350, and Kaleb Mitchell. What's even more miraculous is the fact this track was written and recorded within a 24-hour period. The production of the song was handled by Elxjahx and Mu Lean.
The track has a retro feel of the "ole skool" cypher tracks hip-hop groups such as The Cross Movement, Tunnel Rats, and L.A. Symphony used to release. Each artist offers some of their best flows and content while fans judge who brought the best bars overall. The contributions by Not Klyde, 350, and Aha Gazelle stood out above the rest for me personally. Stream the track exclusively on Soundcloud here.
