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.
Hulvey - "Beautiful" Reach Records’ artist Hulvey drops one of his most anticipated singles since signing with Reach in 2020. Snippets of “Beautiful” have been teased across social media for nearly a year. Hulvey has performed the track live at festivals and both legs of the Unashamed Tour. Thankfully, the finished product exceeded the months of teasers and hype from the label and Hulvey himself.
The basis behind the single has been described as God providing an intimate view into the idea of beauty defined between Him and His children. God’s eternal love for us. The fact that the Holy Spirit within believers guides us with great intention and direction. Every single aspect of Jesus is exemplified, beautiful. From my own take, beauty is defined by a multitude of divine inspirations and Hulvey captured such with purpose, intent, and Godly inspiration.
The unapologetic, unashamed content Hulvey creates in his art is classic Reach. It’s an art form centered on faith, inspiration, and talented bars. He’s a worshipper but circulates more dope bars than Hershey. The song’s structure outside of the lyrical content is just as impressive. Booming 808’s chased by a high-hat stampede foreshadowed by a glorious choir and keys ivory in form. “Beautiful” is a complete track and already contending for the best single of 2022 along with the best video. Stream “Beautiful” on Spotify here.
Canon - "Hold Me Back" Reflection Music Group’s (RMG) Canon dusts off his mic and returns with the first new music since November 2021. Canon devoted a season to self-care, an evaluation of his art, and the 1,001 cultural situations which have occurred atop of the pandemic. Canon always pours emotion, energy, passion, and quality into his musical expressions. A message is always on tap regardless of the track.
“Hold Me Back” encourages listeners to pursue their utmost potential. The track is an anthem directing focus inward to work towards goals despite the barrage of opposition that surrounds us. RMG co-owner Derek Minor produced the track, as he’s solidified himself as one of the premier producers and engineers over the course of the last two years. Minor also contributed vocally to the hook reminding listeners nobody is going to hold us back, regardless of the situation. The bass lines are just downright dirty as Canon’s classic rapid-fire delivery creates organized chaos throughout. Even with August on our immediate horizon, the summer anthems keep dropping appeasing car speakers worldwide. Stream “Hold Me Back” on Spotify here.
Growing Up, Pt. 2 by Peabod
Centricity's only hip-hop artist, Peabod drops the second part of his Growing Up EP series. Part one was released in November 2020. He's instituted the formula most artists are being pushed to by growing favoritism for music streaming services by fans. Peabod has released each of the songs included on the EP separately as a single leading up to the last song signified as the release date for the EP. The newest track is "Good News," unreleased until now.
Another dynamic of the EP resides with the visuals included for each track too. With Peabod's vibrant exocentric personality, the music videos always compliment the music in an artsy, joyful manner. His creative style has been deemed "happy raps" by many. Playful rhythmic displays of happiness are explored through life circumstances and his personal faith walk. Even with the track "MAD!," Peabod flips frustration, anger, and dissatisfaction for all the joys God pours down through blessings.
Favorite tracks include "Good News," "MAD!," and ironically "My Favorite Part."
During the first installment found in part one, Peabod brought two friends as features with him (Tedashii, Aklesso). However, the second part contains no featured artists but doesn't deplete the overall enjoyment of the content. Sonically, there's much to digest and celebrate. It's not your atypical hip-hop trap-smothered sound replicated. Peabod offers live instrumentation, guitars, keys, strings, and an array of pleasing tunes to complement the overall position emotions his music generates. Stream Growing Up, Pt. 2 on Spotify here.
Sareem Poems x Newselph x Chris Orrick – “Matters of Man (Remix)”
NXTMIKE x TRAPSHIP COLLECTIVE – “ANTI”
tylerhateslife - "still."
Wxlf – “PERFECT TIMING”
Nic D – “Costa Rica”
JXHN PVUL x Tommy Royale – “Tumba”
Fox & Tiger feat. Kaleb Mitchell - "PUFFY AMIYUMI FREESTYLE"
L. Dejuan – “No Landing”
Saint James - Make It Home"
Tre’Gadd – “A C T I O N”
James Gardin - "Showdown"
GB feat. JP KILLED IT – “Do It Again”
Gods Music feat. Nu Tone, Prodi & Jay Steezy - "On The Move"
Rhomar Jessy x Enzo - "ENUHGY"
ZDIORX feat. Parris Chariz – “BANDS UP”
Noah Andres x Siara Valdes – “Little Bit Longer”
J-Phish x Dior - "Cruisin"
CJ Emulous feat. Miles Minnick - "Say Summ"
Tre Ovalle - "That's Easy"
N!x - "Harder 2 Bare"
Csdra - "DMLO"
Jack Tyler – “HAD IT RIGHT”
Trampolines feat. Disciple & Legin - "Amen to That"
simplyollie feat. 1K Phew – “Over the Moon”
Titus x Noah Andres – “Homemade Remix”
HYLEM x granddakidd – “won’t be dead”
JXYD3N – “Wasn’t Love”
DANMAR – “Pink Grillz”
Kelo - "The Wilderness"
Lathan Warlick feat. Blessings Offor – “Look Up To the Sky”
Anthony Hale feat. Vintage Jesus Tees – “Vintage Jesus Tee”
Austin Joyce – “Mamacita”
Ynot Music feat. Kurtis Hoppie - "Light Fall"
Rezin - "Espresso Depresso"
Anthone Ray – “Bernie Mac”
Connor Pierson feat. Coop – “Been Loyal”
Alive City - "Missing Piece"
Brett Raio - "The Great Awakening"
BVN - "No Weapon"
Ray G - "Clear Skies"
Drup feat. Battz & JordanMicah – “Kowalaski”
Lazarus! - "SOMEWHERE"
Hunterdrinkswater - "To The Saints"
cconsciencee - "Raindrops"
Joshua Galla is an audiophile hyped about all forms of art in music, but his passion rests behind CHH and soulful vibes. He's a devout husband, father, and child of God. Concerts are his happy place.
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