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.
Jay-Way - "ICE COLD" 4 Against 5's eclectic artist Jay-Way releases his second single off the upcoming album dropping soon. "ICE COLD" is a relationship-based bop centered around the difficulties of communication and mind games played when dating. Honestly, I feel we do not have enough dialogue on dating within Christian music. Everything is centered around marital relationships whereas the hardships of dating are rarely spoken of. Thankfully, younger and rising artists are beginning the conversations aiding our younger generations as most see music as therapy to some degree. Listeners are treated to Jay-Way's diverse sound in harmony and lyricism. Again, seems like another hot trend in the CHH space is diversity extended over several musical concepts. Stream "ICE COLD" on Spotify here.
Hulvey - "Have Me" Reach Records' rapper Hulvey returns with his second single in a worship-driven visual series that began with the single "Beautiful" which dropped on July 22. "Have Me" possesses a similar focus on our direct worship with our God, however, a tad more heavy on the lyrical content. Hulvey's intent with this series is for listeners to see our relationship with God through the visuals and the inspiration within direct from the Holy Spirit. In-house producer Ace Harris handled the production while the same director, Adeo Adesina, continued the visual story. The wordplay goes crazy this time around with lines like, "I'm trying to get out the way / play the background like Lecrae" as one example of many. With streaming services and the push for singles reigning in the music industry, the idea of storytelling and concept albums "seemed" to fade. However, Hulvey and his team pinpointed a way to capture such detail and creativity in the form of singles; brilliant. Stream "Have Me" on Spotify here.
Jeremiah Bligen feat. Dre Murray & L3XDIVINE - "Throne"
Charleston, South Carolina native artist Jeremiah Bligen provides a breath of fresh air in the CHH space with his latest single. Bligen doesn't release often, as this is his first single of 2022. However, his art is quite impactful. CHH veteran Dre Murray and up-and-coming L3XDIVINE join him on the spitfire track. One of my favorite aspects, besides the mind-provoking lyrical content, for me has to be the production. It's far from what's seen as the norm and repetitive in the current space. Listeners hear sounds of an electric guitar, live drums, pounding bass, and a certain melodic overtone pleasing to the ears. With the length nearly topping five minutes total, another anomaly in current times. The content reminds me of CHH 15-20 years ago when biblical stories were told often. Fans digest literally an entire story of faith, struggle, and God's reign in five minute's time. Murray and L3XDIVINE's contributions are quite impressive in delivery and emotion. It's definitely pegged as one of my favorite singles from this week. Stream "Throne" on Spotify here.
Hyper Fenton x MoFlo - "Swerving (Zoom Zoom Zoom)"
DJ LostNFound feat. Truent Music x Weez the Satellite Kiid x BigBreeze - "Back To The Wall"
GRAHAM – “1 in 8 Billion”
Red Tips - "Big Move"
Sivion x Newselph – “The Best (Remix)”
Sajan Nauriyal - "static"
BigGucciDame – “Rich in Christ”
Errol Allen – “988”
JXHN PVUL - "Emo"
Tommy Royale - "G Como Becky"
Byron Rhodes x FVMELESS - "Issues of the Heart"
Kelo feat. Prodi Da Prodigal x Q-Flo - "Norf-Town"
Caleb Gordon – “Good God”
L. Dejuan feat. Donutello x Reem – “PHOTO”
Rapfinds – Noah Andres – “No Good”
Prodi Da Prodigal - "No Days Off"
Ervin Wilson feat. nobigdyl. - "The City Don't Care"
Eddie Clark - "Turn Me Up"
Lord Badu - "Angels"
Anthone Ray - "Mount Everest"
John Michael Howell - "1,000 Lives"
N!x – “TNT”
HYLEM x LLC FLAME – “almost home”
Range feat. Mitch Darrell – “Paxson”
Sanctified - "Dangerous"
J. Walker feat. Mitch Darrell – “Oh My God”
Zach Heider – “Feel Love Again”
CieMie - "heartbeat"
Don Ready x Yung Kriss x Battz – “Heavenly Poetry V”
DANMAR – “Down”
Rosco x jpxprince feat. Titus x LOGE x Matt Mogg – “that’s on you”
Noah Brown - "SANCTIFY THE KID"
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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