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.
Church Clothes 4 by Lecrae Lecrae is not only the co-owner and founder of Reach Records dating back to the label’s inception in 2004; however, he’s a multi-Grammy Award-winning platinum-selling artist, New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and one many consider the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) of the CHH space. He just released the fourth and final mixtape of the Church Clothes series which beautifully married the streets to the sanctuary. A decade and four installments later, the Church Clothes series has represented some of Lecrae’s most transparent, honest, and in-depth material. Through these mixtapes, he’s accomplishing providing the message of the Gospels to the streets in a relevant way while maintaining his battle cry of remaining unashamed until the grave.
Church Clothes 4 is a 13-track collection of brilliance and nostalgia as number four revisits some of the best moments of the previous three releases. Standout tracks include “Spread the Opps,” “Still In America,” “Fear Not,” “Good Lord” featuring Andy Mineo, and “Misconceptions 4” featuring nobigdyl., Jon Keith, and A.I. the Anomaly. Although, there’s goodness to be found in every track. I could easily interject the opener “CC4” or “I-45 Freestyle” as they’ve been heavily on repeat. Out of Lecrae’s 15-project discography over the past 18 years, this drop is easily in the top three of the overall releases. The overall production exhibited deserves an article on its own. Every sound hits with substance and power. Don’t only focus on the lyrics, as keep a keen ear on the soundscapes pushing the lyrical content.
The Church Clothes series is iconic for a multitude of reasons. The mixtapes represent faith and hip-hop culture with an unashamed overlay which challenges the Church to live up to its potential. Also, encourages the culture to reconcile with its Savior. Stream Church Clothes 4 on Spotify here.
DJ Mykael V featuring Social Club Misfits - "MAKE BETTER CHOICES" (prod. by 1995) The indie tribe. collective's DJ Mykael V releases his 10-track debut album, titled BODEGA! featuring some of the hottest emcees in the current CHH space. One of the last tracks of the album features Capitol Christian Music Group's (CCMG) dynamic duo Social Club Misfits. Mykael V sets up the song perfectly as it represents classic Social Club with the side humor and effortlessly powerful lyrics from the South Florida boys. Marty chimes in first with witty metaphors and humorous adlib jabs followed by Fern with one smooth sixteen after another. Combined, it's some of SCM's best content bridging off their recent album released titled, Everyone Loves A Comeback Story (September 30). Stream "MAKE BETTER CHOICES" on Spotify here.
George.Rose - "Giving"
Lifestyle33 Records' George.Rose returns, once again, with an energetic, "happy raps" type of vibe. "Giving" just makes the listeners want to dance and smile for a period of two and a half minutes. The track speaks to how much we receive from others, especially God, emitting gratitude for such. There's a nice little beat switch-up with EDM flavor to look forward to complimenting the track quite well. The classic sound from George.Rose always fills hearts with happiness, energy, and a grin to match. He's definitely an artist to look out for with each new release. Stream "Giving" on Spotify here.
Nutone feat. Outr.Cty x ZOU x Scootie Wop – “Still Hungry”
OhSo – “Hell’s Nightmare”
Mike Teezy - "Get To Me"
Caleb Gordon - "Your Word My Mind"
Tre’Gadd – “I C O N I C”
Solachi Voz – “SEE”
Culture Villains x killawatts - "Old Western" (Instrumental)
YP (aka Young Paul) feat. Prodi da Prodigal & Leathle da 3rd7 - "Street Signs"
DANMAR feat. Jude Barclay – “Cali Girl”
JXYD3N feat. Caleb Cruise – “Fake or Real”
Titus – “I Want To Believe It”
Don Ready – “Heavenly Poetry 7”
Dante Raddd – “check off the list”
Ayomilly – “Know What I Mean?”
Hunterdrinkswater – “Washout!”
N!X – “Kingdom Mode” (Maxi Single)
AMU6IX x Jay Matthews – “The Beast”
Brenno x K Diamond – “LOVE ME”
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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