NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, January 13, 2023. (Photo: Angie Rose)
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.
Angie Rose x Poetics - "Hearts in Pain" Capitol Christian Music Group's (CCMG) Angie Rose teams up with one of the hottest young producers residing in Arizona, Poetics. I do not highlight a more soulful vibe as often as I should nor females. Therefore, with the drop of this gem, I had to show Rose and Poetics some love. "Hearts in Pain" meshes a fresh, beautiful melodic tone with hints of worship and stripped-down emotion. She speaks of a loving Savior while interjecting scriptural references and the name of our mighty God. Poetics lays down an eery, yet beautiful undertone behind Rose's powerful emotional outpour. It's a beautiful track in various facets. Stream "Hearts in Pain" on Apple Music here.
KJ-52 x Poetics - "One Percent Better"
Independent rapper and CHH icon KJ-52 returns with his first single from his latest forthcoming album, Still Standing. The concept of the project relates to the destruction Hurricane Ian caused to KJ's hometown of Cape Coral, Florida. The category four hurricane created a catastrophic-sized amount of damage to the city and surrounding areas. Still, KJ-52's family, his church home (where he pastors), and the community stood strong afterward. Hence, he's still standing thanks to the power, love, grace, and mercy of Christ Jesus.
Poetics laces the production for the track, as he's been one of KJ's go-to producers over the last few projects. The keys and overall sound capture the eeriness destruction and terror provide. KJ follows with a mixture of an acapella flow and aggressively quick bars throughout. The amazing thing about KJ's skill as an emcee is always adapts to the current culture and sound. He rarely sounds dated or out-of-touch. Poetics and KJ smash out another hit perfect as a lead for the rest of the project's 11-track contents. Stream "One Percent Better" on Spotify here.
Life is Alive Mixtape by Warren C
Arizona-based rapper and pastor Warren "Warren C" Christian releases his fourth project in five years as an all-inclusive 19-track mixtape. Life is Alive gathers some of CHH's finest among the 15-plus list of features including Parris Chariz, Battz, Shiwan, Levi Parkers, and a host of others. It's raw, like the projected feel for a mixtape. However, a particular precision exists throughout both in production and lyrical output.
Some favorites include "Familia" featuring Parris Chariz, "Chopped Veggies" featuring Battz, and "Favor" featuring Weez the Satellite Kiid along with Mendoza. A mixture of trap and boom-bap sounds holistic and original enough to the ears to cause immediate smiles. The mixtape sets a standard early in 2023 of what should be expected in the space for the months ahead. Stream Life is Alive on Spotify here.
Da’ T.R.U.T.H. feat. Todd Dulaney x Aaron Cole – “Crown”
Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – “Set the Bar”
Da’ T.R.U.T.H. feat. Miranda Curtis – “Tell Somebody”
KB feat. Brandon Lake – “Graves (Acoustic)”
Dante Bowe – “Hide Me”
Levi Mitchell – “How to Love”
Knaladeus x Datin – “Still Hopeful”
Tragic Hero x Taelor Gray – “Angels Born in Style”
Joey Vantes – “BTRFLY”
Angie Rose – “Heart in Pain”
Zach Paradis – “Open Hands”
George.Rose x Arik Nelson – “Knock, Knock”
Byron Rhodes – “Growin’ Thru”
Mike Teezy – “I Promise!”
Rhomar Jessy – “Be.Real.”
DOE feat. Lilly Goodman – “So Good (Cuban Bueno)”
L. Dejuan – “Workout”
Jude Barclay – “I HOPE YOU HATE ME”
PRESTXN – “Unaware”
Josiah Davis – “hey girl”
BigGucciDame – “God I’m Grateful”
UNTIDLD – “Soil”
GRAHAM – “Screen Time”
JusRzd feat. Mitch Darrell – “Rise & Shine”
Christopher Syncere – “If I Ran Away”
Dashawn Shaunta – “Schemin”
Trutha – “Church on Every Corner”
ZOU – “COMING HOME”
E.I. the King – “Lit”
DANMAR x Hey Ty – “Let’s Go”
K-SEE – “Flock”
HYLEM – “HIT THE BREAKS”
Shawn Mocey feat. Xay Hill x GodFearin – “Ain’t Been the Same”
BrodieDaVinci x BRM x TC Boyd the Artist – “Glowstick”
Classmaticc x DedgeP – “Back Again”
Christian Brading – “Payphone (Stay)”
Pxradise – “Coincidence”
John Michael Howell – “Could It Have Been Me”
Licy-Be feat. Victoria Tamaki x HjT – “Glad You Came”
CieMie – “arsenic”
Matt Mogg – “Arizona Apartment”
Dante Raddd – “Pre-EP”
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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