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.
NF - "HOPE" Michigan-born Capitol Music Group (CMG) rapper NF (Nate Feuerstein) returns after a two-year hiatus with a new single and the announcement of his sixth studio album since 2015. HOPE the album is set to release on April 7, 2023. The first single and title track was accompanied by a cinematic-like music video impressive to even the likes of Hollywood directors. Also in 2021, NF became a father to a beautiful son and celebrated his 30th birthday.
The single, "HOPE", seems to signify a new season in life and in music for the celebrated rapper. He is dressed head-to-toe in all white for the first time since introducing the world to Mansion in 2015. Also, the lyrical content contained within the track is simply - different. Its uplifting, motivational, spirited, and light seems to protrude from NF's lips. Close to the end of the track, NF proclaims boldly forgiveness for his mother, something unheard of in the past. Let's not forget, he's still battling his past and his own layers of burdens (as are all of us). Listeners hear it during the lyrical exchange closing out the track. Also, it's visually displayed throughout the music video. What draws many to NF's art is his relatability. He discusses transparent topics we all can relate to and have experienced in one form or another.
The single was produced by NF's "Robin" (Tommee Profitt) and another producer by the name of Jeff Sojka. NF and the videos' director Patrick Tohill lent assistance with production too. The soundscape's standouts were the usage of a piano and a tremendously-strong strings section reminiscent of a full-blown orchestra. Excitement and anticipation were achieved as April cannot arrive soon enough. Stream "HOPE" on Apple Music here.
J. Monty - "Megaphone"
Atlanta-raised independent rapper J. Monty introduces his fanbase to the third season of the 'Testify' series found on YouTube. "Megaphone" is the first single/video of the new year and new season. For those of you familiar with the original version of WHATUPRG's "PRAISE!" single discovered on SoundCloud last year, some bars are exchanged between the two tracks. An example would be, "Why would I need Zeus or Poseidon when I got Jeresalem's Lion."
J. Monty has always been a favorite emcee of mine as few wordsmiths can compare to his delivery, wordplay, and word association. Poetic doesn't even begin to describe his usage of words behind mostly boom-bap-driven production. The horns stand out the most on this track, as brass and strings are always applauded when combined with the art of hip-hop. Season 1 debuted at the beginning of 2019. Season 2 followed in January 2022. Stream "Megaphone" on Apple Music here.
No Matter What EP by BigBreeze x I Project
Atlanta rapper, singer, and songwriter BigBreeze released his second EP of 2023, as he stays working. The latest project is southern goodness with a heaping side of trap bops. BigBreeze also represents one-fourth of the collective known as Vert Mob. Vert Mob is comprised of BigBreeze, Scootie Wop, Tj Carroll, and GodFearin'. Recently, they were featured on the 2022 Reach Records Summer Playlist.
BigBreeze continues his working relationship with Reach featuring Hulvey and 1K Phew on two of the seven tracks included on the EP. The project opens with "Trackhawk Freestyle" featuring Hulvey. I love when featured artists don't solely add a verse or a few bars to a track, but constantly exchange bars throughout. This track shines as one of my favorite songs of 2023. The next track, "3 Days Later" is unique in several aspects. I thoroughly enjoyed the "whispered parts" of the song as nobody else is doing that. Creativity has always been a showcased talent of BigBreeze. He may possess that classic ATL song behind trap beats (like 1K Phew, 1k Pson, and others), however, the content within makes BigBreeze stand above others. Everything is smothered in references to his faith and to God's goodness. Everything possesses a certified vibe. I'll be running this back on repeat for a good minute. Stream the No Matter What EP on Spotify here.
Bizzle - "Say It Now" (God Over Money app Exclusive)
Torey D’Shaun – “SOTE (Stuck on the Elevator)”
Beacon Light feat. JLYN and Silverberg - "Hotter Than Fire"
Txsh x Avila – “Ready For It”
George.Rose – “L.A.G. (Look At God)”
Jodie Jermaine – “The Way”
A3 - "I'D GO TO HELL FOR YOU"
Tylynn – “THE HOOK UP”
Childlike CiCi - "Questioning Me"
Byron Rhodes - "WINNERS CIRCLE"
Kurtis Hoppie – “You’ll Be There”
Aable feat. Isaiah Velez – “Another Place”
K-Drama - "No One Showed Up (instrumental)"
Mike Teezy – “A Little More”
Grand Varsity (Germaine Martel x Mouthpi3ce x Dee Black) - "Closer"
Apex Frazier – “Thick N Thin”
Chase Cullum – “Yung Hedo”
noah! feat. nobigdyl. - "Champion"
Antwoine Price feat. Bizzle and Miles Minnick - "Name Your Price"
Wingy Danejah feat. Angie Rose and Kieran the Light - "Get to Know You (Remix)"
Shanta Fuentes – “Darling”
Hyper Fenton x Moflo Music - "Remedy"
zdiorx feat. Trey.Vonne – “F!ND PEACE”
Cory Ard – “Son of Man”
tylerhateslife - "still. (live)"
Weez the Satellite Kiid – “Grind With Me”
Red Tips – “Needed”
NK4 feat. Scootie Wop - "Make Room"
Saint James – “Tip Toe”
IMRSQD - "Scotoma"
Paul Russell – “be that too”
Edify feat. J1W and TVNK - "Masquerade"
Brenno feat. KRL and K Diamond – “Get What’s Mine”
iNTELLECT feat. SeanP – “Winning”
SiahThyLegend – “Horizon”
HYLEM – “Bad Luck”
DANMAR - "Temporary Love"
Kidd Lee - "I Wanna Know"
LC3 feat. KJ-52 - "Higher"
Tbabz x S.O. x King-D - "Other Side (Radio Edit)"
Shirlvin Desir x Siv x LambCulture - "Most High"
BigGucciDame – “John 14:2”
Nameless Servant – “I Know Love”
Simplyollie – “Bloom”
John Michael Howell – “The Villain”
Still Shadey feat. Lauren Milne - "Save Me from the Darkness (Acoustic)"
Eddie Waynick III (RDC) – “CYPHER I”
gio. – “fool of me”
Titus Haskins x jpxprince – “Windows”
Josiah Davis x Matt Mogg x Cade Legat – “LOVE ME”
LLC Flame x roni – “be alright”
Elias. – “Your Favorite Song”
FOEVA feat. Ayekoo - "Polar"
Lazarus! – “Moesha”
Drup – “Walking On a Dream”
Mainetoowavy! x Izaiiah – “In Here”
Mainetoowavy! x K Phantom - "Kick Rocks"
Dkg Kie – “HOOD GIRLS LOVE CHRIST” (Maxi Single)
Skema.boy – “Wristwatch”
Ayomilly – “Feel Me”
Jay Violet - "Emotions All Over"
Jack Tyler – “Things I Do”
Danon Rowe - "ON ME"
Paul the Messenger - "FLOP!"
Crown Down - "Heart to Heart"
Maikon West feat. Afolake - "Awesome"
Will Kellum - "Silver and Gold"
Tre-3 - "Precious"
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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