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.
Zauntee - "HARD WORK GOD FIRST" BEC Recordings' artist Zauntee released his first single of 2023. The track is a personal anthem of perseverance for Zauntee whose hard work from the ground up has seen fruit and success. As a teenager, he was delivering food at Publix (a grocery store). Now, this current song has over 100K streams on Spotify alone after two weeks. I love the combination of the electric guitar and intense 808s rounding out the powerful, upbeat soundscape. Zauntee's overall sound has been finetuned, especially over the last year. His flow, cadence, and song structure are top-notch. This is a song I'll definitely bump on a Friday night, all windows down, as loud as my ears can tolerate. Stream "HARD WORK GOD FIRST" on Apple Music here.
Datin feat. Jes Norris - "ANTIDOTE" God Over Money's Datin and Menace Movement's Jes Norris team up for a powerful conversation with God. God and His Son Jesus are seen as the antidote for life's struggles, problems, and obstacles. Honestly, this is one of Datin's best in quite a few years. The song structure is pristine as it's detailed like a conversation between Datin and our Father God. It's similar to when David cries out to the heavens throughout the book of Psalms. The second verse is some of the best bars I've heard in CHH overall throughout 2023, as Datin compares various professions and God's influence upon each. Hands down, this is one of my top 10 favorite tracks of 2023. Stream "ANTIDOTE" on Apple Music here.
Hustle EPby FEDEL x D.TALL Street minister FEDEL drops a 2-track EP with Dallas' D.Tall. He hasn't dropped a project since 2019, however, has had a steady flow of singles over the last few years. With his music, you can always expect hard-hitting 808s, gospel relevancy, and transparency through personal strife leading to God's redemption. The title track features D.TALL, however, the second track "No Other Name" does not. It's a declaration of how amazing and powerful God is. The song proclaims all God has done in FEDEL's life in transformation and empowerment.
The sonic value of the two tracks doesn't differ and aligns with most of what CHH includes. However, both tracks bang. Both pay homage to our Heavenly Father. FEDEL has been putting out heaters since 2008, for 15 years. His art has always dripped with his love for Jesus and the Father. Stream the Hustle EP on Spotify here.
Caleb Gordon feat. Kenny Rivers – “Way Too Blessed”
BigGucciDame – “Don’t You Know”
Marqus Anthony feat. DJ Kideazy x KELO – “Detroit Thang”
adamariz – “tu mayor”
flf feat. Marc Vanparla – “L R (Latter Rain)”
Lil Red – “TKO”
Yung Kriss – “Slow Dancing”
Hylem x granddakidd – “HIT MY LINE”
DANMAR feat. Jordan Richard – “Slo-Mo”
John Michael Howell feat. Fulton Lee – “60s”
Titus Haskins – “Chemtrail”
Matt Mogg – “Windows Down”
Donutello – “Season of Change”
Ross Millet – “Imperfectly Perfect”
Dre Beeze da Godson – “Detroit Flow”
dkg.kie – “DIARY”
Zachary Heider – “Take Away My Pain”
Jay Bizzze – “LET THE LORD EXHALT YOU”
Trey.Vonne – “ABOUT RIGHT NOW”
Peair feat. Battz – “Project”
A Star feat. S.O. – “Outside”
Shirlvin Desir – “Freestyle Friday”
Kojo Dave – “Pray”
Dex the Nerd Who Loves Jesus – “Our Blessings”
Nachaash – “No Longer Slaves”
JPK – “Intros”
O2solus – “heaven”
shxrda – “comf0rt”
Amose x DA’ T.R.U.T.H. – “Imagine Me”
Rome Herbert x Tarcea Renee – “TRENCHES”
Illish x JMinor – “Prodigo”
Alex Warren – “Give You Love”
Ayomilly – “First Day Out”
Javy x Jack Frazier – “Constellations”
Kai Lasit – “all that i need”
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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