NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo: Derek Minor)
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.
Derek Minor x Canon feat. Greg James and B. Stokes - "Stand By Me" Reflection Music Group’s (RMG) Derek Minor and Canon team up for a multi-genre explosion crossing hip-hop together with rock dialed into a unique sound experience. The duo handcrafted an electrifying plea for unity and resilience. Ignited by heavy guitar riffs and electrifying drums, the song uncovers personal struggles laced with vulnerability smothered in hope. Lyrical exploration of isolation and self-doubt lead to resonating with whomever has felt lost or alone. Minor and Canon created a beacon of strength and solidarity wrapped in an undeniably catchy soundscape. Producers credited on the track are Poetics, Quinten Coblentz and Minor himself. Stream “Stand By Me” on Spotify and Apple Music.
350 feat. FERN and DJ Mykael V - "Crucero" A Texan naive now based in Atlanta, Georgia, 350 is a talented songwriter, producer and artist deemed as one of the top talents of the CHH space. With his captivating flow and memorizing vocal tone, he has rose quickly to the top with hits such as "WILM," "Praise," and "Undisturbed." The current single is his third and final single before his next project drops in April titled, Does Anyone Know You're Going This Way?
Social Club Misfits' FERN and indie tribe.'s DJ Mykael V team up with 350 delivering quite a unique soundscape of pinpoint lyricism and complete sound immersion for the mind, body and soul. Crucero is a spanish word for the english translation of "cruise." Similar to the array of options present on a cruise ship, this track never stops giving between lyricism excellence and sound brillance. This track demands the use of quality headphones as the ad libs and sample snippets used throughout severely enhance the listening experience along with DJ Mykael V's artistic sound eruption closing the track out during 350's second verse. Stream "Crucero" on Spotify and Apple Music.
Phathom feat. Chris Rivers, Jered Sanders, and Datin - "Falling"
Washington State’s own Phathom returns with yet another surefire hit. Songwriter, emcee, and producer, Phathom remains a man of many God-given talents. Currently in his producer stance, his production guides listeners on different sonic journeys through various hip-hop stylings.
His latest track, “Falling” bridges two of the hottest CHH talents with a mainstream staple. The son of hip-hop icon Big Pun, Chris Rivers begins the track with an intricate rhyme scheme and signature delivery. Datin handled the hook like he does with all of his art, flawless. Rarely is he limited to solely a hook, but it’s delivery is riddled with uniqueness and an overall anthemic vibe. Jered Sanders finishes off the track similar to the cliché of “saving the best for last”. His wordplay skill set remains one of the best overall in the CHH space. Coupled with complete pocket control between sixteens, listeners won’t soon forget his contributions to the song. Oh, and the cover art alone is some of the best in hip-hop period. Stream “Falling” on Spotify and Apple Music.
Shepherd feat. Don Ready and Brenno – “NEVER QUIT”
MvkeyyJ feat. Jiggy Min – “IDEK”
Sam Rivera - "Glory"
Zach Paradis - "we tried"
THR3 feat. Dee Black – “He’s Been Good”
Will Kellum x Alcott x Jesse Calentine – “SunShine”
Shiwan “I’m Good” (Maxi Single)
adamariz – “Savior”
Spencer Kane x Caleb LaDuke – “Hold On, I’ll Be Right Back”
Prodigyl and Mitch Darrell – “KING”
BigGucciDame – “Patience”
LilRed - "Across Time"
K-SEE and FOEVA – “Driven”
Wes Harris feat. Jeremiah Paltan – “Sufficient”
Hilgy - "Listen"
De La Cruz x Bloody Candy - "Breakthrough"
Mic Wise x Weez the Satellite Kiid x Bill B. x Cyrus Sonata - "U AGAIN"
Austin White 711 and Tre’Gadd – “Step Inside”
Caleb McCoy feat. Jalen Williams – “New Death, New Life”
GodFrame – “Act Surprised (Freestyle)”
Zae Ortiz and WXLF – “That’s Enough”
Spoken Worth – “Good Friday, The Curse Is Lifted”
LJ the Messenger x Hyper Fenton - "From the Father"
iNTELLECT feat. DJ Grubbernaut – “It Ain’t My Fault”
John Michael Howell – “Mr. Feel”
Tommy Iceland x DOE - "People Need People"
Lil Mizzy x Gospel Hints - "Sanity"
Dedge P and Classmaticc – “Another Day”
Titus Haskins – “Something In The Air”
Mainetoowavy! - "No More Locked Doors"
Isaac Mansfield - "Takes Me Up"
De'Aris x Larell x Mia Pearl x Will Kellum - "Follow You"
Aluis x Torino P x Jay Sanon - "08 Yaris"
Austin Joyce – “New Me”
jXYD3N – “Make Believe”
Lyne Nsongo x Asha Elia - "Alert"
Yung Drew x Gavin the HotRod - "Body Bag Testimony"
TUVI and CallemJJ – “BLOOD”
Wes Schrock – “as real as it gets”
Man of War – “Restoration to My Soul”
MIAJAIRIAN – “Call On Christ”
Worshiping Will – “Prayer Line”
Prayer feat. Andy Rebirth – “Comeback (War)”
Allen Thomas – “Provision”
EJ Swavv x OnBeatMusic – “Pedal Metal / Door SZN”
02solus – “ember”
Joseph Muniz - "Confidence"
Joshua Lazer x Stephen Willo - "Deserve It All"
Larell - "On Me"
Drup feat. Money Monte and Ea$y BaKe – “Oklahoma Summer”
Alvin Cedric – “MATCHES”
asiris – “riverside”
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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