#182 - DJ Mykael V, Tragic Hero, Phil J., & More...
NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, April 19, 2024. (Photo: DJ Mykael V)
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.
DJ Mykael V x 1995 feat. indie tribe. - "TR!BE ON THE MOVE" The time is finally upon us. The sequel to one of the best albums released in 2022 is close to fruition. Bodega 2 has been promised to be released prior to the fourth iteration of the SMOKE! Festival back in Nashville between August 9-10. DJ Mykael V's choice for the first single from the forthcoming sequel involves his own collective, indie tribe.
The production from 1995 is brilliant as expected. He's infused portions of sounds from House of Pain's 1992 classic "Jump Around" with iconic boom-bap essentials creating a one-of-a-kind sound perfect for the tribe.'s four emcees to obliterate. Even Mogli proves yet again his skill set as a rhyme slayer aside from his love for alternative grunge rock. If the debut single from the forth coming Bodega 2 is any reflection of what's to come, fans and listeners alike may be chanting "AOTY" once again. Stream "TR!BE ON THE MOVE" on Spotify and Apple Music.
Tragic Hero x Taelor Gray - "Healing Service" New Jersey native Tragic Hero and long-time friend and collaborator Taelor Gray team up once again to remind the space and the people that hip-hop is thriving. Genaro Ortiz cooked up some modernized boom-bap which deserves accolades of his own. The perfected adlibs, trailing high hat, and lingering snare all wrapped in elaborate, echoing drums follow the two emcees throughout.
Both emcees are no stranger to the struggles of the indie hip-hop scene, especially from a Christian perspective. The abstract premise of the track is the embodiment of the gumption one must take to make a faith step. Realistically, it should be a leap as opposed to a comfortable step towards God’s will. I’m not entirely sure I can lock down words expressed for the lyrical dominance displayed by both Hero and Gray. Both wordsmiths compiled a verbal assault on the ears of listeners between metaphors, intricate wordplay, and pure grammatical ear candy. Check it out for yourself. Stream "Healing Service" on Spotify and Apple Music.
LOVER'S DILEMMA by Phil J.
Alabama native Phil J. returns with a three-pack of songs smothered in relationship, love, discontentment, and everything in-between. Phil J.'s art cannot fit into any sized genre-specific box. It's limitless, genreless, and unique beyond description. It's a mixture of R&B, hip-hop, and jazz while grounded with soul. Recently, he's been exploring audiences outside of the limited Christian space, however, his content remains dripping in faith and substance.
"Friends,"Lay Low," and "No Throwbacks" is a blend of an artistic take on relationships which are fighting to push forward. The content ranges from friends seeing a possible spark guiding each other down a more intimate path. Also, the opposite spectrum of someone whose just ended a toxic relationship with no plans to engage in love anytime soon. Listeners, key into the authentic nature of the soundscape. The various instruments and sounds captured. The content and overall sound aesthetics brewed together are near flawless. Stream LOVER'S DILEMMAon Spotify here.
DJ LostNFound x ATTAM x Datin x Cyrus Sonata - "The Body"
Angeloh - "I Love Myself (Live)"
toyalove x Stevie Rizo – “Touch My Soul”
Relena-Rochelle - "Coasting Along"
GRAHAM x BUNT. – “MAYBE”
Saint James x Faith Lofi – “Praise You”
BigGucciDame – “VICTORIOUS”
SiahThyLegend – “WHATABURGER FREESTYLE”
Red Tips – “Not the Same”
De La Cruz - "My Kind"
Wes Harris feat. Kushim and Kemvr – “ten thousand hours”
ASAP Preach - "Club"
J-Blev feat. Selah the Corner – “Son Is Always Shining”
Nu Tone x Antwoine Hill x Tds Cam – “Concrete Blood”
Megan Tossi x Qween K – “I Keep Pushing”
William Cata - "What's The Deal"
Elijah Kyle – “GOAT TALK”
Tay Collier - "Gone Fishing"
Seth Benjamin – “Castle”
Cru Alxndr - "You The One"
JWOODZ x Verb Pro 12:4 x Dani J - "Clarity"
Anthone Ray – “Blow”
Spillz Ochai x Naffymar x Jay Classic - "Life Time"
JXYD3N – “Like the Movies”
Ray 2K x De La Cruz - "Coastin"
John Michael Howell – “Optimistic pessimist”
DANMAR - "Trust In You"
King Chai x Yagirllayc - "Eyes on the Lamb"
Classmaticc x Dedge P – “He Won’t Fail Me”
Byron Rhodes - "Fruitful"
Danon Rowe - "Reasons"
Coastside x Peair feat. Yung Drew x IDEGO – “Die Different”
Jay Bizzze - "HBN Anthem"
Unbarred - "embers"
Reconcile - "I Can't Let Up (Purpose Hittin)"
Drakare x Eclipse Nkasi x Glitzbeatz – “Lamb Ba?”
Allen Thomas feat. Lance Blake – “Higher”
Isaac Mather – “MAYBE IT’S OKAY”
RAY G - "Just Getting Started"
Will Kellum - "The Statement"
The Kid Phxntom x Joseph Goulding – “Pressure”
DreBeeze Da GodSon - "Walk"
Lily Massie - ”7 Days”
simplyollie. – “Feed the Fire”
Krstian feat. Smazuri – “Japan”
Tsan - "Have Your Way"
Jay Violet – “NO NO FEAR”
Ayomilly – “WHERE YOU GOING”
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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