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.
J. Monty - "The Caterpillar" On July 1, the CHH-driven website Rapzilla dropped a snippet from their June 27 interview with Reach Records' newest signee Jackie Hill Perry. The snippet focused on a question Justin Sarachik posed to Perry asking who her top five lyrical emcees are in the CHH space. Perry commented, "I don't think there's a lot of lyricism in Christian Hip-Hop," before naming at least two being nobigdyl. (indie. tribe) and Aha Gazelle. Such a comment created a tidal wave of emotions, responses and reactions including one from a top-tier lyricist in this space known as J. Monty. He released "The Caterpillar" as a response to Perry's comment referring to the absence of lyricism (right now) in CHH.
Essentially, the track is a roll call of elite lyricists in the ears and mind of J. Monty (besides himself). Some noteable names mentioned were Bizzle, Datin, KB, Caleb Gordon, Lano (Alano Adan), Thi'sl, Parris Chariz, Scootie Wop, and a plethora of artists too many to rename. Personally, I would've included the likes of Taelor Gray, Tragic Hero, Q-Flo, A.I. the Anomaly, and quite a few others. However, I'm sure Monty didn't want to oversaturate the track or go for five-plus minutes. Even Perry herself warranted a mention; rightfully so. Case-n-point, lyricists within CHH are sprinkled throughout the genre and often rise above the noise. Stream "The Caterpillar" on Spotify and Apple Music.
K-Drama - "Invincible" Cincinnati's own K-Drama returns with his eighth single of 2024. The CHH veteran keeps his authentic, classic flow, but intergrates modernized production and a crisp soundscape. A little sprinkle of synthesizers here, a little depth found in keyboard strokes, and 808's blarring make for a mid-summer anthem. 23 years into crafting his art and he remains relevant, set apart and continues to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Stream "Invincible" on Spotify and Apple Music.
Trutha feat. Cyrus Sonata and Kham - "Riches (Don't Trip)"
Produced by an Arizonian transplant, Poetics, Trutha drops his third single of 2024. The track pulls from a combination of midwest and southern hip-hop influences to produce a bass heavy, hard hitting single. Trutha & Kham both rap about what it means to be a grown man and standing on business. Rapzilla Freshman Cyrus Sonata brings it all together with a melodic, gritty chorus. Stream "Riches (Don't Trip)" on Spotify and Apple Music.
Maverick City Music – “Gracias Dios (I Thank God)”
Q-Flo x Bill B. x YP aka Young Paul x AMAR x C4 Crotona - "Papi Store"
Kham feat. Jered Sanders and PRXM - "Bossa Nova (Remix)"
BigBreeze - "Father Steppin"
Medisin - "Away From It All"
Arik Nelson - "Don't Let Go"
Tylynn feat. Christ, Jr. - "FOR ALL OF US"
Austin White 711 x Brenno – “Hold Up Wait”
DJ EMD feat. Mission – “Stay Around”
Adriel Cruz – “Devil’s Mind”
BigGucciDame x LLC Flame – “Holy Spirit”
Jeremiah Paltan feat. KDNS - "As I Am"
Xay Hill – “No Competition”
99 Apex – “NEW”
K-SEE – “Let Go (LOGE Version)”
Judo Sammy – “WIT DAT!”
Leslie Perez – “Echo”
Nu Tone feat. CJ Emulous and Oracle - "Run It"
VMM Righteous feat. Starringo - "New"
Relena-Rochelle - "Navigate"
Isaac Mansfield - "Cut From His Linen"
JXYD3N feat. HIJACK – “Promise Me”
De La Cruz - "Hey Son (Freestyle)"
Diomer feat. nobigdyl. and DJ Ant G - "Dialed In"
Don Ready – “Don’t Play”
DANMAR feat. Christopher Syncere – “ALL IN”
Opto Music x SRE - "Call You Back"
Titus Haskins – “Old (Sped Up)”
Zachary Heider – “Forget about you”
Razzie feat. Adrion Butler x KELO x ASAP Preach - "Smoke"
Ray 2K - "Just Like Him"
Austin Lanier – “GLP”
Aluis - "In Between"
Jack Frazier – “Baby Girl”
ic3rd x Rae Ronson - "Keep It Real"
Larell x Snipes - "Concrete Babylon"
LAMB CULTURE x Yinkah - "Your Way"
Kushim - "New Language"
Hunterdrinkswater – “So Grateful”
DreBeeze Da Godson - "Right Back"
Elijah Kyle x PFV – “Borrowed Time”
Prafit Josiah - "What You Expect?"
Cade Kellum - "Idols"
Blake Whiteley feat. Brianna Caprice - "Sirens"
Vennisay – “EYES STUCK”
Tyler Rootz x CRU ALXNDR - "Fire"
Foreword Nation x Doctrynal x Brenx – “Cuadro de Mentira”
DJ Network - "GET RIGHT"
Nissim Black – “SPEED DIAL”
Churemi – “AYO”
JAN DAN – “Say That You Want Me”
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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