Lauren Daigle receives 2X RIAA Platinum® award plus two additional RIAA certifications, Centricity signs Rachel Purcell, Bay Turner, label re-launches imprint, Residence Music
In our special 13th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards (WLA) editorial series, members of the NRT staff discuss this year's nominees. Part 3 of our series begins with a dialogue between NRT Contributors Dwayne Lacy and Joshua Galla, focusing on the categories of The Hype Award and Rap/Urban Song of the Year. Public voting is now open through Friday, January 24, 2025, at WeLoveAwards.com. This awards cycle will conclude with a live ceremony on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at The Factory at Franklin in Franklin, Tennessee, where winners will be announced, and performances will feature top nominees. Tickets for the live event are now on sale here. The Hype Award (Urban Rap/Album of the Year)
Joshua: It’s a solid list, as I can’t think of too many others I’d even want to consider. We have the people we became from nobigdyl. and Come And See. by Torey D’Shaun both from the indie tribe. camp. Then, we swing over to Reach Records for Cry by Hulvey and the self-titled project from Anike (fka Wande). We wrap things up with Swoope’s masterpiece We Go On.
I’m having a hard time picking between the two indie tribe. projects and Swoope’s album which encapsulates grief wholeheartedly. For me, Torey’s is truly “next level”.
Dwayne: Torey man, I’m happy for him! He’s layered with his delivery and concepts.
Joshua: Agreed, I don’t think any other artist in the CHH space sounds like him right now or even in recent years.
Dwayne: Honestly, creativity has been insane in CHH this year. Fans cannot just sit here and sleep on these folks anymore.
Joshua: Even indie tribe. as a whole. Torey, Dyl., Jon, and Mykael; they’re all lightyears ahead of most. Dyl. has literally exploded over the last two years, especially this one being pretty much the MVP of 2024 with the release of four projects and a handful of singles. As much as I rock with Torey’s project, the people we became is just different; in every positive way spoken about.
Dwayne: nobigdyl.’s album was amazing, and he even put out an incredible remix album for it too.
Joshua: Yeah, the Reimagined version went crazy. 350 did his thing!
Dwayne: 350 produced the whole thing? Wow! He did an outstanding job with it.
the people we became is a full album meaning you can listen to it from start to finish and appreciate it. No skips.
Joshua: Even though the Reimagined album is a remix, it’s different. It’s an entirely different listening experience. Between renaming the tracks, re-recording vocals and the inclusion of an entire new song (“Buzzin”), it deserves its own accolades.
Dwayne: Like you said, it’s a vastly different listening experience as I’d forget sometimes listening that it’s just a remix project. Overall, just a different vibe. It put me in a different vein of thought. Combined, the people we became stands alone.
Then, we have Swoope’s We Go On album. It’s powerful. If you’re experiencing any type of mourning or grief, it’s relatable. For me, as you know, I lost my father not long ago, so this album just hits different because of the void in CHH of this type of content. Very few artists speak about personal grief. Swoope gave us therapeutic relief throughout the content.
Joshua: I agree. There are a few songs here and there, but not really a full album that addresses such topics hands on. The way he approached such sensitive topics was amazing and emotional.
Dwayne: Swoope is currently touring with Pastor John O. discussing the backstory of what prompted the content for the album. Swoope’s mother recently passed away as did John’s brother Sam. Sam is from Texas, and I knew him personally. It was a big, big shock to me and a lot of people when he passed as his funeral was packed with people. His death rocked a lot of people, as it basically came out of nowhere. Therefore, Swoope and Pastor John took the audience through a journey of grief throughout the album listening experience.
Switching gears, what are your thoughts on Cry from Hulvey?
Joshua: Honestly, I didn’t give it anywhere near the listening time I gave the others. I’m in the mindset his debut album Christopher was the better album, but in a different way. Cry had its bangers, but there was still a bit too much skippable content. That and the singles, especially “Altar” with Forrest Frank, was just “beat to death” of sort. Don’t get me wrong, as I’m a huge fan of Hulvey and his heart behind the artistry, especially his worship-driven template present on most songs. However, I guess the length (17 tracks) and the lack of time I spent with it coupled with the strength of the other projects nominated makes it move out of contention for me.
Dwayne: It’s an album I need to go back and revisit and listen to more as well. I have a lot of respect for him and I’m a fan too. The singles were massive, and we all may have heard them constantly. I love that he featured Samm Henshaw on a track (“Roses”) from Loudon. He’s a favorite of mine. Also, really enjoyed “Love Like That” as it took off.
Joshua: Also, we have Anike’s self-titled album which we don’t want to leave out. I truly appreciated how it wasn’t all one given style. She had some afro beats on there, Caribbean-style, hip-hop, and drill; a total package. However, another long album capping out at 18 tracks; crazy long.
Dwayne: She’s another trending artist just blossoming. She’s expanded the style of music which defines her as well as her own backstory by reverting to another, more spiritual and grounded identity found in the name Anike. She took the meaning and newfound confidence and introduced the world to her culture, identity and who she choses to be defined as and by rooted in Christ.
Dwayne: I don’t know about the fans, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Cry wins based on individual fan bases and popularity of these artists as a whole in CHH.
Joshua: I wouldn’t be surprised either. Unfortunately, it’s people like us or others in the music industry that appreciate a creative genius like Swoope. Honestly, many fans don’t even realize Swoope is Lecrae’s music director on tour and other artists too.
Dwayne: Exactly! People don’t even know Swoope’s been playing the church organ for too many years to count. He’s a bonafide overall musician/creative. Producer. Artist. Rapper. Instrumentalist. He wears more “hats” than anybody could ever account for, especially behind the scenes. We all know We Go On should be in the top 2 or 3 but will probably get the least number of votes because too many of the mass fanbases are focused on artists from Reach and Reach only. For me, my winner is We Go On by Swoope.
Joshua: I respect that. For me, between the original and the reimagined version, the people we became by nobigdyl. gets my winning vote. I’m hoping the tour this past summer into fall will help dyl. snag some additional votes and surprise me, but I don’t think he’ll be number one overall.
Rap/Urban Song of the Year
Dwayne: Switching gears to the Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year, we have Forrest Frank featuring Caleb Gordon with “God is Good,” then Zauntee’s “Wartime,” followed by Anike and Lecrae’s “Send That” along with Hulvey’s “All For You” wrapping up with gio.’s “with me.”
Joshua: Regardless of our conversation or any other debate, you know anything by Forrest Frank is going to run away with it. I mean, dude is hot right now. So, “God is Good” by Forrest Frank featuring Caleb Gordon will most definitely win.
Dwayne: I know, that’s what I’m saying! The hook is clean as Caleb Gordon did his thing. It’s a great track. However, Zauntee has that zeal and can definitely grab an audience when performing live.
Joshua: Agreed, as I really love the song myself. Zauntee will probably finish last because he just hasn’t picked up the momentum in 2024.
Dwayne: We have that Anike and Lecrae too. Solid track. Also from Reach, Hulvey’s “All For You.” Honestly, my favorite track from him would be either “No Magic” or “Love Like That.” “No Magic” had that choir feel to it like the end of “All For You.” I’m not really familiar with gio. at all.
Joshua: I think Forrest is going to run away with it, but it will be interesting to see how many votes Hulvey gets. I don’t think the other three will be much competition regardless of how good or how much of a vibe the other singles are. Even personally, I’d have to go with Forrest or Hulvey as the winner.
Dwayne: Like I said earlier, Forrest will run away with it. Then, Hulvey second, Anike and Lecrae third. I’m not sure about 4th and 5th since I’m not really familiar with gio. I like Zauntee a lot, but he will probably finish last.
Assembled from the four corners of North America and many other corners in between, the NRTeam comprises staffers whose energy is equally dispersed towards loving and writing about the music they love.
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