Tag: hip hop

J.C. Crew was a hip-hop trio that was a one-and-done situation. They released Serious Bizness on Pakaderm/Word (with mainstream distribution through Epic) in 1991, and then more or less disappeared. Nevertheless, there are a few notable things about the project. The album features a danceable, funky style of hip-hop that was common at the time, meant to rock the party. However, the rapping was actually quite good too. One of the members, Maximillian later released album Deeper than Most through N-Soul in 1997, after a season with T-Bone’s Organized Rhyme Crew.… Continued →

This sure to be controversial song is from a rapper who has released a lot of tunes over the past few years. Per the Holy Culture site, “Isaiah Robin is an artist whose heart is solely for God. He makes music to lift you Spiritually and bring you closer to the Lord. Lyrics filled with revelation he writes as he is led, a true disciple of our Lord & savior Yeshua Hamashiach.” Check out these thought provoking lyrics below & also his media including his podcast.… Continued →

Most of us first heard sintax.the.terrific as a member of hip-hop supergroup Deepspace5, a massive rap cypher featuring members of Mars Ill, Labklik, The Pride, and Ill Harmonics. The group’s debut hit stores in 2001 via Uprok Records (the hip-hop sublabel of Tooth & Nail Records). sintax’s first solo album released in 2006 for Illect Recordings, interestingly enough, run by the former head of the short-lived Uprok, Josh Niemyjski. That is, of course, if we don’t count his 2003 indie release. What’s cool about “Moonlighting” is the autobiographical take on being an independent Christian rapper by night, while being a real-life lawyer by day.… Continued →

Every Day Life, commonly known as E.D.L., was an early innovator in the rap-core scene, fusing hip-hop and hardcore into something new, several years before it morphed into nu metal and became ubiquitous on rock radio. The band came from Southern California, and while musically innovative (our featured track also has a slight nod to industrial), they were also not afraid to touch controversial subjects in their lyrics, especially those related to racial relations in the United States, and other social topics and justice-related issues. Their debut album cover featured a scene from the L.A.… Continued →

TUNNEL RATS return right here in 2024 with first new song in nearly 2 decades. Check out the song and music video for the new single, “We On Top”, below. What do you think? [Pic from Rapzilla.com]… Continued →

SoCal rapper Peace 586 (born Rene Vasquez) has been hitting the hip-hop game hard since the late 80s (first as M.C. Peace), as a member of the seminal and innovative Freedom of Soul, and through numerous collaborations with artists like S.F.C., Jon Gibson, Scott Blackwell, J.C. and the Boyz, and many others. He went solo following the break-up of Freedom of Soul and released his first solo album in 1996. As impressive as that is, what’s even more impressive is the fact that he’s still been active as recently as 2023, releasing a full-length solo album on his own label.… Continued →

Join Newselph and Illect Recordings for a free listening party to celebrate If It Ain’t Broke, Remix It (vinyl & digital). Come along to listen to the music with the artist and chat about the making of the album. If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It features an incredibly lengthy list of collaborations including K.I.N.E.T.I.C., Sareem Poems, Sivion, Rel McCoy, Ozay Moore and many others. Follow the link below to RSVP: https://illect.bandcamp.com/merch/if-it-aint-broke-remix-it-listening-party… Continued →

This LA hip hop band was awesome back in the day. They were formed by vocalist Ahmad who actually released his first song back in ’93 when he was only 17. They have worked with mainstream artists Black Eyed Peas & KRS-One amongst others. This catchy track features turntables & a very cool synth line. … Continued →

1. Lacey Sturm – Kenotic Metanoia: This November Lacey Sturm released her first album in nearly 8 years. To say it was worth the wait is an understatement. If it’s going to take 8 years to release a new album, this is the caliber release you want to shoot for. Lacey sounds as good as ever and has dropped an exceptional album here. It easily outshines her previous release, Life Screams, and is, in my opinion, her best work to date, including her material with Flyleaf.… Continued →

Early Christian rap is a thing of beauty. Similarly to mainstream rap, early examples–though they give insight to the development of the genre–often suffer from simplistic lyrics, weak production, and/or rapping styles that are now outdated and sound lazy by today’s standards. However, we must remember that the genre took decades to develop. In fact, the early 90s were a tough era for the style. It had started to become mainstream and risked disappearing into a subgenre of pop music until it was rescued by gangsta rap and alternative rap a few years later, pushing the genre to new styles and heights, though not without controversy.… Continued →

One of the larger, more legendary cyphers in Christian hip-hop, L.A. Symphony came to us from where else but Los Angeles. They emerged in the late 90s with a few 12″ singles and a full-length album on member Flynn Adam Atkins’ own independent label Eartube Empire, via which Flynn had also released a full-length solo album earlier. The group’s breakthrough came in the form of 2003’s The End is Now for Gotee Records. I had the privilege of booking/hosting the group for a youth event in Atlanta in the mid-2000s.… Continued →

Dallas rapper Sivion has a new record coming out in September, this time a collaboration with Malex. The LP version comes on a beautiful translucent red vinyl, and digital versions will be available too. Pre-orders for both are live now, as well as 3 songs ready for listening. https://illect.bandcamp.com/album/str8-shot… Continued →

Gawvi aka Gabriel Azucena has parents from El Salvador & the Dominican Republic. He was raised a Christian & it shows though his lyrics. Check him out.   … Continued →

The most legendary holy hip-hop cipher of them all? Perhaps. Tunnel Rats’ debut Experience (1996) was truly mind-blowing. It’s one of those rare albums where the line between art and artist was completely blurred, if it even existed in the first place. The lyrics (as well as the passion behind them) reflected absolute love of hip-hop music and culture, and absolute love of God and his Gospel. Very few artists, very few albums or artistic endeavors reach that climax of full integration where neither the message nor the artistic medium was compromised in any way whatsoever.… Continued →

Hip-hop stalwarts Illect Recordings, brainchild of Josh Niemyjski (Sphere of Hip Hop, Illect, Uprok), have released a brand new playlist on YouTube of all instrumental, jazzy, turtablist hip-hop. Great for studying, background sounds, or even to practice your own rhyming skills over the top of the beats. Check it out below.… Continued →

This will be confusing, but appears there are 2 Christian rappers that call themselves Double M. One is an Egyptian that you can find more about on Reverbnation & this one that has done a few songs I have enjoyed over the years. This one came out circa early 2000s & is really hard to find much about him. Appears he made 3 LPs in his run. I have always loved this song’s lyrics so listen closely.   … Continued →

Rap music in the early 90s was making huge breakthroughs into both mainstream pop music and Gospel music, all the while splintering into dozens of subgenres: gangsta rap, new jack swing, Miami bass, among the most prominent. Tulsa locals D.O.C., AKA Disciples of Christ were fluent in the Philadelphia-based new jack swing sound, a combination of hip-hop, urban contemporary pop, and R&B/soul sounds. Alton Hood and Kevin Harvey met in college before they knew the Lord. Having dabbled in the party lifestyle, and even in the occult, they turned their lives over to Christ through a miraculous intervention of God.… Continued →

Nigerian based “Afrogospel” artist – Limoblaze, just signed to Reach Records and has released his label debut “Sunday in Lagos” yesterday. Check out some songs below and make sure to head to your favorite streaming service to give Limoblaze a listen. I posted the signing video featuring some background on Limoblaze and his music. This is great stuff!… Continued →

Rising West Coast hip hop star – Miles Minnick, is back at it again with a hot new track titled “Chokehold” with Emanuel Tha Prophet. His new record “Holographic” drops worldwide on November 11th! Check out the song below.… Continued →

Not much is known about this underground hip-hop crew. Their recorded output consists of two independent releases: a cassette demo from 1997, and a full-length CD in 2004 with the moniker shortened to simply “Remnant” (not to be confused with the indie rock band that eventually became Exeter Flud). It was in 1997 or 98 that my good friend Jay (AKA DJ Deikon) who was huge into underground holy hip-hop introduced me to them. I was immediately intrigued by their creative backing tracks and atypical lyrical flow.… Continued →

I don’t write much on Hip Hop on here, but this song is very catchy. Elzakiah is based out of Fort Wayne, IN & appears he only released 4 songs. … Continued →

IMHO my bro Dirt is the best rapper of all time. He has collaborated with other musicians over the years including P.O.D.’s jam Breathe Babylon. I see him at this festival i go to as much as I can & hang. Week ago I was treated to him preaching finally. Check his stuff out. I dare you. And check out his Word Digging stuff his YouTube channel.   … Continued →

Rapper Braille (born Bryan Winchester) has been making hip-hop since at least 1998, first as a solo artist and then additionally as a member of Lightheaded (featured in an earlier Song of the Day), Acts 29, and most recently the worshipful project Beautiful Eulogy. The Portland-based rapper has released just under a dozen albums, including independent releases, a Japanese import, and a collaboration with Symbolyc One, not including his work in the aforementioned cyphers. Although I’d heard of him through his association with Syntax Records, it was his 6th album Box of Rhymes where I was first introduced to his music.… Continued →

Check out this new Lecrae song titled “Spread The Opps”. You can view the music video below and give the song a listen. “Church Clothes Vol. 4” coming soon!… Continued →

A rising young rapper in his own right – Miles Minnick, just dropped a killer new track with WHATUPRG titled “Steppin'” and it’s out now on all digital networks via Reach Records. Check out the official music video for the song, below.… Continued →

Manafest is back with one of his best songs of late and it’s a deeply emotional one. Check out the music video for the new song with Unsecret titled “Teardrops” featuring the talents of Greylee.… Continued →

A fairly new California rapper by the name of Miles Minnick, just dropped his new song with Bizzle called “GHOST”. It’s a hot one and I think a lot of fans of the genre will be all over this. Watch the music video below and you can stream the new song on all digital networks right now.… Continued →

Check out this great new music video from 1K Phew that is sure to make a couple people run and hide. Watch out Karen. Music video for “The Offering” can be found below.… Continued →

Propaganda is my favorite rapper whom I have officially seen & hung with twice. I’ve been listening to him since his days with Tunnel Rats & have every one of his albums if that tells you anything. You can also check out my other faves NF & Dirt. He is steadily going still & I am currently reading his Terraform book. This thought provoking SOTD is my fave & you can read the lyrics below. Once I heard this Middle Eastern carpenter say, “You know, the healthy don’t need doctors.” … Continued →

If anyone asked me to name my favorite Christian hip-hop project of all time, it is without a doubt Brainwash Projects, and their sole album The Rise and Fall of . . . . Perhaps the album title was a hint at how long the project would last, and we all just missed it at the time. Rise and Fall had everything: lyrical witticisms, dope beats, funky rhymes, and humor by the bucketloads. While the whole album is worth listening to straight through without skipping any tracks, one of the strongest singles is “Want for Nada,” a testimony to God’s faithfulness.… Continued →