Christian-influenced hip-hop has existed as far back as the 1980s, where artists/groups such as Stephen Wiley, MC Peace, and D.O.C. (Disciples of Christ) have made their mark in the rap game. Recently, the rap scene has taken notice of a few hip-hop artists who exemplify their Christian faith, such as Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Derek Minor, KB, Social Club Misfits, Dee-1, and Propaganda, all who have gained recognition through their relevancy, their impact, and most importantly, their ability to rhyme. But even through the love and positives, people still shy away from artists that express their Christian faith openly due to the stereotypes that are imposed. One of the key contributors to this cause is the constant label of "Christian rappers" instead of rappers who are Christian, which instantly implies to people that their music is not relevant and only intended for the Christian audience. But hopefully this short list of hip-hop artists will be able to change your perspective on Christian-influenced rap and convince you that you can still enjoy the music, even if you're not a Christian.
1. Ki’Shon Furlow.
Started by gaining notice through rap battling, Ki’Shon Furlow made his debut through DFW Battle League, where he incorporates his faith with clever wordplay and rhyme schemes. Signed with Collision Records after several successful battles, Ki’Shon released his free album “Keep an Open Mind” and has appeared on multiple songs from varying artists, including “YNG X DTRMD” by Zach Banes and “Thinking Caps” by Street Hymns. He utilizes heavily on the trap sound and exposes his introspection and life experiences with clever language and deep metaphors. He's also a huge fan of anime and Pokémon.
2. NF.
Born in Saginaw, Michigan, NF comes from a broken household in which his mother passed away due to an overdose on drugs. His music tends to be dark and gritty, capturing much of his past experiences as an adolescent and how it has impacted his life. Almost like a descendant of Eminem, his blunt language and aggressive tone makes his message all the more real on the struggles and pain he has faced thus far. NF's current discography contains a self-titled EP (“NF”) and three studio albums: “Moments,” “Mansion,” and his most recent work, “Therapy Session,” which he speaks about his family, failed relationships, struggle to make a living, and faith in Christ.
3. Jackie Hill Perry.
Originally a spoken word poet, Jackie Hill Perry’s performed pieces, such as “Jig-a-Boo” and “My Life as a Stud” during the Passion 4 Christ Movement (P4CM) garnered her the attention of Portland, Oregon-based hip-hop label Humble Beast, and she eventually signed with them as an artist. Perry’s enormous library of vocabulary and complex rhymes invoke thought-provoking themes within her verses, making her an extremely talented lyricist due to her practice of poetry writing. Her only album so far, “The Art of Joy,” sheds light on her experiences involving sexual abuse, homosexuality, and drug/pornography addiction.
At the end of the day, every rapper believes in something, religious or not; these rappers just so happen to express what they believe in through the use of rhymes and beats. If you don't like what you hear, then that's totally fine -- after all, music is art, and art is subjective.
For more Christian-influenced hip-hop, click here.
Ki'Shon Furlow:
Website // Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloud // Instagram
NF:
Website // Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloud // Instagram // YouTube
Jackie Hill Perry:
Website // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube
