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 to listen to all the latest.
My Life is a Beautiful Mess by Aklesso Good City Music's Aklesso has released his highly-anticipated debut album after a detailed rollout including four singles and a documentary video accompanying the single "Worst Year." Also, he's been featured on several singles, in the CHH community, throughout 2020 lending the voice of transparency, culture, and activism to the masses. Aklesso is a kindred soul, wise behind his years; such is evident in his creative art carved through music. MLBM represents God's faithfulness, direction, mercy, and grace interjected into Aklesso's journey through life. Standout tracks from the album include "Worst Year," "Wilderness," and "Halo." His lethal combination of harmonic worship, aesthetic rhyme schemes, and impressive vocal range throughout add a verbal aroma unique to him on the debut album. The overall production coupled with brilliant instrumentation, eclectic soundscapes, and sprinkles of soulful vibes complement the talent behind the artist exceedingly. Aklesso's spiritual and talent progression from his 2017 EP Dead God until present day is encouraging and a testament to the rewards available to those who dedicate long hours to their God-given craft. Foolies rejoice, the debut has arrived and stamps only the beginning for Aklesso's bright future.
Happy Thoughts EP by Andy Mineo
Reach Records' heavyweight rapper Andy Mineo presents an EP to wrap up 2020 on a positive note, Happy Thoughts. It's an in-between project splitting up the Neverland series based on his creative field trip with Miner League to Japan in 2019. The EP includes two previously unreleased tracks "Mangia (Ramen & Rhymin')" and "Momma Told Me." The other tracks were released as singles between August and December of this year. Highlights from the EP include "Willy" featuring nobigdyl., "Jackson Pollock," and "Mangia (Ramen & Rhymin')." The visuals presented with each of the singles tagged with their lyrical and instrumental contents may present this creative art from Andy as some of his best to date since the release of Uncomfortable in 2015. "Jackson Pollock" even received the Remix Contest treatment via TikTok. In the end, winners included Reflection Music Group's Canon, L3XDIVINE, Monster Tarver, Just Juice, and label mate Wordsplayed. The eclectic mindset of the creative is highlighted throughout the journey of this EP. Mineo's overall rollout and history behind each track as seen on social media outlets was top notch. Once again, we gain insight into Mineo's spirit of excellence exhibited on each piece of art created musically and visually.
Mogli the Iceburg - "Coke in the 80's" The multi-talented artist, Mogli the Iceburg, from the indie tribe collective blesses his fanbase with a short, yet impressive track. The visuals contained in the video featured below were directed by Nate Rose and David Elijah Piersaul. Mogli brings straight lyrical heat affirming his domination across genres regardless if referred to as hip-hop, rock, or whatever box people try to limit him within. Mogli dropped one of the dopest projects mid-year titled, Sad People Make Dope Music 2. This latest single showcases Mogli's rooted talent in hip-hop and sparks debate of how amazing of an actor he may be one day adding to his renaissance man-like talent field. The only complaint is the track's length as a devout indie tribe. fan like myself would love to see a 3-4 minute track display of Mogli going bar-for-bar. The tribe. is definitely opening some eyes.
