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.
Terraform: The People EP by Propaganda The art of terraforming is modifying an environment to make it inhabitable, comfortable to reside within. Propaganda confronts the chaotic times we reside in with the idea of transforming tragedy into beauty. Varying ethnicities are beautiful when love brings all together in the idea of love from our Creator. The musical art form crafted within this EP showcases culture, differences, society norms, and how a "do-over" of sorts is necessary to reset the beauty God birthed in people regardless of their differences.
The opening track "We Are All We Got" is exactly that. An explanation of how a "redo" can restore the strong nation America once stood for. The rhythmic handclaps are infectious. The track molds all of Prop's strengths between spoken word, rhyming, and the mind of a great intellect explaining simple ideas in a profound manner. The first single released a few weeks back, "We Are the Culture" defines the amazing qualities of various cultures and their unique traditions. When combined, so much is available to offer in diversity. Next, "I Was Only 10" brought back the art of storytelling; one of the staples of early hip-hop. It's always been one of Prop's strongest forms of delivery. The next three tracks feature the likes of Swoope, Lecrae, and V. Rose. I'll save my breakdown of these tracks for the formal review of the EP. Just know, this is a must-listen from start to finish. Also, the EP requires multiple listens to truly dial into the knowledge Prop is laying down. From his early days grouped with the Tunnel Rats to present day, Prop has dominated two decades of hip-hop culture narrating straight from the streets to our eardrums. A soundtrack of wisdom critical to every hip-hop head. Listen to Terraform: The People EP on Spotify here.
Tre'Gadd x Swaizy - "Basement Barz"
Independents Tre'Gadd (Pennsylvania) and newcomer Swaizy (Hawaii) drop a freestyle-like vibe providing bars a-plenty throughout the entire track. No harmonies or autotune can be spotted here, as it's just solid sixteens one after another. Each artist showcases their lyrical talents on blast throughout. The two distinct flows have intersected before on other singles "Off the Walls" and featured on Connor Pierson's "We Won't Stop II." Listen to "Basement Barz" on Spotify here.
Miles Minnick x Wande - "Yee!"
The rollout for the concept behind this single was creative and engaging between fanbases of each artist. Check out Miles Minnick and Wande's Instagram profiles for the backstory. It's worth the research, trust me. Minnick dropped an EP titled Miles this year and the momentum hasn't stopped. He's known for his catchy, energetic tracks perfect for road trips with your friends on weekends. Relatable lyrics, notable features, and a unique sound have defined Minnick over the past year. "Yee!" is just a fun track expressing how blessings continuously fall on him while he's faithful day-to-day. His fan base, Glo Nation, shows up big anytime a new release is on the radar. The radiance expressed on this track proves the future is spotlight bright for Minnick moving forward. After this year, his name will be notable regardless of the circles you belong to. Listen to "Yee!" on Spotify here.
