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.
indie tribe. - "HOLY SMOKE!"
After the departure of WHATUPRG and Jarry Manna from the original collective, indie tribe. reassembled this month with the new additions of Jon Keith and DJ Mykael V. It’s only right they released a new single to affirm the quad of talented rappers and a DJ equipped with a “bar”graphy of witty wordplay, fire harmonies, and an arsenal of weekend anthems ready to unleash. “Holy Smoke!” introduced the tag team heavyweights nobigdyl. and Jon Keith. Some highlights of the single were lines like, “I’m married to the dream like my first name Coretta” and “Ain’t no junkie in my DNA, but I got the juice.” Produced by Wow Eli and 1995, the beat goes so, so hard! I can’t pinpoint the soundscape mediums used, but it’s a complete vibe! If this is a preview of what’s to arrive this summer from indie tribe., buckle up. Listen to “Holy Smoke!” on Spotify here.
V.Rose - "Better Things To Do"
V.Rose has been a constant in the CHH space for over a decade. Lately, she's been making huge waves in the space with a pair of new adventures. She started a label titled, Indie West Music Group and a Designer Clothing line by the name of "Church Baby." Oh yeah, and she still makes dope music. Her latest single speaks to following her purpose through Christ instead of falling into the traps of dead-end relationships and dating nightmares. It's an encouragement to young and older women alike that God has a design for relationships as opposed to the 101 games men and women play daily. I enjoyed the slowed-down tempo and electric keyboard sonic soundscape captured too. Listen to "Better Things To Do" on Spotify here.
Battz - "Food for Thought"
Nashville's Battz is one of the premier up-and-coming rappers in the space. Only 19, he has more creative energy than most vets in the rap game. With this track alone, he produced, engineered, and shot the video on his own. A modern-day renaissance man. "Food for Thought" is basically a bar-heavy freestyle-like track stapling his talents as a lyricist. Battz isn't here just to gas himself and his life, but to glorify God and use his talents for the Kingdom. "Life blew up as I grew up" accents one of the lines spoken highlighting how our youth are forced to grow up far too fast in the type of society we're living in currently. Listen carefully to catch all of the crafty rhyme schemes. Oh, and the beat? Absolutely a heater! Listen to "Food for Thought" on Spotify here.
