#62 - Reach Records, Q-Flo, Antoine Bradford, & More...
NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, August 13, 2021. (Photo: Reach Records)
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.
Summer Twenty-One Playlist by Reach Records
Even though Summer 2021 is two-thirds finished, Reach Records rejuvenated summer nights and weekends with 16 energetic, bass-thumping singles. Several up-and-coming independent artists are featured such as Porsha Love, Miles Minnick, IMRSQD, Not Klyde, Jude Barclay, BigBreeze, and others. We finally have new music from Trip Lee. Absent from the Reach roster are Andy Mineo, WHATUPRG, and GAWVI; however, all three are working on new music at the time of the release of the playlist. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised by Lecrae’s heavy involvement appearing on three tracks while he’s finalizing work on Church Clothes 4.
Each track off the playlist offers its own creative juices and energy. Honestly, this year’s playlist competes with the initial version in 2018 as Reach’s best summer compilation of talent and artistry. Stream the Summer Twenty-One playlist on Spotify here.
Q-Flo feat. QEW, Battz, and Selah the Corner - "Key To Life"
New Christian Order's (NCO) Q-Flo teams up with God Over Money's Selah the Corner and indie artists Battz and QEW for a street anthem. The single is rugged, raw, gritty, and unashamed. QEW provides the soulful hook while the other three compile for an onslaught of crazy bars, attitude, and catchy wordplay. The bass line will have trunks rattling harder than Pennsylvania turnpike potholes. This is the type of track played at summer block parties to introduce the masses to the Gospel through quality positive hip-hop. Also, yet another example of why newcomer Battz is going to be a problem in the CHH space. He's definitely considered in many artist-of-the-year (AOTY) conversations. Stream "Key To Life" on Spotify here.
Antoine Bradford feat. Montell Fish - "Break of Dawn"
Humble Beast's Antoine Bradford and soulful Montell Fish finally team up on a single as devout fans have requested such a collaboration for years. Fans can rejoice as no disappointment is found in the finished product. The acoustic and bass guitars drive the track behind powerful vocals harmonizing between Bradford and Fish throughout. The concept is an encouragement that joy shall come in the morning after life's trials and tribulations. Stream "Break of Dawn" on Spotify here.
