NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, November 12, 2021. (Photo: Rockstar JT)
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.
Self-Titled (Culture Villains) EP by Culture Villains
Representing Virginia, Culture Villains is a team of talented, high-caliber artists bringing awareness and precision to the hip-hop and R&B spaces collectively. KHAM, CZAR Josh, K. J. Carter, and Big Yae are the artists included in this collective. The team borrows from the Reflection Music Group (RMG) and Reach Records with a sync partnership for this release empowering the tracks to be placed in some high-profile markets all to the glory of God's faithfulness.
Standout tracks include "All Out" and "Get It Going." The tracks include crazy baselines, witty wordplay, an insane level of energy, and examples of teamwork and brotherhood how the rappers feed off each other exchanging bar for bar to near perfection. The EP makes for a fantastic gym or workout playlist too. Stream the EP on Spotify here.
Arik Nelson - "870"
Another young and rising rapper, Arik Nelson hails from Arkansas at the age of 22. I discovered him as a featured artist on a pair of George.Rose singles this year. "870" is Nelson's second single released in 2021. The track has a feel of a freestyle due to the showcase of bars between verses. As he gains notoriety in the CHH space, he provided background on him within the lyrics paired with witty wordplay. Nelson is definitely one to watch in the coming months. Stream "870" on Spotify here.
Rockstar JT - "334"
Alabama native Rockstar JT drops his fourth single of 2021. His testimony, life journey, and strong faith make him one of my favorites in the CHH space. He lives and breaths organic trap music similar to the likes of Thi'sl, Reconcile, and Corey Paul. The creative aspect of not being repetitive between tracks is each record has a taste of genuine. Some keys here. Some horns there or strategically-placed melodies. The latest single is no different. You have keys of ivory stamped throughout the production adding flavor competing with the steady high hat. JT reps his hometown even though he has a love/hate relationship with the region, but home is home. Stream "334" on Spotify here.
