#175 - Steven Malcolm, Marty, nobigdyl., & More...
NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo: Steven Malcolm)
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.
BOATS (Based On A True Story) by Steven Malcolm 4 Against 5's Steven Malcolm releases his fourth project since 2017; his most transparent to date. BOATS takes listeners on a personal journey to "Away"; an oasis build for the chosen and run by the redeemed. Malcolm travels through translucent proverbrial still and rough waters, storms and calm seas as well as adventures in between. Personal favorite tracks are "Paper Plane," "10 On 11," and "Life Of A Rider." The 16-track collection embraces sounds of worship, energetic anthems, and a steady mixture of various genres and cultures. The project was produced by Dayme and Scootie. Embark on the remincsed life-long journey with Malcolm by listening to BOATS on Spotify here.
Also, you can read my complete site review of the album here.
Marty (of Social Club Misfits) feat. Derek Minor - "NOPE" Independent once again (under his own label - APOLLO), Marty from Social Club Misfits teams up with Reflection Music Group's Derek Minor for what may contend for single of the year. Marty's first single of 2024 dropped last month featuring McKenna Johns from The Young Escape titiled, "IN MY ROOM." That single steadily remains on repeat to this day, as I have a feeling the same fate is in store for "NOPE."
The track opens with a clip from international comedian Shama (@SHAMA4LIFE). Also, the track was produced solely by Marty himself. Few realize that Minor and Marty are two premier producers in the CHH space. Over the course of the last year, Marty has grew his production bag exponentially. These two haven't collaborated since Minor's Empire on the song "Party People" nearly a decade ago in 2015. The single pours out energy while laced with catchy wordplay pushing listeners to remain confident in the Power of our God. Stream "NOPE" on Spotify and Apple Music.
nobigdyl. - "CHECK!"
All lower case with a period, indie tribe.'s nobigdyl. drops his first solo single of 2024. Tagged as the anti-sellout anthem, Dyllie expresses the freedom found being an independent artist as well as freedom found in our walk with Christ. Regardless of the rewards, payout, or temptation, we're secure in Christ and His Plan for our lives. Produced by bunkerboy, the track has sort of a west coast bounce meets east coast lyricim vibe. Fans of the tribe. already know how Dyllie goes crazy with wordplay. For example, the second verse begins with, "Sent a prayer up to Jehovah, Lord your son is callin' / You call Him God, I call Him Father since I've been adopted / You know freedom when you see it if you've been in bondage / Do not call me by my slave name it's been abolished." Bars, straight bars! Stream "CHECK!" on Spotify and Apple Music.
Calvary Collected x Brenno – “So Much Better” (REMIX)
Shepherd x Guerrero De Cristo x Temperamento – “VICTORY”
Phathom x Copywriter x Bumps INF x Truth InRhyme – “Look At Me Now”
Prodigyl x outr.cty x Scribe Music x Weez the Satellite Kiid x TLS – “Link Up”
Ayo Shamir feat. Selah the Corner x Da Commissioner x Prodi – “Ten Cuidado, Pt. 1”
Arik Nelson - "Vision"
BigGucciDame – “Accuser”
JXYD3N – “Just A Game”
Kevi Morse - "Thank the Lord"
JUDO SAMMY feat. Dante Raddd – “Shocker!”
GodFrame – “Wanna Be Yours”
Baruch x Megan Tossi – “Blah Blah”
Drew Ava – “Let Everything”
Nu Tone feat. Dkg kie - "Street Reach"
The.Lofi.Legend x De'Aris - "Alone"
adamariz – “Lift Me Up (I’m Chosen)”
Wes Harris feat. Ishiah - "Unconditional"
Gavin the HotRod x Levi Parker - "Macho Man"
HYLEM - "Your Love"
Zachary Heider – “Nightmare”
Titus Haskins - "No Problem"
Unbarred – “lost in you”
Austin Joyce - "Church House"
Skema Boy feat. KJ Twin - "DONKEY KONG"
Don Ryvcko – “CHIKIBEIBI”
Sajan Nauriyal - "I NEED U!"
J-Blev x OnBeatMusic – “40 Bars of Yeshua”
Echow Clay x Rehmahz - "By Design" (Special Version)
2’Live Bre feat. Canon – “Too Much”
Coastside x Peair – “About Time”
Survivor Q x Dedge P – “Finish Strong”
LLC Flame – “OCEAN!”
LAMB CULTURE x Monaze x Jvson - "Beautiful"
Shirlvin Desir x Swaggy Jay x Rvivxl - "Hold Me"
J-Heir feat. JJNotA Rapper x Bigike – “Another Rebound”
Foreword Nation – “Nothing Left to Restore”
Zach Klay – “SURPRISE CHILD”
Jack Tyler – “BIGFOOT”
KD3 feat. V.Rose x Jasmine Simone – “See Me”
Mia Pearl x Kingsley - "Sunrise"
Elijah Kyle x Cryptic Wisdom – “DAY IN MY SHOES”
Treyfromnextdoor – “Praying for Amnesia”
Chazn – “Never Lost”
Ray 2K x Kayo Bracey - "Carolina Pack" (Remix)
Lyrical_Levite x Nissi Shalom - "No More"
Virtuous - "Light Shine"
Petrina DeLacey – “Feminine Era”
Ayomilly x Brenno – “STILL DOING WELL”
Tyler Rootz - "I'm Straight"
KD7 - "The Moon"
Joshua Galla is an audiophile hyped about all forms of art in music, but his passion rests behind CHH and soulful vibes. He's a devout husband, father, and child of God. Concerts are his happy place.
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