#225 - Lanell Grant, nobigdyl., Kieran the Light, & More...
NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, April 18, 2025. (Banner Photo: LaNell Grant)
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.
Lanell Grant - "More Than Ever Lately" Houston-native LaNell Grant “raises the bar” with her award-winning artistry, production talents, and rapping skill set. She demands respect on the mic while compiling an array of intricate bars coupled with empowerment, grace, life lessons and a bit of everything in between. Faith collides with artistic prowess as Grant’s unique sound and creative blends are impossible to ignore.
In the first quarter of 2025, Grant has already masterfully released seven singles from her Even.biz exclusive album titled, My Name Is Nell. She’s only scratched the surface of the included 18 tracks. “More Than Ever Lately” details certain behaviors and habits which have repeated more than usual these days. Grant slides on the track with ease speaking about her faith, her trails, and connects audiences directly to her daily processes of thoughts. Stream “More Than Ever Lately” onSpotify and Apple Music.
nobigdyl. x Kato On The Track feat. Project Pat - "NEVER GOING BACK" Bottom line, indie tribe.’s nobigdyl. and the entire collective defines CHH. Reach Records must recognize real, as the tribe shares the spotlight with Lecrae and his talented, multi-cultural roster. As usual, dyl. is breaking barriers collaborating with iconic Memphis legend mainstream rapper Project Pat. The single stands as a hard-hitting collaboration between Tennessee’s finest. Kato On The Track handcrafted a Midwest soundscape banger separated from the CHH space which tends to rarely “jump the fence” musically. More than just a musical link, dyl. and Project Pat find common ground in their journeys of faith and redemption, blending their voices both sonically and spiritually. Cinemaddox, as usual, pieced together a visual playground serving as the landscape for this sensational collaboration and industry commonalities. Stream “NEVER GOING BACK” on Spotify and Apple Music.
Raising the Bar EP by Kieran the Light
Louisiana-based rapper and songwriter Kieran the Light drops his second project of 2025. Breaking the molds of the standard in CHH, he hasn’t released any singles this year yet remains focused on what projects bring to audiences. A deeper connection with listeners, storytelling abilities, transparency, and a broader picture of what artistry means to Kieran. Raising the Bar is a lyrical-focused outlook on throughout the six-track offering. He’s on a Proverbs 14:23 mindset based the fruits of hard work, determination and motivation.
My favorites track is “LOOK AT THE SMILE.” Check out the dope visuals below along with the precise delivery. The beauty of Kieran’s delivery is his mastery of wordplay. All the included material is a massive “level up” from him, as he slides on these tracks more than Ricky Henderson in his revered days with the Oakland Athletics. Stream the Raising the Bar EP on Spotify here.
Christcentric feat. The Apologist – “Clash of the Titans Redux (Free Will vs Election)”
JVKE and Tori Kelly – “floating”
Angie Rose feat. Mike Teezy - "Lifeline x3"
Evan Ford – “Pray”
Yung Kriss and Don Ready - "Your Way"
Skema Boy - "No Idols"
Deraj - "Woah"
Sarah Juers – “Shepherd”
R.kitect feat. Da Commissioner and YP aka Young Paul – “Intent 2 Distribute (Remix)”
iNTELLECT feat. Procyse and DJRADIOHEAD – “Made Men”
IMRSQD - "Abacus"
Brenno and K Diamond – “Pit”
Kurtis Hoppie - "Handsome"
Ada Ehi feat. Frank Edwards and Limoblaze – “Otua (Like This)”
Stevie Rizo - "Order My Steps"
Era James feat. QEW – “Shook”
Xavier Sorrow – “Who Fears Who”
Saint James – “Deep”
Arik Nelson - "Not Impossible"
TXSH feat. Lynnea - "Go Getter"
Procyse and JusJames – “Brand New”
Prodigyl – “Lord of All”
John Michael Howell - "No Place Like You"
Shiwan – “Running Away”
Chris Elijah – “MURDER SHE WROTE”
Kelo - "Don't Let Me Fall"
Red Tips - "All of Me"
Azeekah – “Father I’m Sorry”
Tylan1K - "The Rock"
Joshua Penn – “Hidden”
SB Tone – “Special Delivery”
Y Shadey - "Holy Spirit Freestyle"
Drenae – “Can’t Be Cold”
Jalen Williams feat. Joey Vantes - "Get It"
Rio 24K - "Undefeated Freestyle"
Evvie McKinney feat. DOE – “Believe in Jesus”
Marqus Anthony and DreBeeze Da Godson – “Stone Rolled Away”
Nu Tone feat. Kidd Lee and Tds Cam – “Come Back Home”
Luke Hopp – “HOLD YOU”
G3RM 43 - "PRESSURE"
Allen Thomas and Jondo – “Real”
Vennisay – “MAKE IT MAKE SENSE”
Dana Shine - "He's Good"
okay troy and grantdakidd – “AESTHETIC”
Jay Manwell – “Praise Your Name”
Caleb Conley - "Amazing Grace"
Coram Deo feat. Arlo Blue – “THAT LIFE”
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. Contributor of NRT since 2016.
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