Few artists blend ministry and music as seamlessly and intentionally as Sean Rodriguez. Formerly known as Sean Be, the Christian rapper-turned-worship leader has stepped into a bold new season, bringing with him a message of hope, identity, and God’s victory in every circumstance. In this heartfelt and energetic conversation with NewReleaseToday’s Bradden Ford, Sean opens up about his journey from full-time pastoral ministry to sharing the gospel through arenas across the country.

From his roots in Christian hip hop to finding his voice on the Winter Jam tour, Sean shares how mentorship, faith, and a heart for people shaped his calling. With the release of his powerful new EP Jesus Will, which blends rock, rap, and worship unexpectedly, Sean is making waves across genres while keeping Christ at the center of it all. His chart-topping single “It Is Finished” and anthems like “Honey” and “Jesus Will” show his heart not only for musical excellence but for reaching people wherever they are.

Whether you’re already a fan or discovering Sean Rodriguez for the first time, this interview is a deep and inspiring look at an artist fully surrendered to God’s plan. Watch the full video interview below and be encouraged by a story that’s still being written—one song, one soul, one season at a time.

Sean, it's great to have you here. For those who may not know you yet, can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your music journey?

Sean Rodriguez: Yeah, absolutely. My name is Sean Rodriguez. In 2023, my music career took off when I had the blessing of going on the Winter Jam tour. At the time, I was performing under the name Sean B. The “B” stood for “Be”—as in a call to action. I’d always tell people from the stage, “God created you to be something only you can be. So be it.” That was the heart behind the name. I started in Christian hip hop, but over time God began opening new doors and giving me a broader vision for ministry through music.

That’s powerful. What was it like going from the early days of finding your voice to suddenly being on one of the biggest Christian tours in the country?

It was unreal. Before 2023, I was a family pastor, so full-time ministry was my world. I don’t think God took me out of ministry to do music—I believe He expanded the platform. The songs, the arenas, the excitement were amazing, but the real impact came afterward. Meeting people, hearing their stories... realizing that God was moving in their lives just as powerfully as He was in mine. That rocked me. It reminded me that God is God in everyone’s story.

That’s what makes your music so special—it’s more than just sound, it’s ministry. Your track “Step Into My Story” really stood out to me. What inspired the recent name change from Sean B to Sean Rodriguez?

There were a few reasons. First, my grandfather has been a pastor for over 40 years and has shown me what it means to pursue God’s calling relentlessly. Using my real name was a way to honor the ministry legacy that started with him. Second, I wanted to fully integrate who I am—pastor, artist, communicator—into one identity. As a family pastor, I had to break down messages for all ages. Now I want my music to speak to everyone too, no matter their background. Changing to Sean Rodriguez was like saying, “I’m all in. This is ministry. This is me.”

That’s so intentional. Looking back, how do you see God preparing you for this season through your time in church ministry?

Oh man, in so many ways. Learning to communicate with people, to pray with them, to walk with them in hard moments—all of that came from pastoring. Even handling challenges, defending my faith, dealing with different personalities... it all prepared me. God allowed me to go through that season so I’d be ready for this one.

Let’s talk about the new EP, Jesus Will. It’s full of hope, but also very diverse musically. What’s the story behind it?

Jesus Will is all about hope in the promises of God. Even the title track—though it’s more somber—ends with the assurance that Jesus will come through. Every song carries a message of God’s victory, not ours. I also wanted to reflect my pastoral heart in how I approached it. Just like in ministry, I wanted each song to speak to different people in different ways. If “It Is Finished” isn’t your style, maybe “Honey” is. Regardless of the sound, the message stays the same: hope in Jesus.

Speaking of “It Is Finished”—that track was number one for eight weeks! It’s such a wild blend of genres. What went into making it?

We had so much fun with that one. There were no rules. We just said, “Let’s do whatever sounds cool next.” That’s why it has pop, rock, even hip hop elements. And having Kevin Young from Disciple jump on it? Unreal. We recorded it right here at We Rock Studios. Kevin’s heart for ministry and the gospel is what made that collaboration so meaningful for me. It was like joining forces with someone whose mission matches mine.

I love how the song is even reaching people outside of Christian music circles.

Exactly! I’ve had people comment things like, “Catchy tune, but God is just a fictional character.” And I’m like—man, if this song is stuck in your head, you’re literally singing about the glory of God. That’s a seed planted. Even if they don’t believe yet, the message is working on their heart. That’s what makes all of this worth it.

So good. What’s next for Sean Rodriguez? What can fans look forward to?

So much! We just finished rehearsals for the upcoming tour, and we’ve completely reimagined the show. It’s full of new moments, new mixes—really intentional ministry moments too. Tour announcements are coming soon. I’m writing a lot, getting new music ready, but really I just want to go. I want to be with people, hear their stories, pray with them, be present. That’s what I’m most excited abo

Amazing. Any prayer requests as you step into this next chapter?

Yeah, one thing I’ve really been praying about is supernatural endurance. I want to give God my best in everything—on stage, at home, spiritually. It takes a lot of energy, and I just want to stay excellent in all areas of life. So prayer for that endurance would mean a lot.

You’ve got it, man. We’ll be praying and cheering you on. If you're reading this and haven’t checked out Sean Rodriguez yet, do it. Whether you love pop, rap, or rock—he’s got something for you.

This interview was transcribed and edited with the help of ChatGPT, OpenAI, May 22, 2025.