Know Your Christian Rappers: a Christianity Today Breakdown

Just had the opportunity to tackle a fun assignment for Christianity Today: profile several of the most prolific gospel rap artists. Cat, meet catnip.

CT just published the piece, which is a sidebar to Russ Moore’s cover story on the Christian hip hop movement (presently behind the paywall). My shorter piece covers Lecrae, Trip Lee (photo), Shai Linne, Propaganda, Beautiful Eulogy, Alex Medina, and Tyshane. Here’s an excerpt:

Lecrae’s versatility is reminiscent of Jay-Z’s, though like much of the contemporary gospel rap movement, Lecrae’s primary sound is Southern, not East Coast. Throughout his career, he has favored big bass and big hooks (choruses), though his recent album, Gravity, uses numerous sonic templates.

The past few years were remarkable for Lecrae. With about 600,000 followers, his Twitter account shows him popping up all over the place, from numerous nba locker rooms to Michael Jordan’s 50th birthday party. But despite his accomplishments he locates his satisfaction in Christ alone. Outside of Jesus, he tweeted, “nothing and no one . . . will ever satisfy a heart designed for God.”

Here’s the whole thing.