Rising Christian music artist Sean Rodriguez is breaking genre boundaries with his new EP “Jesus Will,” drawing inspiration from his background as a family pastor and inner-city upbringing.
Rodriguez’s musical approach intentionally spans multiple genres, including rock, pop, and hints of hip hop, reflecting his desire to create music that connects across generations. “I wanted my music to reflect my ministry in that I would have a song with a message for everybody,” Rodriguez said.
The artist credits TobyMac as his primary musical inspiration, admiring the veteran performer’s ability to consistently reinvent his sound. “TobyMac does that so well. TobyMac’s next song will not sound like his last song, which didn’t sound like (the one before that),” Rodriguez explained.
His musical journey began during an intense Winter Jam tour, where he performed 40 cities in three months, driving himself between venues. During this challenging period, Rodriguez received crucial mentorship from Kevin and Josiah Prince of the band Disciple, who provided critical encouragement during his professional struggles.
“God wants you to be here. Let him equip you, and you do what you do well,” Rodriguez recalled Prince telling him. This advice helped him overcome significant mental challenges and recommit to his musical calling.
“That kind of turned things around for me, and through that season and just kind of praying, I was like, ‘Okay, God wants me to follow that’,” he said. “And God put me here for a reason, so let’s commit to it. And I started to climb back up out of that mental hole that I dug myself in.”
Learning from his background as a family pastor in an inner-city church founded by his grandfather, Rodriguez approaches music as a ministry of connection. The project aims to speak to multiple age groups, from teenagers to grandparents, reflecting his experience working with diverse congregations.
“Prior to music, I was actually a family pastor,” Rodriguez said. “When you’re doing family ministry, you have to be able to connect with kids, with teenagers, but not only them, with their parents and their grandparents.”
The new EP features collaborations and a variety of musical styles, with Rodriguez creating music that defies easy categorization. He plans an extensive tour starting in May, performing at festivals like Kingdom Bound in New York, Unity Fest in Michigan, and One Fest in Wisconsin.
Rodriguez’s musical philosophy emphasizes authenticity and hard work.
“Commit to being you,” he said, echoing the advice that helped shape his career.
With “Jesus Will,” Rodriguez is positioning himself as a versatile artist committed to creating music that transcends traditional genre and generational boundaries, informed by his unique background and spiritual perspective. The project represents not just a musical project, but a continuation of Rodriguez’s ministry, bridging cultural and generational divides through sound and message. Listen to the new project here.
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