Hip-hop music is very much alive in the Christian music genre for generations. The beat, rhythm, and sound are akin to its contemporaries; however, Christian hip-hop is distinguished with inspirational and faith-based themes. Now, get to know more of the hip-hop rap artists dominating the Christian music community, and at the same time, have penetrated the mainstream market.Lecrae
Lecrae Devaughn Moore is currently the most popular Christian hip-hop artist. What sets him apart from the rest is that he started without faith in God until he discovered the relevance of Christianity during his soul-searching. LeCrae balances his walk of faith with society's need for freedom and justice with his Christian music.
The two-time Grammy-winner has released eight studio albums, six singles, and four mixtapes. In 2012, he bagged the Grammy Best Gospel Album for "Gravity," and in 2014, the track "Messengers" won the Grammy Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Texan rapper LeCrae was the GMA Dove Award for Artist of the Year in 2015.
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Lecrae released his third studio album "Rebels" in 2008, which became the first Christian hip-hop album to have topped the Billboard Gospel Chart. His seventh studio album, "Anomaly" was a huge success as it debuted at No. 1 on both Billboard 200 and Gospels charts in 2014 simultaneously.
His newest single, "Set Me Free," was released in March 2020, his last with Columbia Records before he returned to Reach Records, which he heads. The indie record label handles several other Christian hip-hop acts: 1K Phew, Andy Mineo, KB, Gawvi, Hulvey, Tedashii, Trip Lee, Wandee, and WHATUPRG.
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NF
NF or Nathan John Feuerstein is the rap artist famous in the Christian music genre and the mainstream. The Eminem-sound alike has gained a massive following that his fourth studio album, "The Search" booted out Chance the Rapper's LP "The New Day" on Billboard 200 top spot in 2019. NF though has expressed not wanting to be boxed as a Christian hip-hop artist.
Michigan-born NF started in 2010 when he came out with his debut album, "Moments" and went on to release four studio albums. His 2016 "Therapy Session" won for him the GMA Dove Award Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year which drove his popularity into the mainstream with his heartfelt rap lines. NF also won the 2017 Dove Award for Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year for "Oh Lord." NF's third studio album "Perception" debuted on top of Billboard 200 in October 2017. "Let You Down" is his biggest single that peaked at No. 12 on Hot 100 in February 2018.
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KB
Florida-born Kevin Elijah Burgess or KB, a Theology degree holder, grew up loving hip-hop in his closet as his parents did not approve of it. KB focuses his Christian hip-hop rap-filled works on the war against Satan. All of KB's three studio albums, 2012 "Weight & Glory," 2015 "Tomorrow We Live," and 2017 "Today We Rebel" plus his 2014 EP "100" ranked No. 1 in the Billboard Top Christian Albums. They were also all entries in Billboard 200 album charts. "100" won the Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year in the 2014 Dove Awards. KB is one of the biggest contributors to Christian music.
Andy Mineo
New Yorker Andy Mineo debuted his mixtape "Formerly Known" in 2011, which garnered good reviews. Andy's two studio albums landed at Billboard 200 charts with 2013 "Heroes for Sale" peaking at No. 11 and 2015 "Uncomfortable" that ranked at Top 10. His 2014 EP "Never Land," which peaked at No. 13, won for him the Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year in the 2014 Dove Awards. Andy's latest album "Work in Progress" peaked at No. 2 on Top Christian Albums in September 2019.
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