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You know, I started to grab onto some of Kieran's music, and I'm slightly ashamed to say that I slowed down on listening to his music because of the collaboration with Marcus Rogers. That brought up a bit of a red flag because of my knowledge of what Marcus Rogers believes about the Trinity. However, I don't know what Keiran believes. So, I completely understand where he's coming from in regards to being careful about who you listen to in the Christian music collective. But I may have jumped the gun. (What is his stance?) I liked Marcus's Heavenly Places album but had to let his music go based on his beliefs about who Jesus is. I also agree with you, Ruslan, I think a mixture is beneficial when it comes to Theology and Lifestyle. I love Shai Linne, but looking back I think making a song about Charles Spurgeon may have been unnecessary. I'm also still a bit concerned with the difference collaboration pieces that have been done with former Christian artists that now denounce the faith. Such as Mogli the Iceberg and Cephas w/Eshon Burgundy and Andy Mineo with Joseph Solomon. What are your thoughts on this?
Ruslan you forgot about Bizzle... He's going strong for Christ... Bizzle's my guy! Bizzle's always been about Christ from when he started doing Christian music.
Great content here from someone who isn’t as immersed in the community as I would like to be. I can say this as a father of three, I find value in Christian music that preaches, and I find value in music that is absent from negativity. I think both have their place. Does every song need to mention Jesus in order for the community to accept it as Christian music? I’m just happy to finally have music that sounds good that isn’t positioning my kid’s minds, even if it doesn’t preach in every song.
He just want content obviously it shouldn’t matter especially with the state of hip hop everything is negative and sinfully good why we can’t respect and build people up instead of forcing them to talk abt what you want them to
I appreciate this desire to have good music for your babies…but music that’s positive but doesn’t mention God is just positive music. If it says Christmas music, we shouldn’t have to guess it’s Christian. I don’t think it has to give a theological lesson in each one, but we should know what people are talking about. GOD bless you sir! Keep being a good dad! 🙏🏽🙏🏽✝️
Maaaan, CHH was bubbling from 2007 to about 2013 and could’ve did something huge from coast to coast but never really blew. TheBreax, Sivion, Braille, Todd Bangz, Shai Linne, Corey Red & Precise, Theory Hazit, Scribbling Idiots, Cookbook & Uno Mas and Holy Culture Radio was my era. You couldn’t tell me CHH wasn’t about to blow. Those were the days. Thank God for Apple Music and other streaming platforms where I can go back and listen to those albums today. ✊🏾💯
@Johnlilly252 How old are you? As a twenty-something, I have the exact opposite opinion. Started listening to CHH around 2012, and although some artists were dope and had bars, the music itself was not up to par with the secular music imo. For me, it’s only recently (2020ish) that CHH has become good enough that I can actually stop listening to secular rap altogether, because it’s just as good if not better and there are enough artists putting out good stuff.
@@steezyk5265 i agree...i think the issue is people assume CHH is just reach records and they don't explore like that...but even if we just go reach records..i think their quality has been top notch lately.
It is always interesting to me when the new generation of CHH has NO IDEA about the previous generations and history of CHH. I'm not mad about it, but I do wonder how this happens. Ruslan, thanks for providing bro with a Cliff Notes history lesson.
I love this mans perspective on not being to influenced by anything one thing but just doing what God has called you to do. I'm coming to that realization now as an aspiring therapist. Being a Christian in the mental health field is by itself a minefield. So I feel like I shouldn't have to be on the defensive with other Christians who wanna critique every little thing I or others like myself do.
I remember those days. Everyone was SO HARD on Christian rappers who didn't specifically say Jesus in their music, or didn't find some way to make it blatantly obvious that they were talking about God. Man! Those were the 2012 conspiracy theory years! Those were the WORST YEARS TO BE A MUSIC ARTIST (even if you weren't producing Christian music). Edit: Sorry. In my original post I accidentally said, "2021," but I actually meant 2012 instead. So I made a small edit.
We need a longer episode with the full story! Would love to hear about where the different groups fell into this story (WLAK, humble beast, lamp mode, etc) and even songs like Same Team. Thanks for what you do Ruskin!
For some reason, it reminded me of this song "This Christian hip hop politics is so competitive, you'd figure we love each other like relatives." from Bryan Trejo - Captivity of Comparison
Not gonna lie man, I'd love to see you do a mini documentary of CHH. Take it all the way back to the OGs of CHH like Pete McSweet, Stephen Wiley, PID (Preachers in Disguise), D-Boy, and T-Bone then track their influence to modern CHH. I think a lot of folks would benefit from learning both from the Older Generation and the Younger
In middle school, I got into chh very hard! Artists like Thi'sl, Shai Linne, Flame, KB, Sho Baraka, Bizzle, Lecrae, Datin, etc were the top Chh Artist in my book
RKD Gr8t video. I am a 61yr old ex street and radio DJ. This goes even further back. There was a label called Grape Tree. With artist like Prime Minister, Brothers Grim, T Bone , Pettide .I wanted to start the first 24/7 CHH radio station. I went to a local Christian station several time. They ran me out of there . Then months later. Used my idea, I was beyond upset. My wife asked me , Was it about me ? Or! was it about GOD !! all I could do was sit there and be quite. I just wanted to be a part of that last place for Hip Hop to go. I also did security for Kingdom Promotions here in Orlando. We and every one from 11SIX, Social Club Misfits, to name a few. The world and these kids need this music BADLEY !! God Bless Would love to chop it up with you one day.
Horrible and sad to hear that there is division amongst CHH. It always blows my mind that we have ONE GOD and ONE Jesus and ONE Holy Spirit, yet The CHH scene reminds me more of the Pharisees and the Sadducees VS Gentile. Great Podcast!!
It is sad.I listen to Christian rap from 95 -2002, left God and came back into the fold. This is all shocking and foreign to me to CHH rappers beefing I'm like you serious? God's people beefing? Crazy.
Bro the buckle sound effect in the intro 🍒 everything God is doing with the channel is so inspiring and constantly challenging my perspective. BLESS GOD 🫡
I went from being a porn addict, to, sharing the gospel with a porn actress, who, was criticized for being low status, by the same onlyFans who treat her so lavish 🔥
@@javierorta6302 can’t disagree with you more, brother. We should and I would say have to talk about how Jesus has changed our lives or our witness means nothing
Amen Ruslan! Love what you said here at 6:36. We definitely need both. Even though we're not of the world we are still in it, so there's still that competition with culture to stay relevant with the trends and proclaim the gospel at the same time..
I remember listening to artists like Joseph Solomon, Montell Fish and Gabby Callwood. All three of them made some of the great bangers in the CHH community. Now it's not been the same since 2019. Both Solomon and Callwood recently renounced their Christian faith. Montell is shifting his focus from Christian acoustic to more secular music. Still walking with God privately though.
I could see you Marcus and some others having a conversation about this in a longer format. Like Sam said a documentary. I like how Marcus talked about this on his channel as well. It would make for some good content and probably agree with Marcus more then disagree on it. I know you both have good points on the Christian rap game.
Dang I remember when I did not used to like Ruslan’s stuff but man has that changed! I grew up going to HeavenFest and seeing lecrae, mineo, minor, Tripplee, etc. great conversation fellas
The very first Christian rapper I heard was T-Bone in 93. Then came the Grape Tree Records movement from Texas (too many to name). Now we have too many border line believers who won't even quote scriptures when they rap...
@@c.covington244 Gospel Gamgstaz was a fav for me too. My dad was huge into CHH so we saw CM a few times and Lecrae was on your one of those when he was promoting His Real Talk album. Idol Kingz “Turn it off” was so powerful back then too
We can all pick and choose what kind of Christian rap we like and which artists to listen to, as long as we're not fighting over our choices and creating disunity among the body of Christ.
Well fortunately we still have some that still preach the gospel in the christian rap space. People like ASAP, KB, Shai Linne, Bizzle, Propaganda and a few others.
I wonder how these "Christian rappers" would view or even accept "Christian" rappers from more traditional Christian backgrounds such as Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, Byzantine, ect.?
I was way more then just the cross movement and tunnel rats, Gospel gangsters put west coast on the map, and you had Midwest like grapetree Lil raskull etc.. I was on many of those tours as a Radio DJ
As someone who grew up on the streets I like what Kieran is doing. Growing up you had two options either be from the hood or get beat up and when your in that hood you have to boldly say where your from or of back down and didn’t says what you represent you’ll get some consequences coming your way. Same way about Christian and Christian rap we should boldly proclaim the gospel not backing down. There’s always going to be that new kid on the block(Kieran) to slap everyone up and remember who they serve or where they’re from just how God did in Kings and Chronicles
I was there when Cross Movement walled Cruz Cordero out. I didn't understand it at the time, but saw the division. The head of my crew pulled me aside and tried to explain to me without actually telling. I considered it a blessing to get this dude's number in hopes to break bread or Collab, but he told me to lose Cruz's number. I exiled from my crew only a few months later. The unity preached just wasn't there. It sucks cause I walked away from it all together and never looked back. Now I feel like I'm sitting on gifts that I have no idea how to get out.
Early in my Christian walk, my favorite hip-hop, artists were Shai Linne, Timothy Brindle and Stephen Levite. Plus, anyone connected with lamp mode records. However, the first artists I heard as a Christian was the cross movement. After nearly 20 years of being saved, I’ve learned how to enjoy music for what it is. myself as an artist as well, I have learned to be more diverse, but yet still biblical and gospel centered, but not overly preachy. l definitely dig your style Ruslan! For sure, bro. Look out for Coramdeo EP much love!
Ok on Cross movement was Ambassador,Tru Life,Phanatik, Enoch and some others they were the originators and the five mentioned were the most popular, Out of that camp you had Flame,Da Truth and Le Crae .LeCrae became popular with the song "Jesus Music" and the 116 Clique exploded with their album 16 letters when they broke down the epistles of Paul in lyrical form,(116 Clique had Trip Lee,This'l, Shailinne (before he shifted to Lampmode),Pro(Derek Minor),Sho Baraka (He left reach records after his Lions and Liars album),Tedashi , and later added KB,C-lite (Andy Mineo ) and some others to the Mix. Da Truth and Ambassador fell into some Fidelity issues I think around the time that the documentary truth about Hip Hop Series with Craig Lewis came out and that's when Xist Music came out which signed DaTruth and Ambassador when they came back from their hiatus. On the other side beside who Ruslan mentioned were also G.R.I.T.S(Grammatical Revolution In the Spirit),Gospel Gangstaz, T-Bone and the list goes on these guys were heavy hitters who brought an alternative to the Gangsta Rap that was popular in the day like (Wu Tang Clan ,Biggie Smalls(Notorious B.I.G) and tupac) ,You even had BBJ who sounded similar to Notorious B.I.G but more Christian lol this bringing back memories cause I was hooked on both secular rap and Christian rap but was won over to Christian Rap as I got older and hung out with my I.S/IV C.F (Interschool /Inter Varsity Christian Fellow ship) friends . any way there is so much to talk too but the aforementioned Truth about Hip Hop documentary really put a bad light on all rap secular and Christian and those that survived the controversy that doc brought are who we here from these days cause after that more rappers went to seminaries and decided tp both preach and rap like Ambassador,Da Truth ,Triplee,Braille,Canton Jones and others.
Love Kieran's attitude. Grace be with him. I've shared some of my story before. Former CHH Artist. The camp/infighting is a minor part of why I stopped. Blessings to other artist going forth. I choose to support.
Ruslan, I'm sure you didn't forget about Syntax Records when talking about the West Coast scene? "Fashion Expo" is perhaps the best Christian hip-hop compilation ever. Would like to listen through "When theBREAX Sold Out" sometime, but dang it's hard to find! ;)
I hope everyone has their post notifications on for this channel, we dont get this these kind of solid conversations & collabs like this anywhere Thanks Ruslan !!!
I have a problem with people who don't know their history. The things they had to endure for you to do what you do. People don't even acknowledge or know about A1-Swift or Grapetree Records.
6:25 That made a lot of sense. I was listening to LeCrae, Trip Lee, Tedashi, Flame, Bizzle, Json, Humble Beast ... The first three, they definitely switched to more lifestyle music where the Christianity in a song if it was there wasn't prominent to me.
Too Soon is FIRE my guy! You’ve easily become one of my fav content creators this year. Thanks for being a big inspiration and help in my walk with Christ. 2023 is going to be huge for you bro
If your going to do anything for God you will come up against this kind of stuff.. but remember God is love.. it ain't easy working for God in this world
Kieran is chosen along with others who aren’t “known” in this Chrisitan rap history ligo and cliques. God has men who have a heart of David and ain’t with anything else but preaching the truth of His Word, this is why Kieran is being elevated because he won’t be like Saul and let the platform get him out of character r
I got introduced to CHH during the era where Cross Movement, shai linne, Timothy Brindle, Stephen The Levite etc were the frontmen and when Lecrae came onto the scene. I think it fell off when it started sounding almost exactly like the secular counterpart and it became less Christ centered. It went from lyrical theology to basically the current state of hip hop.
This is the second time you’ve brought this up in videos, and as someone who kind of came up through this stuff, it’s wild to me that these folks don’t know the history. I’m not saying it’s wrong or their view lesser, just really interesting.
Lecrae has changed in my opinion over the years, some of the things I hear and see of him has made me question. His views on LGBTQ etc are questionable but this is not just him but many Christian artists. I don't understand when the Bible is very clear on the subject. If Christians truely believe the Bible is the absolute truth then they would be clear when it comes to these issues .
Lecrae put out great music, but he and his crew went to P-Diddy parties. That's all I need to know. Wrote him off. Hope he doesn't get wrapped up in kiddie charges.
@@PMPMindset2024 it’s unfortunate that you wrote him off. Idk if you listened to his podcast but he addressed this and said he didn’t go by himself but had accountability partners and left when things got weird.
@ because it was a normal party. Stop acting like the invitation said it was gonna be a freak off. Everybody that went to a Diddy party isn’t evil, partaking in evil things make you evil and he exposed what went down and this was YEARS before the allegations
Good discussion and history lesson. I was listening to Doonie from Dallas,TX back in the day… His early Christian music had me like “Christian rap is going this HARD?!” 😂
Lecrae flipped the switch from what he was doing to become what the world wanted and ultimately what he wanted and was noticiable believe Andy mineo saw it and did the same thing and is sad bc mineo was fire
I make Christian rap but I hate the promotional side of the music industry so I just make my music unto God and share it as God gives me opportunity ... but sometimes I feel as if I am shortchanging God because I could share His Word on a much larger platform if I could get past not wanting to deal with shady industry personalities
I think music should just reflect your life. if you've given your life to Christ, obviously a lot of it is going to be about Christ, but it doesn't have to be about him specifically all the time. Like Tori Kelly's song Language. The song is about her trying to communicate more efficiantly with her husband, but in it she asks the Lord to give her patience, and to use her words carefully. Its not about God, but He's still in it.
This is by no means a shot at Lecrae, love Crae and his music but I’ve always felt that CHH became too too top heavy and dominated by Lecrae and Reach in the mid 2010s so that when Lecrae had his moment where he wanted to go less “preachy” the entire space followed suit. Not that Lecrae was wrong it was his lane but it seemed to pull the entire space along with him.
you right Crea was in his own lane and not his fault other artists followed after him. Less preachy in his raps maybe but everytime you look him up in interviews he always reps Christ.
3:00 bro you can't forget about Corey Red and Precise and Sean Slaughter! Resistance is futile, His Story My Shoes, and Sean Slaughter penned some of the tightest lyrics with an exceptional flow.
Very interesting. I can honestly say I wasn’t fully aware of these divides as a listener! I’ve seen the shifts, but I didn’t know about how deep the lines went. Great conversation.
I appreciated Ruslan’s rundown, it brought me back because I lived in Philly and went to churches where cross movement and lamp mode had roots. Then I went cold. I think the divide has a lot to do with the context around Trump’s presidency and this American and white-dominated Christian culture that had folks asking important questions about what it means to believe the Gospel and what America has done to it.
Felt the end comment! That's exactly why we started doing what we did. Didn't see anyone else doing it the same way and got tired of seeing the same circles flocking together.
I was part of that movement - I held the first unity conference event back in 2011 to address the beef that everyone tried to act like wasn’t the case - the major split was 116 and Canton Jones camp - I toured with both and saw a lot of the divide first hand - Tre9 eventually took my conference and ran with it but I was the founder of the Holy Hip Hop Unity Conference
Isn't it interesting that the "lifestyle" scene that is causing people to fall and not even talk about God, we still find necessary to use for "balance" when theology driven rap is what is bringing people closer to God. Maybe it's as simple as, are we glorifying God or ourselves?
We use to minster ,perform nearly a 100 times a year in the early 2000s with just about every name in the Christian hip hop community , and there was definitely a spirit of competition evolving around Christian artists, Along with issues of accountability or being planted.
Valid & necessary conversation. Authenticity & originality are key to really operate & flow in your gifts & creativity. Thinking that any subgenre is a monolith is a trap. We don't need to be embraced in the CHH space to succeed. Salute!
I agree with preaching the gospel but we don’t have to always be “in your face”. That’s why I believe that the preachy rap has its place but so does the “carnal” Christian rap. Not everyone has to fit in a box because let’s be real, most non believers are gonna turn on preach rap when the mood strikes. They will however turn on a love song or a fun party song with the vibes.
I would say since I have been saved since 2003. I lived through all the eras in the growth of CHH. It was definitely on that reformed theology wave I say from maybe like 2000 - 2007 which is when we had the CMR/RR/Lampmode and Christcentric. Lecrae philosophy changed in 2010 and you can tell the difference between Rebel and Rehab. Read Lecrae's book to give you better understanding. Yeah Lecrae took off in the early 2010's by that time reformed theology went underground and the trap/drill sound started taking off. I did see that it went to the other side of the pendulum where it went to rap about everyday life. As artist I would say know your audience and know how to spread God's word.
So I've been a beat maker for a few years but I don't know if it's right for me to keep doing so. Can you even spread the gospel over secular sounding beats? I don't know. It's been bugging me for a while..I would appreciate people's thoughts and opinions. 🙏🏻
The beats serve as a musical bed for the message to delivered. That’s it. I don’t believe that there’s such a thing as “secular beats”. However, the words being said over those beats are a different story. Know that music is of God so don’t trip. Keep doing your thing.
When it came to Christian music Deliverance (Christian Metal) was first, and I was not a believer. After Metal came TBone then evolved into Lecrae and I was bumping it in Cali, in my lowered 3inch Saturn 3 Door coupe with “ paid n full mine n yours” on top of windshield also two 10 in JL Audios and techniques amp bumping “Jesus music.” Then CHH went somewhere else. I like where Kieran is going. Be bless.
I knew the history, and I remember it being accepted because I was non-denominational. I stopped Christian rapping and rapping years ago. Too many gate keepers. Lecrae took heat because he starting mention the systemic problems Black people were facing.
I like the way you break it down. I do feel chh needs soft rules. To me it's simple. No profanity. No glorifying counter biblical principles(i.e. polygamous vs monogamous). That's all I got. To be fair, I enjoy the lifestyle rap today more than the theological bouts they used to have. But I love hip-hop. I think CHH is the best form of it today
Follow Kieran The Light Here: instagram.com/kieranthelight/
📲 Presave My New Song! ruslantothemoon.com
🤝: Access Exclusive Podcasts Here www.patreon.com/kingsdream
Hey yo what shoes are you wearing, them joints look fire
nice jams Sir
You know, I started to grab onto some of Kieran's music, and I'm slightly ashamed to say that I slowed down on listening to his music because of the collaboration with Marcus Rogers.
That brought up a bit of a red flag because of my knowledge of what Marcus Rogers believes about the Trinity. However, I don't know what Keiran believes. So, I completely understand where he's coming from in regards to being careful about who you listen to in the Christian music collective. But I may have jumped the gun. (What is his stance?) I liked Marcus's Heavenly Places album but had to let his music go based on his beliefs about who Jesus is.
I also agree with you, Ruslan, I think a mixture is beneficial when it comes to Theology and Lifestyle. I love Shai Linne, but looking back I think making a song about Charles Spurgeon may have been unnecessary.
I'm also still a bit concerned with the difference collaboration pieces that have been done with former Christian artists that now denounce the faith. Such as Mogli the Iceberg and Cephas w/Eshon Burgundy and Andy Mineo with Joseph Solomon. What are your thoughts on this?
I rock with Kieran. Is there a full interview out?
Didn't except Kieran the light to be here 😂👏It's amazing
IM NOT CALLED TO BE A RAPPER , I RAP ABOUT WHAT IM CALLED TO DO
-Kieran the Light
I love that statement and I’m an atheist.
And you are anointed to do it.
@@Roccofan God exists.
@@CristanioPeweyyy ok.
@CristanioPeweyyy Fax! But it's not enough to just believe God exists. We must accept Jesus His only Son as our Lord and Savior.
Bro I feel like KB & Bizzle are not getting enough credit for having that balance!
Facts!!!
Agreed!
100%
They shouldn't. It's God to be glorified in them.
Bizzle been on that since day 1
I really feel like Hulvey is a new young upcoming artist who really balances out everything in his music.
Love Hulvey!!!
LOVE HULVEY!!
Facts !🔥
SAME
Ruslan you forgot about Bizzle... He's going strong for Christ... Bizzle's my guy! Bizzle's always been about Christ from when he started doing Christian music.
We’re going to need a documentary on this
Yes I concur
100%
dudes team up with BORNAGAIN that wrote the meth bible jaimie tall and adam armstrong..i think i just fell over typing that👀👀👀👀👀👀
We almost did
There are a few
Great content here from someone who isn’t as immersed in the community as I would like to be. I can say this as a father of three, I find value in Christian music that preaches, and I find value in music that is absent from negativity. I think both have their place. Does every song need to mention Jesus in order for the community to accept it as Christian music? I’m just happy to finally have music that sounds good that isn’t positioning my kid’s minds, even if it doesn’t preach in every song.
* poisoning my kid’s minds
I googled Phoenix Mosheh and they decimated this argument cool video though Merry Christmas you all
He just want content obviously it shouldn’t matter especially with the state of hip hop everything is negative and sinfully good why we can’t respect and build people up instead of forcing them to talk abt what you want them to
I appreciate this desire to have good music for your babies…but music that’s positive but doesn’t mention God is just positive music. If it says Christmas music, we shouldn’t have to guess it’s Christian. I don’t think it has to give a theological lesson in each one, but we should know what people are talking about. GOD bless you sir! Keep being a good dad! 🙏🏽🙏🏽✝️
U can’t do christan rap it’s of this world!!! 💯
Maaaan, CHH was bubbling from 2007 to about 2013 and could’ve did something huge from coast to coast but never really blew. TheBreax, Sivion, Braille, Todd Bangz, Shai Linne, Corey Red & Precise, Theory Hazit, Scribbling Idiots, Cookbook & Uno Mas and Holy Culture Radio was my era. You couldn’t tell me CHH wasn’t about to blow. Those were the days. Thank God for Apple Music and other streaming platforms where I can go back and listen to those albums today. ✊🏾💯
CHH fell off imo you won’t catch me playing new CHH music frl.
@@Johnlilly252 I haven’t listened to a lot of new stuff. I try to stay up to date but it’s just not the same.
@Johnlilly252 How old are you? As a twenty-something, I have the exact opposite opinion. Started listening to CHH around 2012, and although some artists were dope and had bars, the music itself was not up to par with the secular music imo. For me, it’s only recently (2020ish) that CHH has become good enough that I can actually stop listening to secular rap altogether, because it’s just as good if not better and there are enough artists putting out good stuff.
@@steezyk5265 i agree...i think the issue is people assume CHH is just reach records and they don't explore like that...but even if we just go reach records..i think their quality has been top notch lately.
I can go back to the late 90's with CHH or HolyHipHop.
It is always interesting to me when the new generation of CHH has NO IDEA about the previous generations and history of CHH. I'm not mad about it, but I do wonder how this happens. Ruslan, thanks for providing bro with a Cliff Notes history lesson.
Agreed. It’s not like it’s ancient history. 20-30 years old and the pioneers are still around
Bro that’s what I thought too. I understand to be biblical but also the history of CHH can’t be forgotten.
Its a rap thing. Even secular rap artists dont care to learn who came before them. No other genre of music is disrespectful to its history and roots.
Where does the Grand father Toby Mac fall in this category! What about west coast native T Bone?
Mate, your thumbnails are amazing and video quality are amazing! Super impressed.
Pints with Aquinas being here is amazing! Let's go Matt!
I love this mans perspective on not being to influenced by anything one thing but just doing what God has called you to do. I'm coming to that realization now as an aspiring therapist. Being a Christian in the mental health field is by itself a minefield. So I feel like I shouldn't have to be on the defensive with other Christians who wanna critique every little thing I or others like myself do.
I remember those days. Everyone was SO HARD on Christian rappers who didn't specifically say Jesus in their music, or didn't find some way to make it blatantly obvious that they were talking about God. Man! Those were the 2012 conspiracy theory years! Those were the WORST YEARS TO BE A MUSIC ARTIST (even if you weren't producing Christian music).
Edit: Sorry. In my original post I accidentally said, "2021," but I actually meant 2012 instead. So I made a small edit.
Yeah. And then it went political. Lolol😅
We need a longer episode with the full story! Would love to hear about where the different groups fell into this story (WLAK, humble beast, lamp mode, etc) and even songs like Same Team.
Thanks for what you do Ruskin!
For some reason, it reminded me of this song "This Christian hip hop politics is so competitive, you'd figure we love each other like relatives." from Bryan Trejo - Captivity of Comparison
Ruslan I love how much Knowledge you have on Christian Rap we need more a whole back story of how we’re here
Not gonna lie man, I'd love to see you do a mini documentary of CHH. Take it all the way back to the OGs of CHH like Pete McSweet, Stephen Wiley, PID (Preachers in Disguise), D-Boy, and T-Bone then track their influence to modern CHH. I think a lot of folks would benefit from learning both from the Older Generation and the Younger
I find it interesting that ‘rapping critically about race’ and other political issues (like Lecrae is doing) is considered ‘more wordly’.
In middle school, I got into chh very hard! Artists like Thi'sl, Shai Linne, Flame, KB, Sho Baraka, Bizzle, Lecrae, Datin, etc were the top Chh Artist in my book
KB,Bizzle, Dayton, Hulvey, MTM Isaiah, and Kieran they all keep the name of Jesus and His word in their music.
RKD Gr8t video. I am a 61yr old ex street and radio DJ. This goes even further back. There was a label called Grape Tree. With artist like Prime Minister, Brothers Grim, T Bone , Pettide .I wanted to start the first 24/7 CHH radio station. I went to a local Christian station several time. They ran me out of there . Then months later. Used my idea, I was beyond upset. My wife asked me , Was it about me ? Or! was it about GOD !! all I could do was sit there and be quite. I just wanted to be a part of that last place for Hip Hop to go. I also did security for Kingdom Promotions here in Orlando. We and every one from 11SIX, Social Club Misfits, to name a few. The world and these kids need this music BADLEY !! God Bless Would love to chop it up with you one day.
Horrible and sad to hear that there is division amongst CHH. It always blows my mind that we have ONE GOD and ONE Jesus and ONE Holy Spirit, yet The CHH scene reminds me more of the Pharisees and the Sadducees VS Gentile. Great Podcast!!
There is division everywhere money and power/influence is involved.
The division is the same within our churches too.
It is sad.I listen to Christian rap from 95 -2002, left God and came back into the fold. This is all shocking and foreign to me to CHH rappers beefing I'm like you serious? God's people beefing? Crazy.
Bro the buckle sound effect in the intro 🍒
everything God is doing with the channel is so inspiring and constantly challenging my perspective. BLESS GOD 🫡
I went from being a porn addict, to,
sharing the gospel with a porn actress, who,
was criticized for being low status,
by the same onlyFans who treat her so lavish
🔥
I’m confused.
It's not what we need
It's lyrics to his rap clip on the vid...
@@ODD_ps374 not what we need brother let's talk about the Lord and only him
@@javierorta6302 can’t disagree with you more, brother. We should and I would say have to talk about how Jesus has changed our lives or our witness means nothing
Kieran is fire! Like he doesn’t seem to try. He literally ministers through his testimony. And it’s dynamic, relatable and convincing! AMAZING!!
The collab we never knew we needed 🔥🔥🙏🏾
Amen Ruslan! Love what you said here at 6:36. We definitely need both. Even though we're not of the world we are still in it, so there's still that competition with culture to stay relevant with the trends and proclaim the gospel at the same time..
Let’s not forget GRITS.
I remember listening to artists like Joseph Solomon, Montell Fish and Gabby Callwood. All three of them made some of the great bangers in the CHH community. Now it's not been the same since 2019. Both Solomon and Callwood recently renounced their Christian faith. Montell is shifting his focus from Christian acoustic to more secular music. Still walking with God privately though.
Gabby Callwood denounced her faith? Omg no way! I loved her music
@@LovelyKelly645 I know its sad news.
When did callwood denounce her faith on what platform? Am shocked and sad .
I didn't know Joseph Solomon renounced his faith?
@@misterhr3232 He did.
I could see you Marcus and some others having a conversation about this in a longer format. Like Sam said a documentary. I like how Marcus talked about this on his channel as well. It would make for some good content and probably agree with Marcus more then disagree on it. I know you both have good points on the Christian rap game.
Dang I remember when I did not used to like Ruslan’s stuff but man has that changed! I grew up going to HeavenFest and seeing lecrae, mineo, minor, Tripplee, etc.
great conversation fellas
As a pastor I’ve experienced this divide among Christians. It’s very disheartening to say the least. Bless yall
The very first Christian rapper I heard was T-Bone in 93. Then came the Grape Tree Records movement from Texas (too many to name). Now we have too many border line believers who won't even quote scriptures when they rap...
T bone and idol kingz and lil rascal
@@antmansales don't forget the line " I had to drop the C. A. L. Cuz a rascal is a sinner and a sinner burns in hell..."
@@c.covington244 Gospel Gamgstaz was a fav for me too. My dad was huge into CHH so we saw CM a few times and Lecrae was on your one of those when he was promoting His Real Talk album. Idol Kingz “Turn it off” was so powerful back then too
I loved Antonious and Mr. Real also. Grapetree had a nice roster
Yea this is a mess now, I pulled out of the genre
You forgot T Bone on the 90's. 😊🤣
We can all pick and choose what kind of Christian rap we like and which artists to listen to, as long as we're not fighting over our choices and creating disunity among the body of Christ.
Amen! Facts!
But I think that is deception my friend
God over Money is still solid and going strong....Bizzle, Datin, Jared Sanders, Bumps, AI the anomaly, Selah, has so much Truth Music.
Well fortunately we still have some that still preach the gospel in the christian rap space. People like ASAP, KB, Shai Linne, Bizzle, Propaganda and a few others.
Don't forget Da Truth! The name says it all :)!
@@ballzofury1 that's true 🙂 and propaganda lol
Is Humble Beast still a thing? My favorite group is Beautiful Eulogy but haven't heard anything from them in like 6 yrs.
@@JekDrummerTime I haven't heard anything from them in a long time either. But I remember the group.
Timothy Brindle and Stephen the Levite too
I wonder how these "Christian rappers" would view or even accept "Christian" rappers from more traditional Christian backgrounds such as Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, Byzantine, ect.?
Thank you Ruslan! Needed to hear the history of this
Our lives should exemplify Christ. Using our gifts for God means nothing without repentance, serving God in real life, and true transformation 🙏🏾
I was way more then just the cross movement and tunnel rats, Gospel gangsters put west coast on the map, and you had Midwest like grapetree Lil raskull etc.. I was on many of those tours as a Radio DJ
This was a good convo bro. Sounds like we started rapping around the same time. It’s definitely been a ride for sure!
As someone who grew up on the streets I like what Kieran is doing. Growing up you had two options either be from the hood or get beat up and when your in that hood you have to boldly say where your from or of back down and didn’t says what you represent you’ll get some consequences coming your way.
Same way about Christian and Christian rap we should boldly proclaim the gospel not backing down.
There’s always going to be that new kid on the block(Kieran) to slap everyone up and remember who they serve or where they’re from just how God did in Kings and Chronicles
I was there when Cross Movement walled Cruz Cordero out. I didn't understand it at the time, but saw the division. The head of my crew pulled me aside and tried to explain to me without actually telling. I considered it a blessing to get this dude's number in hopes to break bread or Collab, but he told me to lose Cruz's number. I exiled from my crew only a few months later. The unity preached just wasn't there. It sucks cause I walked away from it all together and never looked back. Now I feel like I'm sitting on gifts that I have no idea how to get out.
Early in my Christian walk, my favorite hip-hop, artists were Shai Linne, Timothy Brindle and Stephen Levite. Plus, anyone connected with lamp mode records. However, the first artists I heard as a Christian was the cross movement. After nearly 20 years of being saved, I’ve learned how to enjoy music for what it is. myself as an artist as well, I have learned to be more diverse, but yet still biblical and gospel centered, but not overly preachy. l definitely dig your style Ruslan! For sure, bro. Look out for Coramdeo EP much love!
What is "overly preachy" though? Legit asking
@@raymondsmith2040Too formal
All that one needs to know about Lecrae and his crew is that they were at P Diddy parties. Game over. Period. Gone the way of the buffalo. Bye.
The origins of Gospel Rap go deeper than the point of origin referenced in the video but I understand why he abridged it for times sake
Ok on Cross movement was Ambassador,Tru Life,Phanatik,
Enoch and some others they were the originators and the five mentioned were the most popular, Out of that camp you had Flame,Da Truth and Le Crae .LeCrae became popular with the song "Jesus Music" and the 116 Clique exploded with their album 16 letters when they broke down the epistles of Paul in lyrical form,(116 Clique had Trip Lee,This'l, Shailinne (before he shifted to Lampmode),Pro(Derek Minor),Sho Baraka (He left reach records after his Lions and Liars album),Tedashi , and later added KB,C-lite (Andy Mineo ) and some others to the Mix. Da Truth and Ambassador fell into some Fidelity issues I think around the time that the documentary truth about Hip Hop Series with Craig Lewis came out and that's when Xist Music came out which signed DaTruth and Ambassador when they came back from their hiatus. On the other side beside who Ruslan mentioned were also G.R.I.T.S(Grammatical Revolution In the Spirit),Gospel Gangstaz, T-Bone and the list goes on these guys were heavy hitters who brought an alternative to the Gangsta Rap that was popular in the day like (Wu Tang Clan ,Biggie Smalls(Notorious B.I.G) and tupac) ,You even had BBJ who sounded similar to Notorious B.I.G but more Christian lol this bringing back memories cause I was hooked on both secular rap and Christian rap but was won over to Christian Rap as I got older and hung out with my I.S/IV C.F (Interschool /Inter Varsity Christian Fellow ship) friends . any way there is so much to talk too but the aforementioned Truth about Hip Hop documentary really put a bad light on all rap secular and Christian and those that survived the controversy that doc brought are who we here from these days cause after that more rappers went to seminaries and decided tp both preach and rap like Ambassador,Da Truth ,Triplee,Braille,Canton Jones and others.
Excellent breakdown. I liked old CMR stuff, with Da Truth, GRITS, etc.
Love Kieran's attitude. Grace be with him. I've shared some of my story before. Former CHH Artist. The camp/infighting is a minor part of why I stopped. Blessings to other artist going forth. I choose to support.
Ruslan, I'm sure you didn't forget about Syntax Records when talking about the West Coast scene? "Fashion Expo" is perhaps the best Christian hip-hop compilation ever. Would like to listen through "When theBREAX Sold Out" sometime, but dang it's hard to find! ;)
I hope everyone has their post notifications on for this channel, we dont get this these kind of solid conversations & collabs like this anywhere
Thanks Ruslan !!!
I have a problem with people who don't know their history. The things they had to endure for you to do what you do. People don't even acknowledge or know about A1-Swift or Grapetree Records.
Be great to have someone like Braille on the show Ruslan. Great video
I can’t believe he never heard of cross movement…. Oh, the horror!!!!!!!!!
Lol I was quite shocked as well
The knowledge of Christian hip hop is regional so I don't blame them I watched the whole video last night...
A bit shocked too
6:25 That made a lot of sense. I was listening to LeCrae, Trip Lee, Tedashi, Flame, Bizzle, Json, Humble Beast ... The first three, they definitely switched to more lifestyle music where the Christianity in a song if it was there wasn't prominent to me.
True flame and Bizzle always stayed the course it seems
Too Soon is FIRE my guy! You’ve easily become one of my fav content creators this year. Thanks for being a big inspiration and help in my walk with Christ. 2023 is going to be huge for you bro
If your going to do anything for God you will come up against this kind of stuff.. but remember God is love.. it ain't easy working for God in this world
Kieran is chosen along with others who aren’t “known” in this Chrisitan rap history ligo and cliques. God has men who have a heart of David and ain’t with anything else but preaching the truth of His Word, this is why Kieran is being elevated because he won’t be like Saul and let the platform get him out of character r
I got introduced to CHH during the era where Cross Movement, shai linne, Timothy Brindle, Stephen The Levite etc were the frontmen and when Lecrae came onto the scene. I think it fell off when it started sounding almost exactly like the secular counterpart and it became less Christ centered. It went from lyrical theology to basically the current state of hip hop.
This is the second time you’ve brought this up in videos, and as someone who kind of came up through this stuff, it’s wild to me that these folks don’t know the history. I’m not saying it’s wrong or their view lesser, just really interesting.
Lecrae is one of the greatest to do it….consistency throughout the years and helped me on my journey with Christ 🎚️
Lecrae has changed in my opinion over the years, some of the things I hear and see of him has made me question.
His views on LGBTQ etc are questionable but this is not just him but many Christian artists.
I don't understand when the Bible is very clear on the subject.
If Christians truely believe the Bible is the absolute truth then they would be clear when it comes to these issues .
Lecrae put out great music, but he and his crew went to P-Diddy parties. That's all I need to know. Wrote him off. Hope he doesn't get wrapped up in kiddie charges.
@@PMPMindset2024 it’s unfortunate that you wrote him off. Idk if you listened to his podcast but he addressed this and said he didn’t go by himself but had accountability partners and left when things got weird.
@TheHm1991 why show up in the first place? Answer that
@ because it was a normal party. Stop acting like the invitation said it was gonna be a freak off. Everybody that went to a Diddy party isn’t evil, partaking in evil things make you evil and he exposed what went down and this was YEARS before the allegations
Good discussion and history lesson. I was listening to Doonie from Dallas,TX back in the day… His early Christian music had me like “Christian rap is going this HARD?!” 😂
I respect historians and people who can recall events with dates attached to their knoweldge! Its a skill I certainly struggle with!
Lecrae flipped the switch from what he was doing to become what the world wanted and ultimately what he wanted and was noticiable believe Andy mineo saw it and did the same thing and is sad bc mineo was fire
Same thing I said and because they were the front runners many followed behind them and chh began to lose its value
8:12 bruh literally drinking liquid death 😂😂
I make Christian rap but I hate the promotional side of the music industry so I just make my music unto God and share it as God gives me opportunity ... but sometimes I feel as if I am shortchanging God because I could share His Word on a much larger platform if I could get past not wanting to deal with shady industry personalities
I'm glad you spoke about The Cross Movement. They were, are my favorite Christian hip-hop group
I think music should just reflect your life. if you've given your life to Christ, obviously a lot of it is going to be about Christ, but it doesn't have to be about him specifically all the time. Like Tori Kelly's song Language. The song is about her trying to communicate more efficiantly with her husband, but in it she asks the Lord to give her patience, and to use her words carefully. Its not about God, but He's still in it.
My husband and I just found his music!! We downloaded it all and love it!! Thank you!
The gospel heavy stuff is why I'm in ministry. I miss it. I'm hungry and thirsty for it.
This is by no means a shot at Lecrae, love Crae and his music but I’ve always felt that CHH became too too top heavy and dominated by Lecrae and Reach in the mid 2010s so that when Lecrae had his moment where he wanted to go less “preachy” the entire space followed suit. Not that Lecrae was wrong it was his lane but it seemed to pull the entire space along with him.
you right Crea was in his own lane and not his fault other artists followed after him. Less preachy in his raps maybe but everytime you look him up in interviews he always reps Christ.
Much love from South Africa.
@Ruslan u forgot to mention T-Bone , Idol Kings and Gospel Gangstaz who was pretty active on the West Coast in the 90s
Before Cross Movement & Tunnel Rats, there was SFC, Grits, Gotee Camp, Freedom of Soul, Mike E & others.
The Shai Linne v Lecrae of it all
Kieran The Light keep doing what you are doing and let God continue to perfect it!
3:00 bro you can't forget about Corey Red and Precise and Sean Slaughter! Resistance is futile, His Story My Shoes, and Sean Slaughter penned some of the tightest lyrics with an exceptional flow.
Very interesting. I can honestly say I wasn’t fully aware of these divides as a listener! I’ve seen the shifts, but I didn’t know about how deep the lines went. Great conversation.
I appreciated Ruslan’s rundown, it brought me back because I lived in Philly and went to churches where cross movement and lamp mode had roots. Then I went cold.
I think the divide has a lot to do with the context around Trump’s presidency and this American and white-dominated Christian culture that had folks asking important questions about what it means to believe the Gospel and what America has done to it.
Thanks Brothers keep making hot music for the Body of Christ!
Yah👑Bless
Man, Tunnel Rats and LA Symphony bring me back. So underrated. Growing up in California they were big here in the underground scene.
Felt the end comment! That's exactly why we started doing what we did. Didn't see anyone else doing it the same way and got tired of seeing the same circles flocking together.
I was part of that movement - I held the first unity conference event back in 2011 to address the beef that everyone tried to act like wasn’t the case - the major split was 116 and Canton Jones camp - I toured with both and saw a lot of the divide first hand - Tre9 eventually took my conference and ran with it but I was the founder of the Holy Hip Hop Unity Conference
Heard him on tiktok and I appreciate his lyrics and style.
Isn't it interesting that the "lifestyle" scene that is causing people to fall and not even talk about God, we still find necessary to use for "balance" when theology driven rap is what is bringing people closer to God. Maybe it's as simple as, are we glorifying God or ourselves?
6:00 not Kingdom Muzic Family though.
Dude I was hoping you would interview keiran he absolutely puts on for Christ . Houston is behind him for sure.
We use to minster ,perform nearly a 100 times a year in the early 2000s with just about every name in the Christian hip hop community , and there was definitely a spirit of competition evolving around Christian artists,
Along with issues of accountability or being planted.
Valid & necessary conversation. Authenticity & originality are key to really operate & flow in your gifts & creativity. Thinking that any subgenre is a monolith is a trap. We don't need to be embraced in the CHH space to succeed. Salute!
I agree with preaching the gospel but we don’t have to always be “in your face”. That’s why I believe that the preachy rap has its place but so does the “carnal” Christian rap. Not everyone has to fit in a box because let’s be real, most non believers are gonna turn on preach rap when the mood strikes. They will however turn on a love song or a fun party song with the vibes.
U should listen music by Konola. I especially love his song, Spiritual Violence.
I would say since I have been saved since 2003. I lived through all the eras in the growth of CHH. It was definitely on that reformed theology wave I say from maybe like 2000 - 2007 which is when we had the CMR/RR/Lampmode and Christcentric. Lecrae philosophy changed in 2010 and you can tell the difference between Rebel and Rehab. Read Lecrae's book to give you better understanding. Yeah Lecrae took off in the early 2010's by that time reformed theology went underground and the trap/drill sound started taking off. I did see that it went to the other side of the pendulum where it went to rap about everyday life. As artist I would say know your audience and know how to spread God's word.
This Guy is AWESOME and I can see him and BIZZLE doing a song together
Lack of historical appreciation is a problem across all Hip Hop. Ruslan needs to get Sup the Chemist on for a conversation.
A-1 Swift as well
So I've been a beat maker for a few years but I don't know if it's right for me to keep doing so. Can you even spread the gospel over secular sounding beats? I don't know. It's been bugging me for a while..I would appreciate people's thoughts and opinions. 🙏🏻
The beats serve as a musical bed for the message to delivered. That’s it. I don’t believe that there’s such a thing as “secular beats”. However, the words being said over those beats are a different story. Know that music is of God so don’t trip. Keep doing your thing.
@@TheYenChronicles Thank you.
What does a Christian beat sound like, and what formed that paradigm?
yo where can I hear your music?
When it came to Christian music Deliverance (Christian Metal) was first, and I was not a believer. After Metal came TBone then evolved into Lecrae and I was bumping it in Cali, in my lowered 3inch Saturn 3 Door coupe with “ paid n full mine n yours” on top of windshield also two 10 in JL Audios and techniques amp bumping “Jesus music.” Then CHH went somewhere else. I like where Kieran is going. Be bless.
Bryan Trejo is the best actual Christian rapper hands down!
I knew the history, and I remember it being accepted because I was non-denominational. I stopped Christian rapping and rapping years ago. Too many gate keepers. Lecrae took heat because he starting mention the systemic problems Black people were facing.
Because its supposed to be in praise of God not his political narrative.
"If you're good at something, don't do it for free." -The Joker
I like the way you break it down. I do feel chh needs soft rules. To me it's simple. No profanity. No glorifying counter biblical principles(i.e. polygamous vs monogamous). That's all I got. To be fair, I enjoy the lifestyle rap today more than the theological bouts they used to have. But I love hip-hop. I think CHH is the best form of it today