Ten Christian Hip-Hop Albums Even BETTER Than “Jesus Is King”
About a week and a half ago, Kanye West shocked the world with his new album. Titled Jesus Is King, the album is an unabashed anthemic declaration of freedom found in Jesus Christ.
Kanye West released an album about Jesus. THE Kanye West.
He’s been talking about God for awhile, and he has shown some signs of spiritual growth, but many have been skeptical. Many have wondered how real his transformation could possibly be. With Jesus Is King, it’s clear to the entire world—Kanye isn’t messing around.
This isn’t a joke. This isn’t nominal Christianity. He’s surrendered his life to Jesus and the fruit of repentance and transformation permeates the entire record.
It’s hard to understate how incredible this is.
I keep trying to come up with a good comparison, but I cannot find one to do this transformation justice.
For over a decade, Kanye West has been one of music’s biggest superstars. Several of his albums are considered to be some of the greatest music projects of all time. He’s both a performer and a producer. And, he’s a fashion designer, known for his Yeezy line of shoes. Plus, he’s married to Kim Kardashian, who connects Kanye to one of the most famous families in American pop culture.
Also, for a brief time he called himself a hip-hop god, to the extreme where his 2013 album was named Yeezus. He’s lived in the limelight and has had a life filled with controversial moments.
But Kanye West found Jesus.
We heard hints of this in his previous album The Life of Pablo, but still many were skeptical. Now, with Jesus Is King, there’s little doubt: Kanye West is a changed man.
And his art reflects his change. Jesus Is King finds West with a remarkably humble attitude.
Many are still cynical. Is this a true permanent change? Is this some kind of marketing ploy? Is this a shallow change that will see West fall and return to his own ways?
Indeed, it’s hard to know for certain. But if you’re a Christian, you should be happy for West. All the fruit he’s shown so far is the fruit of a man changed by Jesus. Don’t criticize every little move he makes; instead, you should pray for him. Pray that he continues to be discipled. Pray that he stays strong in the midst of persecution.
Pray, and celebrate.
This is a true Saul-to-Paul moment. If Jesus can save and change someone like Kanye West, He can save anybody! The harvest is ready. People’s eyes are being opened to the truth and life and hope found in Jesus.
This is a very good thing.
Now that we’re clear on that, I want to shift the discussion a little bit…
Christian Hip-Hop
Now, Jesus Is King is an incredible album. I do have a minor complaint, though, and it has nothing to do with Kanye West.
I’ve seen a few people post online things to the effect of “What have all these Christian rappers been doing all this time?” or “Christian rappers need to take notes!” or “This is how Christian Rap is supposed to be done!”
Now, what I’m about to say is not to detract from the greatness of Jesus Is King.
Besides the fact that it’s one of the greatest cultural moments for Christianity in America in recent memory, the album itself is really good.
This is a Kanye West album with Kanye West production and a Kanye West budget. It’s fantastic quality.
But it’s not the “Best Christian Hip-Hop Album.”
It’s great. It shows true fruit and true transformation. But if you’re acting like Kanye just showed Christian rappers how to do good hip-hop, you are very misinformed.
There’s still this perception that Christian Hip-Hop is bad or cheesy or low-quality, especially when compared to mainstream artists.
But Christian Hip-Hop has been great for a long time, and it’s only getting better. So, to give Christian Hip-Hop its due, here’s Ten Christian Hip-Hop Albums Better Than Jesus Is King.
Disclaimer: “Better” is a subjective distinction. I’ve chosen these albums as some of my favorite hip-hop albums by Christian artists, and all of these albums have explicitly Christian content and themes. If my list is missing something, let me know who I’m missing. Also, I don’t have an ear for production, so it’s still entirely possible that Jesus Is King has the better production value compared to each of my examples.
So, without any further ado, in no particular order…
Ten Christian Hip-Hop Albums Better Than Jesus Is King
One — Rebel, by Lecrae
Rebel is the quintessential Christian Hip-Hop album. With the thesis that being a Christian means to rebel against the world, Lecrae’s 2008 album inspires a zeal in the listener that few albums can match.
Now, over ten years old, it still hold up remarkably well. If you’re new to Christian rap music, this is a very good place to start.
My favorite tracks are “Rebel Intro,” “Identity,” “Indwelling Sin,” “Truth,” and “Live Free,” but you really need to hear the whole project, start to finish.
And while you’re at it, listen to all of Lecrae’s other albums, especially Rehab, Gravity, Anomaly, and All Things Work Together. Lecrae has one the strongest discographies in all of music, and I am not exaggerating.
Two — The Narrative, by Sho Baraka
It’s hard to explain just how good The Narrative is. It is unapologetically Christian, but the theme of the record goes beyond the gospel. Yes, Sho is rooted in gospel, but he’s also rooted in his cultural experience. The topics range from fatherhood to gentrification to love to racial inequality.
Though some people are uncomfortable with any project that addresses social issues, I’d implore you to get over it and listen to this album anyway. Sho Baraka presents his perspective both didactically and humbly. Also, the album is a lot of fun. Very few albums successfully encompass such a full range of mood and emotion while also maintaining cohesion through the project.
My favorite tracks include “Here, 2016,” “Words, 2006,” “Piano Break, 33 A.D.,” “Kanye, 2009,” and “Maybe Both, 1865.”
But seriously, listen to the whole album. This is literally one of my favorite albums of all time.
Three — Empire, by Derek Minor
Derek Minor’s 2015 album Empire was released right before the Empire tv series premiered, and it’s a shame because I think the show overshadowed the album even though they’re not connected in any way. That’s the only reason that makes sense to me on why Derek’s Empire seems to have faded from the conversation in the years since its release.
The project contrasts personal empire building with building the Kingdom of God. It turns up and gets serious. It’s personal but also filled with features that shine. It’s everything I want in a hip-hop album.
My favorite songs are “All Hail the King,” “Who You Know,” “Kingdom Come,” “Slow Down,” and “Stranger.”
Four — School of Roses, by Christon Gray
Even though this is technically more of an RnB album, I still needed to include Christon Gray on this list. The theme is simple and poignant—like roses, life is beautiful, but it’s also painful and full of thorns.
My favorite songs include, “Wanna,” “Vanish,” “Roses 101—After All,” “Hello of Goodbye,” and “Arena (The Final Hour).”
Again, as with all these albums I’m listing, just take the time to listen to the whole project start to finish. You will not be disappointed.
Five — Rise, by Trip Lee
Trip Lee’s most cohesive—and arguably his best—album is 2014’s Rise. The project inspires us to “rise”, specifically for Christians rising up and being intentional with our spiritual growth.
My favorite songs include “Shweet,” “Manolo,” “Insomniac,” “Lazarus,” and “I’m Gone.”
Six — Instruments of Mercy, by Beautiful Eulogy
Instruments of Mercy is my favorite album of Beautiful Eulogy’s three. It’s theological and doxological. Encouraging and challenging. Clever and thought-provoking.
Beautiful Eulogy is a trio featuring rappers Braille and Odd Thomas and producer Courtland Urbano. Both of the emcees of the group now currently serve their churches in pastoral positions, so there’s little chance we’ll see anything new from them any time soon, but their albums are artistic treasures.
Quality, clever, academic, and theologically sound, Instruments of Mercy is the perfect example of the “lyrical theology” side of Christian Hip-Hop that doesn’t go over the hearers’ heads.
My favorite tracks include “Exile Dial Tone,” “You Can Save Me,” “Symbols and Signs,” “Release Me From This Snare,” and “Organized Religion.”
Seven — Chronicles of An X-Hustler, by Thi’sl
Thi’sl may not be the most popular Christian rapper, but he’s one of the most respectable. Not only is his music consistently quality, but he also is active in helping his community.
A St. Louis native, Thi’sl went through a dramatic transformation, and he candidly tells parts of his story through X-Hustler. Hip-Hop storytelling at its finest, this album is both emotional and inspiring; Thi’sl displays a genuine heart for those suffering in the life he was saved from.
Instead of trying to summarize it, I’d rather just point you to listen to Thi’sl tell the story himself. After listening to Chronicles of an X-Hustler, also check out his other projects including his new album STTAG [“Small Thing To A Giant”]. STTAG is the first album since he recovered from a gunshot wound—after he was attacked in the very city he’s been helping for years. In other words, he’s the real deal—a mission-minded Christian with a heart for the lost and a zeal for the Great Commission.
My favorite songs on Chronicles of an X-Hustler include “I Hate You (Crack),” “LifeLine,” “I Forgive You,” “Urban Missionary,” and “Picture on a Shirt.”
Eight — Crescendo, by Jackie Hill Perry
Jackie Hill Perry’s 2018 sophomore album Crescendo is all about spiritual growth. The basic concept: Like a crescendo, our lives mature in an upward trajectory—from glory to glory.
Originally a spoken-word poet, Jackie Hill Perry is a lyricist through and through. She also has a fantastic flow.
Some of my favorite songs from this project include “Hush,” “No Ways Tired,” “Thy Neighbor,” “Hymn,” and “Maranatha.”
Nine — Crimson Cord, by Propaganda
Crimson Cord is a beautiful album about the things that connect our stories to God and each other. One of the themes is empathy. Even deeper, Propaganda illustrates how the hand of God is present in all our brokenness, past and present.
Though it’s hard to exactly verbalize exactly how, this is one album that changed me. With every listen, it speaks to my spirit.
Some of my favorite tracks on here are “Crimson Cord,” “Framed Stretch Marks,” “I Don’t See It,” “Three Cord Bond,” and “Tell Me Yours.”
Ten — Today We Rebel, by KB
Full disclosure—KB has been one of my favorite artists ever since he debuted on Reach Records in 2011. He can fast-rap. He tell stories. He can turn up. He can be theological. He can do basically anything in hip-hop with excellence.
Today We Rebel continues where his previous album Tomorrow We Live left off—only it hits even harder. Taking cues from Lecrae’s Rebel, KB galvanizes listeners to rebel against the systems of this world—all while trusting completely in Jesus.
Standout tracks include “Monster,” “Primetime,” “Art of Drifting / Art of Hope,” “New Portrait,” and “Rebel Rebel 88.”
Not to mention…
I could’ve easily included Tedashii, Andy Mineo, Swoope, KJ-52, Bizzle, Ruslan, Flame, Datin, WHATUPRG, Dee-1, and dozens others on this list!
In Conclusion:
If you like hip-hop and if you enjoyed Jesus Is King, do not be despaired as if there’s not much good quality Christian Hip-Hop music to choose from. It’s been growing for decades, and is only getting bigger and better with time.
These artists range all styles and even all ages, from seasoned veterans who’ve been growing in Christ for decades to new young artists with a fresh zeal, to everyone in between.
If you like Jesus Is King, listen to some of these artists too. And while you do, be grateful for this time in music.
Jesus Is King is a truly unique moment, and it marks a time where a mainstream audience previously hostile to a Christian message just heard the gospel from one of the highest regarded artists of this generation.
No matter what kind of music you listen to, that’s something all Christians can get excited about.
