Top Five Christian Hip-Hop Albums of the 2010's

  Christian Hip-Hop has improved in recent years with labels like Humble Beast and Collision Records experimenting with their sound instead of trying to hop on a trend that was popular the year before. The recent years have given us some extremely strong offerings in different styles. From the more backpack sounding rap, to more "accessible" rap, we have gotten strong albums in both camps. Before we begin, I have some honorable mentions.

Rehab by Lecrae
This is the first rap album I ever bought. It helped me through a tough time in my life, and I had difficulty not putting it on the list. The reason for this is some inconsistency with the tracks. Some of the tracks stray away from the concept of the album.

Heroes For Sale by Andy Mineo
I love Andy Mineo and I eagerly await his next project. Heroes For Sale is a strong debut album from Mineo, and would have made the list if it were not for the same problem with Rehab. The album strays off of the concept with a couple of 116 anthems.

Crimson Cord by Propaganda
This album was very hard to keep off the list. Propaganda a spoken word poet and a rapper who crafts thought provoking songs almost every time he records a track. The reason this album didn't make the list... Well, because there can only be five. If I had to pick, this would be my number six.

 On to the list!

5. Blind Elephant by Gemstones
I know this album only came out recently, but it deserves to be here. It was nice to hear some high quality, varied production along with Gemstone's varied flow and subject matter. "Temple", and "Almost Home" are the best tracks on the album.

4. Circa MMXI: The Collective by High Society Collective
The High Society Collective includes soulful singer JR, multitalented Natalie Lauren (FKA Suzy Rock), politically minded Sho Baraka, and the lyricist Swoope. This quartet put out a great collaboration with this album. They range from politically charged songs like "MAD ABOUT" and "Press on",  to tearing apart lesser skilled rappers with the incredible "TGC."


3. Instruments of Mercy by Beautiful Eulogy
Beautiful Eulogy is a trio with Braille and Odd Thomas handling rapping, and Courtland Urbano handling production with the duo. This album is the best theology you will hear in an album, but, that does not compromise the music itself. The music is very well produced with more indie and folky sounding flourishes than you would expect. "Release Me From This Snare", and "Symbols and Signs" are the best tracks on this consistently solid album.

2. Gold Rush: Maybe One Day by Dre Murray
Dre Murray is a phenomenal artist, and one of the most creative guys in the genre. In this album, he explores the "Gold Rush" that everbody chases and feels entitled to. As he says in "Maybe One Day": "I see it and one day I'mma get it, I gotta have it, not sure what it is, but they say that it's magic." Dre always raps in first person, and avoids preaching at you. He follows various people's attempts at attaining their "Gold Rush", whether it is while they are chasing it, attaining it, or on the other side, having lost it all. He  includes himself in this on a few tracks. He actually stays on concept throughout the whole album which is a tremendous plus for me.

1. 13th Floor by The Rep
What do I have to do to get more people to listen to this guy? Brandon Kagel, AKA The Rep, is a lyricist, dropping quotable and relatable gems in each song. There's only one song that I don't love, which happens to be the first song, "Picture on the Wall." Everything else is perfect, from his lyricism, to the production from Mustafasasbeats (who needs to get more work), yet it is criminally overlooked. To quote him from the track "Hello, Goodbye": "I feel like a crack house floor, 'cause I've been slept on." This album takes a much darker tone than anything else I've heard in Christian rap, but the gospel is still there. He talks about taboo subjects we would like to keep in the dark, but are essential to think about. The album is also incredibly and painfully personal for The Rep. In the track "Murder", he talks about his mother's suicide. In "'Till it's Over", he talks about his own drug abuse. He has empathy for the rejects and outcasts because he is/was one. To close, I'm going to leave you with a couple quotes from the album.

"They say my songs speak to 'em like I'm preaching sermons
And the pastor at his church sounds like he's speaking German.
But I just wonder if he knows
That I got problems of my own
And I'm following this road
But I ain't perfect neither.
That's why I need God,
His grace keeps me from flippin' out at my wife
And packing my bags at night to leave her.
And trust me, I done thought about it
And not one homey was around that I could call on like 'Dog, I'm drowning.'
They just left me drinking oceans
Trying to swallow mountains
Walking the tightrope during an earthquake I'm all off balance.
But I'm convinced that he was there when no one was
Satan gives the evil stare but Romans one says I am not ashamed,
And I am not ashamed.
So even when it's all over, I still overcome." -"Prison in My Head"

"I used to hide my face in the dark
Because I hate what I saw,
But still had all of God's promises taped to my door.
And then I'd look up to heaven
And say to the Lord with tears on my cheek:
'You said to praise you so I'm raising my arms!'
But inside I feel like I hate you,
What's taking so long?
You just left me surrounded by these angels with horns." -"Conversations"

   I hope you enjoyed this list. If you are interested in checking out the music talked about, three of the albums mentioned (Crimson Cord, Instruments of Mercy, and Circa MMXI: The Collective) are available (legally!) for free at noisetrade.com. I believe the rest of the albums are on Spotify. Anyway, if you have an opinion on the list, or want to share your own list, please do! Have an excellent day.