31 Best Christian Rappers
Similar to other forms of hip-hop, Christian hip-hop features addictive rhythms and great melodies. That said, it’s often set apart by its uplifting nature; it is of course often deeply spiritual due to the rapper’s faith in God.
Keep reading to learn about the best Christian rappers in the world.
Contents
1. Lecrae
Lecrae Devaughn Moore is the most famous name in the Christian hip-hop world. He was born on October 9, 1979, in Houston, Texas. His uniqueness lies in that he began his life as an atheist and only found meaning in God and Christianity after extensive introspection.
Lecrae’s mother was a single parent, so his grandmother often took him to church on Sundays. But he was a victim of sexual abuse by a babysitter when he was a child. He even began abusing drugs in his youthful years. He adopted music as a therapy for abuse, substance abuse, and despair.
Lecrae frequently leverages his life experiences in songs to serve as a source of motivation and encouragement to the youths. He is an accomplished rapper, the C.E.O., and co-founder of the revolutionary record label known as Reach Records.
The two-time Grammy winner has ten studio albums, six singles, and four mixtapes. His album Gravity won the Grammy for Best Gospel Album in 2012, while the song Messengers won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song in 2014. Furthermore, he bagged the G.M.A. Dove Award for Artist of the Year in 2015.
Besides being very active in volunteer initiatives, Lecrae has published two books describing his life and Christian beliefs. Nearly all of his albums have debuted at number one on Billboard’s chart of Top Christian Albums.
2. NF
The rapper’s real name is Nathan John Feuerstein, born on March 30, 1991, in Gladwin, Michigan.
Following his parent’s separation, the rapper spent a better part of his life not being around his father. Nevertheless, after learning that his ex-wife’s husband was assaulting Nathan, his father eventually took him away from them.
N.F.’s music is popular among Christians who enjoy rap because of its appealing beats and relatable lyrics. His mom passed away in 2009 from drug use, and he sang “How Could You Leave Us” as a dedication to her. The song emphasized his internal conflict with his mother’s drug use and his attempts to understand why her love for drugs surpassed that of her son.
N.F. claims that negative events have made him the God-fearing man he is today. Currently, NF has six studio albums. The rapper amassed such a large fan base that his fourth studio album, The Search, dethroned Chance the Rapper’s L.P. The New Day was the number-one album on the Billboard 200 in 2019.
In 2016, N.F. ‘s album Therapy Session bagged the G.M.A. Dove Award for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year. His authentic and moving lyrical lines greatly propel the rapper’s growth in the limelight.
Furthermore, his single “Oh Lord” won the Dove Award. In October 2017, N.F.’s third studio album, Perception, premiered at number one on the Billboard 200. His most successful hit to date, “Let You Down,” reached number 12 on the Hot 100 in February 2018.
3. Andy Mineo
Andy is a Christian rapper, producer, music executive, and clergyman. Many fans know him as a member of the 116 Clique group. Andy was born on April 17, 1988, in Syracuse, New York, and he’s presently under Reach Records.
Even though Andy had been a believer since childhood, he came to terms with the fact that he was spiritually weak throughout his time at university. At some point, he took a short break from recording to focus on his spiritual growth as a Christian.
The rapper released his mixtape titled Formerly Known, which has a positive reception from fans. His studio albums, Heroes for Sale (2013) and Uncomfortable (2015) charted on the Billboard 200 at number 11 and 10, respectively.
The rapper released an E.P. titled Never Land in 2014. The E.P. reached number 13 on the Billboard 200, winning him the Dove Awards Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year. His most recent release, Work in Progress, debuted in September 2019 and is at position two on the Top Christian Albums chart.
4. Flame
Marcus Tyrone Gray, well-known by his stage name Flame, was born on September 16, 1981, in St. Louis, Missouri. In his early years, Flame would use his leisure time to write raps as spiritual songs. He reworked the songs into hip-hop later on.
It wasn’t long before he caught the attention of Cross Movement Records, who offered him a publishing deal. Flame released his first self-titled album under their management in 2004. After removing the other four albums under the management, Flame set up his label known as Clear Sight Music.
The rapper’s 2008 release titled Our World: Redeemed won nominations for a Grammy, G.M.A. Dove, and Stellar awards. His other major urban releases include Rewind (2005), Our World: Fallen (2007), Captured (2010), The 6th (2012), Royal Flush (2017), Forward (2015), God Knows (2018), and Extra Nos (2020).
5. KB
Kevin Elijah Burgess, popularly known as K.B., was born on July 21, 1988, in St. Petersburg, Florida. After that, his family moved to southern Illinois, where they spent around eight years. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in a Bible college, where he collaborated with other rappers to form the hip-hop group HGA, which stands for “His Glory Alone.”
In 2010, the rapper secured a recording contract with Reach Records. He later released a collabo titled “Go” featuring Lecrae. Ever since, he has released many songs as a solo artist. Nevertheless, he is still a member of HGA. K.B. has several studio albums, an E.P., and a mixtape.
His music, which draws heavily on trap music’s sonic inspiration, is hard-hitting and has a strong message.
The rapper’s Weight & Glory studio album, in 2012, debuted at number 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart and reached number 34 on the Billboard 200. In 2015, his subsequent album, Tomorrow We Live, debuted at number 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart and reached number 18 on the Billboard 200.
K.B. released his fourth studio album, titled His Glory Alone, at the height of Covid-19 in the year 2020. He regards the album to be his work’s cornerstone. “Church Clap,” “Hold Me Back,” and “No Chains” are among the rapper’s most well-known songs.
The rapper strives to incorporate the three things that mean the most to him (prayer, God, and music) in his tracks to strengthen, inspire, and restore believers.
6. Chance The Rapper
Although he’s a Christian, Chance The Rapper has more mainstream acclaim than he has in the Christian rap community. The scope of his appeal makes him among the most popular and financially successful rappers on this list.
Chance has not had an easy time with his spiritual journey. Throughout the years, his songs have referenced his faith and challenges. Nevertheless, the rapper decided to rededicate his life to God following his daughter’s birth, who was diagnosed with atrial flutter.
Chance has established himself as a Christian rapper but remains cautious to avoid fitting into particular stereotypes. The rapper’s 2016 mixtape Coloring Book is his best work to date. The record got numerous positive reviews and debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200. Furthermore, it bagged three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album.
He has worked with renowned musicians such as Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Justin Bieber. The rapper’s single with the highest number of streams is Holy featuring Justin Bieber. Other popular songs include No Problem, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz, Juke Jam, Justin Bieber, and Towkio.
7. BJ The Chicago Kid
The rapper has worked with mainstream hip-hop superstars like Kanye West, Freddie Gibbs, and Schoolboy Q. He kickstarted his career as a backup singer for various musicians, including Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige. After that, he launched a great career as a solo artist.
His musical style has an R&B and neo-soul vibe that incorporates his religious beliefs. Apart from his vocal abilities, the rapper is open about discussing the dog’s love for him. Some of the rapper’s most well-known songs include “Church,” “Turnin’ Me Up,” and “His Pain.”
8. TobyMac
Toby McKeehan, better known by his stage name TobyMac, is among the pioneers of Christian rap. Since the release of his first album in 2001, he has grown into one of the most reputable Christian rappers in the industry. He became prominent for being a member of the Christian rap-rock group D.C. Talk. After that, he launched a fulfilling career as a solo artist.
TobyMac is among the best-selling Christian rap artists because his catalog includes several albums. He also has more than 10 million record sales. His reputation stretches far beyond the Christian charts and into the secular Billboard charts, demonstrating his ability to appeal to listeners of all faiths.
The rapper’s 2012 album, titled Eye on You, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album charts. In addition, he is a seven-time Grammy awards winner. His famous songs include “Love Broke Thru,” “Speak Life,” and “I need U.”
9. Derek Minor
Rapper, producer, and music industry executive Derek Minor is gaining traction in the Christian and mainstream music communities. Two of his albums have appeared on the Billboard 200, with his breakthrough 2016 release titled Reflection reaching number five on the Top Rap Albums chart.
Some professional sports teams, such as the Los Angeles Chargers, the Los Angeles Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles, have used the rapper’s energizing and encouraging music. Apart from his solo projects, he has also worked with Lecrae, KB, and Andy Mineo.
Besides being a musician, Derek Minor is a businessman and a humanitarian. He’s the founder of Refugee Music Group and has investments in various companies throughout the U.S.
One of the reasons why the rapper has become well-known is the emotional depth and resonant themes he explores in his lyrics. Some of his most famous songs include “Change the World,” “Party People,” and “Ready Set Go.”
10. Guvna B
Isaac Borquaye, best known by his stage name Guvna B, is the most popular United Kingdom Christian rapper. Born in London, Guvna B is also a renowned presenter and author. Since 2008, the rapper has released nine studio albums, demonstrating his phenomenal productivity as a recording artist.
Throughout his career, he has won the highly prized MOBO Award for Best Gospel Artist category on four occasions. Guvna B says that his background drove him to desire to have a significant effect through music.
Due to exposure to so much negativity, he made it his mission to encourage others to rise above their circumstances and become the best versions of themselves.
His most well-known songs include “Nothing But The Blood” and “Everyday.”
11. Tedashii
Tedashii is a legendary Christian rapper who hails from Texas. He has been a member of 116 Clique since 2006 and has seven albums under his name.
The rapper’s most popular release is the 2011 album titled Blacklight, which debuted at number 63 on the Billboard 200 list, reached number two on the Gospel Albums chart, and number one on the Top Christian Albums chart.
His subsequent 2014 release titled Below Paradise was again a huge success, reaching number 17 on the Billboard 200, number two on the Top Christian Albums, and number one on the Gospel Albums charts. The wonderful album delves into the rapper’s spiritual hardships following the loss of his one-year-old son in a road accident.
The rapper’s most successful single hits include “Get Out My Way,” “Gotta Live,” and “Dum Dum.”
12. Hulvey
Christopher Michael Hulvey, better known by his stage name, is a Christian rapper, composer, and producer. Unlike many rappers on this list, he is a novice in the industry, with his first album coming out in 2021.
The rapper’s first album reached number eight on the Top Christian Albums list and 19 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Christopher grew up in Georgia but relocated to Atlanta, the rap industry’s main hub.
Besides his solo releases, Hulvey has also appeared on tracks by 116 Clique and Lecrae. His most successful projects are “Beautiful,” “Reasons,” and “Can’t Tell It All.”
13. Trip Lee
Trip Lee is a preacher and Christian rapper who has quickly grown into a household figure in the Christian hip-hop world. The rapper’s earlier tracks have a very distinct tone from his current music, which is more gospel-centered. According to him, rappers Ambassador and Da’ TRUTH did inspire his Christian hip-hop style.
Currently, the rapper has a total of six albums. Three of his albums, Between Two Worlds (2010), The Good Life (2012), and Rise (2014), secured a place in the top ten of Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number one on the Gospel chart. The latter reached number 16 on the Billboard 200.
The rapper’s most successful and greatest releases include “Manolo” and “Sweet Victory.”
14. Manafest
Manafest’s real name is Christopher Scott Greenwood and he hails from Canada. A lot of Manafest’s work as of late has been rap-rock, which combines rock and hip-hop styles. His live performances feature rock bands and instruments. Manafest has been rapping for three decades, making him a true industry veteran.
The rapper dropped his first album, titled My Own Thing, in 2003. His 11th album, I Run with Wolves, came out in 2022.
He’s among the most popular Christian rappers on this list, having more than 800,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Manafest’s most successful releases include “No Plan B” and “Impossible.”
15. WHATUPRG
WHATUPRG is among the most versatile rappers on this list because he uniquely incorporates aspects of trap music and reggaeton into his signature sound. His parents were Mexican immigrants who settled in Georgia, where he was brought up.
WHATUPRG is part of the 116 Clique, but he uses the pseudonym Raul Garcia. His unique and creative style has earned him widespread appreciation among Christians who listen to hip-hop.
The rapper has three studio albums under his name, including Pleasant Hill (2018), Raul (2019), and New Hollywood (2022). “Glory,” “Courtside,” and “Drip Lee” are among his most famous songs.
16. Sho Baraka
Sho Baraka is a prominent Christian rapper among the pioneers of 116 Clique. The rapper was under Reach Records’ management before departing to launch his record label. Besides his prominence in the Christian rap community, he is also a successful artist in the conscious rap scene.
As an industry veteran, Sho Baraka has had six album releases between 2007 and 2018. He collaborates with artists such as Lecrae, Trip Lee, and Tedashii.
The rapper’s third studio album, Talented 10th (2013), is widely regarded as his best work. It debuted at number one on Billboard’s Gospel albums chart and reached 12 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
17. Bizzle
Bizzle was born on July 21, 1983, and has been among the most controversial Christian rappers. His song, “You Got Some Explaining to Do,” became a worldwide sensation in 2010. The song criticized popular rapper Jay-Z for making insulting remarks about Christians and Jesus.
The rapper created a commotion in January 2014 with the release of the song “Same Love.” He wrote the track directly to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s Same Love. Within the song’s lyrics, he blasted the media for its promotion of homosexuality and its use of the black civil rights movement to advance gay rights.
In 2013, he won the Kingdom Choice Awards for the Music Video of the Year, Rap Single of the Year, and Hip-Hop Album of the Year categories. Some of his greatest projects include Light Work 2: Bars & Melodies (2019), Light Work (2018) as well as Crowns and Crosses (2016).
18. Wande
Wande is one of the most prominent, active Christian female rappers. Before beginning her career as a solo artist, Wande held positions in the music industry as a music journalist and an artist and repertoire (A&R) manager.
She’s the first female artist to work under the Christian hip-hop record label, Reach. The rapper released her first E.P., The Decision, and album titled Exit in 2020. Her best hits include “Blessed Up,” “Big God,” and “HAPPY.”
19. Social Club Misfits
Social Club Misfits is a Christian rap duo from Miami, Florida. FERN and Marty Mar have been in the industry for over a decade, with their first album, Misfits, debuting in 2012.
Nevertheless, their breakthrough came after releasing the third studio album, titled Misfits 2, in 2014. The album reached number three on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, ten on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and 59 on the Billboard 200 chart. The duo’s most famous songs include “War Cry” and “Testify.”
20. Swoope
Swoope is well-known for his creative wordplay and ability to convey imaginative stories. He is currently under Collision Records management and has four studio album releases.
Furthermore, Swoope is a member of the rap group Wrecking Crew. He features in collaborations with rappers such as Mac Miller and Jon Bellion. Some of his most successful projects include “Blue Pill” and “Wake Up.” Swoope is also in demand as a producer, having worked with prominent rappers like Tedashii and Lecrae.
The Atlanta-based rap musician continues to demonstrate unique skills in composing quality music. Unlike other Christian rappers, Swoope albums boast of one complete thought. The most recent release was in 2018, after dealing with extreme depression and finally finding hope.
21. KJ-52
Jonah Sorrentino, better known by his stage name KJ-52, was born on June 26, 1975, in Tampa’s Ybor City. After several years of defiance and drug abuse, the rapper underwent a spiritual rebirth at the age of 15 years.
When he started, he dropped a few demo CDs, but they did not attract the public’s attention. In 1998, he quit his job and decided to develop his career as a rapper.
His first album, 7th Avenue, came out in April 2000. Since then, he has had 16 albums under his name. Some of his releases have been controversial, attracting hate and even receiving death threats from fans.
22. Canton Jones
Canton Jones was born on January 9, 1977, in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He was brought up in a musical family and began singing when he was five. The rapper is also a minister at the Free Life Church.
During his time as a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, he was a member of the school’s Glee Club. He had the opportunity to perform in front of prominent figures like Ray Charles, Oprah Winfrey, Bobby Jones, and Stevie Wonder.
Canton also sang in the choir at Creflo Dollar’s World Changers Church. He earned recognition after giving a solo presentation before the congregation. As of now, the rapper has 13 albums under his name.
23. Thi’sl
Travis Tremayne Tyler, popularly known as Thi’sl was born on March 17, 1977, in Greenwood, Mississippi. His parents moved to St. Louis, Missouri, shortly after he was born. He started his career as a rapper at 14, using the stage name Uncle Y.
Nevertheless, his gang involvement at the time had a significant impact on his musical style. After some time, he decided to give up his street lifestyle and concentrate on gospel hip-hop. His most popular releases include “Redemption,” “Get It,” “Hindsight,” and “Majestic,” featuring the Social Club.
24. Black Knight (BrvndonP)
BrvndonP was born in Sacramento. The rapper grew up around music because his dad is a musician, too. He had already shown interest in playing the drums at a young age. Throughout his career, the rapper has been able to perform alongside artists such as Alex Medina, Rhema Soul, Canon, and Chris Lee.
He dropped his self-titled debut album in 2016. Some of his E.P.s and other studio albums include We Live It (2016), Off the Record (2016), and No Fakery (2016).
25. DC Talk
Christian rappers D.C. Talk made their biggest mark on the music industry in the early 1990s.
In 1992, their rendition of “Jesus Is Just Alright With Me,” originally done by the Art Reynolds Singers, earned them widespread recognition. Although the track maintains the original chorus, it has fresh rap lines from Michael Tait, Kevin Smith, and TobyMac.
The hit significantly contributed to their album’s success, titled Free At Last. Despite being a rap group, they won Best Rock Gospel Album Grammy. The group hasn’t dropped an album for more than two decades, but in recent years they’ve been organizing tours and writing books to spread a message of hope during these troubling times.
26. Da Truth
Emanuel Lee Lambert, Jr., better known by his stage name Da Truth, is another successful Christian rapper. Whereas it has been six years since his last album, he has won numerous awards and has eight albums under his name.
Even though his music is more prominent among Christian rap diehards, Da Truth is better known to the general world for his involvement with his close buddy Tye Tribbett’s wife. Consequently, the rapper had to step down from his position as a minister for six months and disappear from the music industry.
The rapper already had a wife during the entanglement, but they overcame their problems, made a new commitment to one another, and are now proud parents of two kids.
27. Propaganda
Christian rap artist Propaganda has gained widespread recognition for using his songs to address persistent societal problems. He has worked with numerous notable artists and participated in critical cultural discussions.
His career addresses issues such as racial tensions, rumor-mongering, and hypocrisy. His songs provide a much-needed viewpoint on these pressing societal issues and shed light on the widespread inequality in modern society.
For more than a decade now, the rapper has been at the epicenter of rap music’s most pivotal discussions due to his blend of positivity, authenticity, and emotive style in his songs.
28. Sevin
Sevin is from Sacramento, California, and is a Christian gangster rapper. His music addresses the struggles of the urban lifestyle while offering an optimistic, spiritual alternative to drug use, gang membership, and physical violence.
Currently, the rapper has around 17 studio albums and mixtapes. He started rapping while he was young and released his first album in 1999. In 2001, he established an urban ministry called HOG MOB (Hooked on God, Ministry Over Business). Since then, the group’s reach has grown to 40 locations across three states.
The rapper’s first album to reach the Billboard Gospel Albums chart was Commissary (2013). His other album, Purple Heart, became even greater after signing a record deal with God Over Money Records in 2016, reaching several Billboard charts.
29. GAWVI
GAWVI rose quickly to become a prominent figure in the Christian rap industry. Under Reach Records’ management, the rapper and producer dropped six albums between 2013 and 2021. The rapper’s best-selling album was We Belong (2017). The album debuted at number seven on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart and Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
“Slingshot,” “Not Too Far,” and “Fight For Me” are among his most famous hits. Recently, the rapper’s standing has been going down. Reach Records cut ties with the musician following several reports that he had sent indecent photos to female fans.
30. 1K Phew
As one of the best Christian rappers, 1K Phew’s music style is heavily influenced by the trap music trend that has spread throughout the city. He’s also a member of the Christian hip-hop group 116 Clique. The rapper has made it clear that he strives to use his music to present people with the truth rather than worrying about being politically correct.
His music delivers a distinct message of positivity and hope to many of the city’s trap musicians. The songs “WILDIN” and “Drip Lee” are among his popular releases. Furthermore, the rapper dropped an album No Church In a While, in 2021.
31. Pigeon John
Pigeon John hails from Los Angeles and started in the 90s hip-hop scene at the Good Life Cafe’s legendary open mic evenings. When starting, he was part of the hip-hop crew L.A. Symphony. However, he left to join the group’s Brainwash Projects and Rootbeer, where he’s an active member.
He’s a unique rapper in that his music blends genres and positive lyrics. His songs’ uplifting lyrics and references to God have earned him the tag “Christian Rapper.” However, he hopes to appeal to diverse listeners by combining different rock and pop styles with easily relatable lyrics.
Top Christian Rappers, Final Thoughts
Anytime you hear the term hip hop, it’s highly unlikely for songs that talk about Jesus or the bible to cross your mind. Nevertheless, Christian rap is very prominent in the music industry.
Devout rappers use their music to convey their thoughts on Christianity while spreading the message. They advocate for a morally upright lifestyle. We hope you had fun reading our list of the best Christian rappers.
Bizzle ain’t in the top 5?? Where’s Lathan Warlick?
Bryson Gray and Tyson James are great too.
Check out Not Klyde, he should be on this list too!!
Um, you left off one of the best, nobigdyl.