Compare Christian and Mainstream Artists

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Updated on April 28, 2019

For many new Christians, there are parts of their "old life" that they want to leave behind. One of the first things to go is the "old music." I've heard some say that the music they used to listen to in the mainstream world reminded them of who they used to be too much so they want "new music" for the "new me." Others say that they don't really want to give up their favorite secular bands, instead, they want to add to their playlists - finding music that expands their musical realm. Since CCM offers every style of Christian music you can think of, this is a fairly easy task.

This chart isn't something that should be taken as me saying "X band in the Christian Music industry sounds just like Y band in the secular music industry." It is more me saying, "if you like so-and-so, then you should listen to so-and-so, because you'll probably like the similarities." The artists are listed alphabetically and several styles/genres are included. Links to sound clips are available so you can hear for yourself.

Avril Lavigne

Though she starting singing in church, Avril Lavigne has never been marketed as a "Christian artist." If you like the pop/rock sounds of the youngest female artist ever to have a #1 album in the U.K., you should check out ...

Jennifer Knapp - Jennifer's first album spent 80 weeks within the Top 25 on the Billboard charts. (Listen to sound clips from her 2010 album, Letting Go)
Plumb - Tiffany Arbuckle Lee released her 7th studio album in 2015. Listen to sound clips from Exhale.)
More ladies that rock

Billy Joel

The "Piano Man" started playing at the age of 4 and by the time he was 16, was already a pro. According to RIAA, he is the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States. If you like your guys with a piano backing them up, should you listen to ...

Michael W. Smith - The Gospel Music Hall of Famer got his start in CCM in 1982 as Amy Grant's keyboardist. (Listen to sound clips from Sovereign)
More piano-playing male Christian artists

David Guetta

If dance music is your thing, there are some Christian artist that can deliver.

Group 1 Crew - (Listen to sound clips from Fearless)
Shonlock - (Listen to sound clips from A Night To Remember)

Jason Derulo

The popular singer and dancer who hit RIAA triple Platinum with his debut single starting writing music for other artists while still a teen. If you like his R&B stylings, check out ...

J Moss - The cousin of The Clark Sisters also got his start as a teen. (Listen to sound clips from V4...The Other Side)
Tye Tribbett - Since 2000, the Grammy-nominated and Stellar-Award winning gospel artist has worked with the likes of Don Henley, Faith Hill, Justin Timberlake, Sting, Usher and Will Smith. (Listen to sound clips from Greater Than)

Kanye West

Even though Kanye West posed as Jesus on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine in 2006, he is not a Christian rapper. If you like his sound, you might enjoy ...

This'l - The St. Louis power rapper tells stories based on his own life and experiences. 100% genuine, he doesn't try to hide who he used to be. (Listen to sound clips from Fallen King)
Top Christian Rappers

Speaking of rap -- if you lean more towards Eminem than Yeezy, be sure to check out KJ-52. (Listen to sound clips from Mental)

Whitney Houston

Although we lost her amazing talent in 2012, Whitney Houston's music lives on. For those who love her powerful vocals, you should check out.

CeCe Winans - A member of the Gospel royalty known as the Winans Family, CeCe was a dear friend of Whitney's and was named godmother to Bobbi Kristina Brown. (Listen to sound clips from For Always: The Best Of Ce Ce Winans)

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Jones, Kim. "Compare Christian and Mainstream Artists." Learn Religions, Sep. 12, 2021, learnreligions.com/compare-christian-and-mainstream-artists-708422. Jones, Kim. (2021, September 12). Compare Christian and Mainstream Artists. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/compare-christian-and-mainstream-artists-708422 Jones, Kim. "Compare Christian and Mainstream Artists." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/compare-christian-and-mainstream-artists-708422 (accessed April 16, 2024).