They spit out rhymes like other rappers ... but their words are deeper, more profound and definitely God-inspired. Gospel rap or holy hip-hop gets more popular every year and reaches places all over the globe.
1. 'Our World Redeemed ...The Sequel' - Flame, 2007
Cross Movement
The sequel to Our World Fallen, Our World Redeemed is up for a 2009 GRAMMY with good reason. Offering hope and a bright outlook on an eternal future, Flame delivers his best album to date to the delight of fans both old and new.
2. 'The Plan' - Raze, 2000
Forefront Records
This album, which featured guest artist TobyMac, took home the Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year award in 2001.
3. 'The Art of Translation' - Grits, 2002
Gotee
Seventeen songs comprise The Art of Translation, with all of them flowing smoothly between important topics that are still relevant years later. This 2003 Dove Award Rap Hip-Hop Album of the Year can still hold it's own in today's musical climate.
4. 'It's Pronounced Five Two' - KJ-52, 2003
Courtesy of Paradigm Mgmt.
2004 saw this release take top honors at the Dove Awards, when it won the Rap Hip-Hop Album of the Year. It’s Pronounced Five Two is KJ's third release and it's filled with humor, (yes - he's funny AND talented), important issues, and most of all ... God.
5. 'The Fault Is History' - Souljahz, 2002
Squint/Word
Not everyone could successfully blend rock, R&B, hip-hop and pop music ... AND have it go over with both Christian and secular fans ... but Souljahz did. "All Around The World," the 2003 Dove Rap Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year, was just one of the great songs on this release.
6. 'Factors of the Seven' - Grits, 1998
Gotee
Yes, I realize that this almost reads like a "Best of grits" article, but Factors of the Seven, home of the 1999 Dove Award's Rap Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year, is where "Plagiarism" comes from, so it must be mentioned!
7. 'Bone-A-Fide' - T-Bone, 2005
Courtesy of: Flicker Records
Not only is this album's production top-notch, it's also T-Bone's best release to date. The pioneer of west coast Gospel hip-hop brought it and he brought it big in Bone-A-Fide.
While some music reviewers seemed to have a problem with the apparent "bragging" that Bone did about his success and all of the goodies that come with it, when looked at in the light of the "God wants all of His children to have nice things" message that many churches are preaching, it looks like T-Bone is getting his!
8. 'DC Talk' - DC TALK, 1995
Capitol
Some folks didn't like DC Talk because it sounded too "80s" for their taste. For me, that was a plus. As a "child of the 80s," this release was like coming home. This album wasn't just my first DC TALK release, it was also my first Holy Hip-Hop CD, so it will always hold a special place for me.
9. '13 Letters' - 116 Clique, 2007
Reach Records
18 songs from several different rappers from all over the country bring Paul's 13 letters to life. Almost like short sermons, the messages here are relevant and will cause you to fall in love with this group.
10. 'Grammatical Revolution' - Grits, 1999
Courtesy of: Gotee Records
The hit single, "They All Fall Down" was the Dove Award's Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year in 2000 and it came from Grammatical Revolution, which was described by many as the best grits CD ever.
