At our middle school ministry at South Shores, The Ride, this last Wednesday night we got the chance to play a song from a rapper named Shai Linne. The song was called “The Judge of All the Earth”. We played the song for many reasons. One, it is a song about the very topic we taught last week (the righteousness and justice of God). Two, it is packed full of very biblical truth. Finally, it packs a sweet beat. And we like sweet beats.

After the service last night many students approached us and asked about Shai Linne’s song and asked if there were any other rappers like him. Good news! There are tons! We thought it would be a good idea to give you some names and even supply some song samples for you so you can be blessed by these Christian brothers and their amazing giftedness at writing rich lyrics into quality music. As you listen to the songs below (or any songs from these guys) make sure you pay attention to the words of the songs. There is deep truth packed into

So here they are, we hope you are blessed!

LECRAE

“At 19-years-old, at the encouragement of a Christian leader, Lecrae attended a conference and heard James White deliver a message that turned his world upside down and showed him his need for a Savior.

A graduate of University of North Texas, Lecrae now resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife and children. He and his wife are small group leaders at their church, and his passion for impacting urban culture persists. With a musically evolving and successful discography, nationwide tours along with the 116 Clique, and a generation of young believers around the world inspired to live unashamed; Lecrae is humbled by his position in the growing movement to spread the Gospel. His hope is that Reach’s impact will spread far beyond simply the music and into the lives of individuals across the globe, ultimately exalting Jesus Christ.”

Here’s a sample from Lecrae’s cd called Rehab. The song is called boasting.

Boasting

SHAI LINNE

“Long story short, I was abruptly converted as an adult. While I was intoxicated at a party, out of nowhere I began to consider things my mother had told me years before. When I told her what was going on, she encouraged me to read the Gospel of John. As I read, I was struck by the authority with which Jesus spoke. His claims to deity were both surprising and compelling to me. By God’s grace, I believed the gospel while reading, and crossed over from death to life in 1999. I’m married to an amazing woman named Blair and we live in Washington, D.C., where we’re members at Capitol Hill Baptist Church.

Shai linne is living proof that God has a wonderful sense of humor. He once told his mom that he would never, ever become a Christian, completely oblivious to the fact that God had chosen him to be a Christian before time began. He doesn’t like the spotlight, so God gave him natural gifts that put him on stage as an actor. He doesn’t like to be in front of people, so God gave him spiritual gifts that are mostly public in nature. shai has appeared on numerous independent and national Christian Hip-hop releases, including his 2005 full-length debut, The Solus Christus Project. All this from someone who doesn’t like hip-hop and never pursued a career in music. Someone in heaven is having a big laugh at his expense. After all this time, shai still doesn’t get the joke.”

Here’s a sample of Shai Linne’s music.

Triune Praise

FLAME

“For FLAME, he was headed in the wrong direction until a near fatal car accident and the passing of his grandmother would serve as a rude awakening that took root in shaping his future. His grandmother was the strongest and most influential Christian example in his life. Immediately after her death and the tragic incident, FLAME received Christ at the age of 16.

Now a leader in reforming the culture that he too was engulfed in, the foundation of FLAME’s ministry is to reach those same streets with his soapbox messages to lead his listeners to Christ. As his platform continues to garner the support of many along the way, FLAME now reigns amongst the forefront runners in the Christian Rap industry known to challenge and encourage its audience with an unwavering clear presentation of the Gospel.”

Joyful Noise

TRIP LEE

“William Lee Barefield III, better known as Trip Lee, was born and raised in Dallas, TX. As a child, Trip Lee had dreams of being a professional athlete or famous rapper, and he began to hone his lyrical skills at the age of 12. ‘I rapped about random stuff…how hot I was, how many girls I could pull,” Trip says. But upon giving his life to Christ, at age 14, his focus changed from fortune, fame, and women to serving and ministering the Gospel.’

Trip now resides in Philadelphia, PA with his wife and is pursuing a degree in Biblical Studies at Philadelphia Biblical University. He is the leader of the small groups ministry at Epiphany Fellowship, where he also occasionally preaches and teaches. Trip’s unending desire is to proclaim the grace and beauty of Jesus Christ to anyone that will listen; ultimately, he hopes this journey will someday lead to pastoring a church.”

Here’s a sample of Trip Lee’s music:

Yours to Own

JSON

I couldn’t find any information on Json but you can find his cds here.

Here is a sample of Json’s beats for Christ:

Grace

All these guys can be found on Amazon.com or iTunes. We hope these guys bless you! If you want any more recommendations for rap (or any other good Christian music) then tell us! Ask and you shall receive! For His glory and your joy.