Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii, Thi’sl, Pro, K.B., and Jai all perform at this year’s G.M.W.A. (Gospel Music Workshop of America). I think this is significant because, to my knowledge, I don’t think christian rap has ever had a large platform there outside of the maybe one or two single performances here and there. I stand corrected if I am wrong, but since christian rap sales have been growing and topping the charts, it is only a matter of time before the industry recognizes that this is a viable genre capable of changing lives and saving souls just as it’s traditional and contemporary counterparts have been doing for years. Let’s pray for these young men and women that God may be glorified through them and that our youth may have an alternative to listen to. The following is an excerpt taken via pathmegzine.com from a first hand experience of the event.
Gospel rap took a big step forward towards being widely accepted in the traditional Gospel market that controls radio air time. For the first time Gospel rap was rewarded at the Gospel Music Workshop of
America (GMWA) with its own nightly showcase. GMWA is known as an influential Gospel music conference that brings together members of the Gospel Announcers Guild (GAG).
Before the showcase, Top Rappers from several record labels held a Q & A forum with over 50 radio hosts, programers, and publications in attendance. The goal of the panel was to open up dialog that would bring the emerging genre of Gospel rap closer to receiving continuous air-time on more radio stations.
Some of the people in attendance included rappers Lecrae, Jai, Tedashii, Thi’sl, Trip Lee along with industry execs Shamael Lataillade, and Bishop Al Hobbs.
Gospel Rap (sometimes referred to as Holy Hip Hop) has the fastest growing fan-base out of all of the Gospel genres. This year rapper Lecrae had two albums in Billboards top 10. A first for Gospel rap. Rappers Trip Lee, Thi’sl, and Tadashii also made Top 10 debuts the new norm. Parents and radio announcers across the country are starting to understand that this genre will play a key role in offering a Godly alternative to it’s secular rap counter-part. Read More
