I recently attended the Revive Conference on “Christo-Urbanism,” which describes the unique blend of faith and culture among urban Christians, known as “Christo-urbanites.” The event delved into the movement’s theological, cultural, and missional aspects, aiming to inspire revival, unity, and greater impact. It explored Christo-Urbanism’s historical roots, current trends, and future potential while encouraging a unified, mission-focused approach to transforming our communities.

The conference was inspiring. I was impressed by both the speakers and the topics they chose, especially since I’ve been involved in Christian Hip-Hop (CHH) since 1990—the year I came to faith. That was when I first began exploring CHH and discovering artists like S.F.C., Freedom of Soul, and Dynamic Twins, among others. Back then, CHH was still in its early stages, and it was hard not to compare its quality to the evolving secular hip-hop scene. Having grown up deeply immersed in hip-hop culture, I eventually became a contributor to the CHH movement myself.

Over the years, I noticed a significant improvement in the quality of CHH. When LPG released their Earthworm album, which eventually led to the formation of the Tunnel Rats, I was drawn to it because it brought much-needed lyricism to CHH, something I had been craving. However, I became disenchanted with the lack of emphasis on sound doctrine in much of the genre. That’s when Christology in Laymen’s Terms was released—a game-changer that I consider the greatest and most impactful CHH album of all time. It’s one of those rare albums you can listen to straight through, as it masterfully combines deep theology with sharp lyricism over an East Coast-inspired production, something that was missing from many CHH albums at the time. 

Back then, we had to physically go to Christian bookstores to buy music—it was a completely different era. I’d have to drive there and hope they had good albums on the shelf. That feels like a distant memory now, with music just a click away, ready to stream or download instantly. Having been part of the Christian Hip-Hop movement for so long, I’ve witnessed its many strengths as well as its weaknesses.

Christology in Laymen’s Terms by Duce the Ambassador sparked what I consider a revival in CHH. Shortly after, Shai Linne released Solus Christus, further enriching the movement. During this time, Lamp Mode Recordings became my go-to label for solid CHH. There were other artists like Tre-Z (Todd Bangz), Corey Red, and Precise, along with compilation albums featuring an East Coast vibe, were released, adding depth and variety to the genre. I also connected with many people within the movement who were encouraging and passionate about what God was doing through CHH, fostering a strong sense of community and purpose.

However, I noticed a shift happening after attending Rapfest 2000, a Christian Hip-Hop event held in the Bronx, New York. This event was part of the annual Rapfest series and was known for bringing together CHH artists, ministers, and fans for a day of music, ministry, and outreach. It provided a platform for Christian artists to share their talents while delivering gospel-centered messages to the community. I had never experienced such a unified and communal gathering among Christian Hip-Hop artists. It was a memorable event that had a significant impact on my walk with the Lord. However, things began to shift when I started hearing about the moral failings and character flaws of some within the CHH community.

I began to notice a troubling pattern among some of the most well-known leaders in the Christian Hip-Hop movement. There was an air of arrogance, a lack of accountability, and moral failings that were often overlooked. I saw a disregard for the local church and troubling associations with narcissistic pastors and church leaders. Admittedly, I wasn’t without flaws myself—as a young man in my early 20s, I had my own sins and struggles to address. But it was disheartening to see those who were supposed to be role models in the movement failing morally, displaying narcissistic tendencies, and prioritizing their artistry over ministering to the people who needed them most. Perhaps we share some responsibility for expecting these artists to be the examples and standard-bearers for CHH. 

Now, as we reflect on our identity and role as “Christo-urbanites,” I believe it’s crucial to address the aftermath of these shortcomings. These events, in my view, failed to pass on the legacy that made CHH in its early years such an incredible move of God. While we can’t duplicate or manufacture a move of God, I do believe that some essential qualities have been abandoned—qualities we must recover to establish a stronger, more faithful standard within the community today.

One key issue is the importance of community. RapFest 2000 was a beautiful example of this. While events like Flavor Fest might have fostered similar connections, I can only speak from my experience on the East Coast. RapFest 2000, which featured 8 hours of non-stop CHH performances, was something truly unique and special. It was there that I met artists like Tre-Z (Todd Bangz), who stood out for his humility and authenticity. He wasn’t focused on attention or self-promotion; instead, he welcomed me warmly when I briefly thanked him for his music, which had enriched my Christian walk. I also connected with others like Black Rain, Hazakim, and many more, all of whom were there to show love and celebrate the CHH movement together. It was a powerful display of unity and community.

Today, I don’t see the same sense of community that once defined CHH. Perhaps I’m too disconnected now to fully notice, but even during my later years in the movement, the connections were becoming fewer. For some, the local church became more of an optional commitment, and the desire to build relationships with one another was overshadowed by a push to gain acceptance from the broader culture. The focus shifted toward promoting positive hip-hop and showcasing lyrical artistry, while debates about how to contextualize the gospel created confusion for those who were just coming into the movement.

For me, two groups embodied this debate: the Tunnel Rats, who focused on the artistry, and Cross Movement, who emphasized the message. I listened to both, but when it came to street ministry and engaging in the ministry myself, I aligned more with Cross Movement. Others, however, chose to prioritize the music and its cultural impact over the message, often avoiding the challenges that came with presenting the gospel clearly. This included addressing sin and calling for repentance, which many found offensive and difficult to accept. These challenges created confusion within the movement, making it difficult to build a cohesive community. As a result, the CHH community struggled to demonstrate the unity and love that should have reflected the redemptive work of God in their lives to the broader culture.

I once had a personal interaction with a well-known CHH artist who came across as rude, arrogant, and dismissive. This same artist was later found to be involved in adultery. Another well-known artist I knew personally eventually abandoned their faith and has since become openly antagonistic, actively trying to persuade others to leave Christianity. The question, “Where are they now?” is one we often can’t answer—either because we no longer hear from the leaders of the movement or because we’re hesitant to bring them up, ashamed that they’ve walked away from the faith.

This brings me to the second point I believe we need to address: the reestablishment of leaders who can serve as strong examples within CHH. I use the word “reestablish” intentionally because some key leaders in the movement have struggled to be moral role models. This isn’t meant as an indictment, but rather an acknowledgment of reality. Many of the leaders we once had in CHH have either become invisible, compromised their integrity, or pursued worldly desires. What made the conference I attended so encouraging was hearing from voices that shared solid, relevant messages for our faith as Christo-urbanites.

I hope the leaders from the Revive Conference will embrace the responsibility of guiding the next generation of CHH, helping to emphasize the core essentials of the Christian faith. This leadership must be conveyed in a manner similar to what was demonstrated at the conference—with a tone and demeanor that felt genuine, approachable, and relevant to those of us from an urban context.

Lastly, I believe what we need is a reformation. Sound doctrine, in my view, was the foundation that enabled effective evangelism and the edification of the body of Christ. However, it seems that many in CHH have either moved away from emphasizing doctrine or haven’t been taught enough to let it shape their delivery and lyrics in their music.

Much of the music today feels shallow, relying more on production quality than on profound lyrical and theological depth. I’m not suggesting that all CHH should follow the style of labels like Lamp Mode or Christ-Centric, which happen to be my personal preference. However, there’s room for artists like Japhia Life, whose delivery and style were so authentic and impactful that I could confidently play his music in the toughest neighborhoods of any city. At least back in my day.

The albums with lasting impact, in my opinion, are those grounded in sound theology. Projects like Christology and Solus Christus stand out as timeless works because they draw from the unchanging truths of Scripture. This is something we desperately need today. We also need music with a clear message—songs where it’s unmistakable that the artist is a Christian. The message should be both clear and theologically solid, representing the faith in a way that honors and reflects its truth.

We also need CHH to be both creative and lyrical—a carefully crafted art form that engages the listener. While there are still some voices today who take this seriously and live lives worthy of being examples, they are far too few. The CHH community needs more leaders like this. The Revive Conference is a good starting point, and I hope God uses it to revive what I believe is an incredible movement with the potential to deeply impact our communities. Lord willing.