The gospel rap scene is littered with a plethora of artists from Blacks to Whites, and females. However, there is a distinctive few referred to as the best Christian rappers.
The likes of NF, Lecrae, and Chance the Rapper top this list and it still extends to accommodate gospel artists like KB, Andy Mineo, Hulvey, and more. The contributions of all these stars make the Christian hip-hop scene highly competitive.
Best Christian Rappers
1. NF
- Date of Birth: March 30, 1991
- Age: 33
- Active Since: 2010
- Most Famous Song: Let You Down, Lie, If You Want Love, and The Search
Occupying the number one spot on our list of best Christian rappers is NF. Born as Nathan John ‘NF’ Feuerstein, NF derived his stage name from the first letters of first and surnames. A singer, rapper, producer, and songwriter, the artist is highly sought after in the gospel music industry.
His 2017 studio album Perception was certified Platinum and topped the Billboard 200. Let You Down, his hit single, attained #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, making the top 10 globally.
The album The Search, which he dropped in 2019, also went Platinum and topped the Billboard 200 album chart.
2. Lecrae
- Date of Birth: October 9, 1979
- Age: 44
- Active Since: 2004
- Most Famous Song: This is My Time, Coming In Hot, I’ll Find You
Named Lecrae Devaughn Moore at birth, Lecrae is a native of Houston, Texas, and over the years, he has become an influential gospel artist, which has him a well-deserved spot on our list of best Christian rappers.
Surprisingly, the celebrated gospel artist was an atheist who suffered a traumatic childhood, survived substance abuse, and was subjected to sexual abuse by his babysitter.
On his way to Christianity, he started using music as a form of therapy. Today, he can boast ten studio albums, and he’s listed as the co-founder of the imprint Reach Records, which has churned out great faith-based artists.
Lecrae, a two-time Grammy award winner, has also bagged the G.M.A. Dove Award. He is equally a published author with a couple of books to his credit.
3. Chance The Rapper
- Date of Birth: April 16, 1993
- Age: 31
- Active Since: 2012
- Most Famous Song: Holy, No Problem, and Juke Jam
One may not be far from the truth to dub Chance The Rapper as the best Christian rapper. However, the fact that he accumulated more followers in mainstream rap circles as opposed to the gospel rap community is his only shortcoming.
Reportedly, the artist went through a troubled spiritual journey, but the birth of his daughter (she was ailed by atrial flutter) played a significant role in the life he is living now.
Though he never attempts to pigeonhole himself as a stereotypical gospel rapper, most of his tracks are saturated with references to his life challenges and faith. After he dropped the mixtape Coloring Book in 2016, it debuted at #8 on the Hot 200. The mixtape also earned him three Grammys. Chance The Rapper has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Kanye West and Lil Wayne.
4. KB
- Date of Birth: 1988
- Age: 36
- Active Since: 2010
- Most Famous Song: No Chains, Hold Me Back, and Church Clap.
A St. Petersburg, Florida native, KB’s real name is Kevin Elijah Burgess; his stage moniker is an acronym from his first and last names.
He takes the credit for forming the hip-hop group His Glory Alone or HGA while a student at a Bible college. KB then signed on to Lecrae’s Reach Records imprint in 2010 to release a track with him titled Go.
His debut studio album, Weight & Glory, eventually hit the music stand in 2012 and went on to top Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart; it attained #34 on Billboard 200. This was followed by his 2015 album Tomorrow We Live, which hit #18 on Billboard 200, topping the Christian Albums chart.
KB is one of the most prominent names in the gospel rap music industry today. His kind of music is described as “hard-hitting”; it draws on the auditory inspiration of trap music and often comes with a powerful message. His 4th studio album, His Glory Alone, is considered his best job; it dropped in 2020.
5. Andy Mineo
- Date of Birth: 17th April 1988
- Age: 36
- Active Since: 2009
- Most Famous Song: The Saints, Coming in Hot featuring Lecrae, and You Can’t Stop Me
Also mentioned on our list of the best Christian rappers is Andy Mineo. The Syracuse, New York native is a rapper, music producer, and executive.
He is a former member of the rap group Fat Camp, but after dedicating his life to Christ, he started collaborating with the likes of Lecrae, Sheena Lee, Tedashii, and more.
2013 saw the release of his first album, Heroes for Sale. His second studio album, Uncomfortable, dropped in 2015, and the third, Never Land II, hit the music stand in 2021.
White Christian Rappers
6. Hulvey
- Date of Birth: January 13, 1999
- Age: 25
- Active Since: August 2019
- Most Famous Song: Can’t Tell It All and Reasons
The list of best Christian rappers includes several White gospel artists making waves in the industry. Notable among them is Christopher Michael Hulvey, who goes by the stage moniker Hulvey.
Gospel rap artist, songwriter, and music producer Hulvey is relatively new, but he made a far-reaching impact from the onset. His debut album, Christopher, hit the music stand in 2021 and debuted at #19 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #8 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart.
7. WHATUPRG
- Date of Birth: December 4, 1996.
- Age: 27
- Active Since: 2008
- Most Famous Song: Drip Lee, Courtside, and Glory.
From Mexico, talented gospel rapper WHATUPRG has become a force to reckon with in the gospel music scene. His style is unique, with a perfect blend of reggaeton and trap.
So far, the gospel rap artist can boast three studio albums, including Pleasant Hill (2018), RAUL (2019), and NEW HOLLYWOOD (2022).
8. Social Club Misfits
- Active Since: 2012 to 2016
- Most Famous Song: War Cry, Everytime, and Testify
Social Club Misfits also goes by the moniker Social Club. The Miami Florida-based Christion duo comprises rap artists FERN and Marty Mar.
Their debut album, Misfits, dropped in 2012, but it was thanks to their album number three, Misfits (2014), that they emerged in the limelight. The album hit #59 on the Billboard 200 chart, #10 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and #3 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.
9. Manafest
- Date of Birth: July 19, 1979
- Age: 44
- Active Since: 2003
- Most Famous Song: No Plan B and Impossible
Canadian rap artist Manafest goes by the full name Christopher Scott Greenwood. Though a diehard Christian rapper, Manafest has been into rap-rock in recent times, blending hip-hop and hard rock.
His career in the industry has spanned over three decades and his debut album, My Own Thing, dropped in 2003, announcing him to the world.
Greenwood’s most recent album, I Run with Wolves, was released in 2022 and marked his 11th; it is currently making waves on Spotify with over 800,000 listeners monthly. In fact, he is not just among the best Christian rappers, Chris is also listed among the most streamed rap artists in the gospel music industry.
Top Christian rappers
10. Flame
- Date of Birth: September 16th, 1981
- Age: 42
- Active Since: 2004
- Most Famous Song: Start Over featuring NF, and Joyful Noise
Our list of best Christian rappers will not be considered complete without mentioning gospel artist Marcus Tyrone Gray, also known as Flame.
A signee of Cross Movement Records, Flame dropped his debut album in 2004. Several albums later, he went on to launch his own record label company, Clear Sight Music, under which he dropped the album, Our World: Redeemed; this made him a nominee for Grammy and Dove awards.
From 2004 to date, he has dropped 12 studio albums, including Captured, The 6th, and more.
11. BJ The Chicago Kid
- Date of Birth: November 23, 1984
- Age: 39
- Active Since: 2001
- Most Famous Song: Church, His Pain, and Turnin’ Me Up.
Though a gospel singer and rapper, BJ The Chicago Kid has done successful collaborations with secular hip-hop stars, including Schoolboy Q, Freddie Gibbs, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, and Kanye West.
Starting as a backup singer, he worked for the likes of Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige before going to launch his solo career. Some of his best works include Church, featuring Chance The Rapper, Turnin’ Me Up, and His Pain.
12. TobyMac
- Date of Birth: October 22, 1964
- Age: 59
- Active Since: 2001
- Most Famous Song: I Just Need U, Speak Life, and Love Broke Thru
Also called, Toby McKeehan, TobyMac is regarded as one of the groundbreaking members of Christian rap, which earns him a place among the best Christian rappers.
He first joined a Christian rap-rock group called DC Talk before going solo with the release of his debut album in 2004. Extremely successful, most of TobyMac’s records were certified Gold and he can boast over 10 million in record sales.
Throughout his illustrious career, the gospel rapper enjoyed both secular and Christian audiences. His 2012 album, Eye on You, swept 7 Grammys
Female Christian Rappers
13. Wande
- Date of Birth: 4th of March 1996
- Age: 28
- Active Since: 2020
- Most Famous Song: HAPPY, Big God, and Blessed Up
From the West African country of Nigeria, Wande makes our list of best Christian rappers under the female rap artist category. In fact, she is rated as the most successful female Christian rapper of our time.
She made a name as the first female to sign onto Lecrae’s Reach Records imprint, but she was already well-known before then. Before deciding to go solo, she worked in music journalism and A&R. Her first Extended Play, The Decision which dropped in 2020 was well received by the listing audience, and later in the year, she dropped her debut album, entitled Exit.
14. Kay Sade
- Date of Birth: 1992
- Age: 32
- Active Since: 2016
- Most Famous Song: Talks With Loneliness
Kay Sade is a female Christian gospel artist who gained prominence under the moniker, “the young aliyah of rap”. She belongs to the music duo The KnuBlack, who were listed on the 2017 Rapzilla Freshman List. However, they broke up after a few years.
After she went solo, Kay went on to drop her debut solo, LP Meta; she achieved this in 2009 alongside ORORO – a single she did with Dru.
15. Erica Mason
- Date of Birth: July 29, 1997
- Age: 26
- Active Since: 2015
- Most Famous Song:’Better
Far from being a stranger to the gospel rap scene, Erica Mason has pride of place as one of the best Christian rap artists on a global level. Named the 2017 Rapzilla Freshman, Erica debuted on the gospel music scene in 2013. Many know her by her stage name, Pretty N Radical and she dropped her debut album, Seek Life in 2019.
Apart from her career as a musician, Erica is a motivational speaker, composer, entrepreneur with a clothing line, and more.
16. DaShawn Shauntà
- Active Since: 2018
- Most Famous Song: Birthday, Quarantino, and Lxxve
When the talk is about top female rappers, then, DaShawn Shauntà is a force to reckon with. She has a unique style that makes her stand out, though she is relatively new in the industry.
A signee of RMG Amplify, the talented female rap artist churns out a steady workflow that has earned her a tremendous following on streaming platforms, including Pandora and Spotify. Some of the best of DaShawn Shauntà’s works include “Birthday, Quarantino, and Lxxve.
Black Christian Rappers
17. 1K Phew
- Date of Birth: 1995
- Age: 29
- Active Since: Mid 2010s
- Most Famous Song: WILDIN and Drip Lee.
From Atlanta in the United States comes 1K Phew and he deserves a place on our list of Best Christian musicians. Alongside Lecrae and others, 1K Phew is also part of 116 Clique.
The rap artist has dropped many studio albums, including No Church In A While that hit the music stand in 2021. The best of him are tracks like WILDIN and Drip Lee.
18. Derek Minor
- Date of Birth: December 16, 1984
- Age: 39
- Active Since: 2011
- Most Famous Song: Ready Set Go, Party People, and Change the World
Derek Minor is quite distinguished from the rest, as he has made a name in both the secular music industry and the gospel scene. Derek Minor is listed as a Christian rapper, producer, and music business exec and due to his versatility, he has earned tremendous fame in the industry.
Reflection is his 2016 album which peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Top Rap Albums chart. The rap artist has also done successful collaborations with gospel music greats like Lecrae, who has produced some of his tracks.
19. Tedashii
- Date of Birth: March 8, 1977
- Age: 47
- Active Since: 2005
- Most Famous Song: Dum Dum, Gotta Live, and Get Out My Way
From Texas in the United States comes Tedashii, a Christian rap artist with over seven solo albums under his belt. He started his music career in 2006 as part of the 116 Clique.
Out of his seven studio albums, the most successful is Blacklight; it hit #1 on the Top Christian Albums chart, #2 on the Gospel Albums chart, and #63 on the Billboard 200. His 2014 album, Below Paradise, was also a huge success.
20. Guvna B
- Date of Birth: June 13, 1989
- Age: 34
- Active Since: 2008
- Most Famous Song: Everyday, and Nothing But The Blood
Guvna B is listed among the best Christian rappers to ever grace the gospel music industry. Named Isaac Borquaye at birth, he hails from London and is an author and broadcaster.
Since he made his debut as a gospel rapper in 2008, the artist has recorded a total of 8 studio albums. Some of his best songs are Everyday, Nothing But The Blood, where he featured Deitrick Haddon and more. He has some prestigious awards to his name.