Emerging artists making rap, Afrobeats and R&B music push Christian genre boundaries – KELOLAND.com

A woman with long braided hair, wearing a white sleeveless top and gold necklace, stands against a dark background with soft lighting and a plant partially visible in the foreground, evoking the vibrant spirit of Afrobeats.

A new wave of artists is transcending traditional notions of Christian music, drawing young global audiences to faith-based rap, Afrobeats and R&B.

Often boosted by social media, many of them got their start with independent labels or by uploading self-made songs to streaming platforms. Now, bigger labels and streaming services are catching on.

People are looking for “something soul-feeding, something forward-looking, positive,” said James “Trig” Rosseau Sr., CEO of Holy Culture Radio. “They find a sonic coziness, but then…