Testimony A Musician's Story - Testimony

Folks used to clown her music and now she is part of the Rapzilla Freshman class of 2021. In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story, Purto Rican rapper-singer-songwriter Jekasole shares her Christian testimony. Jekasole discusses the hard decision she made to leave relationships and her home church to follow God's calling on her life. She speaks candidly about losing her dear friend and fellow CHH artist Prof. Biz.. Jeka also talks about praying for people on Instagram Live. Additionally, she breaks down: ”Low Low” feat. Justcallmedt, “N Luv” feat. Scootie Wop, “Separation Anxiety”, and “Time FR” feat. Kham, and Red Tips in the 4-song-breakdown.

Meth, weed, Jesus, and mortality. In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story ¼ of Indie Tribe, Mogli the Iceburg, shares his Christian testimony. Mogli discusses his dealing with the concept of mortality after his mom passed away when he was 12. We discuss struggling with race and identity as a half Mexican and German growing up in Tennessee. Additionally, Mogli shares his thoughts on Christian rapper Rockstar JT tweeting that he smokes weed.

Watching Kanye West make beats motivated him to learn to produce music; his dad being the first Christian in his family broke generational curses and now the prodigal son is receiving his legacy. In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story, presented by Sound Seekers, producer and rapper Zander shares his Christian testimony. My grandmother, Mother Brown, makes a funny appearance and delivers a prayer for Zander. Zander talks about his debut album Legacy and the series of house tours he performed at. Additionally, he breaks down "Hope of Glory", "An Account of Providence", “The Prodigal Tale”, and "Legacy" in the 4-song-breakdown.

She was 20 yrs old and single when she had her son. She knew she needed God in order to love her son, and through loving her son, she learned how to love herself. In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story, rapper and multi-hyphenated artist, A.I. The Anomaly, shares her Christian testimony. She discusses growing up in the foster care system, her passion for philanthropic work in underserved communities, and being the first woman signed to Bizzle's God Over Money Records. Additionally, she breaks down “Grown Woman”, “Facts”, “Relentless” feat. Bizzle, and “Freedom's Palace” feat. Jered Sanders in the 4-song-breakdown.

His parents are from a country that is no longer, and he grew up in one of the most culturally diverse areas of the country. In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story, the Middle Eastern Bay Area rapper Marc Stevens, shares his Christian Testimony. Marc talks about his people being persecuted for their Christian faith, and how his experience as a Rapzilla Freshman has been a revival of his heart. Additionally, he breaks down: “Yeah Right”, “Say That” feat. Porsha Love, “Run Up”, and “We the Wave” feat. Mission in the 4-song-breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story I interview God Over Money rapper, Jered Sanders. Sanders was born in St. Petersburg, FL, and raised in the Arlington, VA area where his step-dad was stationed. Sanders had a late introduction to the church. While he was in high school his mom went to a revival and gave her life to the Lord. She felt her family had to make up for the lost time, so they were heavily involved. One would think teenage Jered wouldn't be into commuting 45 minutes to church for service, Bible study, and choir, but he enjoyed it! Well, what he really enjoyed was the attention he got from the girls from singing in the choir. It was his love for the ladies that led him to a youth retreat in high school. “I had an idea of what I was going for, but at the same time, God had other plans. He was like, ‘I'mma plant these seeds. I know what you think you are here for. But you are also here for this too,'” said Sanders. While at the retreat Jered had his first serious encounter with the Lord. In the midst of running around with his disposable camera trying to take pictures with cute girls and get their numbers, he noticed something. His peers were actually worshiping the Lord and they had seemed to enjoy it! Suddenly he realized that he was in a safe space, and he began to worship. It liberated him, and after that moment he felt the need to get closer to God. “It wasn't just an emotional moment. It was transformative. I need to know more about this dude,” Jered said. Following high school, Sanders attended Florida A&M University, a time he calls his “wilderness experience”. “College was going to either make me better understand the provision and grace and mercy of God, or I was going to be real close to Satan,” said Sanders. That high reverence Sanders felt for the Lord kind of fizzled out once he left the retreat. Sanders became lukewarm. But God's presence never left him. College is where he saw the hand of the Lord over his life. He felt the nudge of the spirit warning him to avoid certain situations. “If I pressed into those places I wasn't supposed to be in, consequences came. But the warning signs were always there,” Sanders shared. Post-college Jered begrudgingly moved back home after not being able to make it on his own. He was set up on a blind date, that didn't go so well. The two didn't like each other, and it turns out the woman was already in a relationship. Six months later she asked Jered out for ice cream, and although he was dating other women he agreed to go. What made this woman stand out from the others was her love for the Lord. “Due to her persistence in the Lord, I grew. I wanted to know more about Him, so that I could know more about her,” revealed Sanders. The two are now married with kids and are working on launching a podcast together. “I see God every day I wake up because I have a wife that holds me accountable. I have children that keep me on my toes. You learn a lot about God, more intimately through marriage and parenthood,” said Sanders. In 2010 Jered was still profiting off of that choir singing voice, and was signed to a label and tasked with singing hooks. One day he was asked to sing a hook on a track that had an open verse. Jered decided to not only sing the hook but rap over that open verse. The CEO wasn't impressed with his skills as a rapper. This motivated Sanders to study the techniques of rapping and to not have a weakness. Two months later he sent the CEO a couple more tracks, and this time dude was impressed. His project Sorry for the Delay was released exclusively on DJ Booth. His name was bubbling in the streets along with Whiz Kalifa, Big Sean, Big Krit, and more. But there was one problem, Sanders' wife didn't support the music he was making. So he stopped. After throwing a temper tantrum he refocused and wrote “Real”. “Real” was a testimony piece about the reality of where he was in his faith walk. Sway in the Morning and other high-profile hip-hop outlets spun his record. All Hip Hop put him on an emerging artist list with Nipsey Hussle, Logic, and Dee-1. That's when Sanders transitioned and became a Christian hip hop artist. Now signed to Bizzle's God Over Money Records, Sanders says “I just want to bring something distinct to the space that we are in… [CHH] doesn't allow us to get older. No matter how young I look, I still have a wife and children. What's wrong with making content for people in that transitional stage with a wife and kids? Regular hip hop allow artists to age”. Sanders is set to release another rap album. He believes it is an incredible work of art, that will be his best project to date. But he is most excited about getting back to his roots, singing. He plans to retire from rap and make R&B music.

In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story I interview artist manager-party promoter-booking agent-label president, Erinn Knight. Erinn was born on the south side of Atlanta, GA. If you know Erinn, then you know she is an ATL enthusiast! ATL has the highest number of black entrepreneurs per capita in the world, and she grew up seeing a lot of successful black people, so she attributes her ability to dream big to her city. “I come from the dopest city in the world,” said Knight. “ATL is the first place ever I felt fully accepted and loved. Bless my parents but I never felt that in my home life,” she revealed. Knight grew up in a two-parent household, as a pastor's kid. As a PK she felt as though her identity was restricted. Her identity wasn't her own, her parents wanted her to present herself oneway, and the church community put their expectations on her, “People put the hopes of their children onto PKs. They want you to influence other kids and you too, are a kid,” Knight said. The older Erninn got the more her mom allowed her to be herself, but she said it was always a struggle. And to this day, she believes her parents don't totally understand her career, “When you are a visionary you are never going to be able to explain yourself to people,” she concluded. There are several instances in her life where Erinn recommitted to her relationship with Christ. When sharing her Christian testimony she highlights the ages 16, 19, 21, and a time most recently during the pandemic. “It's impossible to really believe something if you only believe it at face value the first time you hear it. If your doing anything aside from deconstructing it consistently, you might as well be blindly following something that could be misleading,” Knight shared. Furthermore, she believes “To be a black Christian there is no way I can just take it by face value… Christianity has been so influenced by imperialism, colonization, and white supremacy… The first ten iterations of the gospel were through white lenses… It's about learning where the church started, and what the truth of the Bible says about me.”In the Christian Hip Hop music business industry, the name Erinn Knight brings clout. She is not only The Woman, but she is That Person! This is interesting because she comes from the rock/punk world, and she had to google the acronym CHH. The Vans Warped Tour is where she spent years learning and developing her skill sets. She did a brief stint in film, and then discovered the music of rapper-singer Kaleb Mitchell, by way of singer Xavier Omar's SoundCloud account. Knight and Kaleb developed a relationship on social media, that led to weekly phone calls with the then 16-year-old and his dad. This is where trust was built. Once Kaleb was 18 years old she became his manager. Kaleb and Erinn shared a couple of full-circle moments with the artist Xavier Omar, FKA SPZRKT. The first song she and Kaleb dropped on her new record label Build Your Own Dreams (which she is the president of), featured Xavier Omar. And the first music festival she organized, the Holy Smoke Festival, Xavier and Kaleb performed at. Prior to managing artists, starting a label, and throwing a festival, Erinn and her team started the booking agency INVT Only. Originally they worked with Kaleb Mitchell, Wande, nobigdyl., and WHATUPRG. Now they work with 12 artists. Knight isn't quick to work with someone. She prefers to walk with them for a year and make sure all parties involved can provide value, and it has to make sense. “The reason why anyone fails is because of the business infrastructure. Not because they are not talented. I try to help people avoid pitfalls and from signing bad deals. I try to help them find their pathway through without having to give up their masters, or with someone who doesn't have their best interest [in mind],” said Knight. Knight doesn't work exclusively with Christian hip hop artists, nor does she work exclusively in music. Erinn manages southside ATL rapper Scotty ATL, and BYOD is the brand manager of his premier gold grill company, Grillz by Scotty. BYOD recently has gotten into merchandise management as well, where they do the manufacturing, fulfilling, design, and customer service of the clients' merch. How does God's presence help her navigate the Christian hip hop music business industry? “I definitely see His hand working in me and through me in the music scene. Especially, the amount of influence that He has given me, not only in the Christian scene, but the Atlanta scene, and being able to maneuver worldwide. I've seen a lot of favor. Musically, He is helping me to go where ever I need to go and helping me to make sure I stay grounded.”

Key Points In Interview: 5:53 - Kham shares how he accepted Christ into his life at 9 years old. 7:30 - While he was 16 years old, he watched his peers settle with drugs, weed, and sex. This made him wonder if there was more to life. Mom put the fear of God in him. 9:30 - Kham wants people to know that giving your life to Christ isn't all rainbows and you and God skipping through daisies. There are ebbs and flows. 10:05 - Kham opens up about being exposed to pornography at 12/13 years old by a friend. As a result, he struggled with lust during high school. During his sophomore year in college, he was delivered from it. 21:00 - He talks about his conservative PWI experience at Liberty University. While in school Kham became more involved with social justice issues. Kham says the university talked about service but when the opportunity to serve another race came up, they made it political. 27:00 - Kham talks about his excitement over “Charged Up” being on All American, and how it was surreal. 31:00 - He talks about his music start. 37:00 - Kham talks about meeting and opening up for Andy Mineo. 38:00 - He shares why he chooses to use his platform in the Christian music industry, to make songs about racial injustice. 42:00 - Kham talks about being a part of the Rapzilla Freshman class of 2021, the first class with a cypher, and a concert. 45:47 - Mother Brown's prayer. 50:00 - The 4-Song-Break-Down

George Floyd's mural was destroyed by lightning and some folks on Twitter are calling it an act of God, but these brother's disagree; two adult men discover that they are brothers and unite through music. In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story, presented by Sound Seekers, producer and rapper Flash Victorious, and rapper Rifca (righteous in faith increase abundantly) share their Christian testimony. This duo, known as The Douglas Boyz, were the first to do a Christian rap line dance, “The Gospel Step”. In this interview the brothers talk about their debut album Bridging the Gap. And, my grandmother, Mother Brown, delivers a lusty prayer for the brothers.

Satanic rituals, mental health, and being too hard for Christian Hip Hop. In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story, presented by Sound Seekers, Southern California rapper Adrien Lamont shares his Christian testimony. Adrien discusses his drug and alcohol addiction that led to schizophrenic episodes, which eventually caused him to give his soul to the devil. Don't worry, God snatched it back with an Uber ride and a modern-day John the Baptist. Also Mother Brown delivers a thoughtful and humorous prayer. Additionally, Adrien breaks down "They Can't Top It", Won't He Do It", “Big Things", and “Unique”in the 4-song-breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony: A Musician's Story I interview one of Christian Hip Hop's talented artists from Detroit, Porsha Love, who shares her Christian testimony. The evidence that God's presence is apparent in Porsha Love's life begins with her praying during this interview asking Him to bless this moment. Porsha tells us how she always loved church, even as a little child. “I used to beg my momma to take me to church.”At the age of 3 or 4 years old she would freestyle rap with her brother and always had a gift for rap. Her mother loved music and it influenced her to pursue music.In high school, she developed her love for music and started pursuing secular music. Porsha Speaks about how she and her friend re-created a song originally written by Dope Boy Cash Out, but made a girl version that went viral.As an adult, she didn't always go to church but one day she experienced a life alternating moment where she really came to know God and started serving him. But she struggled with the feeling that being a woman of God wasn't serving her.Porsha shares some exclusive details about past events, almost losing her life to car accidents and intoxication. “I knew that the Devil was trying to take me out”, Porsha expressed.She talks explicitly about the ‘gift of singleness' and she uses her social media to minister to other women of God that life is not always about being married. Also, she speaks about being in a season in her life practicing celibacy and singleness.Christian Hip Hop as a whole is growing and Porsha Love would attest to the fact that women in this industry are making moves, “selling out shows, growing a large fan base and killing it on stage.”Additionally, Porsha breaks down: “70 Degrees” feat. Miles Minnick and George.Rose, “Daniel Ch 3” feat. Cree and Kelia Coleman, “Up Tuh Speed” feat. George.Rose, and “Don't Worry Bout It” feat. Wande in the 4-song-breakdown.Key Points In Interview:14:12 When invited to go to church, she felt the presence of God for the first time, “I just knew God was God, I didn't know He could meet me in the middle.”16:10 Porsha talks about how she felt as an adult trying to serve God and the struggle it caused due to the fact she used to rap secularly in the world.16:59 She receives a prophecy in bible study that if she did not surrender herself to God, then her life would be on the line.19:35 Since 10/10/2011, Porsha details how God turned her life around, giving her a ministry about purity. 26:46 Porsha shares how she has a big personality but when it comes to relationships she is really shy.32:18 She reflects on how great it is that God is not allowing her to build on relationships romantically at present because God is still building in her. 38:18 Women in the Christian hip hop space show genuine love and support for each other.51:42 Talks about when she wasn't selected for Rapzilla's freshman list, but yet blessed to have so many features and artists wanting to work with her.

California Bay Area rapper Miles Minnick, shares his Christian testimony. Miles talks being a teen dad, using and selling drugs, and the Biblical roles of marriage being reversed. Additionally, he breaks down "Yee" featuring Wande, "Glo Time", "Show Out" featuring Hulvey, and "W.Y.T" featuring nobigdyl. in the 4-song-breakdown.

Rapper RAW-B shares his Christian testimony. He talks about growing up with addicts as parents, being homeless at 15 years old, and being molested as a teen by a female pastor who took him in off the streets. Additionally, he breaks down "Expectations”, "No Ceiling", "Like Tom”, and "Soda and Vodka" featuring 350 in the 4-song-breakdown.

Hip hop artist Scootie Wop shares his Christian testimony. He talks about taking a Xanax and totalling his car, producing music for rapper Moneybagg Yo, and how his Christian music career took off during COVID. Additionally, he breaks down "Slide Music 2" featuring TeeJay, BigBreeze, "4Dom Intro", "Role Models", and "Crash Test” in the 4-song-breakdown. *The transcription of any lyrics and some of the interview content may not be entirely accurate. *[00:00:33.930][00:00:39.120] - GaelikaLet's start with your first music memory, whether it be a song, music, video performance,[00:00:48.150] - Scottie Wopmy first music memory would be in church. I learned how to play the drums when I was about six or seven years old, when I was staying at the service one day and just got a dear AKAM who dared because like I said, I was always watching him like dance services and simply not paying attention to anything else. I was like, Yeah, man, like I want to learn how to play. So we took us like 30 minutes, but I finally picked up on it. That was like my first encounter. I remember with music, she would always tell me, like, since I was out of the womb, like I was at home in her lap in church, like as a newborn child. Never did music play, but I don't remember it. I was too young. But yeah, playing the drums early found where she was like, my first memory comes my mother.[00:01:44.790] - GaelikaSo you picked up the drums in like 30 minutes as a little kid and as a baby. It's just the visual is kind of creepy, like little baby hummig. OK, it is a grown man in this little baby. Right. And where were you born and raised?[00:02:12.900] - Scottie WopI was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina. But I was raised, I would say mainly in South Carolina. My pops, he was a Marine. So we moved around a lot as I was a kid. We lived in Cuba, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina. But I've been in South Carolina for about 16 years of my life. So North Carolina, born, South Carolina raised[00:02:39.440] - Scottie WopOK, so is where you consider home then? So, yeah, I would say South Carolina is home. You know, I developed a lot of relationships here and I got my country twang from staying here most of my life, so.[00:02:56.610] - GaelikaOh, and you said your dad was a Marine. Was your did you have any siblings?[00:03:06.090] - Scottie WopYes. So I have. I had I live with with my younger sister. I have two older brothers, an older sister and some stay in Texas, Arizona. Then my pops, he have, I believe, four more kids with my step mom that I think they stay in North Carolina now. So we're kind of all over the place. And I have not blood relatives, but I've grown up with a lot of people.[00:03:34.710] - GaelikaOK, and you mentioned your step mom. Did you grow up in a two parent household?[00:03:41.760] - Scottie WopNo, mainly a one parent. My pops, he left when I was in third grade in Virginia. We were living in Virginia. My parents split, so we had to end up moving to South Carolina because we couldn't afford to stay in one of the richest capitals in America. Oh, but yeah, it was just me and my mom, my sister. And that's when I connected with, like, my older siblings as well. And I moved back and was in a Christian household.Yeah, my mom, she was she was praying every day, every night, every Saturday morning, you would hear some type of worship and you smell something in the pot and make the house. No. And I just know it was time to clean up. But she was she was definitely praying hard. And that's why I picked up on.[00:04:34.470] - GaelikaWere you guys like weekly churchgoers?[00:04:41.250] - Scottie WopWe live close to the church. So it was like every day, basically, except for Black Friday as we were in the church, which I didn't understand it. I resent it. Like as a kid, I'm like, man, I want to do stuff to all the other kids, you know, instead of being in church every single day. We were there all the time.[00:05:00.660] - GaelikaAnd then how were you as a kid? Like, yeah. Like what type of kid were you on?[00:05:11.280] - Scottie WopI would say it was like two versions of me. The first version was whenever I lived in Virginia, I was actually in a private school. So I was very sheltered going into like out of the third grade. And after my parents split and we had to move to South Carolina, everything switch. That's when I got exposed. So like gang activity to drug. You things of that nature to violence, fighting with different people. So I was a mixture of both like I was good when I needed to be in front of my mom. But after after I got out in public with my regular friends, it was a whole different person.[00:05:56.380] - GaelikaSo that whole different person with your regular friends, what type of mischievous things, were you getting into[00:06:08.650] - Scottie Wopjust being exposed to some light? Of course, the gang thing actually was put into a gang when I was in fifth grade, go on the sixth grade. So but my older brother at that, when we first met up, so once I got exposed to that light, I hung around a lot of older kids like I was the fifth grader with the juniors and seniors in high school. And I started smoking in sixth grade on selling stuff from seventh grade. But I was still playing sports. And I would tell them, you like to stay with sports programs, but I just wanted a family. I felt like I lost a piece of myself and was willing to do whatever to fit in if there was to talk to girls on things of that nature. I'm like, I'm OK with it. Whatever I got to do to be cool, you know?[00:07:04.720] - GaelikaSo when did you finally give your life to Christ?[00:07:10.300] - Scottie WopI would say it was when I turned 19 years old. So I ended up going to this Bible college in Atlanta that I was originally supposed to go to college to play football, but I ended up breaking my leg like my senior year on a year passed after I graduated high school, my mom was like, I want you to check out the school. And I was like, all right, fine, I'll check it out. I don't have anything else left. I wasn't making music yet. So I was like, you know, I'll go check it out. I went for a week. What happened was there was this man named Marty. He actually used to live in Virginia because my mom was a part of mashers commission and he was one of the students. I was there. So I saw him. Man, it looks like somebody I know, but I'm not sure what its over was like. Yeah, I remember you feel you were treated like second, second grade and he told me about the schools. It was a good option. So I went home and I was trying to get kicked out because it was really uncomfortable. You know, I wasn't used to just being loved even though I grew up in church. I presented it to I didn't have much of a life. I had to sneak to do things I wanted to do. So I got saved. At nineteen, I started making music on Christian rap music, maybe like two weeks after I got saved and now we're just running with it.[00:08:43.510] - GaelikaSo, I mean, but what happened was it was there some sort of was there like a major monumental thing that happened that one year at Bible College or was it small little incidents? And what was that connection like?[00:08:59.830] - Scottie WopSo what happened? Actually, before I got to the college, it was almost on my sister's birthday. I was going to take a friend home and I was still using the door. I was going to heavily she lived like forty five minutes away. And what happened was I took like Xanax for people who don't know that's that's a drug that probably shouldn't get it. So it was not prescribed. So I took one. And what happens is I getit basically as such a body down. If you're doing too much good to calm you down, you'll, you'll feel like you're not in control of your body. So I took her home on a way there. I felt like I was falling asleep a little bit. And she was like, oh, you can stay here. I was like, no, no, I'm fine. I got to get back home on its own. Way back. I was probably about ten minutes away from my house or my car. I don't make it. I'm good. And all all I felt was like my hands on the wheel, but I was really behind the wheel. So I kind of like dozed off and I drove through this medium, but I hit a hole. So when I hit the pole, instead of me going into the next lane and what traffic, it woke me up and I turned back onto the main road. I drove to like the nearby chick filet in the car. and the car is Totalled. Yeah. And like, I don't have any, like, home on my body, like I didn't. And it crushed just enough to where I could make it to the house I call my mom was like, I just got to. She was like, what happened? I fell asleep and will just try to play it off like I'm tired. Like two, three o'clock in the morning, but God in her, like, she leaves the room, comes back. She was like, were you taking anything? I was like, oh, man, she's got to know. God, that was a tall order. So I just passed up. So I was like, yes, she was like, you need to give at least one year to Christ. So I said, OK. I went. And it was a worship night at the school, just like November before I was to have my Thanksgiving break. And I was just sitting in the back like the worship music was playing. And I just broke down and I just started crying, just playing. But everything that was going on in life and I'm like, that is so good. And it was like, if anybody wants to give their life to Christ, I come to the front. And I was like one of the last ones at school or anybody would expect to get up. I was the first person to spring up, not even on a weight walk to the front. They prayed for me. And that's that's what I ended up, that it came alive.[00:11:48.620] - GaelikaOh, wow. I mean, that's that's impactful. And props to moms. One year just now, one year turned into perfectly a lifetime. And then. All right. So are you currently do are you married?[00:12:15.160] - Scottie WopNo, I'm not married. I'm seeing someone that also makes music, but I haven't put it out there yet. But I'm getting there. I'm working on it.[00:12:27.110] - Gaelika Do you have kids?[00:12:29.960] - Scottie WopI don't know. That's always that's been the big confusion with one song that I drop call were like, So do you have a kid? It's just rare for somebody that I see in the future.[00:12:44.780] - GaelikaGot it. Because, I mean, you do say that. But I doesn't know if there was if you've had a kid since then.[00:12:52.650] - Scottie Wop Oh, no.[00:12:54.680] - GaelikaBut it stands out for me because my niece's name is Lelani. So I'm like, I got to send this song to my brother. Yeah.[00:13:01.190] - Scottie Wop Wow.[00:13:03.020] - GaelikaYou know, so how would you say God's presence looks like in your life?[00:13:07.220] - Scottie WopPersonally, I would say it's heavy, like it's really heavy. I don't really make any moves unless God tells me to go. Because I've done so much stuff on my own, and seen it backfire. I'm like God, I submit everything to you. Everything to particularly music every year, like I'll give God five or six months where I won't even touch my computer, I won't shoot music video. I won't do anything like I'm justgoing to get inside of his face because I feel like I would get ahead of myself. So God is like in every business decision if it's just me trying to get something to eat, you know, I hear God's voice. They're like, oh my God, here, talk to this person. If I'm in, IHOP and there's a chance for ministry and He's like talk to this person. I'm not hesitating because I've seen him do so much great things not only in my life, but other people's. It wasn't always like that, though. Yeah. I felt like he had to earn it at one point. Like, you got to show me something before I'm giving you all of me because I'm not just about to do it and I've never seen you before. Yeah. So I used to test God a lot purposefully and he will show up. So not now we're at whatever he wants me to do. I do it.[00:14:42.590] - GaelikaYeah. I mean your little test are trivial for him. All right. So let's move forward to hot topics. It's what's trending on Twitter. So, I mean, right now, you know, in the world, we had the Daunte Wright, who was fatally shot by the officer on Sunday morning or Sunday during a traffic stop. And so his death was ruled a homicide by a medical examiner. But the police chief called it an accidental discharge, saying the officer intended to use a Taser. And currently there are demonstrations ongoing outside the Brooklyn Central Police Department. Individuals have taken place. So my question to you is, how important is it for music to reflect what's going on in the culture? Like currently?[00:15:35.750] - Scottie WopI feel like it's very important. You have to be mature to handle those topics, because once you know, once you put that out, all your political view on things is going on. You're opening like a whole nother door to people want to scrutinize you for using your voice for what you feel is right. But it is very important if you have that platform. That's why I looked up to people like the Lecrae. You got KB, Derek Minor,Rrockstar JT. They're not afraid to use their platform to stand up for what they believe is right, like like God has given us a voice. And if we honestly feel like we can contribute and bring peace and a sense and understanding rather than rally people up, do something wrong, we should use it any time we have the opportunity. To me personally, I. I use my music for literally the people in my area because I want I want to take hold of what's going on around me and branch out. I don't want to seem like I'm ignoring the own problems that's happening in my backyard. But yeah, we have a responsibility to enlighten people who may not understand what's going on. That's a big thing. It's going to take a lot of understanding as an artist or even as a black male to explain to people and have patience with them as to why certain things are agitating us. So it's a it's a big role that we have, especially in recent times, because it's easy for a song to blow up like that. You could put a powerful message in a song that goes viral on TikTok, but it's still spreading in something that's keep people aware.[00:17:32.090] - GaelikaAnd and as far as your music goes, we talk about your music. Now, you said once you gave your life to Christ, what, like a week later or two weeks later you were making music. So I'm assuming you were making secular music prior and then all of a sudden you just decided to switch. How was that Christian music start ?[00:17:56.300] - Scottie WopSo I, I would always two of my homeboys I'm going to trap or things of that nature by just playing around with doing like who will be smoking. And I kind of just back trying to freestyle, nothing working. But I would just talk about what I had going on. I was a secular producer the first before I started rapping. So I produced for artists like Moneybagg Yo for like everything really took off about people like Cycliste. I was working with secular artists, so I kind of had a knack for music. I didn't know where it came from, but I picked up a computer and stuff just came naturally once I got sales and my mom can attest to it. Before then, I was known as the Two bar rapper who could only get two lines up before completely fumbling. Okay, but I got to say, and two weeks later, same situation in a different setting, riding in a car with my homeboys from the Christian college. Now, everybody else is freestyle and they're doing a great job. As I go I ahead freestyle song. I'm like, I'm, I'm good. Like, I don't really do that. I make the beats. I said, just try and I just go for it. So I tried and it was like some place like fifteen minutes drive you just freestyle everything that's been going on since stuff outside and God just brought it all together. So like two weeks after Give My Life to Christ, everything musically started to click and I can understand where that's go.[00:19:40.250] - GaelikaThat's God that he had you humming as a baby and rapping as a baby in faith.[00:19:49.490] - Scottie Wop Exactly. I like that.[00:19:53.510] - GaelikaSo how did you get to the point of where you are now? Because, I mean, you have made a pretty big impact and I'm assuming with a short amount of time on it, it's been pretty quick. I would say Coronaviruses was like the best, worst thing to happen to me career wise. I felt like you was bad because I was already not really gaining traction, like trying to get my music out there, trying to go to TV shows to to build a fan base. The best thing was I didn't even have to leave my house. And I can just create, create, create. Doing challenges like for Miles Minnick. That's what really put me on the map because I won the "Pluto" a challenge and I was like the third entry and it was like two hundred other entries by the end of it. I ended up winning that, getting a relationship with Miles. Other people started to look like, oh, who's that? Who's that? Then I started to do other challenges like for Mission. I won that challenge. And then people from the West Coast started really rocking with my music. Then Rockstar JT actually reached out one day. This was before the Reach Summer playlist. I was I was doing music, you know, it was more pretty good Rapzilla did a couple of articles. I was like, OK, I think things are starting to work out. Rockstar calls me. We've never talked before. I don't even know how I got my phone number. But he calls me like on FaceTime and I see it's two numbers on their first. I'm having a iPhone was like last year. So I'm like, all right, how do I have to answer it's Rockstar and it's Hulvey,[00:21:48.360] - Gaelika oh, snap?[00:21:49.830] - Scottie WopLike, I know Hulvey because I used to serve with City Takers. Rockstar. I was like, OK, like this Rockstar JT. Like, I heard some music. It was like, man, we got this record that we want to do and I'll be listening to your music. And you have like a like a ratchet Chrisitan hip hop type sound. I'm like, you know, some so I'm like crazy trying to stay humble. And he was like, this is the beat came on Kid Classic. I was out like that. I like the whole girls. I just think about just saying something like, "stick, stick, stick". I think I can build off of that. So I was like, yeah, you know, like just give us like a week, like see what you come out with. On that same night I got on my laptop that I was so energized. My wow. Like I was really talking to these dudes just out of the blue. I got a thank you, hopped on my right Rod Stewart brand or what it was like the second tape that I recorded it all one time.[00:22:56.100]I was like, this is the one I called my brother Rich. I played it on my face time. Oh, this is hard. That was confirmation. I said, the Rockstar. He takes me back like a week later. It was like a I don't say nothing, but I think Ace wants to put on some playlist. I was like, what summer playlist is like the Reach Summer Playlist? I like what's. So we get the process rolling. I get a call from a some guy, OK, like this is really emotion ever since then that that did pretty well. Then I started to drop my own stuff. I linked up Big Breeze and God Fearing, of of "Slide Music". That was our first time meeting each other at the music video shoot. So we had no like interactions. The person we shot that we put it out, it was like, we need more from y'all. We ended up dropping the project. Lecrae catches wind of it and shares. I was like, this is crazy. God is just doing some amazing stuff so fast. Ever since then, I've been building a relationship with Lecrae, dropping the solo project by myself. He saw that and he shared it. And I just feel like, God's favor is just being over my life heavy.[00:24:21.960] - GaelikaOK, that's a lot. And wow. Gosh, that's that's crazy, man. That's incredible. Pretty much so. Rock star JT. I've told his testimony, Rockstar, Hulvey, Mission, Miles Minnick he's going to I just interviewed him he's going to end the season. He's enjoying the season. But when I was talking to rock star JT, he suggested that I reach out to you to hear your testimony. I appreciate that, son. That's an incredibletestimony, though. And I didn't realize that it was all happening pretty much during covid. So so you've built some pretty cool relationships that have also turned in dope features. But how important is it to have musical relationships[00:25:25.860] - Scottie WopI think is very important, like our reach for the relationship before the record. So even with the record that me and Rockstar have with Tedashii. She was like, when I got to the studio, I was just asking questions about him, you know, like, what's life like? I listen to some of your music growing up, not not all the time, but I was a big Christian hip hop head. I only know look, right now, that's weird. You know, I like to build relationships because then you get a better feel of what the song can be about rather than, oh, let's let's just talk about this and see where it goes. Like, I want people to learn who we are as people rather than just artists to our music, whether that's just going out like this past weekend it was like me, George Rose, Big Breeze, Eric, Rockstar. We just went out to go get something to eat before we even touched music uses. Let's go out here. Let's go to the store. Let's go shop. Let's just spend time with each other because we want to have long lasting relationships. Like I want to have my kids and see, oh, that's Uncle Rock, Rockstar. That's that's uncle Breeze. Not just oh I used to rap with him so yeah. I'm real big on relationships before actual music.[00:26:51.980] - GaelikaSo. So are you still in Atlanta or did you go back to South Carolina.[00:26:57.650] - Scottie WopSo I went back to South Carolina cause I'm helping my mom out with this leadership academy. Like on weekends. We have to teach the kids in the city about God just how to apply biblical practices to real life. I'm still in Atlanta, though, very frequently, like there's a show on the road early in the morning, Friday morning. Do what I gotta do for the weekend to come back the name for anything. It's just a call to go.[00:27:30.050] - GaelikaAnd you're currently working on your debut album.[00:27:33.140] - Scottie WopMm hmm. Yeah. So it's on it is weird, which is like even the last project a lot of people like. That's today. It was a glimpse into what you can get, but I'm working on it like I started yesterday, just making the beat. I just want people to come into my life and act. This will actually have features on it, which will be good because a lot of my other music, I didn't have features on on projects. So it's in the progress[00:28:11.810] - GaelikaSweet. Is there are you like hoping to release it during a certain time period?[00:28:21.980] - Scottie WopOdd enough, it wont be released in this year. I feel like it will be in twenty, twenty two. And when I told my homeboy about that it was like twenty, twenty two. That's so far away I was like I know like I don't want this to be like a timeless piece of work. Nipsy Huslte talks about that a lot like his last album was timeless. Like you can play that fifteen twenty years on row and is still good music. So this is one that I really want to like take my time put together. So twenty, twenty two I'll say fall twenty, twenty two. I should have done no.[00:29:00.050] - Gaelika O h fall? Not even winter?[00:29:02.990] - Scottie Wop Right.[00:29:04.970] - GaelikaA whole year and a half. OK, so until then we can still listen to Woptavious Porter Vol. one. I know.Where does the name come from. We're Scooty Wop come from.[00:29:19.760] - Scottie WopSo Scooty where can you from. A lot of people call me Scooter back home and my older brother, he was like just sort of down a story by the name. Doesn't have a huge meaning to it exists. We put stuff together. The wop comes from others to a lot of Gucci Mane growing up. So that was one of his main ad libs. I was like, wow, oh, I like that. So I just put one behind the other one and I felt like it popped because I had another rap name, Little Scope when I first started and it was like eight other artists with that name. I said I got I got find something that that is super unique. You see it on paper. You're like, why did you use that name? But it worked[00:30:04.520] - Gaelikanice. Dope, dope, dope. Wait. Hold on. I'm sorry. Can you hold on. My grandma. Grandma trying to do an interview. I'll put on your Westerns. Don't worry. I got you girl. I got you. Um, maybe ten, ten, 15 more minutes. Oh it's not like you know who it is Grandma. Scootie Wop.[00:30:37.000] - Mother BrownScooty who? You better schooty and put on my Westerns girl. Oh, right. Who was I was you. You missed the school is middle of high school. I'm Mother Brown. Nice to meet you, Scooty.[00:31:00.490] - Scottie Wop Nice to meet you. Much obliged.[00:31:02.320] - Mother BrownYou too. So so you be the man who always to step in and got like catchy hooks and stuff, you know, to step into the spirit.OK. OK, can you see that, that that sly music too. I like the slats and that. Can you give me a little little that I got your Khumba dolls. All that again. We lost lives, lost night war with anybody by my side. Oh yeah I know something like that. I just, I like you.[00:31:36.430] - Scottie WopOK, well I mean I need to be working on my Slide shuffle.[00:31:40.660] - Mother BrownYou know, I had a hip replacement by about twenty five years ago. It'd be acting up. It's acting up right now with little little couple of slides I just did right now. But I shall know. Appreciate your scooty. And in letting me do a little slide with you, I appreciate you slack. All right. All right. I'll let you get back to my grandbaby.[00:32:07.030] - Gaelikaall right, Grandma, I told you, just give me like fifty one minutes. thank you for entertaining my grandma. So we have the four-song-breakdown and is where the artist raps or recites a verse and discusses what's going on between the lines of the song story. And my grandma had you introduce Slide Music Two with TJ and Big Breeze. Do you want to just talk briefly about that song and why the two features?[00:32:47.250] - Scottie WopOh, yes. A music to was was actually kind of like an answer to the first one that I did when I first started making rap music. Basically just letting people know, like in the streets. When you say you're sly like it means that you're going for it. If your own book calls you, no matter where you're at, what time it is like I'm going to rest my brother. Now we're flipping it for God. And I calls my name, but I'm not going to hesitate. I'm going to go with Amy and everybody, even if it's somebody close to me, like my family, like you guys tell me I'm doing it. So I started off by myself before I started to build relationships. TJ actually hit me up on Instagram and like you, ha, let's get a record. I was like, you know what? I literally just finished this song, but I only have one verse. So I set the tone. He puts his bars down like, all right, meet me, T.J. He was like, nah, let's ask somebody else who you think was like big breeze I'm like, who is that? Like, I've never really I don't know who everybody is. Jimmy Page. I said, that's to do that. I made a three seed. OK, ok. So stressed out deep sent it to him. He sent thefax first back. Whenever I listen to man this is great. So I felt like we all came from a similar struggle and it just came together supernatural. I was like man like what am I talking about.I feel like is real. So that's how this all came about. And of course just the off of it, I felt like I heard it in Christian hip hop. I was like, yeah, like I think I like this. I just hate. So put it together.[00:34:44.850] - GaelikaOh. And could you do a little "4Dom Intro". Is that how you pronounce the song.[00:34:55.420] - Scottie WopOh oh. 4Dom. My bad. So I don't give a shit over and over and they try to treat us like some listen if you like read it. And I got to say don't question that. Thank you my darling. You don't know how to make actual killer understand so I can get them back kimbal sleeping thinking about how will stay away from a lot of fat. I no dog but I frontbenches. I will give my people hope but I'm cool. Will be a lot of jeans and a low voice. 4Dom is actually for my brother in a lot of people. Brother Island he was, he was killed in twenty fifteen by two minutes. So it's my job by somebody who was in a gang with so that, that kind of threw me off. But everybody that lives in this area, like when they heard a song like it was something that we need to do because there's so much gun violence and so much police brutality and it's so much just misunderstanding of what life is right now. So when I wrote the song, it was originally supposed to be the Altro, like the end of Project My Girl. Listen to what she said. Oh, this needs to be like the beginning. Like, it sets the tone. But I just wanted people to to see what it is that we go through on a daily Kouji is a lot of BS and it was like I was heavily gang influenced, not just with the gang I was in. I was all over the place like I caught them, caught them, caught them. I say in the verse, Are you trapnell you Bob? We had no choice. You play sports or you was adopted by music, wasn't really an avenue. And if you, if you were selling dope it was too much and you were dead or you are in prison. So we really didn't have many options. Such a small talk. But that song just highlights everything that that I was feeling in that moment.I just pouring out a lot of emotions,[00:37:10.560] - Gaelika "Role Models"[00:37:12.720] - Scottie Woprole models. I'll do the verse, try to make them play the role model. No, not at all. In my bottom, Guangfu and I have no father homicide emotional had allowed. I was looking at a job, a small boy to paint when I'm alone in the sky. This woman will start to write up on my head, my brother dead. I'm afraid that's too much on my mom. But it got so much more to say. Role models just literally just letting people know like growing up. We didn't have much anything good to look up to, even though the past a trial. My mom, she was trying hard, but it was something about seeing, you know, how bad things brushing your feelings temporarily. King's turn to adult rulers and girls in Nepal. Models like I have classmates that were never selling drugs at classmates that were never promiscuous. Now, you know, they're selling their body on what is the only fans or working in a strip club or you see this pass you just got locked up for for trafficking. I'm like, somebody has to step up and show these people, like, is this a better way to live life? And we really didn't have good role models. We have people who were standing's, but not good enough to where we we learned from it is better with our lives. So it's more like a hurt place where it's like these kings and realize that you're kings and queens, philosopher queens like is more than just getting a quick buck because we're missing something. Trying fulfill some role models, the smells[00:39:00.030] - Gaelika and "Crash Test."[00:39:03.750] - Scottie WopOh I see. That was good. I got to really remember to live without him because I like it. Symmetrical air. OK, I didn't write that song at all. It was just I see I had twenty twenty vision back to the base. True of the religion alphabet that honourary based out from a dog fighting case. It told me if anybody gonna make it out you've got to make it. So I my head in the sky can't let them fall. No cash crop. No, I didn't have enough to see my son look him in the eye and tell them that ain't perfect, but I won't leave your side. No crash test was was basically just me professing that I don't have my hands anythinganymore. Like I'm basically the crash test dummy and God is controlling the wheel on that part where my friend was was fighting a case that's actually Francesco, who I named the last song. Every project after he will use was fighting. A lot of different legal issues were born on the same day. He's the one who started making music with him. And he was just telling me, like you you have something special of your life. You have to be the one to make out of South Carolina. You bring the energy back. You have to be the one to be a role model. And I was just looking like a man, like I got to be right. Even if I didn't choose to be like, this is what God is. So you have to embrace it. So you test just whatever God wants to do on my heart. I'm like, you banged up. But he's always put me in a new situation to try again.[00:40:50.790] - GaelikaAnd why do you title the last track of every album? Franscisco[00:40:59.940] - Scottie WopI name it that with that because the first verse, Prajapati, he actually helped me write the song since he was locked up. He couldn't like do the song with me. So I was like, you know what, I'm with you. 50 percent of everything is going to be your name. He gets out so he can actually hear this one. He helped me write that one as well. So I always, like, pay homage to him. He's not even if he's still alive, like but we have such a tight relationship. He was one of the first people that I met when I moved here. And for us to have the same birthday, everything like that do music. It was like he's one person that I want to benefit by. If something were to happen to me, like Frankie is my close homeboy, he's like my mother's second child.[00:41:59.220] - GaelikaSweet. Well, now that you've gone through the whole interview process, who would you like to see the interview? Whose testimony would you like to hear on?[00:42:13.290] - Scottie WopI will say, T.J., most definitely it would be T.J., I just had Main Main he has a pretty powerful testimony. And then my manager Enlightenment, he actually has been like the last 15 years, but his testimony was real powerful.

Pop-singer SVRCINA shares her Christian testimony. SVRCINA talks about her feature with rapper Hulvey and Grammy award winning rapper Lecrae on “Reasons”, major sync-licensing placements she has had, and the fall release of her up-coming album Orchards.

Chanz shares his Christian testimony. Chazn talks about being bullied by gangs and learning martial arts to defend himself. He talks extensively about his family’s non-profit Elijaha’s Heart, and how a movie starring Michal Ealy was made about his dad, and the importance of learning social media algorithms.

Rapper and singer Angie Rose shares her Christian testimony. Angie shares how drugs and alcohol numbed her to life, and how the spirit of Lord made her feel again. She talks about her experience being featured in People En Espanol Magazine, and how her Unstoppable Foundation helped to support those affected by hurricanes in Puerto Rico. Angie’s Unstoppable project is now available. Additionally, we talk about Lil Nas X and Nipsey Husstle in our Hot Topics segment.

Chicago - rapper Thre shares his Christian testimony. Thre talks about how growing up with an absent father drew him to the pen and pad. He also exclusively reveals the details of his marriage breaking up and dealing with a divorce within the Christian community. Thre additionally breaks down "Sirens'' featuring Eshon Burgundy & Mouthpi3ce, "Road Rage" featuring Jay Cabassa, "Low Fuel" featuring Kymar Garner, and “Traffic Jam” in the 4-song-breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper and singer Kaleb Mitchell shares his Christian testimony. He discusses losing his best friend to gun violence, discovering his dad’s drug addiction, and meeting and working with Def Jam’s former CEO Paul Rosenberg. Kaleb additionally breaks down his latest album and movie, So Help Me God II.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper and singer Hulvey shares his Christian testimony. Hulvey talks about how God told him to drop out of college and pursue music, Hulvey then moved to Atlanta, and less than a year later he was signed to Lecrae’s Reach Records. He also discusses the importance of mentorship and wisdom. Additionally, Hulvey breaks down “Back in the wick”, "Reason" featuring Lecrae & SVRCINA, "We Against the World" featuring Andy Mineo, and "Eternal" in the 4-Song-Breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper Aklesso shares his Christian testimony. He discusses the struggle of having a Christian father, who abandoned his family, and how it affected his ability to trust God. Aklesso talks about letting go of anger and wanting to be a role model because he didn't have one. Musically, he talks about the importance of album roll-outs. Additionally, he breaks down "Worse Year” ft. Gawvi, "Popular" ft. Sam Rivera, "Blackkklansman", and "Heaven Only Knows" in the 4-Song-Breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper-singer Aaron Cole shares his Christian testimony. Aaron discusses growing up in the Christian spotlight, relationships that have pulled him away from God and brought him closer to God, and the importance of using your platform to bring awareness to issues like Black Lives Matter. Additionally, Aaron breaks down “Water 4 Me” featuring Parris Chariz and Not Klyde, “Fosho”, “In my Bag”, and “Only You” featuring Terrian in the 4-Song- Breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, industry veteran Mr. Del shares his Christian testimony. Mr. Del describes the transition from making music with famed Memphis Tennessee group Three 6 Mafia to Christian rap, introducing the world to Mali Music and Xavier Omar, and why MD 20/20 is his final album.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, singer Reagan Capaci shares her Christian testimony. Reagan talks about growing up Independent Baptist (she refers to it as a cult), how Youtube saved her family, and her passion for kids aging out of the foster system. Additionally, in the 4-Song-Breakdown she breaks down “Play This”, “Closed”, “Milk”, and “Rent5”.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper Dee Balck shares his Christian testimony. Dee talks about the importance of being an independent artist, how he made $80k indie, and turning down a deal with Def Jam Records. We also discuss the shooting death of Jonathan Price. Additionally, Dee breaks down “Way Maker”, “I’m So Glad” featuring GS, “Hope” featuring Mouthpi3ce, and “Church Boy” featuring Jared Sanders and Fee-lo in the 4-Song- Breakdown.

Limoblaze - In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, Afro Gospel artist Limoblaze shares his Christian testimony. He shares how he and a group of friends coined the phrase “Afro Gospel” and grew the genre in a short time frame. Limoblaze talks about growing up listening to Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and his excitement about their joint album Bridges. Additionally, in the 4-Song-Breakdown he breaks down "Okay" featuring Ada Ehi, "Sound of Victory" Da' T.R.U.T.H and Travis Greene, "Bridges" Da' T.R.U.T.H, "Blow My Mind".

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper Rockstar JT shares his Christian testimony. JT talks about reconciling his relationship with his father, PTSD associated with death and grieving, protesting black lives matter on the same steps as Dr. Martin Luther King, and having a song featured on the HBO series Euphoria. Additionally, in the 4-Song-Breakdown he breaks down "Stick" feat MainMan and ScootieWop, "New Attitude" feat Hulvey and Jon Keith, "Drip Bayless" feat Parris Chariz and Aha Gazelle, and "36" nobigdyl., Joey Vantes and Torey D'Shaun.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, songstress Ayiesha Woods shares her Christian testimony. Ayiesha talks about being raised in Bermuda, the artist and motherhood work-life balance, and Tobey Mac signing her to Gotee Records as a newer artist. Additionally, Ayiesha breaks down “Indebted”, “G.O.A.L.S” featuring Tobey Mac, “Safe” featuring J Hill, and “If You Say” in the 4-Song Break-Down from her latest EP Full Circle in the 4-Song-Breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper Wxlf shares his Christian testimony. Wxlf talks about growing up in the Dominican Republic and moving to the states, being at the lowest point in his life and the relationships that brought him out of it, and he announces that he will be releasing a mixtape Define Me if You Can. Additionally, in the 4-Song-Breakdown Wxlf breaks down "Can’t Decide” featuring Aklesso, “4Real”, “Mistakes” remix with Parris Chariz, and Chris Soul’s “Florida Boy” that he is featured on.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, R&B crooner Byron Juan shares his Christian testimony. Byron talks about de-stigmatizing therapy in the black community, women in ministry, going viral on TikTok, Maria Carey’s memoir, and we had a very extensive conversation and dating and relationships. Additionally, Byron breaks down “LSD”, “Nice Guy”, “Crazy”, and “Guilty” from his EP Promise I’m Not Crazy in the 4- Song- Breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper-singer Jon Keith shares his Christian testimony. Jon talks about losing his virginity, Hermeneutics, and his love for theology. We also discuss a possible NBA boycott and Aaliyah’s 19 year death anniversary in What’s Trending. Additionally, Jon breaks down “FOMO”, “Trust”, “King” featuring Beleaf, and “Anti-Hero” in the 4-Song Break-Down from his latest album Anti-Hero.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper-singer Big Fil shares his Christian testimony. He talks growing up in a single-parent home in a poverty-stricken area. Big Fil shares his opinion about homosexuality in the church, the perception of women as “helpmates”, and Drake’s “Laugh Now Cry Later” video. Additionally, Big Fil goes between the lines of “Qd”, “Finesse”, “Heaven’s Gates” featuring Mission, and “Reply” from his Quarantine Dreams EP in our 4-Song Break-Down.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper Parris Chariz shares his Christian testimony. He talks about how he went from playing college basketball to praying over his rap tracks. We discuss Lil Boosie and Drake trending on Twitter. Additionally, Parris talks about his latest album 2045 being featured on Revolt TV, over 1 million Spotify streams, and creating songs with replay value. Parris also goes between the lines of "Hunger Games", "Starlit", "The Light", and "Secrets" in our 4-Song-Breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony: A Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper and coffee roaster Dre Murray shares his Christian testimony. Dre talks about how basketball and fellow Christian athletes changed his life. We discuss the NBA restart and comments made on kneeling from Charles Barkley and Sam Coonrod. Additionally, Dre discusses signing to Illect Recordings and his new venture into the coffee industry. .

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, Canadian cross-over artist Paul Hernandez shares his Christian testimony. He discusses the cultural difficulties of splitting his time growing up in a Honduras household and Canadian household. Paul also shares the struggle of being named one of Rapzilla’s 2012 Freshman as a teenager and trying to turn it into a music career. And Paul opens up about his issues with anxiety. Additionally, Paul goes in between the lines and shares the song stories of “Deeper Things”, “Manana”, “Little Bit”, and “Runaway” in the 4-Song Break-Down.

In this episode of Testimony: A Musician’s Story, presented by Soundseekers, Godchaserz rapper and label owner Brinson shares his Christian testimony. He talks about his violent past, being an underrated CHH rapper, and Comic-Con being a mission field. Additionally, we go between the lines of "Faith in the Sky” featuring Steven Malcolm and Norman Micheal; “Last Dragons” featuring Selah the Corner, Big Fil, Readywriter, and DJ Will; “U Know” featuring Norman Micheal; and “Is this The End” in our 4-Song Break-Down.

In this episode of Testimony: A Musician’s Story, presented by Soundseekers, music producer & Bigger Dreams Club creator Jude shares his Christian Testimony. Jude talks about growing up as a pastor’s kid, having a hit single as a teenager, creative marketing, and the importance of genuine relationships in the music industry. Additionally, Jude shares the song stories of “Brighter” featuring J. Monty, Aaron Cole & Steven Malcolm; “Priceless” featuring YourWelcome Shon, “Stone Cold” featuring Caleb Cruise, Steven Malcolm, & Aaron Cole; and “Getting Up” featuring John Givez, Grandace, & Jaylon Ashaun in the 4-Song Break Down.

In this episode of Testimony: A Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper-pastor-entrepreneur Yaves shares his Christian testimony. His story includes growing up with a drug-addicted mother, and never knowing his father. Yaves talks about the police and community relations work he is doing in Columbus, OH, overcoming systematic oppression, publishing and licensing music, and being debt-free. Additionally, he raps and goes in between the lines of “In Springs Ear Too”, “Prayed for It”, “Level Up”, and “You See It” in our 4-Song Breakdown.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper Darius Dior shares his Christian testimony. Darius’s testimony includes forgiving the person who killed his brother. We talk about segregated churches, and the church being silent when it comes to race relations. Additionally, Darius breaks down "Children of the Lion", "Jameelah", “Cleaning Time”, and “Grace is Power” in the 4 Song Break Down.

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper Shepherd shares his Christian testimony. Shepherd talks about the success of his hit record “Gametime” which is close to hitting 10 million Spotify streams, is featured in the new NBA 2K video game, has a remix with Shaquille O'Neal, and got him a contract with Columbia records. Shepherd also exclusively announced information about his new EP releasing soon, as well as the single “Clocked In” featuring Derek Minor and “Too Easy.”

In this episode of Testimony a Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, rapper James Gardin shares his testimony and explains the differences between accepting versus surrendering to Jesus. James also discusses why Christian artists have an advantage when it comes to sync licensing their music. We talk about Kanye West and Eminem. Additionally, James breaks down "Lovely""Diamond in the Rough", "Complaining", and “Most My Friends are Stuck on the Internet” in the 4 Song Break Down.

In this episode of Testimony: A Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, we speak to music producer Fvmeless and rapper Hilgy about their joint album Contemptment dropping soon. Additionally, we discuss the murder by cop of George Floyd, and how white people need to speak up. Hilgy also raps and breaks down “Tables”, “Dopamine” “Reset”, and “Jonah” in the 4 song break down.

In this episode of Testimony: A Musician’s Story, presented by Sound Seekers, we speak rapper-singer-songwriter Wande. Wande shares her testimony; which includes giving her life to Christ as a teenager despite her father being Muslim. Wande explains the hurdles of being the first woman signed to Lecrae’s Reach Records. We also discuss her music being played on ESPN. Additionally, Wande breaks down "Happy", "Be Yourself", "Been up", and "Iconic" in the 4 Song Break Down.

Justin Goss shares his experience growing up in an abusive-adopted home, being humbled by Andy Mineo, and new music. He also sings and breaks down “Good Lawyer”, “Old and Gray”, “Too Good”, and “Farewell Fear” in the 4 Song Breakdown.

Mission share's his testimony and the role infidelity and divorce played in it, talks 2 million YouTube streams, and discusses the new Barely Finished 2 album. He also raps and breaks down “Thank You Lord”, “Amen”, “Nowhere”, and “Seasons” in the 4 Song Breakdown.

Deraj gives us an exclusive look into his EP, Goodish.

Beleaf in Fatherhood YouTube star talks retiring from rap, being a stay-at-home dad, why the group Dream Junkies broke up, and his desire to inspire men to be great fathers. Listen to this rare Testimony: A Musician's Story full interview now.

Selah the Corner is no stranger when it comes to CHH, however, he just dropped his debut God Over Money album Memoirs of a Perfect World. He discusses the album, Christians smoking weed, and opens up about his childhood as a PK (pastor's kid). Listen to his Testimony: A Musician's Story now!

Propaganda shares his life story, talks the importance of discipleship amongst artist and his latest album Crooked.

BrvndonP and Mission talk puttin' some "respek" on their name, the discipleship divide in CHH, and their latest project Barely Finished, in this sit down interview with Testimony: A Musician's Story.