6 Christian Rap Albums for fans of Childish Gambino
With the release of Childish Gambino’s final record Bando Stone & the New World, we got to experience a compilation of Gambino’s best moments throughout his discography all in one record. While this is a compressed banquet of his most intense moments, fans of a particular era Gambino’s repertoire might feel short-changed. One might even argue that it’s like having four different Childish Gambino EPs crammed into one album. Specifically, if you are a fan of rap-Gambino, you get a palms-worth of bangers. However, it may not cover all the facets of rap-fix you may have been craving. I miss the more political, socially conscious, meditative, and existential rapper that we got to experience back with Royalty and Because the Internet. Fortunately, for us, I have some Christian rap albums that could satiate that need for you. Here are six Christian rap albums for Childish Gambino fans.
1. Never Land II — Andy Mineo
This convergence delivers a message about imperfection, renewal, and cherishing the timeless aspects of life. Additionally, Mineo combines his aptitude for clever lines and tight flows with a more experimental sound.
It kinda sounds like Bando Stone for Christians.
Andy Mineo’s latest record is a sequel to his 2013 release “Never Land,” featuring a Memento-like narrative narrated by his late mother. The album intertwines his mother’s anecdotes about parenting him with Mineo’s perspective as an adult grappling with anxiety.
The way Wordsplayed and Mineo trade bars back and forth is insane.
2. INDIE500 — indie tribe.
The indie tribe collective delivers an alternative and experimental rap record. The opening track starts with an epic cinematic feel, transitions into a hardcore, semi-avant-garde instrumental, and features a soft bridge with John Keith’s vocals.
That bridge is my favorite part. It feels as if Tyler the Creator did the composition for a Dr. Seuss film.
3. My Own Worst Enemy — Tragic Hero
Tragic Hero’s album has a colder Drake-meets-Soulquarians soundscape, offering an autobiographical narrative with genre-bending tracks like “Winter” and “1984.” The artist’s lyrical prowess shines through with tight, complex flows and clever metaphors. The album is a buffet for backpackers ready for an adventure comparable to Tetsuo’s journey. Additionally, the record demonstrates the artist’s aptitude for engaging over minimalist yet thoroughly engaging instrumentals, showcasing a lot of exercises in his sensibilities for melodies.
4. Eremos — Jon Keith
In 2023, Jon Keith released “Eremos,” addressing his struggles with mental health through a dark emotional sonic journey. The album delves into reconciling his internal well-being with depression, insecurity, and mental fatigue. “Remedy” combines Tame Impala and 808s & Heartbreak, starting with emotionally compelling vibes and building into a euphoric mix of warm synths and drums, reminiscent of the end of an indie movie where the lead character leaves a toxic relationship and walks into the sunset.
This is a considerably heavier song. Prepare yourselves. The first line of this song is literally:
Praise God for every time I thought about taking my own life.
5. Once in a Dry Season — Paul Russell
Before Paul Russell’s much more recent ventures into the pop-rap space over the past few years, he had an exciting run as an alt-Christian rapper. He followed up with his first official debut album, ‘Once in a Dry Season.’ One of the things that I missed in ‘Bando’ Stone & the New World, as far as what I love about Gambino, is the more interest given in this person — songs where Paul muses on his position in life at that time, feeling like he has the whole world ahead of him but doesn’t feel a pull in any particular direction, and learning to be content in that. It’s a very smooth listen and it’s good to get the listener thinking.
This was the first cut of an album that was relatively low-key. Dang Paul?
6. Fire by Night — Aaron Dews
It has a younger Aaron Dews in his more Bible rap phase. The concepts are a bit on the nose but the crown Jewel of the record is legion which is a very cool lever play on the idea of taking thoughts captive. And so there are some interesting pieces here. I mainly included this because I think there’s a lot on here that knocks and resonates with a Gambino fan and also Dews is pretty much the Childish Gambino of Christian rap.
Ok, well hopefully you’ve got a little bit more rap to fit in your Childish Gambino playlist. Make sure to follow me on IG: @medialpoint
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