7 Christian Artists to Listen to if You Like Tyler, the Creator
Dang. That new Tyler album is…
I didn’t listen to it yet.
Key word is “YET.” Like a Yeti cup.
NOID go crazy tho, right?
You know who else goes crazy? Christians.
Here are a few of them you should listen to if you like Tyler, the Creator.
1. Wordsplayed
Wordsplayed, Wordsplayed, Wordsplayed.
Initially, many comparisons were made between this man and Tyler, the Creator, albeit a bit too early in his career. Some pointed to his lower, grimy voice and left-field sense of humor that made for some head-turning punchlines. It could be because they’re both Nigerian, but now I sound like a racist.
Though he’s been bare on the release end, only clocking in about four projects over the past decade, his Lo-Fi Love (lfl1–2) series is phenomenal. I have yet to see anyone in the subgenre of Christian rap pull it off as eloquently as he has. He is one of my favorite talents in Christian rap, and with Minor League getting a refreshing jump start, we will hopefully get that lfl3 that is deep within the recesses of Wit’s hard drive.
2. Andy Mineo
Though Mineo has struck an interesting balance between mainstream commercial accessibility and innovative experimentation, a significant portion of his discography leans more toward auteur-driven work. You could easily create a playlist of all his more auteur-focused content and come away seeing Andy as a considerably different artist. That being said, his recent venture into independence is bound to yield a freer, more experimental, and endearing version of Andy — one we’ve seen glimpses of throughout his projects, especially with recent releases like Happy Thoughts, The Arrow, and Neverland II.
3. Tragic Hero
Justin Hunte is to Lupe Fiasco, as Tragic Hero is to medial. If you know you know.
Without saying too much, I know he’s on the verge of some exciting projects.
In a recent conversation, I mentioned to him there isn’t a Christian rap album or artist that embodies the same ingenuity as Tyler, the Creator. This list, of course, is a fun example of me eating my words. His recent releases featuring these uniquely chopped, lo-fi ’70s soul samples alongside his clever, complex lyricism, I think he’s a solid listen for any Tyler fan. If I had to describe what I heard, I’d say it’s a bit like Kid Cudi meets Timbaland.
While you won’t get massive beat drops that sound like the climax of a horror film like in some of Tyler’ tracks, there’s plenty within Tragic Hero’s discography to appreciate.
4. 350
With the advent of Holy Smoke Fest by Indie Tribe being a great outlet for 350 in terms of performance, I hope it’s encouraged him to continue down the route he’s been going, specifically with his most recent record, Does Anyone Know You‘re Going This Way? which features these soft melodic samples with really ripe-sounding drums as he spits immaculately over tight instrumentals. In a recent interview with nobigdyl., he talked about being able to perform these songs in front of an audience, whereas in the past, he was used to making more trap-infused songs. I think his most recent record speaks to what he desires to be as an artist.
5. Battz
This is primarily based on Battz’s first and most recent full-length LP. In my opinion, Battz’s latest record, Shuck’N’Jive, incorporates elements reminiscent of the sound you’d find on Call Me If You Get Lost. Now, while this album has a completely different tone — it’s a conscious album, after all — imagine a J. Cole record produced by Tyler, the Creator. Sounds intriguing, right?
6. Weathrman
Okie dokie
This is one of my favorite recommendations. They have a solid track record of reinterpreting well-known artists with outstanding results — some of which are already on this list. They’ve worked with the likes of Andy Mineo, Wordsplayed, Tragic Hero, and, most notably, an impressive multi-single collaboration with Hollyn, nearly revamping her as an artist. Here’s hoping this hints at a project to come, fingers crossed. I get excited every time they announce a release with a new artist.
A battz x wearthrman drop would be ill.
7. DSTL
I don’t think this is a far-fetched pick. While I’m not planning a part two for a list like this, I’m including Daniel Still here anyway. Daniel isn’t a rapper or singer — he’s a producer. His beats sound like they’re from another dimension, and while he might fit better on a list of Christian music for fans of Domi & JD Beck or Flying Lotus, who knows when I’ll ever make those lists? I’m not sure anyone else would even belong on it besides Daniel Still. But since there’s some crossover here, this is probably where Daniel will stay for the foreseeable future.
His collaborative project with Andy Mineo, *Happy Thoughts*, already made it onto one of my lists for fans of Tyler, the Creator. Daniel has a rare talent, and I hope he eventually gains a platform similar to Flying Lotus or other instrumental artists — he could be our Robert Glasper.
i promise you I will listen to the chromucopia? chromatopia is that what it's called?
alright, enjoy the playlist and follow me on Instagram. @medialpoint
