I was in prison and you came to visit me
Matthew 25:36
Christian Rap has a long history of caring for those in prison. Some of the biggest names in the genre have a unique passion for the incarcerated. Individuals like Reconcile, Thi’sl, and Lecrae have continually ministered to inmates, and they have partnered with and supported organizations like Prison Fellowship and GodBehindBars to further the gospel message of hope and liberation.
Bar for Bar
Behind the bars of CHH is a deep sympathy for those behind bars. Some of the most prominent and successful artists have continually addressed the reality of prison life in their music. For instance, in his Church Clothes 2 mixtape, Lecrae raps on his song “Hang On,”
Talking with my folk through a glass wall
Letters gettin’ passed off
Told me he was about to head to trial
Pray to God he don’t get cast off
Lecrae’s entire music catalog contains numerous references to prison, but he is not the only artist vocal on this subject. Hip hop artist Thi’sl articulates his own prison experience on Lecrae’s song “APB.” He raps, “what you know about sitting in a jail cell, felonies, murder case?” An article by the River Front Times discusses how Thi’sl was confined to a jail cell for three days after his best friend murdered his cousin. He was wrongly contained as a potential suspect.
The artist Reconcile also raps about prison. His music catalog contains a long list of songs warning the younger generation about the realities of prison. Songs like “Any Means,” “Straight to the Penn,” “Dopefiend,” “13th Amendment,” and much more address the incarceration system.
His album art equally displays the subject of prison, and he is sometimes depicted in his album art as a prisoner. Streets Don’t Love You 3 includes an image of Reconcile receiving a mug shot, and his single “Streets Ain’t Got No Love” features an image of the artist appearing as an inmate behind a cell.
Beyond the Music
In addition to the portrayal of prison through music, artists have partnered with prison ministries to spread the hope of the gospel in seemingly hopeless situations. Thi’sl, for instance, has previously spoken at prisons and correctional facilities to commemorate the academic achievements of inmates pursuing GED and other coursework. Rapzilla covered his speeches in a 2016 article.
Reconcile has worked with prison ministries and has proactively engaged the juvenile justice system as a preventative action against continued incarceration. His music contends with the current youth and encourages them to turn from the streets to the steeple, from gangs to the gospel, from catastrophe to christoformity. In 2022, Reconcile delivered a TEDxBerryU talk highlighting his involvement with the juvenile justice system and his vision and efforts for effective reform.
There are more black people in State & Federal prison in 2020 (+450,000) than the total number of slaves that were shipped to the US between 1525 and 1866 (about 388,000). Let that sink in.
— RECONCILE (@ReconcileUs) July 6, 2020
Lecrae has also pursued pathways to interact with inmates. During the 2019 Unashamed Tour, Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Tedashi, WHATUPRG, and others partnered with Prison Fellowship to visit a correctional facility. They participated in basketball, provided talks, and put on a concert.
Additionally, an article by Prison Fellowship details that Lecrae donated 5,000 copies of his work I am Restored as a ministry resource for inmates. He also provided prisoners with listening access to the Restoration album a week before it was released.
We gave incarcerated people the restoration album a week before it released. I’d love to come perform for these places. Anyone with connects dm me. pic.twitter.com/2uCEzK0uzv
— Lecrae (@lecrae) March 25, 2021
Other artists like 1k Pson have partnered with GodBehindBars to perform live concerts for inmates. Worship artist Brandon Lake, who has recently collaborated with KB, has also worked with GodBehindBars to further the gospel message in prisons.
From the Cell to the Studio
CHH also includes artists who have experienced years of incarceration and who model God’s work of redemption. E.i. the King addresses his own journey of imprisonment. In 2022 he released an EP titled The Incarceration Part 1: The Bid. His Spotify artist bio shares that “from ages 18 to 31, he only spent 14 months total in society as a free man.” But as he sings in his song “Day One,”
Hold my head up high. Tears I’ve cried
All the things I’ve been through
Not a day goes by in my life
I’m thankful for my issues
E.i. the King’s lyrics are reminiscent of Paul’s claim that God’s power is made perfect in human weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). We should also be reminded that Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon were inspired by divine wisdom in partnership with the hand of a prisoner.
Breaking Free Through Music
CHH artists have also advocated for aspiring rappers behind bars. In 2022, Lecrae partnered with Securus Technologies for their “Original Hip Hop Track Contest” and helped Carmela Mose record her track “I Think” from prison. Rapzilla featured an article detailing the story which includes a video of Lecrae stating that he never before shed tears in a studio session, at least not until he witnessed Carmela Mose record her track.
Communing with Captives
The strength of CHH is not found within its chart-topping singles, nor its sold-out concerts, or even its ability to shake hands with some of the most successful artists in the hip-hop industry. Rather, CHH is praiseworthy for its efforts to bless the least of these.
Behind the scenes, artists are going behind bars. They are preaching the gospel, sharing hope, and making a difference. Their efforts reveal that the gospel remains relevant. It’s still moving, even in the most unlikely of places, and it’s still transforming lives.
Some of the biggest names in CHH are not forgetful of the forgotten. They are communing with captives and attempting to bring freedom, reform, and hope. And through their resolve, the world is now hearing once muted and imprisoned voices. Liberation is nigh. But much work is left to be done.
Make sure to check out Prison Fellowship and GodBehindBars and consider partnering with them in their efforts to bring transformation and hope.
Prison Fellowship:
GodBehindBars:
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