Chris Chicago's Artist Spotlight

Nigel "Legin" Anderson, a hip-hop and spoken-word artist, speaker, and entrepreneur operates the gospel hip hop label Renaissance Music with fellow artists Sinai and Focus. As an artist, Legin performs at concerts, conferences, and churches, attracting excited followers through his energy and authenticity. Motivated and inspired by his father's battle with addiction, he speaks at schools and churches on the topics of living with hope, overcoming obstacles, and pursuing dreams in the face of fear. His messages are grounded in apologetics and promote Christian living and racial reconciliation for the health of the nation. As a performer, Legin has appeared on stage with Lecrae and opened for artists such as KB, Tedashii, Da' T.R.U.T.H., Social Club, Canon, Aaron Cole, and Flame, among others. He has produced and promoted tours in Hampton Roads, the surrounding regions, and across the United States. With his team, Legin has also performed and spoken at conferences and churches abroad, for example, in London, England; Nairobi, Kenya; and Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa. Through his non-profit company, Expect Renaissance, Legin and his label mates, Sinai and Focus, produced a compilation album called Safe House by RMM (2017). All proceeds from the album will finance the construction of a safe house in South Africa to protect children from sex trafficking. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2019. In producing Safe House, Legin worked with Grammy-nominated artist Da. T.R.U.T.H., Grammy-winning artist KJ Scriven, and lyricists Eshon Burgandy (NFTRY) and Jered Sanders (God Over Money Records). Legin preaches monthly at CrossRoads Church in Norfolk, VA where he attends with his wife, Tia, his high school sweetheart, and their son and daughter. Legin and his family reside in Hampton Roads, VA. All social media + Spotify @legintv

Sinai, born Jermaine Morris, grew up in the projects of New Haven, Connecticut. His mother was single raising him and his 2 older siblings for much of his childhood and she worked extremely hard to keep her children from the streets. He experienced the pain and rejection that many teens lacking the love and acceptance of a strong father figure go through. Years after nearly losing his life on three separate occasions, he began to realize that God had protected him. As God began to show Sinai the gifts he gave him, He gave Sinai a longing to reach others and show them a better way of life. Sinai joined the Renaissance Movement Music family in 2014 and released his first EP, "Red Flag" in the fall of 2014. Sinai has opened for such national and international artists as Canton Jones, Tedashii, KB, Social Club, Christon Gray, Canon, Deraj and Aaron Cole. He has also collaborated with such artists as Da' T.R.U.T.H., Spec of Team Spechouse, Jered Sanders, Swift, Yankee B, and Sean Slaughter. He has also traveled across the United States and has gone as far as Nairobi, Kenya and Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa. Sinai speaks to the hardships of everyday life. He hopes to inspire people to overcome all obstacles through Jesus. Lyrically, his punchlines, passion, and delivery highlight him as a stand out artist. His music is intense, energetic and uplifting. He has a very eclectic ear musically and his artistic expression is heavily influenced by hip hop as well as other genres such as Reggae, Contemporary and Pop.

Illtalian is an Italian/Filipino, award-winning rapper from Kauai, Hawaii, who is currently nominated for a Na Hoku Hanohano Award, also known as the Hawaiian Grammy, in the Best Rap Album of the Year category. Illtalian strives to deliver the Gospel in a unique fashion without compromising his message, while representing his home in Hawaii. His Nā Hōkū nominated album, "Makana," features some of the biggest names in Christian Rap, including 1k Phew, Swift, Je'kob and Gemstones, and his new EP drops this summer.

Shep the Shepherd is the proverbial leader of the Christian Hip-Hop (CHH) flock. His hope is to be transparent, to change the illusion that he would be a perfect Christian leading the perfect life. His hope is for others to be able to identify with his music and to find hope in Christ, the only perfect one.

King Chav is an emerging hip-hop artist from Jacksonville, FL originally from Bridgeport, CT. He uses his music as a way to connect and communicate with his generation. King Chav mixes substance with style in his delivery. He boldly talks about his faith, experiences, social and political issues within his music. His released his debut project, Time Will Tell, in July 2017. His music has been featured on publications such as HipHopDX, Rapzilla, newH20 and Sphere of Hip-Hop. He is also a host of The WkNd Radio Show.

During his college years, Stovetop wrote raps and experimented with production, but never really felt comfortable publicly displaying his skills until he started making music catered directly to his dorm mates at Northwestern in Orange City, IA. Describing it as a fraternity like atmosphere, Stover said his dorm mates took a shining to his ability to use his talent to drop bars filled with inside jokes and familiar stories. After graduating from Northwestern in 2010 with a degree in public relations, Stovetop decided to take his desire to rap a little more seriously and began investing himself financially and by consistently writing rhymes in his downtime, something he still does today. He released his debut album, "Work in Progress," featuring lead single, "A.I." in January. The 11-track project has been in development for five years and features all original music and composition. "Work in Progress" is the culmination of Stovetop's desire to spread not only his music to the masses but to promote positivity and spirituality as well. "I like to have fun in my music," said Stovetop, who built his following through his SoundCloud account, which has accumulated more than 200,000 streams. "I want it to be upbeat but at the same time have a decent message; that's the point of this project. I want to make music that I wouldn't be ashamed to have my parents hear or that I wouldn't have to turn off if my two-year-old walks in the room." "It's easy to write club-bangers about women or getting crazy or whatever, but I wanted this project to be a little more encouraging mean something a little more than what rap is typically associated with. I love Jesus, I love hip-hop, and I love putting them together." Another theme behind "Work in Progress" is to show that no matter who you are and what you have accomplished, there is always more that can be done. "No matter what you do in life, as a person — and I don't just mean spiritually, physically, career-wise, you name it — you're always a work in progress," Stovetop said. Over the 38-minute runtime, Stovetop encourages people to live their life to the fullest ("Bananas"), explains how to have fun on the dance floor without being provocative ("Feet Work"), never giving up ("Fighter"), rallying against secular materialism ("A.I."), and more. Stylewise, Stovetop has a hard time describing his musical style, but the lyricist is heavily influenced by both secular and Christian artists such as Andy Mineo, Drake, Lecrae, NF and tobyMac, a trait reflected by the extreme versatility on display in his burgeoning catalog. While he has difficulty narrowing down a way to describe himself as an artist, he is adamant that Christianity, positivity, and encouragement are standard pillars of his music. In addition to that, Stovetop works his day job at a non-profit ministry and runs a growing DJ business. He also loves to spend time with his expectant wife and 2-year-old son.

Professor Crow is a broken-hearted artist campaigning for change. His bold message reaches a broad and diverse audience. From people who've been to Princeton and even people who've been to Prison! People who go to church and people who go to the club! In a genre flooded with copycats, Professor Crow stands out like a sore thumb. With many supporters proclaiming "He sounds like no one I've ever heard." Professor Crow could very well be what Hip-hop is praying for. After listening to his music it's evident he is driven by a deep compassion and a past full of trying times. He seems to surf the sound waves with a Martin Luther King type of conviction. A man on a mission to change the world one song at a time!

Yung Titan was born and raised in Memphis, Tn. There he witnessed ups and downs throughout his teenage life but developed a love for writing hip-hop songs. Once Titan was introduced to Jesus at his local church he started to pursue Youth ministry to help influence young people towards a Christian lifestyle. He uses Christian hip-hop to reach people and change lives.

King Lewis & Jamar: A Christian rap group who are looking to help and encourage the youth, all while having fun and praising God. King Lewis & Jamar are the two youngest brothers of a family of seven, six boys and one girl. Born in Las Cruces, New Mexico and raised in Houston, TX. King Lewis (Marcus Lewis) is 24 years old and Jamar (Timothy Lewis) is 29 years old. They pray their music reaches all areas of the world so that the people listening may be inspired and touched.

Dustin Bridges, also known by his artist name D'Coy, is a new voice to the public music scene. While he has been rapping since he was a teen in the streets, he is just now beginning to open the door to music that will prayerfully have a lasting impact. Years of his life were spent recognizing a gift, but burying it deep under bad decisions, and then washing it out by a guilty conscience. Why couldn't he change? Why did life have to be so hard? He struggled with giving love, because it had never really been received. It was when he found himself homeless, that he began to see a need for a loving father. He knew that love was all that could save him. Yet, he carried on due to a lack of clear direction, deep down knowing he needed a savior. Eventually, he began to interject his lyrics a little here and there with cries to God. He long desired to have a relationship with him, but didn't feel worthy enough to let him in. All of that changed when he met his wife. He quickly learned that she had the same desire, and life has never looked back. Nowadays, he can be found in a small town in Oklahoma, with his wife and a handful of children. All of his days are spent with his family, and honing his skill and growing his craft. A journey that he is taking on by becoming more raw and real with his lyrics, marks the beginning of a new thing God is doing in and through him. Although he has written many songs and performed at a number of events, he believes this new thing is the right thing. He would love for his music to reach those who are and have been in similar situations as him. To give them hope, and let them know they have a purpose. To show them that it's worth it to keep going, and that following God is the best decision they could make.

My name is Tyler Bonynge (pronounced like the phone company: Vonage but with a B). I'm 27 years old and I live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. My Wife's name is Melissa and my two boys are Hudson(age:4) and Kingston(age:2). I was saved at age 18 when a friend talked to me formally about the Gospel. Before I was a Christian, music was my idol. I had specific bands that embodied my infatuation such as Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails but I always had a love for hip hop ever since I could put a cd into my Discman. At the age of 5 I remember listening to "Murder Was the Case" by Snoop Dogg along with the rest of the 90's hip-hop catalog that would fit into that criteria. I always enjoyed writing in the style of rap because I could fit more words in than a typical rock song. However, there was a time where I focused mainly on rock genres such as grunge and industrial rock, which took place in my teenage years. When I was saved (circa 2008), I took a break from music and I channeled much of my attention to studying God's word and learning about doctrine and growing in community. It wasn't until 2013 that I really began to tap into my joy of music again. When I first heard of CHH, I was skeptical. After some exposure to people such as Lecrae, it took some time to fully embrace CHH as a whole. CHH became very organic in terms of how it grew on me. I didn't treat CHH like a thrill or a sensation, rather, I began to see value and power through the medium of hip-hop. CHH artist: Shai Linne catapulted me into a new way of thinking when it came to music. After which, I found myself constantly listening to Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, KB, Lecrae, Mogli The Iceberg, and many more. With inspiration ringing in my ears, I picked up the pen and started writing. It's at this point where I found myself wondering what I can do with my art and how it can influence/inspire/encourage God's people and challenge those who don't know Jesus and to glorify God while doing so.

John Lewis "J.C." is a Christian singer and rapper who was born and raised in Houston. At a relatively young age he fell in love with GOD and JESUS CHRIST. With this passion he longed to do what he could to help people and have them find salvation through JESUS. This led him to start delivering the Word in youth ministry and music. He now has 6 albums filled with a heart for GOD and JESUS CHRIST and is currently recording his seventh. The ministry is increasing each day! He is the founder of Praise Party Saturday Christian rap outreaches, host of GOD'S Secret Word Poetry, a participant in the Houston's Got Talent Gospel Showcase, as well as a participant at Lifted Up- Schlitterbahn Galveston's concert series and is seeing what GOD has in store. To GOD goes the glory! JC's new album "Hear The Sound" is scheduled to be released September 1, 2018.

As the grandson of a bishop; son of a Pastor; God has always been present and the head of his life and household. Growing up in Lufkin and El Paso Texas has been beneficial, allowing him to grow culturally and improve as an artist. It is said that scars add character, and that experience is the best teacher; each has help develop Mista Crain into a mature, goal driven individual. He is enrolled in the C. H. Mason Bible College and is on pace to be ordained as a Deacon. Crain also serves as the Director of Music at Living Water Church (El Paso, Texas). Hebrews 11:1 is the artists favorite verse in the bible. In his own words: "With my music, I desire to exhort, encourage, and relate my experience in faith audibly. I will glorify God in my life by my witness as a choice vessel and make Disciples of Christ."

The Yung Saintz are a hip-hop duo with a brand new approach: Unlike most of the stereotype-driven rap scene, this pair of performers set out to make music with a positive mindset. Their sound is a great compromise between energetic beats, catchy and uplifting melodies as well as smart, challenging and witty lyrics. With such a sonic formula, Yung Saintz are one of those rare artists that can amuse you and make you think, at once. Often described as energizing, inspirational, and the future of gospel music. They have had the opportunity to share the stage with artists such as Rita Marley, Papa San, and Prosper GPM. Their music is often compared to Drake, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Mali Music, and Lecrae. These rappers are not afraid to sing about their life experiences and about their Christian upbringing, delivering lyrics that face topics such as the ever-challenging pursuit of truth, and the incredible journey and struggle of life itself. The great thing about Yung Saintz is their ability to make the listener at ease with these topics, matching them with an eclectic approach and blending their hip hop with gospel, jazz, dance and more, reaching a wide fanbase with their great charisma.

J-nice the Kingdom Builder is an Austin, TX Christian Hip-hop Artist, who has been in ministry for over 12 years. This husband and father is the founder of Kingdom Builder Ministries. This movement inspires and teaches youth and young adults how to use the arts (I.E. Music, Poetry, Dance, Video Production, radio, and etc.) to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also the founder of Hip Hop Sunday, The Longest consecutive Christian Hip-Hop showcase in the city of Austin, TX as well as co-host of The S.A.L.T society podcast. J-Nice the kingdom Builder has released 7 Mixtapes, 4 Music Videos, and 1 Published Poem, and 2 albums that have charted on iTunes in the United States of America. He is also responsible for the projection of other artist such as Calvin Martyr and ThisIsRill into the Christian hip-hop scene. You can log into www.kingdombuildersmusic.com to find more. He has also been on platforms presented by the National Football League, MTV, BET, CBS, Time Warner Cable News network and others spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has shared stages with gospel artist such as James Fortune, Jonathan Mcreynolds, Derek Minor (Formerly Known as Pro) Trip Lee, Cannon, DJ DMD, K- Drama, Lecrae, MC Jin, Thi'sl, and more. This lyrical wordsmith makes it his duty to teach biblical truths with witty and clever wordplay, which is sure to leave listeners presently surprised with the presentation of the art form. Take the time to build with him on this journey. @Jnicethekb on twitter and instagram. J-nice The Kingdom Builder on Facebook and youtube.com/kingdombuilderstv

J-NiBB's outlook on life has always been unique, but simple: "If you want something badly enough, then either go get it, or find a way to make it happen!". He has never recognized "I can't." His participation in sports brought him recognition for both his leadership and motivational skills. In his senior year, it seemed that his football dream was about to become a reality. That fragile dream was brought to an abrupt end through shifted discs in his spine (which pinched his sciatic nerve) and then, a broken arm. The most important football season of his entire high school career would be spent on the bench. Hip Hop was introduced to J-NiBB by his older brother (who didn't want his old CD's, anymore). In this case, one man's "trash" certainly turned out to be another's "treasure." The first song he remembers hearing was "Move, B***H," by Ludacris. Immediately, he loved the beat and flow that Luda produced. A few years later "the name" J-NiBB was born. At the age of 19, it began to be part of a serious lifestyle when J-NiBB released his first CD, entitled "The Warm-Up." Its success gave him the opportunity to sign a distribution deal with a branch of Universal Records, as well as performing alongside hip-hop icons such as Big Sean, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Dizzy Wright, Twista, Souls of Mischief, Nappy Roots, Wu-Tang, King Chip (Chip Tha Ripper), and Project Pat. He also hit the Top 10 on major radio stations in Mississippi, as well as headlining the Mississippi College Tour. In 2014, J-NiBB released his second CD "Sleepless Nights & Early Mornings," which landed him in the XXL Magazine, and took him to Hollywood. With successes mounting, J-NiBB's personal life (his desires and inclinations) began to have undue influence. The funny thing is that from the beginning, he was frequently told that the music that he was producing should be music focused on God. With no ear to hear that, He would take a "back seat" until His Plan for J-NiBB's life was fully executed. As God began His move on J-NiBB "in earnest," attaining success appeared to be becoming more difficult. Not only that, but the back injury became worse - and he was almost unable to walk for two weeks. About a week before he was "put on his back," he received a prayer cloth from Transformed Life Church (where he attends and is pastored by Brian T. Hamilton). The pain was so great that he decided to use the cloth. While doing so, he noticed a small "shift" and after four years, 5 shifted discs, "out-of-alignment" hips, a pinched sciatic nerve, chiropractic treatment, and tons of pain pills - J-NiBB woke up the next day free of pain! He had been healed! God didn't stop there. You see, after He had healed Him, He sent him yet another encounter with someone encouraging him to dedicate his music to God. As is His custom, God made this "appeal" a little different: in the middle of a Sunday service, Pastor Hamilton called him out, telling him "...the Holy Ghost told me that you need to make a song for God!" Through this, the entire "plan" was laid out, healing both J-NiBB's body - and soul. Once the first song was completed the fire was lit. J-NiBB has went on to finishing 2 independent tours in 2016 off his newest CD Internal Conversations (marketed by RAPZILLA) which is available on all online outlets. He performed in the NorthWest Creation Fest and other major festivals. He's been performing along side national and international artists such as KB, Fire Flight, K-Drama, Veridia, Blanca, Random Hero, Ilia, We Are Leo, Tauren Wells, and more. Making it back on major radio is a big accomplishment as well in Grand Rapids, MI. 2017 is looking very bright and J-NiBB is more than ready back in the studio working on a new project now. Keep up with him on all social media. "IN LIFE WE ARE BLINDED TO OUR CALLING BY OUR FLESHLY DESIRES. ONCE WE ARE ABLE TO OVERCOME OUR MINDS AND REALIZE WHAT REALLY MATTERS, WE WILL KNOW TRUE PEACE, LOVE, & HAPPINESS." – J-NIBB

Jeffrey "Shepherd" Garcia is a south Florida-based Christian hip-hop artist. Featured on Rapzilla, Jam The Hype and Trackstarz, Shepherd has collaborated with CHH artists such as Dre Murray of Collision Records, Surf Gvng, Co Campbell & more! At an early age, Shepherd fell in love with hip-hop and began writing music. Raised in a fatherless home since the age of 8, his single mother's strong Christian values kept him aligned to the faith. Straying away and being baptized countless times, it was at the age of 14 that Shepherd truly felt a radical and sincere call in his life that shifted his entire lifestyle and heart. Embracing his parent's culture and the city he grew up in, (Hollywood, FL), his newest project "Maverick Soul" expresses his strong views on identity and purpose. Not only speaking out of on where he is now in life, he's also dedicated himself to helping other realize who they are. We are all mavericks. We all like to be known as freethinkers and outlaws, cause we know this world can't be it. There has to be more. But where does true freedom come from? Now at the age of 18 & ready to release his Freshmen Album, Shepherd seeks to live out his faith as a young man in a culture overwhelmed with false perceptions of freedom and manhood. Shepherd's mission is to help people realize who they truly are and who they can be. Pervasive in his lyrics is a passion for discipleship, evangelism, and missions. Shepherd's vision is to create excellent music with the chief end of seeing Christ glorified and the nations change.