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, Eng

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 ac

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

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 desir

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

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 listene

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 spreadin

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 lifest

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