Christian Urban Music: A Latin Influence
Contents
If you’re a fan of Christian urban music, then you know that a lot of it is influenced by Latin music. In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at some of the best Christian urban artists who have been influenced by Latin music.
Introduction
Christian urban music is a genre of music that is influenced by Latin American music. This type of music often has a tropical or Caribbean sound and is popular among Latino Christians. Christian urban music often includes themes of faith, hope, and love.
History of Christian Urban Music
Urban music has been around since the early 1900s, beginning in the streets of Latin America. This type of music is a creative mix of traditional Latin sounds with contemporary Hip Hop, R&B, and pop. It’s become a popular genre in the Christian music industry and is often used for worship.
Origins in Latin America
Christian urban music has its origins in Latin America, where it blending Christian themes with popular music styles such as rock, hip hop, and reggaeton. The genre first emerged in the 1980s, with artists such as Jaci Velasquez and Alley Cat forming successful careers combining Christian lyrics with mainstream sounds. In the 1990s, Christian urban music began to spread to other countries, including the United States, where it found an audience among Latino Christians.
The 2000s saw a renewed interest in Christian urban music, with artists such as Hillsong United and MANA incorporating elements of Latin American pop into their songs. Today, Christian urban music is enjoyed by people of all backgrounds, and its positive message of faith and hope continues to resonate with listeners around the world.
Rise of Christian Hip Hop
The Christian hip hop movement began in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with artists such as Michael Peace, Tony Stone, and Tommy Knight. The movement gained traction in the mid-2000s with the release of albums by Leather Messiah and P.I.D. (Peace In da Hood). Christian hip hop has continued to grow in popularity in the 2010s, with artists such as Lecrae,Andy Mineo, NF, KB, Tedashii, Trip Lee, Propaganda, and many others.
Christian Urban Music Today
When you hear Christian urban music, what do you think of? Most people would say that it is a music style that is a mix of rap and hip hop with a Christian message. This is true, but there is so much more to Christian urban music than that. It has its roots in Latin America, and the sounds and rhythms of that region can be heard in today’s Christian urban music.
Mainstream Appeal
While Christian urban music still exists on the periphery of the mainstream music industry, several performers have been able to find mainstream appeal. Portuguese-born singer Natasha
Bedingfield achieved several top-40 hits in the early 2000s, including “These Words” and “Unwritten.” In 2009, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Lecrae, an American hip hop artist, has also found success in the mainstream music industry. His album Anomaly topped the Billboard 200 chart in 2014, making him the first solo artist to achieve this feat with a Christian rap album.
The Latin Influence
Latinos have been a growing presence in the US for decades, and their influence is now being felt in many areas of popular culture, including music. Christian urban music is one genre that has been embracing the Latin sound in recent years, with some artists even singing in Spanish.
One of the most popular Christian urban artists today is Lecrae, who was born to a Colombian father and an African-American mother. Lecrae’s music often celebrates his Latino heritage, and he has collaborated with several other Latin artists, including Shy Glizzy and Akon.
Other Christian urban artists who have incorporated Latin sounds into their music include Marty, Bizzle, NF, and tobyMac. This trend is likely to continue as the US Latino population continues to grow.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Latin influence in Christian urban music is evident in the way that the music has evolved over time. From the early days of gospel music, to the rise of hip hop and R&B, to the present day, Latin influence can be heard in the music of many different artists. While some may not believe that this is a positive influence, it cannot be denied that it exists. As the world continues to become more and more connected, it is likely that we will see even more crossover between different genres of music.
