Today, we teamed up with the talented artist C.J. Brown for an exclusive interview:
Where are you from?
I was born on the beautiful island of Trinidad, where the culture is rich and the people are warm. But, at age 5, my mom moved to the big city of Brooklyn, NY, with my siblings and me, and that’s where I grew up. The concrete jungle, as some might call it, but for me, it’s home. Brooklyn’s where I found my voice, where I discovered my passion for music, and most importantly, where I found my purpose in Christ. Growing up in Brooklyn, I was surrounded by the hustle and bustle, the good, the bad, and the ugly. But my mom kept me grounded, kept me in church, and kept me focused on the things that truly matter. As a Christian rap artist, I’m on a mission to spread the message of hope, redemption, and salvation to all generations. I’m not just repping Brooklyn or Trinidad; I’m repping the Kingdom of God, and honored to be a part of this movement.
Why did you first start making music?
I started making music because I felt a deep calling to share my faith and experiences in a way that resonates with others. Growing up, my family faced a lot of struggles and challenges, such as homelessness, and music was a powerful outlet for me to express my feelings. When I discovered rap’s impact on storytelling and conveying messages, it clicked for me. I wanted to create something that lifted people and pointed them toward the hope and love found in Christ. I aim to use my voice to glorify God, encourage others in their faith, and build a community focused on love and truth. I want to inspire others to seek their purpose and live boldly for God’s Kingdom. Through my music, I aim to show that faith and creativity can go hand in hand and that a powerful message needs to be shared with the world.
Talk me through your creative process.
For me, the creative process is a spiritual journey. When I write a song, I start by praying first to hear from God on what topic the song should be about to reach the people He desires to reach. I’ll pray, read Scripture, and seek His presence. I believe God is the ultimate Creator and want to tap into His creativity and wisdom. Once I have His sense of direction, I’ll jot down lyrics, phrases, and concepts that come to mind. This is where The Holy Spirit starts to inspire me, and I’ll feel the ideas flowing. Next, I’ll start working on the melody with an instrumental. As I’m writing, I also think about the delivery. I want my flow, tone, and cadence to convey the emotions and intensity of the message. I’ll experiment with rhyme schemes, wordplay, and vocal inflections to create a unique, catchy, and meaningful sound. Throughout the entire process, I’m seeking God’s guidance and wisdom. I don’t want to make music only for entertainment; I want to create art that points people to the Kingdom of God.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
The best advice I ever received was, “Be the change that you would like to see in the world.” This advice has completely shifted my perspective on life and fuels my approach to music. Through this advice, I’ve learned the importance of using the gifts, talents, platforms, and influence God has given me to impact the world around me positively. I’m focused on being a force for change. I use my music to uplift, encourage, and inspire others to join me in being the change we want to see. I want to empower others to rise and be the change they want to see in their communities and spheres of influence. So, I want to pass on that advice to anyone listening: be the change you want to see in the world. Don’t wait for someone else to do it – take ownership, take action, and trust that God will use you to bring about amazing things.
Are you religious? If yes, what is your religion?
I would say that I am more in a “Relationship with Jesus” than being religious in the traditional sense of the word. I am a Christian and have a personal relationship with Jesus, which fuels my music and life. My faith is about surrendering my life to the one who loves me most – God. I’m on a journey to know God more intimately and make Him known to the world through music and life. I believe God has called me to use my platform to reach the lost and bring hope to a world desperate for it. So, to answer your question, I’m in a relationship with Christ, and I’m on a mission to make His name famous through my music and my life.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
My music is a fusion of hip-hop beats, rhymes, and lyrics deeply rooted in biblical truth. I create music that’s a mix of energetic and uplifting, with a message that’s both personal and prophetic. I aim to inspire and encourage listeners to live a life surrendered to God’s will and empower them to be bold witnesses for Christ in their communities. My sound has a range of styles, from classic hip-hop to contemporary drill, but the core of my music is always centered on the Gospel. Ultimately, my music is about more than just entertainment – discipleship, evangelism, and worship. I want my songs to catalyze spiritual growth and inspire listeners to deepen their relationship with God and live out their faith real and practically.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received about your music?
On Social Media, I came across a message from someone who had listened to my song “Warrior.” They said, “I’m so thankful to have found your music. I have not been able to listen to hip-hop for years due to a lot of the negative content, but your song ‘Warrior’ gave me an alternative positive form of hip-hop that I can listen to. Thank you for creating positive rap music that uplifts and inspires me to stay focused on my walk with Christ.” This comment blessed me. As a kingdom-focused artist, my goal is to create music that encourages and edifies believers and reaches those searching for hope and truth. This compliment also reminded me of the power of music to strengthen faith and positively influence culture.
What’s your latest release?
My latest song release is called “Warrior”! The inspiration for “Warrior” comes from a Biblical passage in Ephesians Chapter 6, which speaks about the armor of God and how we need to put it on to fight against the enemy’s schemes. I wanted to create a song to encourage people to rise and be the warriors God has called us to be. The beat is high-energy, with a mix of hip-hop and drill elements that’ll get you pumped up and ready to take on the day. The hook is catchy and easy to remember: “I’m a warrior.” The verses are where I dive deep into the scripture, breaking down the different armor pieces and how we can apply them to our lives. My goal with “Warrior” is to inspire a bold movement of bold people living out their faith in Christ daily.
How do you currently feel about the state of Hip-hop in general?
I’m deeply concerned about the state of hip-hop in general. I’m disheartened by the overwhelming amount of darkness permeating the industry. Hip-hop has become widely about promoting a lifestyle of sin, rebellion, and self-destruction rather than uplifting and inspiring people to live a life of purpose and meaning. The industry’s obsession with materialism, sexual immorality, and violence is not only corrupting the minds of the listeners but also perpetuating a culture of brokenness and hopelessness. However, hip-hop as a form of musical expression is not beyond redemption. As a Christian, I believe that hip-hop can be a powerful tool for spreading the Gospel and bringing light into the darkness. I believe there is a growing movement of artists committed to using their music to spread the Gospel and bring hope to a world desperately in need. And I’m excited to be a part of that movement.
What do you want your legacy to be? How do you want to be remembered?
When it comes to my legacy, I want to be remembered as a vessel that God used to touch hearts, transform lives, and bring people closer to Him. I want my music to reflect God’s love, mercy, and redemption. I want to be known for creating songs that inspire, uplift and challenge people to live a life that honors God. I want my legacy to extend far beyond my music. I want to be remembered as a leader, a mentor who used my influence to disciple and empower the next generation of believers. I want to be known for my heart for the lost, the hurting, and the marginalized and for my tireless efforts to reach them with the love of Christ. As the Bible says, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ” (Matthew 25:23). That’s the legacy I want to leave behind – a legacy of faithfulness, obedience, and surrendered service to the King of Kings Jesus.
