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Artists and Other Influencers Speak Up About Sexism

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1.  Andy Mineo

Earlier this year, Andy Mineo mentioned the use of  “female rapper” label with 247HH.com
Start viewing at the 1:28 time code within the video below Andy speaks more on this topic.

Andy shared his thoughts on this topic saying,

“I just don’t like when label inhibit people from enjoying something.  For example, I think anytime you are categorized by your race, gender or religion first, we know that those things are intrinsicly wrong right?  I never liked the title “female rapper”.  …because what it does in my mind is perpetuates this idea of otherness.  Like you’re not apart of hip hop, you’re like this other thing.  But, then you look back through the course of time and they’ve been there the whole time.  Though they are the minority, in some ways, by putting a title in front of it like “Christian rapper” or “Female rapper”…whatever it is, I think it kind of says “you’re not welcome completely”.  In other professions we don’t do that.  We don’t be like, “Muslim Doctor” or whatever it is because it’s like why would you say that?  Are you trying to marginalize me?  You know, that would be a lawsuit.  You’re not supposed to lead off with race, gender or religion because it perpetuates that “otherness”.   It’s a long conversation.  It’s a big convo that has happened a million times.  Where I land is, make the best music you can and put it out and people will mess with it.”

 

2.  Taelor Gray

In a 2014 blog post, Taelor Gray gives his perspective on male artists  interacting with female fans where he closes his article with the hashtag #OurWomenAreHurting to bring light to the damage that is being done among our women.  Read a sample of that article below:

“Many are just fans of our music.  For fellas who do music, seeing an attractive lady’s friend request on Facebook or getting a direct beeline hug offer/photo request from a certain type at a concert many times elicits an internal trigger that says ‘yo she’s feeling me.’  It can definitely be an ego thing, but many times its just an unbalanced approach to interacting with women. We have to do our best to fight that internal trigger.

There’s something to the concept of celebrity.  When your talent gives you a platform, whatever perceived notion we carry of being well-known or famous affects how we interact with people.

<< Click here to read Taelor Gray’s full article >> 

 

3.  Joseph Solomon

In a recent ChaseGod TV webisode, Joseph Solomon admits his shortcomings on the topic of sexism sharing where he has been, his continued growth, and how he believes wrong teaching that has been ingrained in men from both society and the church plays a role in them falling short and/or at times even simply not noticing that they are falling short in this area.

4. Cataphant

In a 2015, two-part interview with Rapzilla,  Cataphant discussed the absence of female artists in CHH.  She also shared information about her company “Young Lady” that highlights women in Christian hip hop and provides grants and other resources to women making music in this sub-genre.

 

Sexism can be very overt and obvious, yet other times it can be very subtle.  Experiences and the effects that women deal with vary.  But, whether the challenges they deal with are not getting the same opportunities as men, or receiving treatment that is demeaning… the fact remains that how a woman is treated is just a symptom to a bigger issue hinting to how people or society actually views women.  The women and men that we recently spoke to about this topic all agree that the issue of sexism is a conversation worth having.  It’s not new.  It’s been an issue in the church for generations.  But, it only takes a remnant of people to change a culture.  These discussions could be apart of what helps to bring more change regarding this issue within the Christian hip hop culture as the church as a whole.

Let us know your thoughts on this discussion in the comments section below.

 

VIDEO:  “See Me” | Butta P (2014)

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Culture

Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore Announce Their Exits from Maverick City Music: The End of an Era and the Beginning of Something New

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Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore have officially announced their exits from Maverick City Music, marking a major shift for one of the most influential worship collectives of the past decade.

The news arrives without scandal or spectacle, but it still carries weight. Maverick City Music didn’t just produce songs — it helped reframe what worship could sound like, look like, and feel like for a generation raised on genre-blending playlists, vulnerability, and authenticity. Naomi and Chandler were central to that identity.

In many ways, the transition had already begun.

Just weeks before the announcement, Naomi Raine released her solo project, Jesus Over Everything, on September 14. The album feels stripped-back and intentional, less focused on communal anthems and more on personal conviction. Songs like “Lost in Hallelujah” lean into restraint rather than climax — worship that doesn’t rush resolution or try to sound bigger than it is.

Addressing the shift directly, Naomi framed the moment as growth rather than departure.

“This isn’t really an ending. It’s a new beginning. A new chapter,” she wrote. “I learned so much about God, about people, and about myself. Every song was written from a pure place — just wanting to please God.”

Her statement reflects a throughline that’s been present throughout her work: faith as something lived and evolving, not fixed or performative.

Chandler Moore followed with his own message, emphasizing clarity and forward momentum rather than nostalgia.

“These last few years have been locked in on what really matters in my life and my career,” he shared. “It’s been scary at times, but full of fresh vision and real excitement about the future.”

That recalibration has increasingly shaped Chandler’s solo direction, which he says is focused less on production and more on connection.

“I’m stepping into the next phase, ready to make music that helps people feel a little more human, a little more understood, and a little less alone.”

That approach mirrors what drew so many listeners to Maverick City Music in the first place. The collective disrupted traditional worship norms by embracing cultural nuance, emotional honesty, and musical hybridity — pulling from gospel, CCM, soul, and contemporary Black music without forcing clean lines between them.

Naomi and Chandler weren’t just contributors to that sound — they helped define it.

Their exits don’t signal an abandonment of that vision so much as an expansion of it. Naomi’s Jesus Over Everything and Chandler’s forthcoming solo work suggest both artists are exploring what faith-centered music looks like when it’s untethered from a single collective framework.

For fans, the moment may feel like the closing of a chapter — but Maverick City Music was always designed as a community, not a container. Its influence was never meant to stop at the group itself.

As Chandler put it plainly:

“The dream hasn’t changed. The sound continues.”

What changes now is scale and direction, not intent.

Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore aren’t leaving behind what they helped build. They’re carrying it forward — on their own terms, in their own voices, and into whatever comes next.


About ArtSoul Radio

ArtSoul Radio is a faith-forward media and culture platform spotlighting the intersection of Christian R&B, Gospel, CHH, and creative expression. Through storytelling, sound, and community, we amplify the voices shaping the next era of faith-driven culture.

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Culture

NEW MUSIC: Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts Deliver a Soulful Moment with “Still”

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Chicago was the backdrop for a moment you couldn’t script any better: GRAMMY®, Dove, and Stellar Award-winning powerhouse Jonathan McReynolds linking arms with American Idol Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts to deliver a live ballad that hits straight to the soul. Their new single, “Still,” isn’t just another worship record—it’s a reminder that God’s love is the one thing that doesn’t shift when life does.

Recorded live in McReynolds’ hometown, the song is lifted from his forthcoming project Closer—an album already carrying heavy anticipation. What unfolds in “Still” is classic Jonathan: heartfelt storytelling, layered with rich theology, now elevated by Roberts’ fresh, unshaken voice.

👉 Watch the live performance here.

Legacy Meets New Fire 🔥

Jonathan McReynolds has carved out a lane few can touch—an artist who makes Gospel feel as real as your group chat confessions. His catalog has always balanced honesty and worship, bringing Sunday morning depth into everyday playlists.

Enter Jamal Roberts: the new voice America fell in love with on American Idol. His win wasn’t just about vocal ability—it was about heart, authenticity, and the kind of presence that feels rare. Pairing him with McReynolds doesn’t just make sense; it feels prophetic. It’s the kind of intergenerational link-up that keeps Gospel fresh while honoring its roots.

The Vibe

With “Still,” Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts don’t just give us another Gospel single—they give us a soundtrack for resilience. It’s raw, it’s soulful, and it’s proof that the future of faith-based music is in good hands. Expect this one to be on repeat long after the Stellars.

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Culture

ArtSoul Radio & Actor Empowerment Summit Host Sneak Peek of BET+ Series Churchy with KevOnStage at XL Film Fest

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Chicago, IL — August 17, 2025 – ArtSoul Radio is teaming up with the XL Film Festival, The Actor Empowerment Summit, and BET+ to bring fans an exclusive sneak peek of KevOnStage’s hit comedy series Churchy. This one-night event will feature a special panel conversation with KevOnStage and the full cast, moderated by Chicago’s own Christal Luster, along with an advance screening of highlights from Season 2.

A First Look at Churchy Season 2

Fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at Season 2 of Churchy ahead of its official August 21 premiere on BET+. Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredericks returns as Pastor Corey Carr Jr., navigating church leadership, unexpected debts, and laugh-out-loud moments with his eccentric team. The new season promises fresh surprises with appearances by Tabitha Brown, Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, Keith Lee, Tony Baker, and many more.

Chicago Exclusive – Then Available for ArtSoul Radio Community Members

Chicago, IL — August 17, 2025 – ArtSoul Radio is teaming up with the XL Film Festival, The Actor Empowerment Summit, and BET+ to bring fans an exclusive sneak peek of KevOnStage’s hit comedy series Churchy. This one-night event will feature a special panel conversation with KevOnStage and the full cast, moderated by Chicago’s own Christal Luster, along with an advance screening of highlights from Season 2.

A First Look at Churchy Season 2

Fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at Season 2 of Churchy ahead of its official August 21 premiere on BET+. Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredericks returns as Pastor Corey Carr Jr., navigating church leadership, unexpected debts, and laugh-out-loud moments with his eccentric team. The new season promises fresh surprises with appearances by Tabitha Brown, Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, Keith Lee, Tony Baker, and many more.

Chicago Exclusive – Then Available for ArtSoul Radio Community Members

For those in Chicago, the August 17th event offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage live with KevOnStage and his cast. Can’t make it in person? Join the ArtSoul Radio community to gain exclusive access to the full panel replay after the event.

Click here to sign up and stay connected. Community members will be the first to receive:

  • A private link to the full panel replay
  • Behind-the-scenes clips and highlights
  • Special giveaways tied to Churchy Season 2

Why This Event Matters

Partnering with XL Film Fest and The Actor Empowerment Summit to bring this BET+ collaboration to Chicago is more than entertainment—it’s a cultural moment for faith-based media. It reflects the growth of Christian creatives in film, comedy, and storytelling while highlighting Chicago as a hub for innovative cultural conversations.

About Churchy

After debuting as one of the most-watched scripted comedies on BET+, Churchy quickly built a loyal fan base. Season 2 expands the storylines, bringing new characters, guest stars, and bigger laughs—all while spotlighting themes of faith, community, and resilience. Produced by KevOnStage Studios alongside industry leaders and executive producers like LeBron James and Maverick Carter (SpringHill), the show continues to elevate digital-first creators onto global platforms.

ArtSoul Radio teams up with XL Film Fest, the Empowerment Actor Summit & BET+ for an exclusive Chicago screening and panel of KevOnStage’s “Churchy” Season 2.

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