Rap star Chud’e is continuing to win more attention for his Christian rap tracks after his debut album reached over half a million streams. The artist first started writing his own Christian rap songs just a few years ago and released his album Chilltown at the end of 2017. The album was preceded by hotly-received singles including Day and Night.
A new relationship with Christ
The rapper had a somewhat troubled childhood, with his father leaving the family home when he was ten. The ensuring years saw Chud’e lose several friends due to his teenage behaviour, fall out of contact with his half-brother and fail sixth grade. However, a trip to his homeland of Nigeria proved to be an important turning point. It was during his time in the country that he met up his former small-time criminal father, who was by this point working as a pastor. Chud’e then strengthened his relationship with Christ and started listening to more Christian hip-hop upon his return to the States.
Overcoming “obstacles, difficulties and doubts”
Born Paul Iwenofu, Chud’e says his music is targeted not only at Christians but at non-believers too. His lyrics speak of the way Jesus has helped him through many of life’s “obstacles, difficulties and doubts”. Although some friends and family members didn’t originally approve of the rapper’s decision to become a rapper, he says he entered the industry “for the Lord’s honor”.
No stranger to collaboration
Chud’e has received coverage from a range of high-profile Christian media outlets over recent years and has several new collaborations in the pipeline. Having been praised for his “booming voice” as well as his “clever punchlines”, he received early exposure over in the UK when a network called XRhythms started playing his material. Key influences on the rapper include fellow Christian hip-hop stars Lecrae and Bizzle. Chud’e hopes his album, which includes collaborations with the likes of Melanie Williams, Anodyne Virtue and Echo Guzman, will “point people to Christ”.
