Han Soul Nelson was raised from the age of 5 in West Philadelphia.  But this ain’t the Fresh Prince of Belaire.   This is the real-life story of a supernatural encounter with God and the redemption of a man whose love for Hip Hop changed the game forever.

Despite not being raised in the church, the Philly emcee is a faithful follower of Jesus.  “People be hating on the church constantly.  I’m like come on man, it’s a blessing that you have a community that’s giving you some principles.  What you behold you become.”

In the early 90s, Nelson made it his mission to pursue music professionally.  After shopping record labels, he got an offer from both Def Jam and Epic Records on the same day.   

Even though he was more of the “conscious” rap archetype, the label chose to box him into a “hip house” vibe.  Despite the single charting, Epic dropped the rapper from the label before he could finish the album. “They have certain criteria at Epic.  If you’re not gold, it’s not worth it.  So, I started to get a little chip on my shoulder,” Nelson explains. 

Now in survival mode the morals and values Nelson had come into the game with, went out the window. 

“Evil communication corrupts good morals.”

At the height of his secular music career, while under contract with Loud records, Nelson realized his spirit was “grieved.” “I got a $15K advance, I’m on the plane going from L.A. to St. Thomas and I’m on the airplane crying.  Praying that the plane would crash.  Why is that?” 

In that season, Nelson was experiencing extreme depression.  He even thought about quitting music.  “There was one record I had on the album for Loud, it was called Making It Day By Day.  I was talking to God.  I was complaining.  Maybe I should be grateful and stop asking questions.” 

Soon after, while on tour, another artist grabs Nelson’s mic and breaks it.  Needless to say, the owner of that microphone was not happy.  There was some beef.  And Nelson gets dropped from the Loud label.  That chip on his shoulder grew bigger.  And his heart hardened. 

The Philly emcee decided to pivot into becoming an independent artist.  The depression worsened.  “I was out there!  I was wildin’.”  Even though he had stacks in his pockets Nelson was drowning in depression.   While back in St. Thomas, Soul went on a juice fast.   “It wasn’t for spiritual reasons,” he admits.  “It was for physical reasons. But God was using that to draw me to himself.”

Jesus saves

“When I went into the studio, God opened my eyes to see.  ‘Yo, you are in the pit of hell bro’!’  I saw it in the dude’s eyes.  I saw it in the atmosphere.”  On the plane back to the states, Soul prayed.  “I cried out to the Lord.  If you’re real heal me.  And even if you don’t heal me [physically], just take away my depression.”  That trip changed his life.

The rapper turned pastor now has a non-profit for servicing at-risk youth.  “I believe in prayer because of that.  Everything changed.  I had a lot of spiritual encounters.  I was sound-minded.  I had Christ in my heart.  I didn’t have scriptural references so God communicated to me through the spirit of discernment, through my eye gates, through my heart, through feeling, and my ears.  So I would hear what’s behind something and could see what’s really in it,” Soul explains. 

Jesus Saves, Nelson’s autobiographical film touches on those supernatural encounters.  “Part 2 particularly.  To expose [the spiritual implications of music], it ain’t sweet like that.  The stuff is not a game.   I don’t mess with secular music anymore.  God delivered me from that whole thing.” 

Before transitioning completely into the CHH space, Soul had to heal.  “God showed me rapping for him.  But I was still dealing with so much trauma.  I really needed to get to know the Lord.   I just started seeking God.  Just for my own life.  Trying to get some understanding and get freed up from some things.”

Today, Nelson is thriving spiritually, mentally, and emotionally as a result of his surrendering to God.  “When you leave with stuff on the table.  People don’t really know what that’s about.  But God gave me a promise early on that if you give up house or home or anything for my sake I’m a bless you a hundredfold in this life.”

 “God is in the redemption business,” Soul continues.  “If you give him your junk and mess, he will always honor his word.  You can believe that.”

You can learn more about the Jesus Saves movies and Han Soul Nelsons Jesus Therapy Coop visit Jesussavesthemovie.com

And tap in with the Christ Revolution Music Show every Sunday at 12 pm est. on Holy Culture Radio, Sirius XM, Channel 154.  And be sure to follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.