In this episode of Da Fixx, Focus and Dice had the pleasure of speaking with Christian Hip Hop emerging artist Tommy Zuko. The conversation explored the various aspects of his journey, from his faith and musical inspirations to the challenges he faces in the industry. Here is a sneak peek of what they discussed along with some tips if you’re an upcoming artist as well.

The Evolution of Christian Hip-Hop

Tommy Zuko’s Perspective: Tommy highlighted the dynamic nature of Christian hip-hop, noting that the genre is on the cusp of setting trends rather than following them. He believes that Christian hip-hop artists are now creating content that rivals mainstream music in quality and creativity.

Actionable Advice:

• Stay Authentic: Focus on creating music that reflects your personal experiences and faith journey. Authenticity resonates with listeners and sets you apart from mainstream artists.
• Innovate: Don’t be afraid to experiment with new sounds and styles. The genre is evolving, and there’s room for fresh, innovative approaches.

Overcoming Creative Challenges

Tommy’s Experience: Initially, Tommy found it challenging to transition from mainstream rap to Christian hip-hop. The need to avoid profanity and derogatory statements required a significant shift in his creative process. However, he emphasized the importance of prayer and spiritual preparation before creating music.

Actionable Advice:

• Spiritual Preparation: Make it a habit to pray and seek spiritual guidance before writing or recording music. This practice can help you stay focused and inspired.
• Positive Messaging: Focus on storytelling and sharing life experiences in a way that aligns with your faith. Avoiding negative language can be challenging, but it ultimately leads to more meaningful and impactful music.

Highlighting Female Artists in Christian Hip-Hop

Tommy’s Shoutouts: Tommy gave a shoutout to several female artists making waves in the Christian hip-hop scene, including Kaiser, Porsha Love, One Day, and Niecy Shalom. He praised their talent and contributions to the genre.

Actionable Advice:

• Support Fellow Artists: Collaborate with and support other artists in the genre, especially those who are underrepresented. This fosters a sense of community and helps elevate the entire genre.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with emerging artists and trends within Christian hip-hop. This knowledge can inspire your own work and help you stay connected to the community.

Upcoming Projects and Collaborations

Tommy’s Plans: Tommy shared his excitement about his upcoming single, “Praise God, Look Fly,” and his participation in the Christlike USA tour. He also expressed openness to future collaborations with other artists.

Actionable Advice:

• Promote Your Work: Use social media and other platforms to share snippets and updates about your upcoming projects. Engaging with your audience builds anticipation and support.
• Touring: If possible, participate in tours and live events. These opportunities allow you to connect with fans and other artists, expanding your reach and influence.

The Importance of Full Projects

Hosts’ Perspective: DJ Focus and Dice Gamble expressed their preference for full projects over singles, emphasizing the value of storytelling and taking listeners on a journey through an album.

Actionable Advice:

• Consider Full Projects: While singles are important, consider working on a full album or EP. This allows you to explore themes in greater depth and create a cohesive body of work.
• Storytelling: Use your projects to tell a story or convey a message. This approach can create a more immersive and impactful experience for your listeners.

Overcoming Fleshly Desires and Walking in the Spirit

Real Talk Highlights: The conversation also touched on the challenges of overcoming fleshly desires and the importance of walking in the spirit. Focus and Dice emphasized the need for accountability and seeking God’s strength in moments of weakness.

Actionable Advice:

• Accountability: Surround yourself with a supportive community that can help you stay accountable in your faith journey.
• Seek God’s Strength: Regularly pray and seek God’s guidance to overcome temptations and live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Conclusion

The conversation with Tommy Zuko provided valuable insights into the Christian hip-hop community and the personal and creative challenges artists face. By staying authentic, supporting fellow artists, and seeking spiritual guidance, aspiring artists can navigate this evolving genre and make a meaningful impact. Whether you’re an artist or a fan, we hope these insights inspire and guide you on your journey.

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TIMECODE REFERENCES:

Introduction (00:00:00) Introduction to the episode.

Nipsey Vibes (00:00:38) Discussing the influence of Nipsey Hussle on the hip-hop game and the sound of the music.

Welcoming Tommy Zuko (00:01:01)
Introducing Tommy Zuko as the guest artist and expressing excitement to have a conversation with him.

Tommy’s Faith Journey (00:01:54)
Tommy Zuko shares his faith journey, including his decision to give his life to Christ and get baptized.

Finding Faith (00:03:36)
Tommy Zuko shares his experience of feeling a longing for God, especially after losing his earthly father, and his journey to finding faith.

Role as a Leader (00:04:53)
Discussion about Tommy Zuko’s journey to understanding and embracing his role as the leader and priest of his household.

Advice to Younger Self (00:05:58)
Tommy Zuko reflects on what he would advise his younger self, emphasizing the importance of finding Jesus earlier.

Hypocrisy in the Church (00:07:33)
Tommy Zuko shares his views on hypocrisy in the church and the need for extending grace to others.

Mental Well-being (00:08:50)
Tommy Zuko discusses the importance of having good people around and maintaining a strong prayer life for mental well-being.

Musical Inspirations (00:10:25)
Tommy Zuko shares his musical inspirations growing up and how they shaped him into the artist he is today.

Collaborations (00:12:06)
Discussion about the artists Tommy Zuko has worked with and his surprise collaboration with Myles Minnick.

Desired Collaboration (00:13:06)
Tommy Zuko expresses his desire to work with artists like John Keith and Hulvey.

Creative Process (00:13:46)
Tommy Zuko explains his creative process, starting with the beat and then crafting the lyrics.

Mainstream Collaborations (00:14:52)
Tommy Zuko expresses his interest in working with mainstream artists like Pharrell and Charlie Wilson.

State of the Culture (00:15:23)
Discussion about the state of the Christian hip-hop culture and Tommy Zuko’s perspective since being involved in it.

The volatile space (00:15:34) Discussion about the current state of creativity and trends in the music industry, particularly in Christian hip-hop culture.

Challenges of creating art (00:16:16) The difficulty of creating art from a spiritual aspect and the challenges of avoiding profanity and derogatory statements in the music industry.

Top females in the game (00:18:07) Recognition and praise for female artists in the music industry, particularly within the Christian hip-hop genre.

Upcoming projects and tour (00:19:00) Announcement of a new single, upcoming tour, and the decision-making process for releasing a project.

Creating a supergroup (00:20:43) Discussion about creating a supergroup with three artists from any music genre, including the choice of artists and their potential collaboration.

Real talk topic: the flesh (00:22:58) A conversation about the struggle between the flesh and the spirit, and the challenges of living a spiritual life in a physical world.

Gluttony and feeding the flesh (00:28:21) A personal reflection on the concept of gluttony and overeating, and the impact of visual representations on understanding personal struggles.

These are the timestamps covered in the podcast episode transcription segment, along with their respective topics.

Overeating and Gluttony (00:30:10) Discussion about overeating, gluttony, and the negative effects on health and spirituality.

Biblical Teachings on the Flesh (00:30:58) Reference to Bible verses discussing the works of the flesh and the need to walk in the spirit.

Lending and Financial Responsibility (00:35:29) Personal experiences with lending money, the impact on relationships, and the importance of financial responsibility.

Resisting Fleshly Desires (00:36:23) Discussion on resisting fleshly desires, seeking God’s guidance, and making decisions in alignment with spiritual values.

Grace and Accountability (00:40:31) Embracing God’s grace in moments of weakness and holding oneself accountable for actions and decisions.

Influence of Hip-Hop Culture (00:41:45) Exploration of the influence of hip-hop culture on names and relationships, particularly in the context of societal preferences.

Tommy Zuko’s Music and Tour (00:42:22) Excitement about Tommy Zuko’s music, upcoming singles, and tour plans, with comparisons to Bruno Mars and Nipsey Hussle.

Final Reflection on Fleshly Temptations (00:43:20) Reflection on the challenges of dealing with fleshly temptations and the need for spiritual guidance.

Flesh vs. Spirit (00:43:49) Discussion about discerning between living in the flesh and the spirit, and the challenges of making spiritual changes.

Challenges of Change (00:45:03) The struggle of making changes in one’s life, fighting against the comfort of old habits, and the need for accountability.

Importance of Accountability (00:45:47) Emphasizing the significance of having a good circle of trusted people for accountability and the impact of one’s actions on others.

Encouragement and Support (00:46:09) Encouraging listeners to reach out for support, offering to be there for them, and advocating for having an accountability partner.