Holy Culture Radio’s J. Harrington sat down with HYLEM, an 18-year-old Christian rap artist from Louisiana, to discuss his journey in music, his relationship with Christ, and his experiences as a young artist in the Christian hip-hop scene. This blog post delves into the key themes and insights from the interview, offering valuable advice and actionable tips for aspiring artists and fans of Christian hip-hop.

Early Beginnings and Influences

HYLEM’s journey in music began at a young age. He started writing worship songs at 11 and performed one in front of his church. His passion for rap was ignited by listening to influential Christian artists like Lecrae and NF. By mimicking their lyrics, HYLEM learned the art of rap, setting the foundation for his future career.

Actionable Tips:

Start Young: If you have a passion for music, start exploring it early. Write songs, perform in front of small audiences, and learn from established artists.

Mimic and Learn: Emulate your favorite artists to understand their techniques and styles. This can help you develop your unique voice.

Growth During the Pandemic

The pandemic in 2020 was a turning point for HYLEM. He dedicated countless hours to recording songs on BandLab, honing his craft. He credits Ruslan, a prominent figure in the Christian hip-hop community, for encouraging him to take his music seriously and establish a presence on social media.

Actionable Tips:

Utilize Downtime: Use periods of isolation or downtime to focus on your craft. Dedicate time to practice, record, and improve your skills.

Leverage Social Media: Establish a strong online presence. Platforms like BandLab and social media can help you reach a wider audience and connect with industry influencers.

Faith and Personal Growth

HYLEM grew up as a pastor’s kid, but he struggled with understanding his relationship with Jesus. A transformative experience at a summer camp ignited a newfound passion for reading the Bible and spending time with Jesus. This deepened his faith and influenced his music.

Actionable Tips:

Seek Personal Transformation: Engage in activities that deepen your faith and personal growth. This can provide a strong foundation for your creative endeavors.

Reflect Your Faith in Your Art: Let your relationship with Christ influence your music. Authenticity resonates with listeners.

Diverse and Experimental Music Style

HYLEM describes his music style as diverse and experimental, blending different sounds and genres. He draws inspiration from a wide range of artists and strives to create unique tracks that reflect his artistic growth.

Actionable Tips:

Experiment with Styles: Don’t be afraid to blend different genres and sounds. Experimentation can lead to unique and innovative music.

Draw Inspiration from Various Sources: Listen to a wide range of artists and genres. This can broaden your musical horizons and inspire creativity.

Supportive Family and Community

HYLEM’s family has been a crucial support system in his journey. His parents have always encouraged his musical aspirations, with his father actively participating in his performances. This support has allowed HYLEM to explore opportunities in the Christian hip-hop scene.

Actionable Tips:

Build a Support System: Surround yourself with supportive family and friends who encourage your artistic pursuits.

Engage with Your Community: Participate in local events and performances. Building a strong community presence can open doors to new opportunities.

Consistency and Collaboration

HYLEM emphasizes the importance of consistently creating and sharing music. He recalls releasing an impressive number of songs early in his career, which helped him improve his skills and gain confidence. He also values collaboration, having built a network of talented friends and producers.

Actionable Tips:

Be Consistent: Regularly create and share your music. Consistency helps you improve and keeps your audience engaged.

Collaborate with Others: Build relationships with other artists and producers. Collaboration can enhance your music and open new creative avenues.

Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities

HYLEM’s dedication to his craft and willingness to seize opportunities have led to meaningful connections with other artists. He recounts attending events to support his peers, which helped him establish his presence in the music scene.

Actionable Tips:

Attend Industry Events: Participate in events and support fellow artists. Networking is crucial in the music industry.

Seize Opportunities: Be proactive in seeking and seizing opportunities. This can lead to significant milestones in your career.

Future Aspirations

HYLEM aspires to perform on larger stages, such as Holy Smoke Fest, and build a sustainable career in music that allows him to impact others positively. He aims to create music that resonates with both believers and non-believers, providing them with joy and understanding.

Actionable Tips:

Set Clear Goals: Define your aspirations and work towards them. Having clear goals can guide your efforts and keep you motivated.

Create Impactful Music: Focus on creating music that resonates with a broad audience. Aim to impact listeners positively through your art.

Conclusion

HYLEM’s journey in Christian hip-hop is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and community. His story offers valuable insights and actionable advice for aspiring artists. By starting young, leveraging social media, seeking personal transformation, experimenting with styles, building a support system, being consistent, collaborating with others, seizing opportunities, and setting clear goals, artists can navigate the challenges of the music industry and create impactful art.

Stay tuned for HYLEM’s upcoming projects, including an EP with RJ and an album titled “The Edge,” set to release in January. His journey serves as an inspiration for all aspiring artists, reminding them of the importance of hard work, authenticity, and faith in their creative pursuits.

Holy Culture Radio is operated by The Corelink Solution, a non-profit organization that aims to create a safe space for healing, foster unity in our communities and empower the next generation of creatives and leaders through spreading the gospel.

If you’d like to support our work, please make a donation. No amount is too small. You can also shop our online store to help spread awareness of our mission. Again, thank you and remember to be encouraged and be blessed.

Episode Timestamps

Introduction and Welcome (00:00:00)

J. Harrington welcomes HYLEM and expresses excitement for the conversation.

HYLEM’s Early Music Journey (00:00:09)

HYLEM shares his early start in music, writing worship songs at age 11.

Growing Up in Church (00:02:00)

HYLEM discusses his upbringing in the church and his initial lack of true relationship with Christ.

Struggles with Mental Health (00:03:12)

He reflects on experiencing dark seasons and negative self-talk affecting his mental health.

Finding a True Relationship with God (00:04:09)

HYLEM describes a pivotal summer camp experience that ignited his relationship with Jesus.

Pandemic and Music Recording (00:05:36)

He explains how the pandemic propelled him to start recording music seriously.

Supportive Family Background (00:06:08)

HYLEM talks about his supportive parents and their acceptance of his music career.

Obstacles in Early Career (00:07:55)

He mentions a lack of social media and a bout with mono as challenges he faced.

Exploring Musical Diversity (00:09:22)

HYLEM describes his music style as diverse, blending various genres and experimenting with sounds.

Consistency and Growth in Music (00:11:52)

He emphasizes the importance of consistently uploading music to improve his skills.

Supporting Fellow Artists (00:12:58)

HYLEM explains how supporting other artists without expecting favors helped him build connections.

Attending Events for Support (00:15:09)

He shares experiences of attending events to support friends, leading to valuable opportunities.

Future Aspirations (00:16:05)

HYLEM outlines his goal to perform on major stages and establish himself as a stable artist.

Peer Reactions to His Music (00:17:40)

He reflects on how his peers initially reacted to his music and their respect for his craft.

Creativity and Connection (20:01)

HYLEM discusses the importance of being in tune with the Creator for artistic excellence.

Producing Music (21:10)

He shares his experience in producing music and collaborating with talented friends.

Building Relationships (22:19)

HYLEM emphasizes the importance of friendships over mere connections in the music industry.

Teamwork in Music (23:28)

He reflects on how having a supportive team has enhanced his music production.

Goals as an Artist (24:36)

HYLEM outlines his aspirations to establish himself as a serious artist and impact listeners.

Advice for New Artists (27:14)

He advises aspiring musicians to work hard, not expect anything, and trust in God.

Upcoming Projects (29:27)

HYLEM announces his upcoming EP and album, detailing themes and release timelines.