116 Life Ep. 118: CHH On A New Level
On a recent episode of The 116 Life: CHH On A New Level, Meah Evans and Ace Harris dove into a powerful theme that has been woven through their conversations all summer: boldness in the faith. What began as a lighthearted exchange about summer heat and new music quickly evolved into a deep and transparent dialogue on what it means to live unashamed for Christ in today’s world.
A Summer of Refreshing Sounds
Before tackling the weightier topics, Meah and Ace celebrated what has been a standout summer for Christian hip hop, R&B, and Afro-gospel. With artists across the board releasing music that feels “refreshing,” as Meah described it, both hosts agreed that the soundtrack of the season reflects a community united in creativity and excellence. Ace highlighted the diversity on display, noting that this moment feels like all corners of the faith-based music world have shown up with their best. The music, they agreed, has become more than entertainment—it has become a movement.
Boldness Born in Private
The heart of the conversation centered on boldness. Meah shared how her confidence in speaking openly about her faith has grown over time, not through grand gestures, but through simple consistency—like reading her Bible more deeply. For her, boldness isn’t about tattoos, hashtags, or merch, but about confidence that comes from time with God. That inner work, she explained, allows her to respond differently in daily situations, choosing faith over frustration.
Ace affirmed this point by reminding listeners that public boldness is a reflection of private discipline. Drawing from Matthew 5:16—“let your light shine before men”—he unpacked the difference between projecting boldness and reflecting light. Projection can look like loud declarations on social media or bumper stickers, while true boldness comes when God’s light naturally reflects in how we live, even under pressure.
The Cost of Being Unashamed
But boldness isn’t without its challenges. As Meah pointed out, Scripture makes clear that there is often a cost to living unashamed. Reading from 2 Timothy, she highlighted Paul’s reminder that following Christ may bring suffering or rejection. While those in Western contexts may not face imprisonment like Paul, there are still costs: lost opportunities, strained relationships, or even public misunderstanding.
Ace echoed this with personal reflections from his music career. There were moments, he admitted, when standing firm in conviction meant turning down opportunities that could have benefitted him financially. For others like Lecrae, that cost has sometimes meant losing shows or platforms because of being outspoken about faith and social justice. “If it’s not costing you something,” Ace challenged, “maybe ask what unashamed really looks like for you.”
Grace in Our Weakness
The conversation also circled back to grace. Both hosts reflected on Peter’s denial of Jesus as a reminder that even the boldest can stumble. Yet Jesus restored Peter with both grace and responsibility: “If you love me, feed my sheep.” For Ace, that balance is key. Boldness is rooted not in perfection but in grace that empowers us to keep living unashamed despite our failures.
A Movement That Inspires
Looking beyond their personal experiences, Meah and Ace reflected on how the broader Christian hip hop movement has fueled their boldness. Ace shared how producing for Reach Records in 2010 gave him a front-row seat to artists like Lecrae and KB passionately debating faith and culture. Their conviction, he said, pushed him deeper into Scripture.
For Meah, recent moments like John Keith freestyling on Sway in the Morning or witnessing the Holy Smoke Festival reminded her of how far the movement has come. Seeing artists stand boldly on mainstream stages, she said, encourages her to bring that same unashamed faith into her own work, conversations, and creativity.
Living the Only Reason
As the episode closed, both hosts expressed gratitude for the chance to engage these conversations week after week. “We are Christian hip hop,” Ace reminded, pointing out that the culture is carried not just by artists but by fans, stakeholders, and media alike. And for Meah, the mission remains clear: “The only reason is Jesus.”
The episode left listeners with both encouragement and challenge: boldness may cost us something, but through grace, faith, and community, we are empowered to live unashamed lives that point to something greater.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – Welcome & summer vibes
1:00 – A season of refreshing music in CHH, R&B, and Afro-gospel
3:15 – What does boldness in faith really look like?
5:30 – Meah on how Bible reading fuels confidence & boldness
7:00 – Ace on reflection vs. projection (Matthew 5:16)
12:00 – The cost of living unashamed (2 Timothy insights)
15:30 – Grace in our weakness: learning from Peter
19:00 – Boldness in the music industry & standing on conviction
23:00 – Faith, boldness, and eternal perspective
29:00 – Ace’s story: Producing for Reach Records & early encounters with CHH
34:00 – How the Unashamed movement shaped boldness
39:30 – Meah on moments that inspired her: Holy Smoke Festival, Sway in the Morning, and more
42:00 – The rising boldness of today’s artists
45:00 – Closing encouragement: We are CHH — the mission is Jesus
Related Radio Show: 116 Life
