116 Life Ep. 123: Pioneering People to Jesus with Yung Kriss
Yung Kriss steps into the studio with Meah Evans and Ace Harris on the latest episode of The 116 Life, and from the moment he starts talking, it becomes clear—this is more than a music interview. This is a story of survival, identity, calling, and the birth of a movement within Christian R&B.
A Childhood Shaped by Tension & Resilience
Born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana, Kriss grew up biracial in a conservative city still navigating racial divides. He describes Indiana as a place where racism wasn’t hidden—it was direct, open, and something he encountered regularly. His white mother, strong-willed and fiercely protective, raised three Black sons with courage and conviction. His father, a former athlete and Army veteran, modeled discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance.
Kriss remembers sharing a room with his brothers, living in conditions that felt normal to him—but that he later learned were rooted in real financial struggle. He laughs about hating his given name “Logan,” explains why “Yung Kriss” grew out of his middle name, and shares how being biracial often meant feeling culturally misplaced. These pieces of his story add depth to the artist many only know through social media clips and soft, melodic hooks.
The Breaking Point That Saved His Life
One of the most gripping moments of the episode is when Kriss describes the night everything changed. At twenty years old, broke, alone, and living on a couch-digging-for-change level of survival, he reached a breaking point. In his kitchen, ready to end his life, God interrupted him with a vivid vision and a flood of conviction that stopped him in his tracks.
Moments later, his mother and two police officers knocked on the door—another rescue. That encounter became the moment he first felt the presence of God and the beginning of a new trajectory.
When he eventually walked into a church service, Elevation Worship’s “Give Me Faith” broke something open in him. He prayed, “If You’re real, change my heart,” and God answered. What followed was discipleship, transformation, and the slow rebuilding of a life.
From High School Dropout to Creative Powerhouse
Kriss admits openly: he was the “failure kid.” He struggled with ADHD, Tourette’s, OCD, academic challenges, and constant trouble. Yet even then, creativity burned beneath the surface. He recorded his first song at 13, taught himself to produce by 15, and fell in love with storytelling through melody.
Ironically, it wasn’t music—but videography—that brought stability back into his life. When he laid music down to focus on providing for his family, he picked up a camera. That camera eventually became the tool God used to reintroduce him to music in a new way.
The Birth of Christian R&B’s New Wave
In 2022, Kriss’s friends convinced him to get in the studio again. A 15-minute drill turned into “Too Serious”—the breakout song that would later go viral across TikTok and Instagram.
But it didn’t blow up overnight. Kriss spent a full year promoting the song, shooting and editing all his own clips thanks to the skills he learned during his musical “pause.” When he performed it for the first time at Glowchella, and the entire crowd sang every word back to him, he knew God was calling him into something bigger.
He didn’t return as a rapper—he returned as a pioneer of Christian R&B.
Building a Culture, Not Just a Career
Kriss speaks passionately about championing others, building the genre, and giving artists a platform. His mission isn’t to be “the king” of Christian R&B—his mission is to lead people to the King. From his festival HBO Fest to his upcoming project Dial Up, he sees Christian R&B not as a trend but as a ministry field.
His heart for people, his transparency, and his drive to “elevate everyone around him” reveal why God continues to breathe on his path.
Yung Kriss isn’t just making music—he’s creating space for a whole genre to thrive. And if this episode proves anything, it’s that his story is only just beginning.
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.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to The 116 Life
00:22 – Introducing Yung Kriss
01:20 – Life in a season of shaping
02:10 – How Meah & Ace first met Kriss
03:40 – The story behind the name “Yung Kriss”
05:00 – Growing up biracial in Indiana
07:00 – Small-town realities & racial tensions
08:00 – Family dynamics, poverty, and resilience
10:00 – ADHD, Tourette’s, OCD & childhood challenges
11:30 – Core memories of his father
12:40 – Not growing up Christian but knowing of God
14:00 – Hitting rock bottom
18:20 – The moment God stopped him from taking his life
20:00 – The first time he felt God’s presence
21:30 – How door-to-door sales shaped him
22:40 – Getting arrested & early life mistakes
24:00 – Meeting the Christian mentor who planted seeds
26:00 – Kriss’s first encounter at church
28:30 – Moving away to escape old habits
29:40 – A party moment that changed everything
31:00 – The decision to fully follow Jesus
32:30 – Breaking into music again
33:40 – Switching from rap to R&B
35:00 – Learning videography & providing for his family
36:40 – The 15-minute studio session that created “Too Serious”
38:10 – The first viral moment
39:30 – Globechella performance: realizing the impact
41:00 – Work ethic, discipline & calling
43:00 – How community fuels his growth
45:00 – Heart for Christian R&B vs. CHH
46:20 – The mission behind HBO Fest
48:00 – Why he champions other artists
49:20 – Final words + upcoming releases
50:00 – Closing the episode
Related Radio Show: 116 Life
