116 Life Ep. 119: Nothing Less Than Excellence with I Project and Jay Boskie

On this episode of 116 Life on Holy Culture Radio, hosts Meah Evans and Ace Harris welcomed two powerhouse producers shaping the sound of Christian hip hop today: I Project and Jay Boskie. Both young, creative, and on fire for God, their journeys reveal not only how they came into music but also how they’ve chosen to use their gifts to push the culture forward with excellence.

Roots in Music and Faith

For Jay Boskie, music has always been part of his life. He grew up surrounded by song—his mother and grandmother both sang—and even before producing, he was known for dancing. His father played a crucial role in his introduction to Christian hip hop. After giving his life to Christ, Jay’s dad discarded his old records and filled the house with Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Aha Gazelle, and others. That shift laid the foundation for Jay’s own creative journey. When he received a drum sequencer at 17, he dove into production and never looked back.

I Project’s story started even earlier. He was playing keys at age five, producing by seven, and experimenting with sounds long before he knew what they were called. A pivotal moment came when he watched Disney’s Let It Shine, which showed him how music could express the melodies already in his heart. Growing up in church, he was immersed in music and ministry from the start. But it wasn’t until his first encounter with God at 10—and a life-changing moment where the Holy Spirit saved him from despair—that he truly understood his calling. From then on, his gifts were aimed toward serving Christ.

Producers, Not Just Beatmakers

One of the central themes in this episode is the difference between being a beatmaker and a producer. Both Jay and I Project emphasized that their work is about more than loops and samples—it’s about creating full records that tell stories, capture emotions, and serve artists well. Jay reflected on his time learning through “YouTube University,” studying producers like Zaytoven, Internet Money, and Nick Mira. For him, speed and intentionality came through discipline and countless hours of practice.

I Project shared how he grew into not just making beats, but also writing hooks and shaping songs. Over the years, he’s built an archive of thousands of melodies, giving him a deep well to pull from in the studio. His perspective highlights what Ace and Meah praised throughout the episode: these two are not just talented musicians—they are craftsmen who understand the artistry and spiritual weight of production.

Choosing Christian Hip Hop

Both producers could easily chase mainstream recognition, but they’ve chosen to invest their creativity in Christian hip hop. For I Project, his very first exposure to hip hop was Lecrae’s “Go Hard,” which opened his eyes to the possibility of combining faith and art. For Jay, Christian hip hop was introduced through his father’s transformation. Both men spoke about the joy and responsibility of creating music that glorifies God, noting that they refuse to let laziness or mediocrity stand in the way. As Jay put it, “Souls are attached to this, so I’m going to serve God with excellence.”

Behind the Summer Playlist

This year, both I Project and Jay Boskie contributed heavily to Reach Records’ annual Summer Playlist. They described the experience as both surreal and deeply fulfilling. From scratch-made beats like “Glory Farf” to high-energy anthems like “Pop Out,” their fingerprints are all over the project. Whether co-producing tracks via Discord or crafting switch-ups in the studio, their process reflects both technical skill and spiritual sensitivity.

For I Project, many hooks and melodies come directly through prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide him. For Jay, collaboration and constant study drive his creativity. Together, they bring a hunger to make records that can stand toe-to-toe with mainstream hip hop while still carrying the message of Christ.

Elevating the Sound of CHH

When asked about the current state of production in Christian hip hop, both producers agreed: the sound is rising. They believe producers in the space are taking their craft more seriously, aiming for excellence rather than settling. As I Project noted, listeners can tell when the Spirit is present in a track, and that authenticity makes all the difference.

Ace Harris summarized it well: “Y’all have the drip, you’ve got the sauce, but what’s even more important is your heart for the kingdom.”

Conclusion

This episode of 116 Life shines a spotlight on two young producers who embody the future of Christian hip hop. With creativity, discipline, and unshakable faith, I Project and Jay Boskie are proving that CHH not only belongs in the conversation—it’s leading it. Their stories are a reminder that when talent is surrendered to God, the results are powerful, life-giving, and culture-shaping.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Welcome to 116 Life with Meah Evans & Ace Harris
1:10 – Introducing producers I Project and Jay Boskie
2:00 – How marriage has shaped Jay Boskie’s walk with God
3:15 – Legendary eras in music and the SoundCloud wave
4:30 – Jay Boskie’s journey from dancing to producing at 17
6:00 – Learning production through “YouTube University”
8:15 – Childhood memories of music, radio, and creativity
9:30 – I Project’s start: playing keys at five, producing by seven
11:20 – Growing up in church and hearing melodies everywhere
13:30 – From artist to executive: building skills through necessity
16:00 – First exposure to Christian hip hop and Lecrae’s “Go Hard”
18:45 – Choosing CHH over mainstream and growing in faith
21:00 – I Project’s encounter with God and overcoming depression
24:00 – Jay Boskie’s father’s influence and discovering CHH in Ohio
27:00 – Finding purpose through music during high school moves
30:00 – From ministry school to producing for top CHH artists
32:00 – Behind the Summer Playlist: freedom, collaboration, creativity
34:10 – Cooking up “Glory Farf” and other standout records
36:30 – Building a massive melody archive and writing hooks
39:15 – Making trap that competes with the mainstream
41:00 – Co-producing “Step” together via Discord
43:15 – Elevating CHH production with intentionality and excellence
46:00 – Hunger, responsibility, and the spiritual weight of music
48:00 – Final encouragement and closing thoughts

Related Radio Show: 116 Life