Praise With a Beat

In turbulent times, it’s important to stay informed about what’s happening in our communities and the world at large. But it’s just as important to protect our peace.

As the Serenity Prayer reminds us: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

So, if you’re ready to tune out the negative news cycle—or at least take a breather from the social-media doom scroll—we’ve curated a playlist of 30 Christian hip-hop (CHH) and Rhythm + Praise (R+P) tracks rooted in faith, flow, and encouragement.

Whether you attend services regularly, consider yourself more spiritual than religious, or simply love uplifting music with a hard beat, there’s something here for you. As Anthony Brown & group therAPy put it on “Blessings on Blessings (The B.O.B Bounce),” this season is about “only speaking blessings for the rest of the year.”

The praise party kicks off with a remix of Kirk Franklin’s classic “Stomp,” featuring Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa, and keeps the energy high with powerful collaborations. Think Lecrae and Tasha Cobbs-Leonard on “Your Power”; GloRilla, Kirk Franklin, and Maverick City Music on “Rain Down on Me”; Deitrick Haddon, Ruben Studdard, and Mary Mary on “Love Him Like I Do”; and Common alongside Leon Bridges and Jonathan McReynolds on “God Is Love.”

We’re especially drawn to the solace, strength—and yes, a little shimmy—found in empowering tracks by women artists, including Anike and Porsha Love’s “God Is With Her!,” Mary Mary with Kierra Sheard on “God in Me,” Relena-Rochelle’s “Say Less,” Koryn Hawthorne’s “Sunday,” and Childlike CiC’s “Water.”

That last track nods to the Negro spiritual “Wade in the Water,” with lyrics that feel especially poignant right now: “I woke up feeling brand new. I woke up feeling like freedom is near—how ’bout you?”

Also in the mix: the MC Hammer throwback “Pray,” Tye Tribbett’s Kendrick-Lamar-inspired “Be Alright,” Sunday Sermon’s choir rendition of SWV’s “Weak,” and a spiritually moving playlist closer from Terrian, covering the Commodores’ classic “Jesus Is Love.”

So, wherever you are—on your work commute, in the car, at home cooking or cleaning, or out on a meditative walk—press play and be encouraged, Sis.