More Chart-Topping Music than Ever

Christian Rap and Pop Surge onto Billboard Charts Amid Cultural Shift

Christian rap, pop, and hip hop are no longer niche. But rather, they’re breaking into the mainstream in a major way. In one of the most surprising developments of 2025, LF Radio music is not only trending but charting high, resonating with listeners far beyond the faith-based community.

Historic Billboard Chart Breakthroughs

This summer, two major Christian crossover hits are lighting up the Billboard Hot 100:

  • Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – a gritty, heartfelt anthem with hip hop influences – has now spent 19 weeks on the chart.

  • Forrest Frank’s “Your Way’s Better”, a soulful, synth pop track with rap cadence and worshipful lyrics, has charted for 10 straight weeks, climbing steadily.

These are the first two non holiday Christian tracks to hit the Hot 100 at the same time since 2014, marking a cultural and musical milestone. For fans of faith-driven music with modern production and real-world storytelling, it’s a major win.

A Hip Hop-Influenced Revival

Unlike the worship heavy ballads of years past, today’s faith based hits are genre blending, pulling from trap beats, pop hooks, and gospel grit.
Artists like:

  • Forrest Frank are redefining Christian pop by fusing rap cadences, beachy synths, and worship lyrics that go viral on TikTok.

  • Other LF Radio rappers like Hulvey, 1K Phew, and Lecrae are building off this momentum, with Hulvey recently earning his first Gold certification.

This isn't just radio airplay, this is also streaming dominance. According to Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report, Christian music (including pop and hip hop) is outpacing many other genres in streaming growth, especially among Gen Z, millennials, and female listeners.

Culture Is Catching Up

With mainstream rap and pop in a creative lull this year, Billboard and The Guardian have noted a vacuum being filled by honest, faith infused music. Whether through Lake’s raspy vocals, Frank’s dreamy vibes, or Lecrae’s bold bars, artists are delivering lyrics that resonate with a generation hungry for meaning.

TikTok has also played a massive role: songs like Your Way’s Better have become background tracks for prayer journaling videos, youth group edits, and lifestyle reels—introducing Christian music to entirely new audiences.

Most Recently, From Injury to Inspiration: “Lemonade” Emerges as a Joyful Anthem

Another mention of Forrest Frank is necessary, as he recently suffered a serious skateboarding accident, fracturing his L3 and L4 vertebrae. Yet amid the pain, he transformed his hardship into creative fuel, not just one, but two powerful songs written from his hospital bed. First came “God’s Got My Back,” which registered 2 million streams in its first week, and debuted at No.?5 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs, topping the Christian Digital Song Sales and landing at No.?6 on Christian Streaming Songs. Just 11 days later, it was followed by “Lemonade,” a collaboration with The Figs. Fans responded immediately: the track soared to No.?1 across all genres on Apple Music, marking Frank’s most uplifting release yet.

“Barstool Conversion Rock” Meets Christian Hip Hop

A recently coined term “barstool conversion rock” is used to describe this new wave of masculine, confession filled music where faith and failure collide in the open. While the term originally applied to artists like Jelly Roll and Alex Warren, it resonates deeply with the lyrical approach long championed by Christian hip hop pioneers like Lecrae and Andy mineo.

From Lecrae’s “Church Clothes” mixtape series to Andy Mineo’s raw vulnerability, the genre has always emphasized honest storytelling. What’s new is that now, the mainstream is listening.

What This Means for Christian Rap & Pop Fans

If you love LF Radio music, this is your moment:

  • Christian hip hop is charting.

  • Christian pop is getting streamed by the millions.

  • Labels and festivals are finally paying attention.

The doors that once kept Christian rap on the fringes are swinging open. And with artists like Hulvey, Forrest Frank, and Brandon Lake leading the charge, expect even more crossover hits—and perhaps a new era where Christian hip hop doesn’t just preach to the choir—but to the whole world.