Chris Chicago's Artist Spotlight

Chris Chicago is the founder of JamTheHype.com and is now the Radio Host for Rapzilla.com's #1 syndicated radio program, Rpazilla.com LIVE, he also hosts a top morning show in Houston, TX on 91.7 NGEN Radio. Chicago is passionate about Christian Music, especially CHH. This short podcast will shine the spotlight on artists to help bring their story and music to a worldwide audience. Subscribe to this podcast and get ready for a fun adventure as we discover new artist and new music together!

Episode 051 - God Body 09/13/2018

Episode 050 - Legin 08/21/2018

Episode 049 - Focus 08/05/2018

Episode 048 - Sinai 07/17/2018

Episode 047 - Illtalian 06/02/2018

Episode 046 - Shep the Shepherd 06/02/2018

Episode 045 - King Chav 06/02/2018

Episode 044 - Stovetop 05/06/2018

Episode 044 - Stovetop During his college years, Stovetop wrote raps and experimented with production, but never really felt comfortable publicly displaying his skills until he started making music catered directly to his dorm mates at Northwestern in Orange City, IA. Describing it as a fraternity like atmosphere, Stover said his dorm mates took a shining to his ability to use his talent to drop bars filled with inside jokes and familiar stories. After graduating from Northwestern in 2010 with a degree in public relations, Stovetop decided to take his desire to rap a little more seriously and began investing himself financially and by consistently writing rhymes in his downtime, something he still does today. He released his debut album, “Work in Progress,” featuring lead single, “A.I.” in January. The 11-track project has been in development for five years and features all original music and composition. “Work in Progress” is the culmination of Stovetop’s desire to spread not only his music to the masses but to promote positivity and spirituality as well. “I like to have fun in my music,” said Stovetop, who built his following through his SoundCloud account, which has accumulated more than 200,000 streams. “I want it to be upbeat but at the same time have a decent message; that's the point of this project. I want to make music that I wouldn’t be ashamed to have my parents hear or that I wouldn’t have to turn off if my two-year-old walks in the room.” “It’s easy to write club-bangers about women or getting crazy or whatever, but I wanted this project to be a little more encouraging mean something a little more than what rap is typically associated with. I love Jesus, I love hip-hop, and I love putting them together.” Another theme behind “Work in Progress” is to show that no matter who you are and what you have accomplished, there is always more that can be done. “No matter what you do in life, as a person — and I don’t just mean spiritually, physically, career-wise, you name it — you’re always a work in progress,” Stovetop said. Over the 38-minute runtime, Stovetop encourages people to live their life to the fullest (“Bananas”), explains how to have fun on the dance floor without being provocative (“Feet Work”), never giving up (“Fighter”), rallying against secular materialism (“A.I.”), and more. Stylewise, Stovetop has a hard time describing his musical style, but the lyricist is heavily influenced by both secular and Christian artists such as Andy Mineo, Drake, Lecrae, NF and tobyMac, a trait reflected by the extreme versatility on display in his burgeoning catalog. While he has difficulty narrowing down a way to describe himself as an artist, he is adamant that Christianity, positivity, and encouragement are standard pillars of his music. In addition to that, Stovetop works his day job at a non-profit ministry and runs a growing DJ business. He also loves to spend time with his expectant wife and 2-year-old son. /episode/index/show/djcdub/id/6561575

Episode 043 - Professor Crow 05/06/2018

Episode 042 - Yung Titan 04/27/2018

Episode 041 - King Lewis & Jamar 04/04/2018

Episode 040 - D’Coy 03/30/2018

Episode 039 - Tyler James 03/30/2018

Episode 039 - Tyler James My name is Tyler Bonynge (pronounced like the phone company: Vonage but with a B). I’m 27 years old and I live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. My Wife’s name is Melissa and my two boys are Hudson(age:4) and Kingston(age:2). I was saved at age 18 when a friend talked to me formally about the Gospel. Before I was a Christian, music was my idol. I had specific bands that embodied my infatuation such as Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails but I always had a love for hip hop ever since I could put a cd into my Discman. At the age of 5 I remember listening to “Murder Was the Case” by Snoop Dogg along with the rest of the 90’s hip-hop catalog that would fit into that criteria. I always enjoyed writing in the style of rap because I could fit more words in than a typical rock song. However, there was a time where I focused mainly on rock genres such as grunge and industrial rock, which took place in my teenage years. When I was saved (circa 2008), I took a break from music and I channeled much of my attention to studying God’s word and learning about doctrine and growing in community. It wasn’t until 2013 that I really began to tap into my joy of music again. When I first heard of CHH, I was skeptical. After some exposure to people such as Lecrae, it took some time to fully embrace CHH as a whole. CHH became very organic in terms of how it grew on me. I didn’t treat CHH like a thrill or a sensation, rather, I began to see value and power through the medium of hip-hop. CHH artist: Shai Linne catapulted me into a new way of thinking when it came to music. After which, I found myself constantly listening to Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, KB, Lecrae, Mogli The Iceberg, and many more. With inspiration ringing in my ears, I picked up the pen and started writing. It’s at this point where I found myself wondering what I can do with my art and how it can influence/inspire/encourage God’s people and challenge those who don’t know Jesus and to glorify God while doing so. /episode/index/show/djcdub/id/6426637

Episode 038 - JC Lewis 03/19/2018

Episode 037 - Mista Crain 03/13/2018

Episode 036 - Yung Saintz 01/28/2018

Episode 035 - J-Nice 01/19/2018

Episode 034 - 2 The Human 12/09/2017

Episode 033 - J-Nibb 10/21/2017

Episode 033 - J-Nibb J-NiBB’s outlook on life has always been unique, but simple: "If you want something badly enough, then either go get it, or find a way to make it happen!". He has never recognized "I can't." His participation in sports brought him recognition for both his leadership and motivational skills. In his senior year, it seemed that his football dream was about to become a reality. That fragile dream was brought to an abrupt end through shifted discs in his spine (which pinched his sciatic nerve) and then, a broken arm. The most important football season of his entire high school career would be spent on the bench. Hip Hop was introduced to J-NiBB by his older brother (who didn't want his old CD's, anymore). In this case, one man's "trash" certainly turned out to be another's "treasure." The first song he remembers hearing was "Move, B***H," by Ludacris. Immediately, he loved the beat and flow that Luda produced. A few years later "the name" J-NiBB was born. At the age of 19, it began to be part of a serious lifestyle when J-NiBB released his first CD, entitled "The Warm-Up." Its success gave him the opportunity to sign a distribution deal with a branch of Universal Records, as well as performing alongside hip-hop icons such as Big Sean, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Dizzy Wright, Twista, Souls of Mischief, Nappy Roots, Wu-Tang, King Chip (Chip Tha Ripper), and Project Pat. He also hit the Top 10 on major radio stations in Mississippi, as well as headlining the Mississippi College Tour. In 2014, J-NiBB released his second CD "Sleepless Nights & Early Mornings," which landed him in the XXL Magazine, and took him to Hollywood. With successes mounting, J-NiBB's personal life (his desires and inclinations) began to have undue influence. The funny thing is that from the beginning, he was frequently told that the music that he was producing should be music focused on God. With no ear to hear that, He would take a "back seat" until His Plan for J-NiBB's life was fully executed. As God began His move on J-NiBB "in earnest," attaining success appeared to be becoming more difficult. Not only that, but the back injury became worse - and he was almost unable to walk for two weeks. About a week before he was "put on his back," he received a prayer cloth from Transformed Life Church (where he attends and is pastored by Brian T. Hamilton). The pain was so great that he decided to use the cloth. While doing so, he noticed a small "shift" and after four years, 5 shifted discs, "out-of-alignment" hips, a pinched sciatic nerve, chiropractic treatment, and tons of pain pills - J-NiBB woke up the next day free of pain! He had been healed! God didn't stop there. You see, after He had healed Him, He sent him yet another encounter with someone encouraging him to dedicate his music to God. As is His custom, God made this "appeal" a little different: in the middle of a Sunday service, Pastor Hamilton called him out, telling him "...the Holy Ghost told me that you need to make a song for God!" Through this, the entire "plan" was laid out, healing both J-NiBB's body - and soul. Once the first song was completed the fire was lit. J-NiBB has went on to finishing 2 independent tours in 2016 off his newest CD Internal Conversations (marketed by RAPZILLA) which is available on all online outlets. He performed in the NorthWest Creation Fest and other major festivals. He's been performing along side national and international artists such as KB, Fire Flight, K-Drama, Veridia, Blanca, Random Hero, Ilia, We Are Leo, Tauren Wells, and more. Making it back on major radio is a big accomplishment as well in Grand Rapids, MI. 2017 is looking very bright and J-NiBB is more than ready back in the studio working on a new project now. Keep up with him on all social media. “IN LIFE WE ARE BLINDED TO OUR CALLING BY OUR FLESHLY DESIRES. ONCE WE ARE ABLE TO OVERCOME OUR MINDS AND REALIZE WHAT REALLY MATTERS, WE WILL KNOW TRUE PEACE, LOVE, & HAPPINESS." – J-NIBB /episode/index/show/djcdub/id/5862103