Fivio Foreign Shakes Up Genre With Christian Rap Pivot, Refuses Easy Labeling
Brooklyn rapper Fivio Foreign is making headlines for a potential pivot to Christian rap, explaining his spiritual journey and desire to praise God through his music. While hesitant to label himself a 'gospel artist', he aims to foster a positive image and hopes for future collaborations with gospel icons like Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin.
Brooklyn rapper Fivio Foreign appears to be making a significant shift in his musical direction, potentially pivoting towards Christian rap. This revelation came to light after a clip of his new music went viral, prompting a recent interview with The Shade Room where he addressed the change in content.
Explaining his decision, Fivio Foreign stated, "Sometimes in life…I feel like…you gotta listen to that voice that’s talking to you." He elaborated on his spiritual perspective, asserting that everyone is spiritual and aware of God, but there's a need to actively engage in actions for God, even if it involves 'putting in a little pain'. He emphasized his preference not to learn lessons 'the hard way', recognizing when it's time to 'get right' with his spiritual path.
Despite the Christian themes in his new music, Fivio Foreign is hesitant to categorize himself as a 'gospel artist' or his work strictly as 'gospel music'. He drew a parallel to his past difficulty in identifying as a 'drill artist' when asked. For him, while he uses the term 'gospel music' because of its widespread understanding, he perceives his new creations as "music from my heart." He highlighted the diverse range of beats used in his upcoming album, indicating that it's not confined to traditional gospel sounds. Ultimately, his aim is to praise God through his music rather than worship the devil, striving to project a positive image and hoping for divine blessings.
Looking ahead, Fivio Foreign expressed a strong desire for future collaborations with prominent gospel artists. He specifically mentioned his interest in working with the celebrated duo Mary Mary and the esteemed Kirk Franklin, signaling a deeper commitment to his newfound artistic and spiritual direction. This isn't his first foray into religiously inspired rap; he previously explored Christian rap themes on Ye's (formerly Kanye West) 2021 album, Donda, delivering a memorable verse on the track "Off the Grid," which was a standout moment on the project.