When people ask me how I got started making Christian hip hop music, I always smile because the answer is not simple. My journey to becoming Vintage Retroman, the Hope Dealer, has been a path that I never could have planned on my own. It has been filled with moments of doubt, seasons of growth, and most importantly, a deepening relationship with God that has shaped everything I do.
I grew up listening to hip hop music. It was something that spoke to me in a way that other music did not. The beats, the rhythm, the storytelling, the way artists could paint pictures with their words, all of it fascinated me. But like many people who grow up in the church, I was taught that hip hop was not the kind of music that Christians should be making or listening to. It was considered worldly. It was considered bad. I carried that message with me for a long time, and honestly, it created a real conflict inside of me.
As I got older, I started to realize that music itself is neutral. Music is just sound and rhythm and words. What matters is what you put into that music and what the message behind it is. That realization changed everything for me. I started to understand that I could use hip hop, which I loved so much, to share the gospel and to encourage people to know Jesus Christ. That was the moment when everything clicked into place.
The road to actually making music professionally was not easy. I had to learn how to write lyrics that were authentic and real but also pointed people toward God. I had to find producers who understood my vision. I had to build a following when most people did not even know who I was. There were times when I wondered if I was wasting my time. There were times when I felt like giving up. But I kept going because I knew that God had called me to do this.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was dealing with criticism from people who thought I should not be making hip hop music at all. Some people in the church community were not supportive. They questioned whether Christian hip hop was even a real thing. They worried that I was compromising my faith to make music that sounded worldly. Those words hurt, and I will be honest, they made me question myself. But I also recognized that Jesus faced criticism too. People questioned him, they doubted him, and he kept moving forward with his purpose. That gave me strength to continue.
What really kept me going was seeing the impact my music had on people. I started getting messages from people who said that my music helped them get through a hard time. People told me that my lyrics reminded them that God was real and that he cared about them. Some people told me that my music helped them find faith in Jesus for the first time. That is when I truly understood why God had called me to do this. It was not about me becoming famous or making money. It was about being a messenger of hope to people who needed to hear it.
Over the years, I have released multiple albums and singles. Each project has taught me something new. Each project has deepened my relationship with God and strengthened my understanding of what it means to be a Christian artist. I have performed at churches, at community events, and online. I have connected with other Christian hip hop artists who understood my vision. I have built a community of people who believe that faith and hip hop can go together beautifully.
My journey as a Christian hip hop artist has also taught me about persistence and faith. There were times when I did not know how I would pay my bills or how I would continue making music. But God always came through. God always provided what I needed. I learned to trust him more deeply through this process.
Today, I stand as Vintage Retroman, and I am proud to call myself the Hope Dealer. That name represents what I believe my music does. It deals hope to people who are struggling. It reminds people that they are not alone. It points people toward Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate source of hope and healing.
If you are someone who has a passion or a dream that feels different or unusual, I want to encourage you. Do not let other people’s opinions stop you from pursuing what God has called you to do. Yes, there will be obstacles. Yes, there will be people who do not understand. But if God has put something on your heart, if you feel that calling deep in your soul, then pursue it with everything you have. I did, and it has been the most rewarding journey of my life.
My journey as a Christian hip hop artist is still continuing. I am still learning, still growing, and still being amazed at what God can do through music and faith. And I am grateful that you are part of this journey with me.
