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Thrash Metal - An Aging Genre

November 16, 2023

The thrash metal genre emerged in the early 1980s. Characterized by intricate guitar use, lightning-fast tempos, and its overall bold, aggressive themes, thrash was groundbreaking and quickly became..

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Travis Scott’s Telekinesis

October 27, 2023

Travis Scott, the Houston-born hip-hop sensation, has taken the world by storm with his innovative soundscapes and boundary-pushing creativity. His latest single, "Telekinesis”...

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Drake and J.Cole’s “First Person Shooter”: A Masterpiece in Modern era

October 25, 2023

The lyrics of “First Person Shooter” are a testament to both artists’ lyrical prowess. The song explores themes of success, legacy, and rivalry in the rap industry...

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They're Not Real? The Rise in Virtual Kpop Groups

October 24, 2023

As virtual technology continues to evolve and we move towards the metaverse future, the K-pop industry has begun delving into all the possibilities...

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Sunmi Becomes the 'Stranger' With New Single

October 23, 2023

After over a year of absence from the Kpop scene, solo artist Sunmi has recently come back with her eighth digital single, “STRANGER.” Co-written by Sunmi...

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EXO Chanyeol Assures That You're 'Good Enough' In New Release

October 23, 2023

EXO’s Chanyeol dropped the highly-anticipated single, ‘Good Enough.’ The comeback was made two and a half years after his latest release (‘Tomorrow’) in 2021...

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Overwatch 2 Hits the Right Notes with LE SSERAFIM Collaboration

October 20, 2023

LE SSERAFIM, a powerhouse in the K-pop industry, is a South Korean girl group formed by Source Music. Comprising five members – Sakura, Chaewon, Yunjin, Kazuha, and Eunchae – the group made...

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Supergroup Boygenius Caps Off Recent Success with EP ‘The Rest’

October 20, 2023

Boygenius, one of music’s latest supergroups consisting of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker, has just dropped a new EP with 4 tracks.

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Kid Laroi's Collaboration with BTS’ Jungkook and Central Cee - "Too Much"

October 20, 2023

Recently announcing a collaboration titled “Too Much” to be released with BTS’ Jungkook, as well as Central Cee, it is scheduled to be released on October 20, 2023.‍

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NewJeans Makes K-pop History with 10 Weeks of Billboard Success

October 16, 2023

Just two months ago, NewJeans etched their names in the annals of music history by accomplishing a feat that set the industry abuzz. Their second mini album, “Get Up,” soared to the top of the...

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Peach Pit’s “From 2 to 3” is an Indie Production Masterpiece

October 16, 2023

The album was heavily influenced by 1970s rock and folk music, as frontman Neil Smith tells Monday Magazine: “We just decided we wanted to have a very natural-sounding album...

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IVE - Gearing up for “SHOW WHAT I HAVE” World Tour

October 12, 2023

Approaching their two-year debut anniversary, they're kicking off their first world tour, titled “SHOW WHAT I HAVE”. It’s been mentioned that IVE’s first concert is set to embrace the idea...

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GloRilla Goes Gospel: Why Her Kirk Franklin Collab Is Causing a Ruckus

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When Memphis rapper GloRilla's October 2024 debut album Glorious, one track left everyone talking;  "Rain Down on Me," featuring gospel heavyweights Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Kierra Sheard, and Chandler Moore.The fusion has sparked intense discussion, and it's the only clean song on an otherwise explicit album.

Church Crowd Shocked, Fans Split

Several Christian critics condemned the collaboration as sacrilege.

“These ‘Christian’ gospel artists need to stop compromising... Kirk Franklin, Kierra Sheard & Maverick City Music being on GloRilla’s album is wild.”

The outrage was especially pronounced among Nigerian Christians, who saw it as absurd and a mockery, for ministry leaders to appear alongside artists known for explicit content.

Yet, defenders countered with compassion:

“People in the church got mad because Glo made a song ft Kirk… She grew up in the church… The judgment is why so many people walk away from the church.”

Fan Forum Take: Divided but Intrigued

On Reddit, fans on both sides voiced strong opinions:

“I really do not understand the backlash at all... Anytime a secular artist makes a Christian song it should be embraced because it will reach the people that need it.”

Others called out the move as jarring:

“The religious turn on Side B was unexpected... That track… felt super corny.”

What does this mean for the Industry

  • Gospel Meets Mainstream Hip-Hop

Gospel musicians are increasingly stepping into secular fields, and vice versa. Rain Down on Me, however, is among the most audacious examples to date.

  •  Faith Outside the Pulpit

Raised in a church and continuing to share her faith on social media, GloRilla treads carefully, striking a balance between unrepentant rap bravado and spiritual sincerity.

  • Changing the Boundaries of Genre

The move demonstrates how contemporary music is not compartmentalized but rather fluid. The influence of gospel is spreading beyond choir rooms and into widely consumed albums.

  • Spotlight on Artist Responsibility

Collaborations like this ask: Are artists accountable for messaging beyond their verses? And can bridges built through music reshape conversations?

Final Take 

GloRilla’s “Rain Down on Me” isn’t just a song, some see faith compromised. Others see hope extended. Either way, GloRilla just changed the game.

GloRilla Goes Gospel: Why Her Kirk Franklin Collab Is Causing a Ruckusglorilla-goes-gospel-why-her-kirk-franklin-collab-is-causing-a-ruckusLienor KatasAug 11, 2025When Memphis rapper GloRilla's October 2024 debut album Glorious, one track left everyone talking; "Rain Down on Me," featuring gospel heavyweights Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Kierra...