On the heels of releasing his latest EP, The Second City—Part 1 (4 Against 5, Jan. 26, 2018—buy), we recently had the honor to invite Steven Malcolm to our CCM Magazine studio to ask him these questions and more, and for him to give us a first-person account of his side of the story.

CCM Magazine: We were listening to some interviews of yours earlier and you said you go to a hip hop church—we want to go to a hip hop church—but first, enlighten us on exactly what that is.
Steven Malcolm: Yeah. So, hip hop church basically is a church that is very heavily involved with outreach in urban communities and in urban settings. Very youth-driven. Very come as you are. Very laid-back. Our pastor rocks Chuck Taylor’s and snapback hats. Graffiti on the wall. Our worship is hip hop music. We have spoken word artists, dancers, and all that stuff.

CCM: Was the hip hop church your introduction to church in general?
SM: It was my, how can I say this…? It opened my eyes to a different view of the church. Me, I had a very skewed view of what church was. Very, like, if I go I’m gonna have to pick up my pants, take off my hat, talk different… So, yeah, it showed me that it is a place for me. Ya know what I mean? In the context of my culture, where I came from. It was involved with it.

Steve Malcolm, Winter Jam, CCM Magazine - image

Malcolm performing at “Winter Jam,” 2017

CCM: So, potentially one of your first authentic [church] experiences?
SM: Exactly, and it was actually my first experience. I had never really went to church like that before. I mean, I went… I would stay the night at my friend’s house and his parents went to church, so I had to go with them. But I never paid attention at all. So this was my first time actually going [on my own], sitting there and actually actively experiencing church for myself.

CLICK “3” TO ADVANCE

Leave a Reply