Bloodstained and wearing a crown of thorns... Jesus?    Not exactly. Current top Hip Hop artist Kendrick Lamar has been displaying images like this in his concerts and on social media.    A lyricist with deep cuts on albums expressing his wrestle with God while voicing world views in the same breath. As Rap/Hip Hop fans, it's always exciting when we see an artist name-drop or shout out another artist. Kendrick Lamar has his name not only mentioned with chart-toppers Drake and J. Cole but recently name-dropped some CHH artists you know and love. In a recent song posted to IG, "Watch the Party Die", Kendrick mentions Lecrae and Dee-1 by name.   

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A post shared by Rapzilla.com (@rapzilla)

At face value, this is incredible! He doesn't mention these artists in simple passing because he needed a name to rhyme with. The intentional mentions sound like they come from what relationships were built.    I'm no fly on the wall with insider info, but I do know that Lecrae has spoken on his relationship with Kendrick that he has known "his brother" for years. This caught the eye of some but now has the eyes and ears of an entire genre. Mainstream's #1 Super Bowl level Hip Hop artist has given a nod to two of what some have called a sub-genre of hip hop. Does Christian Hip Hop have a bigger voice than expected?    The proof seems to be evident with social media completely flooding timelines about this mention. Responses from both Lecrae and Dee-1 as well as well-respected KB share the same sentiments of encouraging the conversation to go from just a mention to the bigger theme of the voice of Christian Hip Hop.. not for fame but for further kingdom growth.    Lecrae took his response a step further by also posting a response track to Kendrick and called it "Ain't Watch the Party Die."  

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A post shared by Lecrae (@lecrae)

If Kendrick "wants a heart like Dee-1" and is "wondering what Lecrae would do" I believe many followers will do the same. Begin to ask questions. Prayerfully the right ones and to the right people leading them to who Lecrae and Dee-1 are pointing to. The man born of God blood stained wearing a crown of thorns now risen with all power in his hands. Jesus.    Want more NGEN blogs? Tap one of the stories below.