Faith Child: Using music to touch lives for Christ
When Faith Feels Far is the new 15-track project from MOBO Award-winner Faith Child. The rapper’s first album in over a decade, When Faith Feels Far was written for the moments when belief feels out of reach. The album sits in the tension between wrestling with God and resting in Him – offering songs that comfort, challenge and ultimately uplift. Akosua DF caught up with Faith Child to talk about his new project, the ongoing gospel debate, and Black History Month.
Akosua DF (ADF): Your stage name is Faith Child. How does your faith influence not just your music, but your everyday life?
Faith Child (FC): I love being a Christian! My faith has shaped my worldview. Every day, I pray for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus… to be an answer to someone’s prayer. We live in a dark world, and there’s no better time to show the love of God than now. I recently shared online: “I have nothing more valuable to offer you than Jesus. Any love or kindness I show you is because of Jesus. Everything flows from Him.”
ADF: You released a single with Erica Campbell. How did that collaboration come about?
FC: I first met Erica in 2016, when she came to the UK to be interviewed on my TV show, Uprise. She has such a great sense of humour and jokingly said: “Why didn’t you get me on your album?” and I said to her:, “I ain’t got no Mary Mary budget!” We connected quite well that day and have been friends ever since. She would always say to me: “If you need anything, let me know,” and I always wondered what that meant, but never thought it could mean the possibility of a collaboration.
When writing ‘Wildfire’, I thought she would be perfect for it and nervously reached out to her, and she was game! She recorded her vocals in the States, sent them over, and I was blown away. She recently flew to the UK, and we filmed the video. Working with one of my icons has been a major career highlight.
ADF: Congrats on the new album. What’s the core message behind this project.
FC: When Faith Feels Far is an honest reckoning with doubt and the hope found along the way. In recent months and years, we’ve seen people question their faith – be it due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, church hurt, grief or unanswered prayers. In the moments we often feel far from God, this album is a reminder that He is closer than we think.
ADF: You’ve been a part of the UK Christian music scene for a long time. How have you seen it change and grow?
FC: The UK Christian music scene is in a beautiful place! I have seen so many changes over the last two decades. In the late 2000s, it was often the urban acts, who were sonically rap, r&b and soul who’d headline events, but in recent years we have seen the uprising of Afrogospel and the hunger for congregational worship music – be it CCM, gospel, or the sound hailing from Africa. Moving to a digital age has allowed music and musicians to become more accessible. Fifteen years ago or so, albums were always physical – CDs, vinyls and cassettes – and you’d need to get your music across to music and bookstores. The introduction of digital streaming platforms cut out the middleman and has allowed music to become accessible to the world. Social media platforms, like TikTok and Instagram, have been a major catalyst in introducing people to new artists and music. Studio equipment has also become more affordable, in turn empowering creatives to create from the comfort of their homes. This has produced more artists than ever before.
ADF: Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both within gospel and Christian music?
FC: Some of my biggest influences are Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, and TobyMac. Kirk has pioneered urban gospel music for over two decades and has relevance inside and outside of the Church. Mary Mary has achieved mainstream success while still boldly flying the Jesus flag. Their song ‘Shackles’ is still played today on mainstream radio every summer as one of the UK’s top 50 summer songs. TobyMac is one of the most successful Christian artists and is constantly reinventing himself. These three acts have careers worth studying and emulating.
ADF: It’s Black History month. What message of hope and empowerment do you want to share with young Black people who are navigating their own faith and identity in today’s world?
FC: The best way to find your identity is by tracing your roots. Our genesis is God, and we’ll forever be chasing worth and the meaning of life until we truly find God. We often have things in our culture and history that might shake or question our faith, but we have a loving heavenly Father who isn’t afraid of our questions or doubts, but in fact encourages us to approach Him with them (Hebrews 4:14-16).
ADF: How do you navigate the balance between honouring the traditions of
gospel music and innovating with contemporary sounds?
FC: For me, it’s not about innovating the message, but innovating the method. Jesus’ message was always clear and consistent, and He would often use the vehicle of parables to drive home the message. He would use the language of the time to ensure the people He was speaking to would understand Him. For example, “Be fishers of men.” That message was to fishermen. The parable of the sower was to people who understood agriculture. So, no matter how we package the music, the message must remain the same.
ADF: There’s been a lot of conversation about the future of Black gospel music. What’s your take on it?
FC: Music is always evolving, and we must move with the times to remain current and reach the masses. Every style of music will have an audience, but it might not be the flavour of the month. Over the years, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), predominantly led by our Caucasian brothers and sisters, has become more prevalent in Black churches. However, once it reaches the Black Church, we often put our spin on it by adding a Caribbean or African flair. Sonically, CCM songs tend to be indie, rock and pop ballads; these aren’t styles typically inherent to African Caribbeans. Black churches are seeing the return to songs from the soil that our parents and grandparents grew up on. As long as the Church lives, Black gospel music will be alive.
AKOSUA DF
UK-based media personality and journalist.
Follow @akosuadf on social media
