StepFWD Gospel News
Gospel News is curated by O’Neil Dennis – the founder of AStepFWD.com, the UK Christian Charts, StepFWD Awards, and more. To get in touch, email info@astepfwd.com
UK GOSPEL, R&B, RAP AND AFROBEAT MUSIC IS BOOMING LIKE NEVER BEFORE!
Christian and gospel music is no longer sitting quietly in the corner of the industry. It’s making a powerful statement on the world stage as the fourth fastest-growing genre, fuelled by authenticity, creativity and a refusal to compromise its message.
The latest Luminate 2025 Midyear Music Report underlines this momentum. It shows that the genre’s fanbase is younger and streaming-forward, that streams have jumped 60 percent since 2020, and that Christian and gospel is now the second fastest-growing genre for new music streams in the US. Right here in the UK, the scene is alive and flourishing, with artists across contemporary gospel, r&b/soul, rap and Afrobeat producing some of the most exciting music of the last year.
The UK Christian Charts, meticulously curated each month by AStepFWD.com, continue to reveal just how deep the talent runs. These charts, which directly inform the Song of the Year decisions at the StepFWD Awards on November 22nd, don’t just reflect popular hits, but they also reveal the direction the genre is heading. And the message is crystal clear: the music is growing, diversifying and reaching fresh audiences at an incredible pace. As the UK looks to determine the Song of the Year across the various UKCC categories, we reflect on the remarkable contribution to gospel music’s global growth.
Take the Afrobeat category. Across the past 12 months, we have seen tracks that stand shoulder to shoulder with anything in the mainstream. Marizu’s ‘Summer’ lit up August. Limoblaze, fresh from his hugely successful headline show at the Roundhouse, teamed up with Joe L Barnes for ‘No Greater Love’. Reblah and Ko’rale brought grit and freshness with ‘On My Side’, while Imrhan’s ‘This Year Blessings’ served as an optimistic declaration of faith in January. The power of collaboration was a recurring theme, with Marizu and Faith Child teaming up on ‘Oluwa is Involved’ – one of the 15 tracks on Faith Child’s latest album, and Kofi Dartey with CalledOut Music dropping ‘You & I’. More recently, Paul-Emmanuel and Awesome’s Music Group reminded us of the genre’s staying power with ‘At Your Feet’.
Contemporary gospel has had its own powerful run of songs. Volney Morgan & New-Ye – already announced as one of the acts for Big Church Festival 2026 – set the tone with ‘In My Heart’. Savanah’s ‘Not The End’ , an anthem of resilience, followed, while House Worship with Khari Adom and Jadyn Thompson gave us ‘Cover Me’, balancing intimacy with strength. Noel Robinson and Steph Macleod brought depth with ‘Breaker Of Chains (Live)’, while Warehouse Worship smashed their own live momentum with ‘Rolling Stone’ after tearing down the main stage at Big Church Festival this August. Evans Ogboi, Berachah of GRA followed up with ‘Magnify The Lord’. By July, Evans Ogboi’s ‘Jesus’ had cemented his leadership in the genre, blending traditional sounds with modern rhythm. These tracks prove that contemporary gospel remains the vibrant backbone of the UK scene.
The rap category has been just as sharp, with bars, beats and messages that would be at home on any major playlist. Still Shadey, one half of the rap sibling duo with Y Shadey, has had a commanding year with ‘Lean’ (featuring Lecrae) and ‘Order My Steps’ with The Anthem Choir. Seruksessions came with raw honesty on ‘No Word of a Lie’ while together, the Shadey brothers reminded us of rap’s spiritual grit on ‘God on My Side’. DC3 showed versatility with ‘Upstairs’. IMRHAN partnered with Eugy Official for ‘Double Blessing’. Si Knightly kept the pace high with ‘Marathon’, Tidez, Suavo and Melvillous spoke truth in ‘’ and Dell Mac, Y Shadey and Eugy Official finished July strong with ‘Before The Dawn’. These tracks reflect the authentic, unpolished stories of faith and struggle that make UK Christian hip-hop such a vital voice in music today.
Then there’s r&b/soul, a genre that has added richness and elegance to the charts. Nikki Seriki with Sarah Téibo crafted ‘A Love Letter’ – a soulful exchange steeped in faith. Sharyn glided effortlessly on ‘Where You’ll Find Me’, while BGR contributed with ‘Gone’. Jake Isaac showcased his creative depth with ‘Ever Yours (B-Side)’. Imani Shola’s ‘Easy’ brought quiet strength, and Alia Lara’s ‘Follow You’ gave listeners something reflective. Laura Ehio impressed with ‘Don’t Run Again’. Most recently, Annatoria, fresh off a phenomenal headline show at HERE at Outernet – that fans are still raving about – teamed with Imrhan for ‘In The Middle’.
The global growth of Christian music has put a spotlight back on the UK, which has always been a hub of innovation. From the legendary names like Bazil Meade MBE and the London Community Gospel Choir to today’s new wave of artists, the baton is being passed and carried with boldness. The UK Christian Charts make that consistently visible month after month, and while they lead to the annual Songs of the Year, what’s more important is how they document the non-stop artistry happening right now.
When the news broke that Christian and gospel is now the fourth fastest-growing genre globally, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone watching the UK scene closely. It was a powerful confirmation of what we already knew. For every well-known artist, like Annatoria, Reblah, Limoblaze, Still Shadey, or DC3, countless others are also on the rise, writing, producing and releasing music that captures faith in a way that is deeply relevant today. The numbers support it and the songs themselves are proof. Millions of fans and listeners confirm that the sound – born in collaboration across the UK; infused with our rich and diverse story and culture; and refined in studios known and unknown – isn’t just here to stay but is becoming more influential than ever!
As the countdown continues to the StepFWD Awards in November, where the Songs of the Year will be crowned, it is worth remembering that these monthly charts are more than just a leaderboard; they are proof of the movement. They show us that faith-filled music is not in decline but is exploding with creativity and conviction. They show us that the music revival is well underway, is increasingly louder and more impactful, and that Gen Z are just the tip of the iceberg.
This year’s StepFWD Awards theme, ‘For HIS Glory’, is the heartbeat behind all these tracks – from Afrobeat to contemporary gospel, from rap to r&b/soul. Every stream, every lyric and every performance point back to something greater. And, if the past 12 months are anything to go by, the next season of UK Christian and gospel music will not just match the global surge; it will help lead it.
Written by O’Neil Dennis, founder of astepfwd.com
