Hugh Holla Shows Growth With New Christian Hip Hop Album “Holla-Lujah”
Since the early 1990s Charleston, WV native Hugh Holla has been rapping since middle school, creating a buzz for himself. At every opportunity he rapping in school hallways, street corners, and talent shows. East Coast rap artists such as Nas, Biggie, and Wu-tang Clan dominated the hip hop genre, and that particular style had a heavy influence on Hugh. He is only a handful of rappers out of WV to garner respect in and outside of the surrounding region.
Hugh has been recording for over 25 years and I am grateful to witness some of his early recordings and freestyles. Hw was a talented high school athlete, but also ran gritty rough crowd. His early recordings talked about street tales that affected most urban black teens and young men. There was something different about Hugh from other street crew members hung with. Hugh has always had a good head on his shoulders and understood the streets will get killed or locked up. He didn’t think short term, as this way of thinking led many to downward spiral.
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His new album Holla-Lujah is a transition from street tales to Christian rap. On the 10 track album Holla gives his testimony of faith and love for Christ. Don’t get it twisted its not a soft gospel album. The beats are gritty and bang with the church organ and drums, as Hugh spits like word technician on the mic. This not a artist simply hopping on the next hottest wave, but he simply professing his faith for God and how it has changed his life.
This the introduction of a changed man / Still writing with the same hand / But the difference is the vibe and the game plan/ New love / New name brand / New plug / New love CJ / Christ Jesus / My main man”
From past his projects this album represents growth and a new meaning of life.
In a brief conversation with Hugh the other day, I asked what do you hope to achieve from this album.
He stated, “I hope to inspire and new generation to do better and change the narrative.”
You can purchase the album Holla-Lujah on bandcamp.com.
