Garko: The Rise of CHH’s Next Big Thing
By Dominique Brown
An Exclusive Free World Magazine Interview
In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of Christian Hip-Hop (CHH), a new voice has emerged—one that’s both raw and authentic. Garko, an up-and-coming artist, is making waves not just through his music but also through his deeply personal approach to his faith. At just 20 years old, Garko is capturing the attention of listeners, while breaking down barriers within the genre. We sat down with Garko to discuss his journey, creative process, and the unique ways in which he’s making his mark in the CHH world.
Interviewer: You’ve been gaining quite a bit of attention in the CHH scene lately. How does it feel to be on this journey?
Garko: It’s been crazy. Honestly, I didn’t expect things to take off the way they have. I’ve just been making music that’s real to me, and seeing people connect with it on a deeper level—that’s humbling.
Interviewer: That’s awesome. A lot of CHH artists focus on lyricism and structure, but your approach is different. You don’t write anything down when you record, right?
Garko: Yeah, that’s right. When I start recording, it’s all about feeling. There’s no script, no pre-planned lines—just raw emotion. I let God speak through me, and whatever comes out, that’s what it is. It’s all about that moment.
Interviewer: That’s powerful. I think that authenticity is part of what makes your music so relatable—it’s unfiltered, unplanned, just real.
Garko: Exactly. I think sometimes we overcomplicate things, you know? If God gives me something to say, I don’t want to mess it up by overthinking it. I want the listener to feel exactly what I felt in that moment.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned that CHH is more than just a genre to you. What does it represent?
Garko: CHH isn’t just about rapping about Jesus—it’s about creating a movement. It’s about faith, culture, and community. A lot of people don’t realize how much CHH is growing. We’re not just here to make music; we’re here to change lives.
Interviewer: Speaking of making an impact, your message is unique. How do you keep your music centered on holiness?
Garko: That’s key. I make sure that, no matter what, the message always comes through. Even if someone doesn’t catch the first few bars, they’ll catch it eventually. Every verse, every hook—there’s always something biblical in there. It’s in everything I do. It’s not just about the music; it’s about making sure the message is loud and clear. It’s holy. No one’s going to miss that.
Interviewer: I love that. Do you feel like CHH is finally getting the respect it deserves in the mainstream?
Garko: We’re getting there. There’s still some resistance, but we’re breaking through. Artists like Lecrae, KB, and Whatuprg have paved the way, and now it’s up to the next generation, including myself, to keep pushing.
Interviewer: You’ve seen some impressive streaming success early in your career. What’s been the most surreal moment for you so far?
Garko: Honestly, the fact that I reached 100,000 streams in just four months—that’s something I never could have imagined. It’s all because of Jesus. I didn’t chase numbers; I just stayed obedient, and God opened those doors. I couldn’t have done it on my own.
Interviewer: That’s amazing. It really shows that when God is in it, things just fall into place.
Garko: Exactly. I didn’t force anything. I just stayed true to who I am, and God did the rest.
Interviewer: Your journey in music wasn’t always focused on faith, though. Can you tell us what led you to Christian Hip-Hop?
Garko: Last year, I was making secular music—not really releasing it, just playing around with it. I released one song, but then I found Christ, and everything changed. I deleted that song right away. My first Christian track came out this year, on my birthday, May 26th. That felt like the start of a new chapter for me.
Interviewer: That’s powerful—releasing your first Christian song on the same day you were born. It sounds like it was a really significant moment.
Garko: Exactly. It wasn’t just another song—it was a statement of who I am now.
Interviewer: You also seem very hands-on with your visuals. How do you approach creating your music videos?
Garko: I’m very involved in the whole creative process. I’ll hand my wife the phone and say ”Record me from this angle,” and then I’ll direct it. I play the music out loud, and whatever feels right in the moment, I go with it. Then, I edit it myself on CapCut, throw everything together, and make it all come together just how I want it.
Interviewer: That’s awesome. So you’re not just the artist—you’re involved in every step of the process.
Garko: Absolutely. I want everything to reflect who I am and what I stand for, so it’s important to me that I have a hand in every part of it.
Interviewer: Your music caught a lot of attention really quickly. What do you think contributed to that early success?
Garko: A big part of it was building connections before I even released any music. Before I started recording, I followed a lot of artists and connected with a producer named Xerxes. He ran a competition called Song Wars, and even though I hadn’t made any music yet, I reached out and said I’d love to judge it. That put me in touch with some underground artists I admired, and that network helped me when I finally dropped my own tracks.
Interviewer: What’s the ultimate goal for Garko?
Garko: My goal isn’t just to be another artist—I want to shift perspectives. I want to inspire people to see God in a new way. If one person’s faith is strengthened because of something I said in a song, then I’ve done my job.
Interviewer: That’s amazing. Before we wrap up, what can we expect next from you?
Garko: More.
Garko’s story is one of transformation, faith, and purpose. From walking away from secular music to fully dedicating his craft to Christ, his journey shows the power of letting God lead. Keep an eye on Garko—because this is just the beginning.
