From the Booth to the Altar: Jai Lynn’s Journey from the Industry to Intimacy with God
In the world of Christian hip-hop, few artists carry the depth of testimony and authenticity that Jai Lynn brings to the mic. In this interview with Free World Magazine, Jai Lynn opens up about his journey—from early beginnings in Houston’s music scene to a radical encounter with God that changed everything. With heartfelt honesty, he shares how his transition from secular music to Christ-centered artistry challenged not only his creativity but his character, ultimately shaping him into the artist and leader he is today.
Interviewer : So Jai Lynn, tell me—how did your music journey begin?
Jai Lynn: I’ve been doing music for a while. I recorded my first song when I was 16. But honestly, I don’t think I really started doing music until I started doing it for Christ. Don’t get me wrong—when I first got into music, I was in Houston. I had a manager, we had a label, and we were even talking about partnering with another label—could’ve been Def Jam or Atlantic Records. But before all of that took off, I stepped away and gave my life to Christ.
Interviewer: Wow. That’s a big shift.
Jai Lynn: Yeah, and it wasn’t instant. I didn’t really know how to transition. I had a song that was about to get played on 97.9 The Box—we were really about to start pushing it. But it still had that secular feel, even though I was starting to feel the pull toward Christian hip-hop. I tried to make a clean version of the track, but it just didn’t sound right. So I took it down from all my platforms.
Interviewer: That must’ve been tough.
Jai Lynn: Definitely. But then one day I’m sitting in the barber chair, and my barber, out of nowhere, goes, “Man, you should really do Christian hip-hop.” Just like that. So I was like, “Okay, cool—let me look into it.” Sometime after that, I was working at Lowe’s, using one of those little handheld devices to scan items, and this song by Bryann Trejo came on. I was like, “This reminds me of Tupac. This is hard!” That was my intro to Christian hip-hop. Then I found Red Tips, Lecrae, Hulvey—all of them. And I was like, “Bro, this is fire!” That’s what pushed me. But honestly, I didn’t really dedicate myself to the craft until about two years ago.
Interviewer: Let’s talk about your faith. When did that become real for you?
Jai Lynn: Good question. I actually shared my testimony on Delafé Testimonies. I was raised in the church—the Black church, Pentecostal, prophetic type. Shouting, dancing, all of that. But I didn’t know Christ. It wasn’t until I was 20 that I truly gave my life to Him. That’s when I started diving into the deep spiritual things, the stuff most churches don’t talk about.
Interviewer: What was that moment like for you?
Jai Lynn: Man… I was coming out of the gang life, dealing with all kinds of mess—getting jumped, nearly getting killed, cops pulling guns on me. My life was wild. But then I had this encounter. I was sitting on the bed, and suddenly I went into a trance. My body stopped moving, my head dropped, and my eyes fluttered closed. Then I heard it—God’s audible voice. Not a still, small whisper. It was Him. Clear, powerful, loving. My body shook. And when I came to, I gasped for air like I’d been underwater. I was scared I looked under the bed, in the closet, behind the door. Then I dropped to my knees. And I said, “Jesus, was that you?” I knew it was. I just kept saying, “You’re holy. You’re holy.” From that day, I’ve been locked into the promise He gave me.
Interviewer: That’s powerful. So now that you’re an artist walking in your purpose, how does it challenge you to grow—personally and spiritually?
Jai Lynn: The Bible says, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Doing this has shown me a lot about myself. It’s made me realize I need healing—not just spiritually, but in my soul. There were desires in me, things I didn’t know were there, and it showed me how idolatry can sneak into the body of Christ—even in ministry.
Interviewer: You were active on TikTok too, right?
Jai Lynn: Heavy. I’d be on live for hours—praying for people, prophesying, calling out names and situations, all in the name of Jesus. And God was moving. But it drained me. People were constantly pulling on me. They’d be like, “Give me a word. Pray for me.” That’s what a leader does, but at that time, I wasn’t ready to lead—I was just ready to influence. There’s a difference. So, I had to step back. I only really started getting back on there around mid-last year.
Interviewer: That’s real knowing when to pause. Leadership takes heart posture.
Jai Lynn: Exactly. I’ve been working with my pastor, Pastor Mario at Kingdom Come in Dallas. I was actually ordained last year, but after checking my heart, I stepped back. I said, “God, work on me first.” Because if your heart isn’t right, your platform becomes your downfall.
Interviewer: That part. Before God elevates, He refines. So, what helps you recharge when you’re spiritually tired?
Jai Lynn: I love that question. Nobody’s asked me that before. First off—none of my music is written. Not a single song. I might jot a couple lines down, but everything else is freestyles. It flows. The Bible says gifts come without repentance—so it’s going to manifest. But when you’re not prayed up or aligned, it’ll manifest from the flesh, not the Spirit. I try to pray before I record, or read some Scripture—just to say, “God, I’m putting you first.” But I don’t always get it right. Like this morning—I woke up at 3, said a quick prayer, then scrolled on Instagram for too long. Eventually, around 5, I felt God tugging at me— “Draw near to Me.” It hit me heavy, like I had to post it. So, since mid-last year, I’ve been in this season of drawing near, even through the ups and downs—especially with family, kids, and life.
Interviewer: Yeah, life definitely doesn’t pause. Last question—musically, what inspired your sound?
Jai Lynn: Surprisingly, I’ve always loved pop music. I used to listen to a lot of Ed Sheeran.
Interviewer: Seriously? That’s unexpected.
Jai Lynn: I know right? I thought I was the only one! But yeah, pop and even some alternative stuff inspired me. I love melodies. That’s why my music doesn’t always sound like traditional CHH—it’s heartfelt, melodic, and Spirit-led.
Interviewer: To start off, what do you want people to feel or take away when they hear your music?
Jai Lynn: To be honest, man, I just want people to jam. I want them to hear music the way I hear it. I feel like my whole life, I’ve had something to prove. So I want this to be an opportunity for me to show them who I am — to show that there are Christian artists who are actually hard, who are actually fire. It’s not corny.
Interviewer: That’s definitely something people worry about with Christian hip-hop.
Jai Lynn: Exactly! When I first came to Christ, I was scared of corny Christian hip-hop. I was like, “Bro, I don’t want to be one of them.” But now I want it. You know what I’m saying? I had somebody reach out to me and say, “Bro, you’re the reason I started doing music. You inspired me.” When I heard that, I was like, “Yo, this is what I need. This is what I want.” This is what the body needs — inspiration like that. I didn’t even know I needed that edification, but I did. So for someone to say, “You’re the reason I make music,” that’s number one for me — making an impact, leaving a mark on the world. Because we’re only here for so long, and then it’s gone.
Interviewer: That’s deep. So do you have a long-term plan then, or is it more of a go-with-God’s-lead type of thing?
Jai Lynn: Man, I’ve been following Christ since 2020. It’s 2025 now, and one thing I’ve learned is not to make too many plans. The Bible says man makes his plans, but God ordains his steps. So I don’t want to limit God — or limit myself — by putting my own cap on what He can do. So if you’re asking where I want to go, I’ll just say this: I want to mark the world, however that looks.This has been a dream since I was younger, and now that I’m walking in it, I see how much work it takes. But I want God to be glorified. I want people to look at me in the future and know that I used my gift for Him.
Jai Lynn’s story is more than just a musical journey—it’s a testament to redemption, purpose, and the transformative power of faith. Through his melodic, spirit-led sound and transparent approach to ministry, he’s carving a space where authenticity and anointing meet. As he continues to grow both personally and artistically, one thing is clear: Jai Lynn isn’t just here to make music—he’s here to make impact, point people to Jesus, and leave a legacy rooted in obedience and love.
