Swoope

Taking inspiration from such disparate influences as Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff and Kanye West, Lawrence Allen Swoope II (born on April 2, 1986) made a name for himself in the Christian hip-hop scene with his unique blend of gospel sounds and 808-propelled beats. An accomplished pianist, Swoope took his first steps in music by performing at his local church before releasing The Zoo, his debut EP, in 2009. He was also a member of the short-lived Christian Contemporary R&B collective W.L.A.K. Following the release of the EPs Applause Vol. 1 (2010), Spring Fling (2011), and Boys R Us (2012), he came back with Wake Up (2012), his highly-anticipated studio debut, which peaked at Number 6 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. That same year, he also collaborated with Lecrae on “Falling Down,” off of the MC’s Grammy Award-winning Gravity album. More success ensued with Sinema (2014), the rapper’s critically-acclaimed sophomore effort, which went straight to the top of Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and featured guest appearances by Sho Baraka, Christon Gray, and Natalie Lauren. Preceded by the single “Hall of Fame,” Sonshine (2018) was released independently after Swoope’s departure from Collision Records and climbed to Number 13 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums.