US songwriter, producer and Christian hip-hop artist Von Graves, hailing from Columbus and based in Atlanta, has just dropped his latest single, “CHURCH HURT”. The track is a captivating blend of aggressive beats, poignant lyrics and a new-age Christian hip-hop vibe that marks a powerful departure from conventional music in this genre. “CHURCH HURT” is lifted from Von’s new album, For Heaven’s Sake, which is currently available in a limited release format, with the full deluxe edition set to arrive in early 2024.
Von Graves, a standout talent who gained popularity during his time at Ohio University with songs like “Dorm Muzik” that caught the internet’s attention in 2012, has consistently pushed the boundaries of his craft. With an impressive catalogue of projects such as A Fearless Story and @Ego2: Eat. Love. Pray, he embarked on a journey from Ohio to Los Angeles in pursuit of musical success. During his stay in the heart of the entertainment industry, he started work on his third album, Heaven in Earthly Places, a deeply introspective piece inspired by his experiences living in Hollywood.
Von Graves’ artistic journey has been nothing short of remarkable. After opening and closing his multimedia production studio, he found love and married renowned social media influencer and YouTuber Maya Graves. Together, they’ve embarked on a life-sharing adventure via their YouTube channel, The Graves House.
“CHURCH HURT” represents a pivotal moment in Von Graves’ life, serving as a timely and necessary public address. Speaking about the creative process behind the single, Von says, “I made the beat and originally wanted to send it out to Big Sean and a few other artists I felt would completely kill the track. After about a month, the concept for the song and lyrics started coming to me, and I realised I couldn’t let it go. I wanted to touch on a subject I felt was really taboo when it comes to rap music. It wasn’t intended to be a diss track or anything like that, but I did want to address some problems I see in the Christian community, or rather the religious community at large. There are a lot of people out there that are affected by it and no one seems to be doing anything about it. They’re just stewing in it, and I believe the first step to healing is starting the conversation rather than ignoring the facts altogether.”
“CHURCH HURT” is more than just a song; it’s a thought-provoking and honest commentary on some of the challenges faced within the religious community, delivered with a fresh musical perspective. Von Graves’ unique blend of unfiltered expression and catchy production ensures that the track will resonate with audiences far and wide.
“CHURCH HURT” is out now on all platforms.
