From Beats to Belief: How Trap Worship Is Reaching — and Challenging — Chicago’s Youth

“Lights. Lens. Legacy in motion.” This behind-the-scenes moment captures recording artist Zeke Locke (center, brown jacket) during a HSH Management and Tru Hood Studio Media Day shoot for his upcoming single, “I’m Walking.” Beside him is Jason and Rich (in yellow), adding presence and purpose to the session. As the cameras roll and flashes pop, this isn’t just about a song—it’s about testimony, teamwork, and timeless visuals. Behind the lens? Christopher Tru Hood, locking in every frame with intention and faith. From the angles to the atmosphere, this shoot was more than content—it was a calling.

A portrait of purpose. Assistant Pastor Richard Holmes stands centered and composed, framed by legacy and leadership. This photo—captured by HSH management & Christopher Tru Hood—speaks without sound. It’s a still image of stillness, of a man grounded in faith but unafraid of reinvention. In his eyes is vision. In his posture is conviction. This isn’t just a pastor—it’s a cultural bridge-builder standing in the intersection of gospel, grit, and growth.

From Beats to Belief: How Trap Worship Is Reaching and Challenging Chicago’s Youth

By Christopher Tru Hood
Graduate Student, New Media Journalism – Full Sail University

In the heart of Chicago, a new sound is shaking the sanctuary. It’s not the choir robes or the traditional Hammond B3 organ. It’s 808s. It’s hi-hats. It’s trap beats laid beneath gospel lyrics. And it’s giving birth to something radical: Trap Worship.

This genre remix—fusing hip-hop’s swagger with gospel’s soul—has become more than music. It’s a movement. And for many young people disconnected from traditional church, it’s the first note of reconnection. But is the beat enough to bring them all the way back?

What Is Trap Worship?

Trap Worship is a subgenre of gospel music that blends trap music rhythms with Christian themes. Popularized by artists like BrvndonP, the genre repackages praise for a generation raised on Lil Baby, Drake, and 808 Mafia. BrvndonP, a California-based producer and emcee, describes it as a tool to bridge “the pulpit and the pavement.”

On May 19, 2025, the Trap Worship movement made waves during a Chicago pop-up concert, drawing in hundreds of youth and inspiring viral TikTok moments. But behind the bass and beats, deeper questions remain about its spiritual impact.

Malik Spraggs: Caught Between Church and Culture

I spoke with Malik Spraggs, a singer-songwriter raised in Chicago’s South Side, who’s walked the line between faith and hip-hop. “Trap gospel might get you in the door,” Malik shared during our interview, “but if the church isn’t ready to meet you where you’re at spiritually, you’re just going to walk right back out.”

He credits gospel songs like “Never Would Have Made It” by Marvin Sapp and Ruben Studdard’s “I Need an Angel” as emotional touchstones—but says newer tracks often miss the soul that drew him in. “It’s familiar, yeah, but it doesn’t always feed your spirit,” Malik said.

Malik isn’t dismissing the genre, but he’s cautious. “If churches start remixing trap beats but don’t know how to disciple people, what’s the point? You’ll attract people, but won’t retain them.”

Richard Holmes: Turning Beats into Brotherhood

Pastor Richard Holmes understands this tension all too well. As Assistant Pastor at Morning View Word Church and founder of HSH Management, he’s seen how trap culture can become a gateway—but not a destination.

“Music is the hook,” Holmes explained. “But real faith grows through relationships.” At his church, Holmes hosts programs like Man Cave Mondays and youth gaming nights. These aren’t gimmicks—they’re bridges to deeper conversations. “We build trust through safe spaces,” he said. “Faith has to be relational, not just performative.”

Holmes partners with Tru Hood Studio LLC to create media that speaks the language of the streets while staying grounded in Scripture. “We’re not just preaching sermons,” Holmes told me. “We’re teaching life.”

Stat Check: What the Numbers Say

National trends back this up. According to a 2022 Barna Group study, Gen Z is disengaging from traditional church structures—but still seeks spiritual meaning. 44% say they’re open to exploring faith through alternative formats, especially when tied to community or creativity.

But the same study warns: churches must be careful not to sacrifice substance for style. “Aesthetic relevancy without spiritual depth can create confusion rather than clarity,” the report states.

Where the Church Goes from Here

Malik believes the church can still win back this generation—but only with honesty and humility. “If you’re drawing them in with beats,” he said, “make sure someone’s there to answer their questions. Sometimes all it takes is someone to say, ‘I don’t know now—but I’ll find out.’”

Trap Worship may not be the final destination, but it could be the on-ramp. For churches in Chicago and beyond, the question isn’t whether the beat is holy. The question is: are you ready when the beat brings them back?

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Photo Credit

Featured image by Christopher Tru Hood, taken at the May 19 Trap Worship pop-up in Chicago. Do not reuse without permission.