Colt Slack represents his faith with rap music career

An Indiana State University student is emerging into the musical limelight within an underrepresented genre—Christian Rap.

Twenty-two-year-old senior exercise science major Colt Slack will be releasing his second solo rap album, titled Lifeline, on May 11 through his newly acquired label, Trachead Entertainment.

“The album is about Jesus, his grave, fallen humanity and how he saved us,” Slack said. “Lifeline is the title because it symbolizes our lifeline through the cross.”

Slack describes his rapping style as a hardcore street rap with a Christian message, by taking popular secular notions and putting a biblical perspective on them, he said.

“Unless you’ve heard it, it’s difficult to explain,” Slack said. “I’m using mainstream themes like drugs, sex and alcohol, and turning them on their head.”

Slack receives his inspiration through reading scripture, engaging in prayer and opening himself up to God’s revealing powers.

“I just let him take the wheel,” Slack said.

Slack keeps the same mentality when pondering the future of his music, saying that he’s letting God use it for God’s own glory.

Slack’s musical career started at the age of 13 when he started writing secular lyrics, but he didn’t become a Christian until the summer of 2009.

“My friend and I liked rap music so we started rapping,” Slack said. “It started crappy, but eventually evolved out of a basement into a production studio.”

Slack’s audience spans a wide range of ages, he said, but he usually performs for high school youth groups.

“People tell me I have a knack for reaching different groups,” Slack said. “I really want to reach out to our generation.”

While Slack puts a lot of focus into his music, he is still advancing alternative career plans after her graduates in May by taking a youth ministry position at a local church while attending an online seminary in the fall.

“Music and ministry together are my two callings,” Slack said. “I think the ministry aspect will give me a platform for my music as well as a broader knowledge to build off of.”

 Colt (Slack’s stage name) will be performing at Hulman Street Wesleyan Church in Terre Haute on Sunday at 6 p.m.

“Hulman Street is a really small church, but they’ve been really cool about letting me set up shows there,” Slack said. “Anyone is invited to come and join.”

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