As a founding member of The Cross Movement, Phanatik is a Christian hip-hop legend, and the pioneer gave his stamp of approval to a few active artists in an interview with Rapzilla at Legacy Conference 2016.
“One of the misperceptions about CM is that we don’t see anybody else doing what we think is right,” Phanatik said. “We had a whole ‘Why Hip Hop?’ campaign to introduce the industry and our fans to other people. That’s how people heard about Thi’sl, how people heard about, before he had an album, Json, before he had an album, FLAME.”
The first emcee who came to mind was Eshon Burgundy.
“To me, [Eshon’s] infallible on the mic,” Phanatik said. “His ability, the tracks he chooses, the choruses he puts together, the blend of his past and his present. He’s not glorifying his past, but it’s present. But what’s more present is his future, his eternal perspective.”
Phanatik also named Da’ T.R.U.T.H., noting his latest album It’s Complicated, and Datin of God Over Money.
The Incredible Walk rapper did admit that he isn’t aware of as many new artists as he once was.
“I’m almost in a place where I’m like, ‘If he co-signs you, I co-sign you,’” Phanatik said. “If I see you on the stage with Json, you must be on point. But Json I think is one of the ones who is still carrying the torch. I’m sure there’s tons of others … I’m out of the loop on a lot of stuff.”
