Christian Rap & Urban Christian Culture’s most visited destination has been Rapzilla.com, since 2003—the top source for new Christian Hip Hop music, news & more.
With over 23,000 articles over the last 20 years, Rapzilla is happy to help tell the story of Christian Hip-Hop!
Founded by Philip Rood, now owned by Chad Horton, and run by Justin Sarachik, the website has seen ups and downs, but thanks to YOU (our followers), 2023 was one of our biggest years yet.
As we continue to grow, we will be branching out into more cultural news and discussions along with our standard CHH coverage to really foster and provide the community with a place to find anything.
It also takes a village to run the site, so we wanted to introduce you to everyone who contributes in some facet or another!
If you are interested in contributing to Rapzilla, shoot us an email at me@rapzilla.com and let us know your skills and what you can do!
STAFF
Chad Horton (CEO)
Chad Horton has been in the music business since 2000 with a focus on digital distribution, streaming, playlisting, and social media marketing. He is currently a Partnership Producer at hi5.agency working with clients such as Blizzard Entertainment, Google Pixel, and more. Chad also owns and operates Rapzilla.com. Originally from Northern California, he became a San Diego resident in 2004 where he currently resides with his wife and children.
Justin Sarachik (Editor-in-Chief & Host of Pen Game 101 & Others)
Justin Sarachik is the Editor-in-Chief of Rapzilla.com. He has been a journalist for almost 15 years and has written or edited for Relevant, Christian Post, BREATHEcast, CCM, Broken Records Magazine, & more. He’s written over 10,000 articles, done over 1,000 interviews, and is in pre-production for documentaries on Danny “D-Boy” Rodriguez & Mario “Machete” Perez. His Survival of the Artist Podcast and Artist Tips and videos came together in his first book “Survival of the Artist: Tips & Strategies to Help Indies Succeed.”
Read his RZ articles here.
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Lud DiMarzio (Playlists, Submissions, Host of Pen Game 101)
Luc has been a fan of CHH for 30 years and has been writing about it for just over four years. He has a huge passion for amplifying the underground of CHH. When he’s not bumpin hip-hop, you can catch him leading worship at his local church, rooting on the Chicago Cubs with his wife, or swimming with his kids.
Read his RZ articles here.
Cutright (Host of Pen Game 101 & Makin’ the Cut)
Cutright is a motivational speaker, rapper, designer, and serves as a member of the CHH Ginyu Force, better known as the JustHis League. He’s created music for almost 20 years and is active in his community.
Read his RZ articles here.
OnBeatMusic (Host of Critique Fridays)
OnBeatMusic is a Producer/DJ who has made a name for himself as more than just a Producer, but also an artist. He has produced for artists such as Nic D, Derek Minor, Dillon Chase, Bizzle, nobigdyl., Deraj, S.O., Marty from Social Club Misfits, Datin, Konata Small, Selah the Corner, HeeSun Lee, Angie Rose and many more. OB has been labeled as one of the best producers in his genre and was voted twice as Producer of The Year by Rapzilla.com. He is also an ambassador for Airbit.com and was ranked #5 up-and-coming producers in the U.S. by the Remy Martin Producer Series 2018 featuring Big Sean and DJ Mustard. OB’s landed placements with BET, Tom Brady, Under Armor, Adidas, Boxing Champ Ryan Garcia, 1800 Tequila, and others.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
Brandon Roots (International Coverage & News)
Brandon Roots is a husband, father of three, author, Hebrew teacher, and someone who enjoys singing and learning songs in any language that praises the Lord from Sacramento, California. He’s also the self-proclaimed CHH “Mr. International.”
Read his RZ articles here.
Cal Hackett (News & Features)
Cal Hackett is an intern at Rapzilla. He attends Coventry Christian Schools near Philly and follows the rap scene there very closely. He’s also a drummer and an aspiring producer.
Read his RZ articles here.
Isaiah Thompson (Features & Editorials)
Isaiah Colton Thompson is a scholar, writer, and academic lecturer. He holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and History and an M.A. in History from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). His academic writings focus on religious and cultural history. He teaches African-American History, Ethnic Studies, and Western Literature at CSUF where he was a former participant of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, and the Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Program.
Read his RZ articles here.
Darius Mullin (News & Submissions)
Darius Mullin is a contributor at Midnight Donuts, FiveTwenty Collective, Rapzilla, the Union University Library blog, and Marble Garden Radio. You can often find him reading a book, making music, playing a board game, or looking at a cool bug. You can connect with him on Substack @dariusmullin
Read his RZ articles here.
Robert “Wit-Nezz” Holloway (News & Host of Stock Riser)
Robert “Wit-Nezz” Holloway is from Chicago, IL, and currently resides in the Atlanta, GA area. He has written published articles since 2012 via Jamthehype.com and now Rapzilla, and has a strong passion for producing music, writing songs, articles, web content, and messages for youth service at his local church. You can find him somewhere on the Atlanta Hip Hop scene, engaging youth at his local church or chilling at home with his wife and three kids. He diligently seeks creative ways to share the Gospel and is passionate about pushing the culture forward.
Read his RZ articles here.
CONTRIBUTORS
Joshua “Opto Music” Samuel (Features & Submissions)
Joshua Samuel is a contributor at Rapzilla and is currently a student at Metalworks Institute for Audio Engineering and Music Business in Toronto. He is an artist/producer himself and co-owner of the FazBreak social media page. Samuel enjoys pop culture, so when he is not making music he is catching up on new movies and TV shows.
Read his RZ articles here.
Edward Boice (Submissions & Former Intern)
Edward Boice is currently the editor of the Abilene Reflector Chronicle newspaper and a freelancer. Whenever he’s not hunched over a computer typing methodically, Boice is playing a board or card game with his wife and friends or jamming to Christian Rap and Post-Hardcore.
Read his RZ articles here.
Elijah Matos (Editorials & Former Host of Pen Game 101)
Elijah Rey-David Matos is a multifaceted creative, William E. Macaulay scholar, and Mellon Mays fellow with entrepreneurial and creative aspirations. While creative writing is his ultimate passion, Elijah is looking for positions that will enhance his skills and understanding in regard to his writing ability, business savvy, and communication prowess.
Read his RZ articles here.
Maggie Knors-Salyers (Features)
Maggie Knors-Salyers is currently a content marketer. She has also worked in social media. Maggie tries to listen to a variety of music but spends the most time with Christian hip-hop, Americana/Folk, and 80s dance tracks. She loves how the Lord has shared the ability to create, and how that gift aids in multiplying the Kingdom.
Read her articles here.
Kevan “Kev in the Corner” Banks (Features & Updates)
Kevan Banks, known as Kev In The Corner, is a music lover and guest coordinator for Trackstarz.
Read his articles here.
Olusola Adenusi (African Correspondent & Playlist)
Content creator, writer, music critic, lover of Politics. Nigerian. Christ lover. Lead Writer for iRapChrist (A Christian hip-hop platform), artist manager and coordinator for RMG.
Read his RZ articles here.
Steven Solis (Critique Fridays Coordinator & Former Creative Director)
Steven was Christian Hip-Hop’s Wizard of Oz, breaking more unsigned talent than anyone you know. He’s since stepped down from his role at Rapzilla after 10 years, but continues to help out on Critique Fridays.
Read his RZ articles here.
If you would like to be a contributor for Rapzilla drop us an email at me@rapzilla.com and let us know what you can do!
