Shai Linne

Although he is Reformed in his theology and his lyrics have defended a belief in limited atonement, Christian rapper Shai Linne grew up a declared atheist. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Linne converted in 1999 and six years later released his debut album, The Solus Christus Project. Two albums, The Atonement and Storiez, followed in 2008. Three years later he released the conceptual effort The Attributes of God, an album that studied the character of the Lord. Beside guest appearances from Joint Heirs, Timothy Brindle, and Leah Smith, his 2013 effort, Lyrical Theology, Pt. 1: Theology, featured the newsmaking “Fal$e Teacher$,” a track that criticized prosperity theology and called its leadership out by name. Lyrical Theology, Pt. 2: Doxology followed in 2014, after which he helped establish Risen Christ Fellowship in his hometown. Linne subsequently returned to the studio and recorded Still Jesus, issued in 2017. ~ David Jeffries