In 2024, the Christian indie music scene came alive like never before, with breakout artists redefining what it means to blend faith and artistry. From hip-hop innovators to genre-defying solo acts, this year saw a surge of fresh talent claiming their space on both Christian and mainstream platforms. These artists didn’t just make music; they sparked conversations, broke records and created cultural moments that resonated far beyond their immediate fanbases. If 2023 hinted at a shift, 2024 confirmed it: Christian indie music is not just a niche — it’s a force.
What made this year stand out was the sheer diversity of sounds and approaches. Whether it was the lo-fi vibes and smooth lyricism of Forrest Frank, the hard-hitting bars and social media savvy of Caleb Gordon, or the soulful worship of Abbie Gamboa, these artists proved that faith-centered music can thrive in any genre. They sold out tours, topped charts and carved out spaces in mainstream festivals like Rolling Loud, all while unapologetically expressing their spiritual convictions. The result? A year that not only elevated Christian music but redefined its possibilities.
These five artists represent the heartbeat of this creative renaissance. They’ve proven that faith, authenticity and artistic excellence aren’t mutually exclusive — and in doing so, they’ve set the stage for an even brighter 2025. Let’s take a closer look at the names you’ll be hearing about for years to come.
Forrest Frank
Did anyone have a better year than Forrest Frank? The Surfaces frontman-turned-solo act had an impressive 2023, but he truly hit his stride this year with his first Christian album, Child of God. The album hit No. 1 on the iTunes chart worldwide, and Frank sold out his first headlining tour over the summer. His ability to seamlessly mix lo-fi, R&B, pop and hip-hop with a bold Christian message made him truly unique in the industry. And with his first Grammy nomination and a newly announced arena tour in the spring, it’s clear that 2025 is shaping up to be a good year for him, too.
Caleb Gordon
We should have known Caleb Gordon was going to explode when he talked to us about being part of the “Christian renaissance” happening earlier this year. Gordon has spent the last 12 months gaining over a million new monthly Spotify listeners, dropping 22 singles — including features with artists like Forrest Frank and Hulvey — and being part of the first-ever Christian hip-hop set at Rolling Loud musical festival. Gordon’s also one of the most social media-savvy artists out there, representing a new wave of artists who spend just as much time crafting a TikTok as they do in the studio. Safe to say that hard work is paying off.
nobigdyl.
One of the best artists on the Christian hip hop scene, nobigdyl took things to the next level this year with not one, but two albums. First up was, the people we became, an album that expertly tackled themes of identity, faith and community with a mix of introspection and catchy beats. Then came Unplugged, Vol. 1, a stripped-down version of his hits songs like “100k Freestyle” and “Go With the Ghost.” The latter was his submission to this year’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert, and ultimately won him the first-ever Fan Favorite vote in the national competition. Since he first dropped music back in 2018, nobigdyl has constantly pushed the boundaries of what CHH could and should sound like. We can’t wait to see what comes next.
Abbie Gamboa
As group collectives have become the norm for the worship industry, there’s not much space for a solo artist to rise through the crowd, particularly female worship artists. But Abbie Gamboa has not only risen to that challenge, she succeeded in 2024. After dropping her debut album, pure in late 2023, Gamboa spent most of 2024 collaborating with just about every major worship collective you can think of: Elevation Worship, UPPERROOM, Bethel Music, Gateway Worship and more. With a soulful voice like hers, it’s not hard to see (or should we say hear?) why she’s standing out.
Josiah Queen
Josiah Queen is the pure definition of an independent artist. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter self-released his debut album The Prodigal Son, reaching the top of Billboard‘s Top Christian Albums chart without the help of a record label. Queen then spent the summer touring with fellow indie artist Forrest Frank on the Child of God tour, before heading out on his own headlining tour in the fall. By the end of the year, the Gen Z artist had gained 10 times the monthly listenership from 2023, and landed at the top of numerous Billboard Year-End charts, including the No. 1 best new Christian Artist of 2024.
