Caleb Gordon isn’t your average rapper—and he’s definitely not your average Christian artist. The Orlando native has managed to carve out a lane that feels as innovative as it is authentic, blending faith and hip-hop in ways that have caught the attention of TikTok scrollers and Spotify streamers alike. His meteoric rise from freestyling on cafeteria tables to becoming a viral sensation might sound like the stuff of social media fairy tales, but for Gordon, it’s more than just the algorithm at work. It’s a calling.
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With a knack for pairing irresistible beats with lyrics that don’t just slap but convict, Gordon is redefining what it means to make music with a message. He’s an independent artist on a mission—not just to inspire, but to disrupt.
What inspired you to start making music?
Caleb Gordon: Before I made Christian music, my brother and I used to freestyle all the time. He was the first to go to the studio, and one day, I went with him. We weren’t even music guys—we played baseball—but I thought, “I want to record a song.” As soon as I recorded, I thought, “This is fire.” I was always freestyling at school on the tables, so it felt natural.
After I graduated, I kept making music, but it wasn’t Christian music. It was the typical rap stuff, and honestly, it started messing with me. At home, I was arguing with my mom, and in the studio, I was making songs that didn’t reflect my life. It was almost like the music was dragging me down. Eventually, I realized I needed to make music that built me up instead of tearing me down.
But I didn’t change overnight. I spent a year or two stepping away from music altogether, just focusing on my walk with God. I was watching sermons, reading Scripture, and learning. That’s when it clicked—I didn’t have to give up my passion. I just had to use it for God. Since then, I haven’t looked back.
Did you grow up listening to Christian rap?
I grew up in church—I’m a pastor’s kid—but Christian rap wasn’t in my headphones. I was all about artists like Dre, Lil Wayne and Eminem. I was in the church, but I was wild. The only time I heard Christian rap was at youth group, and even then, I didn’t pay much attention.
Now that I’m in this space, I’m blown away by how deep it goes. There’s a whole history I didn’t know about, and I’m soaking it all in.
It feels like Christian rap is having a moment in culture right now.
It really is. I feel like Christian music as a whole is in a Renaissance. The focus is on making great art, and that art is pointing people to God. Jesus told amazing stories—stories so powerful they’re still being turned into movies and TV shows today. That’s the same energy we’re bringing to music.
We’re not just making okay music; we’re making great music. And when people ask, “Why is this so good?” that’s when we get to point them to God.
What motivates your music now?
My goal is simple: to show people the kingdom of God. I often ask myself, “Does it look like heaven where I am?” If my music isn’t creating community, pointing people to Christ, or reflecting heaven, then I’m missing the mark.
It’s about letting people know they have access to God’s kingdom. Too many people think they need the world to be happy, but you can live for God and still have a joyful, fulfilling life.
What’s it like being an independent artist?
It’s been a grind, for sure. I studied people like Russ, who’s not a Christian artist but knows how to work independently. He’d drop songs every week on TuneCore, so I started doing the same—but with music centered on Christ.
Social media is huge. I leaned into TikTok and Instagram hard. That’s how I started getting noticed, even by people in the Christian music industry.
Miles Minnick put me on one of his challenges, which helped a lot. Eventually, the consistency paid off. My music started going viral, and the streams turned into income.
Do you see yourself as a Christian rapper or a rapper who’s Christian?
I’m a super Christian rapper. Period. There’s a stigma with being a “rapper” that I don’t want any part of. When I was making music for the world, I saw how destructive it could be—kids dying in the streets, dissing each other in songs and glorifying violence. That’s not me. I make music that reflects my testimony and points people to Christ.
How do people respond to your music?
It’s wild. I’ve had people say, “I’m Muslim, but this song is hard,” or “I don’t believe in God, but this song is fire.” That tells me the music is connecting beyond just words. It’s giving people something uplifting—something they can apply to their lives.
Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I want to open doors for others. It’s not about me—it’s about building a community of artists, marketers, and creatives who move in excellence. I want the music industry to look like heaven. When Jesus sees it, I want Him to say, “That’s what I had in mind.”
