Christian electronic dance music

Music genre

CEDM

Stylistic origins|

* Contemporary Christian music
* EDM
* gospel music
* Christian hip hop
* dubstep
* trap
* house
* trance
* drum and bass
* techno
* hardstyle
* chiptune

Cultural origins| Early 2000s, US
Typical instruments|

* Computer
* synthesizer
* sequencer
* vocals
* drum machine
* digital audio workstation

Christian electronic dance music, also known as CEDM, Christian EDM, Christian dance music, CDM, or Christian electronic music, is a genre of electronic dance music and Christian music. Its musical styles closely mirror non-Christian EDM; however, the CEDM culture's lack of drug use and emphasis on positive lyrics (often focused on Christianity-based principles) distinguish it from non-religious counterparts. EDM.com wrote, "the [CEDM] culture can feel quite welcoming."[1] Many live concerts and events have been held in Christian churches[2][3] in addition to traditional venues such as Lumination,[4] Creation Festival, and LifeLight Music Festival.[5] CEDM has also been incorporated into some Christian worship routines.[6][7][8]

## Popular figures

[edit]

CEDM band G-Powered performing live in 2010

During the late 2000s and early 2010s, several Christian electronic artists rose to prominence in Christian music and general popular music, including G-Powered, Owl City, and Kye Kye.[9][10] Other mainstay artists in the genre include Capital Kings, LZ7[11] Gawvi,[12] Hillsong Young & Free,[13] and Andy Hunter.[14]

CEDM also includes other subgenres included in EDM, such as dubstep, techno, deep house and trance.[15] There also is a perception of genre-blending between CEDM and contemporary Christian music.[16] A significant number of artists from this genre tend not to reference themselves as solely Christian musicians due to the crossover with other genres.[9][10] There also is a perception of genre-blending between CEDM and contemporary Christian music, such as Christian hip-hop musicians Andy Mineo and Lecrae.[16][17]

## Stylistic differences

[edit]

### Gqom gospel

[edit]

Main article: Gqom

Gospel gqom, also known as gqom gospel or "Cape Town gqom", is a gqom subgenre pioneered by Mr Thela, Mshayi and Cairo CPT in the 2020s originating from Cape Town, South Africa. It blends gospel music elements creating a distinctive "church keyboard"-driven sound, and sgubhu elements with gqom.[18][19]

## Reception

[edit]

In September 2014, Hallels.com conducted an interview with CEDM artist Matthew Parker, and claimed that some in the Christian community deem dance music as "music of the devil", to which Parker replied, "I don't believe any rhythms, melodies, chords, or harmonies are inherently evil and belong to the devil. Frankly, I think that's stupid."[20]

Zurich Lewis of the Biola University Chimes wrote an article aimed at Christians distinguishing the harmful elements of the EDM culture (such as drug use) from the musical style of the genre itself.[21]

In 2014, Matt Shea of Noisey wrote a tongue-in-cheek blog post, saying, "Nay, the Lord has spoken, and he has done so through womps...Hallelujah!"[22]

## Radio

[edit]

This music is usually heard on Christian radio broadcasts such as the Effect Radio Network. One major FM radio station, WWEV-FM in Atlanta, and a slew of smaller internet radio stations, specifically broadcast CEDM, such as Radio U Fusion: EDM,[23][24] NRT Radio Remix,[25] God's DJs,[26] URLive, and GLOW.[27][28][29][better source needed]

NRT Radio and David Thulin partnered to create a radio show, The Reconstruction, which seeks to promote Christian EDM.[30]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "EDM Is Restoring Faith in the Christian Youth". EDM.com. September 27, 2014. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
2. ^ "Clarendon Church to Host 'EDM' Show". ARLnow.com – Arlington, Va. Local News. October 15, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
3. ^ Boorstein, Michelle (August 11, 2013). "Deuteronomy meets Deadmau5 as church DJs seek exaltation". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
4. ^ Saptarang. "Lumination Music Fest". Lumination Music Fest. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
5. ^ Jones, Gabriel (September 16, 2015). "Talking to the Capital Kings". decentchristiantalk. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
6. ^ "Why are millennials flocking to Toronto's C3 church? | Toronto Star". thestar.com. April 28, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
7. ^ "Wait Upon the Drop". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
8. ^ "ABOUT". fearlessbnd.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
9. ^ a b Frochtzwajg, Jonathan (January 22, 2014). "Do Portland-area electro-pop act Kye Kye a favor: never call them a Christian band". Oregon Live. The Oregonian. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
10. ^ a b Vivaldo, Josephine (June 25, 2011). "Interview: Owl City's Adam Young and His God-Inspired Music". Christian Post. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
11. ^ CCMFocus, Artikelen. "Ontwikkelingen binnen de Christelijke dance muziek". CCMFocus. Admin. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
12. ^ "Exclusive Interview with Rising EDM Artist Gawvi | The Smoke Signal". April 13, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
13. ^ PH, One Music. "Hillsong Releases New Album for the Youth". One Music PH. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
14. ^ "Hillsong Young & Free and the World of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) - chvnradio.com". www.chvnradio.com. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
15. ^ "CEDM: Discover New Christian Electronic Dance Music Songs". EDM Sauce. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
16. ^ a b ""God's Great Dance Floor," Or, Why You Don't Need Ecstasy to Have an Ecstatic Good Time". Ethnomusicology Review. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
17. ^ "Winter Jam 2016: Crowder headlines annual Christian music tour". Spokesman.com. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
18. ^ Nontsele, Velani Ludidi and Chuma (October 11, 2023). "Gqom artist Mr Thela hoists SA flag on global dance music stage". Daily Maverick. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
19. ^ Keteyi, Oluthando (October 5, 2023). "Cairo CPT over the moon after bagging first SAMA nomination". IOL. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
20. ^ Hallels (October 2, 2014). "Christian EDM Artist Matthew Parker Talks with Hallels About His New Album "Shadowlands" : Exclusives : Hallels". www.hallels.com. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
21. ^ "Engaging electronic dance music culture". The Chimes | Biola University. April 29, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
22. ^ "Christian Dubstep Is Kind of a Big Deal". NOISEY. February 18, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
23. ^ "RadioU | Fusion". radiou.com. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
24. ^ "Listen to RadioU Fusion: EDM on TuneIn". TuneIn. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
25. ^ "NRT Radio Remix, Christian Online Radio, Dance, Electronic, EDM, Christian EDM | NRT Radio Network". www.streamlicensing.com. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
26. ^ "Gods DJs Radio – Tune In | GodsDJs.com – Worlds Largest Christian Electronic Dance Music Community". www.godsdjs.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
27. ^ "Glow Chart 26–50". Archived from the original on September 9, 2016.
28. ^ "Glow Chart 26–50 – Freq Media". September 9, 2016. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2017.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
29. ^ "Glow – Freq Media". November 16, 2016. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2017.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
30. ^ "Christian Dance: From 'Worship Trance' to Daft Punk – Attack Magazine". Attack Magazine. May 6, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2017.

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Electronic-based music styles

Electronic dance music · Electronica

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1970s|

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1980s|

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Subgenres|

* Christian country music
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* Religious music in America
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Distribution and events|

* Christian Artists Seminar in the Rockies
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