DJ Mykael V brought out a couple of friends for Sway in the Morning. Jackie Hill Perry, Holy Smoke Cypher winner Aable, Parris Chariz, C4 Crotona, and Nate Rose shared their journeys and names, then spit bars!

DJ Mykael V and Sway Set the Stage

Opening the discussion, DJ Mykael V shared the personal reasoning behind bringing this specific group of artists together. Highlighting their individual strengths, he praised Parris Chariz as an artist and friend, dubbed C4 the “king of gritty CHH,” and celebrated recent cypher winner Aable. Mykael V rounded out the introductions by highlighting Nate Rose’s spiritual journey and introducing Jackie Hill Perry as “the queen of all of this.”

Jackie Hill Perry on Transitioning from Poetry to Preaching

Kicking off the conversation, Jackie Hill Perry clarified her primary calling. She noted that music and poetry are extensions of a broader ministry. Reflecting on her roots in the poetry scene, she explained how dabbling in rap eventually became a creative outlet akin to a hobby.

“I mean, I’m not a rapper first. I’m a preacher first,” Perry shared. “Even my raps, the intention is to communicate truth. It’s not just to entertain people.”

Aable on Navigating Growth After the Holy Smoke Cypher

Fresh off winning the 2026 Holy Smoke Cypher, Aable opened up about the unexpected burden of building a larger audience while balancing a 9-to-5 job, marriage, and fatherhood. He explained that his stage name serves as a daily reminder of human inadequacy, leaning on God’s strength.

“I often feel like I’m not able,” he explained. “And I think that it’s a testament to who God is, and the heart is that God is able. That’s my desire to communicate to people is that, yeah, I know we feel inadequate and incapable, but we can overcome not because of ourselves, but because of Jesus.”

C4 Crotona Brings the Gritty Sound of the Bronx

Representing the hardcore, gritty style of New York hip-hop, C4 Crotona hit the spirit of the Bronx and legends like Big Pun. Drawing on a background in intense battle raps, C4 emphasized that his mission is set in being a genuine light and bringing hope to young people.

“Being more than a Christian rapper, but being a Christian,” C4 explained. “Being who it is that I say that I am. And I mean, and being a light in my community.”

Parris Chariz on Crafting Clean Music for a Different Crowd

Parris Chariz reflected on his journey from Detroit to Tulsa and eventually Nashville. He discussed why he focuses on clean music designed to resonate with listeners who might not fit traditional church boxes.

“I feel like I was a believer, but I wasn’t a believer how other people was a believer,” he said. “I want to be able to show them a deeper way into Christ, and then the guys that’s still into that life. Like, show them, ‘Man, you can be clean. Like, you can…’ I didn’t grow up wearing suits… that’s why my latest album, I wore a suit to show like the suit don’t really make me, I’m still going to be me.”

Nate Rose on Finding His Way Back Home

Nate Rose opened up about growing up in a small town in Cleveland, Tennessee. That’s where making music felt like being on an isolated island. After navigating a long philosophical journey and a “Dark Night of the Soul” in his youth, Rose shared how finding his way back to his faith transformed his artistry after moving to Nashville.

“I started making music when I was 15…told my story through that, had my Dark Night of the Soul, just dealt with a lot of stuff, and then, um, you know, found my way back to back to God, I grew up in the church,” Rose shared. “Now it’s mine.”

Watch the HOLY SMOKE! Cypher Nashville Edition Below:

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