Revolution

Style: rap crossed with hip-hop; compare to John Reuben, Eminem

Top tracks: "Take on the World," "It's a Movement," "You Can Be"

After a troubled upbringing that included abuse, struggles with suicide, and a hard-partying lifestyle, Steven Cooper, better known to fans as Lyrycyst, came to Christ through a friend. Now free of those demons, he's still got his old street-savvy edge while making a career of recording and touring.

With his third full-length album, Revolution, the rapper is at the top of his rhyme and relatability game, pumping up those struggling with self-esteem and other challenges by using his own road to recovery as the forefront example—all with hip-hop rhythms that draw parallels to Eminem, John Reuben and KJ-52.

"It's a Movement" and "Take on the World" are calls to action for believers, but pack enough production smarts to appeal to secular listeners. Acoustic hip-hop reflections like "You Can Be" come across like Mat Kearney's early material. Lyrycyst is by no means derivative, but a developing artist who keeps sharpening his songwriting.

More: myspace.com/lyrycyst

Others worth noting:

Emmanuel Shall Come to Thee

Noel
4 Stars

Style: classically-inspired Christmas music

Top tracks: "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "What Child Is This?"

Near operatic vocals jell seamlessly with inventive string and piano arrangements of several traditional tunes, with a handful of original instrumental interludes to usher in a prayerful atmosphere. More: emmanuelshall.com.