Christian Rapper Wins NPR Fan Favorite Award with Faith-Filled Track
A Christian rapper has been crowned the Fan Favorite winner of NPR's Tiny Desk contest, rising above more than 7,000 entries in the nationwide search for America's top undiscovered artist. Rapper nobigdyl won the Fan Favorite award for his song Imago Interlude, a track heavy in faith and commentary that declares, "You don't know Jesus til you see Him in your enemy." It is part of his 2024 album The People We Became, according to The Christian Post.
He also won the Fan Favorite award last year. NPR's Tiny Desk Contest is a nationwide competition that gives unsigned artists a chance to showcase their talent in the Tiny Desk concert series. NPR has yet to reveal the winner of the overall contest.
His real name is Dylan Phillips.
"I chose this song because I believe in the message and the power of music to change us," he told NPR.
The song impressed Tiny Desk panelists Bobby Carter and LaRussell.
"I didn't even realize he was a Christian rapper," Carter said in an NPR Music conversation with LaRussell. "You know, there's a stigma around conscious rap or Christian rap that …it's not as effective as regular rap. And here, you can slide him into …whatever Hip Hop playlist you have out there -- has nothing to do with the subject matter. So I'm a huge fan."
LaRussell applauded the production quality of the nobigdyl music video, which includes a band playing in the background.
"Great art is great art -- that's the whole thing," LaRussell said. "Beyond just talent, I commend effort. …When you spend your money on an opportunity, because you see it worthwhile. …He really took this serious, and you could see that, and … he's going to reap the benefits of that."
The Christian rapper may be new to mainstream audiences, but is well-known within Christian Hip Hop, having won a Dove Award in 2022 for his collaboration on King Jesus with KB.
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/nobigdyl.
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published May 08, 2025.
