Josiah Queen Reminds Gen Z That ‘Real Life’ Is Found in Scripture, Not iPhones
Rising Christian artist Josiah Queen has a message he believes many of his younger fans need to hear – and, honestly, their parents, too.
That conviction is the core of Queen’s hit song Dusty Bibles, which has surpassed 40 million Spotify streams while yearning for a world free from iPhones and their relentless pull on society’s attention. It’s No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart.
“That's not real life,” Queen told Crosswalk Headlines, referencing the noise and constant tug of not only iPhones but any smartphone or screen that draws people away from Scripture.
“What real life and truth is what we read in the Bible – and that's where we find Jesus. The real Jesus is the Scripture, and that's where we meet God.”
In Dusty Bibles, the 22-year-old Queen laments how constant busyness and distraction have kept his generation from finding true peace, suggesting that much of this “busy” feeling is self-inflicted, driven by technology that consumes time and attention. With “dust on our Bibles [and] brand-new iPhones,” he argues, it’s no surprise people feel spiritually empty.
Queen is quick to acknowledge that his sudden success is partly owed to technology, which allowed him to bypass traditional gatekeepers like labels and radio and build a grassroots following as an independent artist. His song I Am Barabbas, for example, racked up millions of streams on TikTok and other platforms long before he signed with Capitol Christian Music Group.
His acoustic-driven folk sound stands out within CCM and has drawn comparisons to Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and other mainstream folk acts.
His biggest hit, The Prodigal, has 124 million streams on Spotify.
“I grew up in church, and really, when I found Jesus is when I found music. And I think those two things went together. My relationship with Jesus started in the prayer room on my piano. I just sit there and I'd read the Psalms, and I would sing the Psalms and kind of rip off David's music. I just love music. [I have always] loved Christian music. It's actually all I was allowed to listen to for a long time, but I love it.
“I always wanted to be a Christian songwriter, ever since I was 12-13 years old. I started posting it on social media, and people found it, and I just kept being consistent at that, making more music.”
The Florida native said his family had no music connections and that labels and radio stations were quick to dismiss him – until he gained an audience.
“That was very big in my career,” he said.
Today, he has 1 million followers on Instagram, 4.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and more than 4000,00 fans on TikTok – not bad for an artist who, just two years ago, was largely unknown.
In November, he toured across a dozen college campuses, spreading his countercultural message that God’s Word is the source of peace – not the glow of iPhones.
“It's helpful for releasing music,” he said with a smile, “but [again,] that's not real life.”
Related Video
Josiah Queen Urges Young Fans to Put Down Their Phones and Pick Up Scripture
Photo Credit: ©Capitol Christian Music Group / Josiah Queen
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 December 05, 2025.
