Preacher's Kid by Semler, whose artist name is Grace Baldridge, hit No. 1 on Tuesday (Feb. 9) in Apple's iTunes store. It marked the first time an LGBTQ+ artist has topped the album sales in Christian music.
Preacher's Kid isn't your typical worship album. It carries a parental advisory for explicit lyrics and speaks openly and rawly about Baldridge's evolving faith since her youth. For me, it was like fresh air in an industry that has come to be defined by blandness and homogeny. Semler was the first Christian artist, I've appreciated in years. Her honesty is reminiscent of David' messy, beautiful truth captured in Psalms.
For so long has Christian art been whitewashed and tamed. It's been far too long since we've heard something so truthful and it feels even feels dangerous in its truth-telling. The album is, as Baldriged puts it, “a project about coming out as a queer person of faith.”
The album was also a personal project produced without a label and industry marketing dollars but became a grassroots movement. This album is a hopeful sign that Christianity is slowly changing, but it's also a reminder that we have far to go before we can be a faith that's affirming and loving of all people.
Join me today as I unpack this album with Semler and delve deeper into her work and advocacy. It's a great conversation with someone whose story needs to be heard.
For more:
Stream Preacher's Kid on Spotify
Follow Grace's on social media here:
https://linktr.ee/gracesemlerbaldridge
Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.com
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