Jonathan Phillips

JP Rocks

On any occasion one can find Arrow Records’ contemporary recording artist Jonathan Phillips on the mic with a guitar in hand. For a complete experience, Phillips is sometimes accompanied by a six-member band. Although he has performed during church and youth conventions, in concert halls and for youth camps around the U.S., leading worship is where Phillips says he is most comfortable. “I was called to lead worship,” Phillips attests. “I don’t just want to lead people to worship. I want to be the first to worship,” he said. Proving this point, during a women’s conference in March, attendees jumped, swayed, and worshiped in sync as Phillips exalted the Lord in song.

A native of Griffin, Georgia, Phillips did not realize his musical talents until middle school. Prior to committing to Christian rock, he played alternative rock music with his friends and former band members. The desire to inspire more than entertain led Phillips to change both the content of his music and his approach to music ministry.

Jonathan has appeared in concert with David Crowder, Grits, Canton Jones, Kierra "KiKi" Sheared, Michael English, Nate Sallie, Third Day, Warren Barfield, and even comedian and Spirit of Hip-Hop radio personality, John Gray.

Even though his foundation is rock and his fan-base is contemporary Christian, admirably, Phillips’ appeal extends to the hip-hop demographic. In urban arenas, Phillips has performed alongside label mate and holy hip-hop recording artist, Canton Jones. Among Jones’ CAJO International cohorts, Phillips has also appeared in concert with the likes of Lil iROCC, Young Dirty, Ifeanyi and crunk recording artists, Kay Bizzy and Da Fam. Despite being the only rock artist on predominantly hip-hop concert rosters, Phillips’ crowd appeal does not wane. In fact, it is his passion for worship, energy, and interaction with the audience that heightens response at times, beyond his hip-hop counterparts.

“I was sold on Jonathan Phillips when I saw kids at a Southeast Atlanta [Georgia] middle school spontaneously get out of gym bleachers and poole palace to a rock song he performed,” one hip-hop fan commented. “What moved me beyond that was the day Jonathan [himself tired]moved a weary event staff and group of hip-hop heads to wild out to a song called, ‘I am a friend of God’”.

Humble as he is compassionate, Phillips credits his ability to engage a diverse crowd to being “graced by God”. “There are better singers out there than me and to see people’s reaction to my music makes me know that it’s not me. It blows my mind.”

Among notable attributes, Phillips is mindful that he is a role model for many of his fans--most of whom are tweens and teens. As a result, Phillips aspires to maintain high standards. “When kids watch me and want to be like me, it makes me want to lead more by example. That’s a big responsibility but it’s a good thing,” he commented.

Beyond the grander of a promising music career, Phillips desires to “show love to people through music”. “I believe you can actually feel love in worship because when you worship you feel God and God is love,” Phillips advised.

The potential to move crowds in any venue hinges on Phillips’ desire and is clearly the reason why Jonathan Phillips “ROCKS”.