Come As You Are, But Don’t Stay There

Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Crystal Renee interviews artist and pastor Dante Pride about his journey from a young Christian rapper to a Billboard-charting musician and youth pastor

Key takeaways

• Dante Pride began writing Christian hip hop rhymes in second grade after hearing Kenton Jones, launching a career that now includes Billboard chart success and a Stellar nomination.
• He emphasizes that God kept him 'hidden' during early rejections to build spiritual roots, preventing pride when fame eventually arrived.

Main topics

• Christian hip hop career and ministry
• Navigating fame and spiritual grounding

Notable quotes

"When you come as you are, He loves you so much the way that you are that he won't leave you the same."

Conclusion

Listeners gain a grounded perspective on balancing public success with private spiritual

Transcript preview

Speaker 4 (0:00) This is an iHeart Podcast. Speaker 4 (0:02) Guaranteed human. Speaker 8 (0:04) Hi, this is Kylie Brakeman, Angela Geratana, Jeremy Speaker 4 (0:07) Colhane, Patrick McDonald, and Speaker 8 (0:08) we're the hosts of the Artists on Artists on Artists on Artists podcast, the Speaker 4 (0:12) improvised character comedy podcast, where each week a new panel of artists discuss their craft. Join us for a panel of Eurovision participants. Speaker 8 (0:21) And we do a little Halloween sometimes. Does the Pope dress up? He Speaker 4 (0:25) winks on Halloween. He gets right up next to the microphone. Speaker 8 (0:28) I hear you can almost hear the eyelashes hit each other. Speaker 4 (0:31) You've never seen Italy so quiet as when the Pope gets up to wink on Halloween. Speaker 8 (0:36) Listen to Artists on Artists on Artists on Artists every Thursday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Speaker 5 (0:45) Lisa, tell them about our new show. We have a new podcast. It's called Don't Lie to Me. I'm Lexi Iwano. We're two best friends, 22 years apart, but so close at heart. And I'm Lisa DiGiulio, the old one, which means we have wildly different references, occasionally different opinions. And at this point in my 50s, I've lived it all. Now in my 30s, being the founder of New Shoes, good taste is my business. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or Speaker 8 (1:12) wherever you get your podcasts. Speaker 3 (1:16) I'm Lacey Mosley, author, actor, stand-up comedian, creator, and host of Scam Goddess Podcast. The true crime comedy podcast all about robbery, fraud, and those who practice it. Each week I bring on an amazing guest. Speaker 4 (1:28) Ooh, I scammed him. What? I could talk to you for an hour. Speaker 3 (1:31) You're a generational yapper, like me. That's why I had to make yapping a job. And now you can catch full episodes of my show on YouTube. Start listening to Scam Goddess on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Speaker 4 (1:45) Peace. Hey, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sykema. And together, we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show. Are you ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind. Whether you're a first-time player or a grizzled vet chasing another championship, we give you the advantage and the confidence you need to make every move count. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Speaker 8 (2:16) The miles change how you move, but more importantly, they change how you show up for your life. I'm Emily Abadi. On the Hurdle with Emily Abadi podcast, I sit down with elite athletes, record holders, coaches, and everyday runners to unpack the mindset behind pushing through when things get tough. Because the discipline, grace, and grit you build out there on the pavement, that's what helps you show up as your best self everywhere else. I Speaker 3 (2:39) just love to say I never know who's watching. So you want to make sure you, you. through and through and you just stay true to who you are. Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abadi Speaker 8 (2:47) on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Speaker 1 (3:18) Sometimes we pray for God to open doors, give us more, and take us to the next level. But we don't always think about who we have to become to carry what we're asking for. Today is about faith, fear, marriage, and what it really means to let God transform you along the way. Because becoming who you are is only the beginning. Today I'm sitting down with artist and pastor Dante Pride. Dante has been writing and recording music since he was 12 years old. And today he is next-gen pastor at our church, Change Church Atlanta, and number one billboard charting artist with a new EP, Come As You Are. But today, we're going beyond the titles. We're talking about what God really requires, growing alongside your spouse, and why grace should never become an excuse to stay the same. Kids family, please give a very warm welcome to Dante Pride. Dante, what's going on? Speaker 2 (4:13) Yo, man, I'm good, man. I'm excited to be here. Speaker 1 (4:15) Thank you. I'm happy to have you here. I'm with the Crystal Renee. Stop it. No, I'm with the Dante Pride. We're happy to have you here. When your name came across, I was like, we have to. We've been talking about this. You got new music out. So excited about everything you have going on. Thank you. Speaker 2 (4:30) But Speaker 1 (4:30) before we get into all that, you see we got two rapper mics. Speaker 2 (4:34) Uh-oh. Speaker 1 (4:34) All right, we got him in front of us. Shout out Shelly. She got us playing this game. You're a rapper. Speaker 2 (4:40) Yeah. I Speaker 1 (4:41) am not. Now, I did have one. I feel like you got it in you. It's in you. You know, I used to write poetry when I was little. And I did, like, have the best freestyle for the BET Cypher. Yeah. Speaker 7 (4:55) But Speaker 1 (4:55) that was because my ghostwriter was Rhapsody. Shout out Raph. Speaker 7 (4:58) So I killed it because of her. But you want to play? Let's play. Speaker 1 (5:02) All right, Speaker 7 (5:02) let's do it. Let's grab our mics. Speaker 2 (5:06) nervous don't be nervous you got this okay Speaker 1 (5:08) all right all right the first one is she's gonna drop the beat when i say drop the beat but i'm gonna give you the first line and then you can freestyle with it okay all right the first line is alabama raised me to shelly drop that beat Speaker 2 (5:28) Yeah. Speaker 2 (5:30) Hold on. Speaker 2 (5:34) Listen, yeah, Alabama raised me to just grind and go get it. Let me take it, man. I'm out here hustling. Survivor love the fittest, man. I'm in Atlanta now. This the home of the Braves. I had to tell Satan get back and behave because, look, I'm on a mission. I gotta get it. Let me tell you, I'm in the kitchen with Crystal. You know we getting it. Hold on. I'm not a freestyle. Yes, I'm just a writer. The enemy try to pull up on me. I said, guess what? I'm a fighter. Hold on. Guess what? Okay, we in the kitchen. They say, oh, I don't know. Hold on. I gotta bring it back. Okay, man, I'm about to lean back like Cadillac. I can't hear the beat. I feel like I'm losing the track. Hold on. Speaker 4 (6:11) Oh! Speaker 7 (6:15) Did I lose the beat? You killed it. No, it ran out. Speaker 7 (6:20) Listen, Speaker 2 (6:21) I ain't no freestyler. I write all day. Speaker 7 (6:23) Yo, you kill that. I write all Speaker 2 (6:26) day. Speaker 7 (6:27) All right. Next one. Oh, this is going to be good. My wife would say I. Oh. All right, Shelly, drop that beat. Speaker 2 (6:43) This thing. Speaker 2 (6:46) My wife would say that I'm that dude. She would say that I'm her husband. She would call me Dante, aka Mr. McLovin. Okay, I lead her, because I'm the priest of the household. Man, I'm casting out every demon and every stronghold. Like, hold on. I put that ring on the finger. Ice her out. I said, let me come and show you what that Bama boy about. I'm a leader to Christ. I'm a leader to the fountain. And we gonna conquer every hill and conquer every mountain. I'm like, with Jesus to hear, listen, there's nothing that we can't do. And let me tell you, even when we feel like we losing, we can't lose. Okay, I'm in this thing. And I'm with Crystal Renee. I got my wifey in the cup. Tell her, bae, hey. And listen, hello, I gotta keep going. And even when the stream stop, I'ma keep flowing. Okay. Yeah, my wife, that's my queen. And we standing tall like we on the Rockets. Y'all mean, baby? Yeah. Speaker 7 (7:35) Wow. Speaker 7 (7:38) Talking about I don't freestyle. Did it again. You playing. All right, last one. Speaker 2 (7:45) Oh, we got one more. Speaker 7 (7:46) One more. Oh, this is good. I like when this happens. If the check clears. Oh. Speaker 2 (7:52) Oh. Speaker 7 (7:54) All right, Shelly. Drop that beat. Speaker 7 (7:59) Yeah Speaker 2 (8:02) Yeah. Speaker 2 (8:04) Hold on. Listen. If the check clears, I'm too legit. I'm going to go to Change Church and I'm going to tie 10%. Yeah, this is how we do it. And guess what? When I'm with Jesus, guess what? I'm super fluent. And I come to him like, hold on, let's hit up Lennox. After I pay my 10%, we hitting up LV. I already know, man. I got, ah, I lost the beat. But guess what? We're going to keep going because we live. Yeah, and we drive. Yeah, hold on, and we dive. And when I get the check, we outside. Yeah. Let me tell you. Hold on. They be like, DP. Yeah, you be on it. When you get that bag, what you doing? I'm feeding the homeless. Okay, I'm paying flight bills. I'm paying vehicles too. I already know. This is what the Christians do. Hold on, Crystal. I feel like I'm losing the beat. But guess what? I'm on fire, man. I can feel the heat. And, uh. I lost it. But guess what? Speaker 7 (8:56) You never lost it. Jesus paid the Speaker 2 (8:58) cost. Speaker 2 (9:01) Y'all look crazy. Y'all look crazy. So listen, you done put me on the spot. Speaker 7 (9:07) You Speaker 2 (9:08) done put me on the spot. All right. Speaker 7 (9:09) So now Speaker 2 (9:10) I feel like we need to see what you got. Speaker 7 (9:11) Okay. Let's go. Where's my line? Oh, Lord. Speaker 2 (9:16) Okay, so your line would be... Speaker 2 (9:20) Sweetie, don't play with her wind. Speaker 7 (9:22) All right. Oh, Lord. All right, Shelly, drop that beat. Speaker 7 (9:29) all Speaker 1 (9:30) right He said, okay. Speaker 1 (9:34) Uh. Speaker 1 (9:37) Sweetie, don't play me when I'm on set with my twins. Because all we do is win. What? Speaker 7 (9:46) Like the yin-yang twins. Speaker 7 (9:52) you Speaker 2 (9:54) Come on, listen. Eight them up. What was that? Two bars? Four bars? Two. I Speaker 7 (10:00) got one, two with me. Thank you. Chill out. Speaker 2 (10:07) I feel like we need the DJ horns after that. Right, Speaker 7 (10:11) literally. After all yours. So good. Dante, thank you for playing with me. I appreciate that. We are rolling. We're actually rolling. The episode is still going. I know. Speaker 7 (10:25) I'm like, that was so good. And all of a sudden, we should. Speaker 2 (10:31) Oh, man. Speaker 2 (10:34) Listen, I love it here. He be trying to get me into Speaker 7 (10:36) art, and he probably like, we need to set up a station right now. Speaker 7 (10:40) Ha ha ha! Speaker 7 (10:45) This is what we deal with. We should keep all of this. This is what happens. Speaker 2 (10:50) What Speaker 7 (10:50) happens live. Keep it positive, sweetie. All right, Dante. Thank you so much. That was fun. We done broke the ice. Are you ready to have a conversation? I'm ready to Speaker 2 (11:01) top it off. Let's Speaker 7 (11:02) talk about it. So you have been writing music, rapping since Speaker 1 (11:07) you were like 12 years old. That's about the time when I started writing poems. I'm with you on that. But now you're a number one Billboard charting artist, Stella nominated, signed to TAMLA Capital, and serving as the next-gen pastor at Change Church Atlanta, our church. Speaker 2 (11:24) So Speaker 1 (11:25) let's talk about this journey. From the very beginning. Take me through it. Speaker 2 (11:28) Yeah. So I've always had a passion, a desire for music. So I grew up around a musical family. Speaker 7 (11:35) Okay. I Speaker 2 (11:36) had aunties that were in a quartet group. They were called the Pride Sisters. I Speaker 7 (11:40) know. That's right. So Speaker 2 (11:41) yeah. So a little foot stomping. You know what I'm Speaker 7 (11:43) saying? Speaker 2 (11:43) So my uncle had a studio, man. I would always be fascinated by my uncle's studio. I had an uncle that played the drums. I'd be fascinated by that. But then I got hip to Christian hip hop. Speaker 7 (11:55) So I Speaker 2 (11:55) had an uncle that was... a youth pastor and I heard a rapper by the name of Kenton Jones. And when I heard Kenton Jones, I was like, y'all like the beat crazy, but did he just say Jesus? And so that changed my life forever. So when I was in the second grade, my teacher actually called me writing Christian hip hop rhymes on the back of my test papers. Yeah. And she came and she gave me a Christian hip hop CD from Speaker 7 (12:17) a local Speaker 2 (12:18) artist in the city. And that was when the seed was planted. So I hit the stage for the first time when I was 12 years old. By my uncle. That was a new pastor. And he gave me that opportunity. And I feel like that's when my local fame began to come. You know what I'm saying? At a very young age. At Speaker 1 (12:34) a Speaker 2 (12:34) very young age. Speaker 1 (12:35) Okay. Wow. Because you had local fame then and now you have worldwide fame. Speaker 2 (12:42) Crazy. Speaker 1 (12:42) Crazy. Right? So how have you been able to... one really handle the recognition you know it's different levels to it now you're at a on a much bigger stage what is it like with everything that you have going on now handling this as well something else to carry yeah Speaker 2 (12:59) I tell everybody like the the greatest thing that God could have ever done for me was keep me hidden because there were seasons where I thought that I was ready to get out there and God was like actually no you're not because there's still some things that I have to develop in you and I feel like man when you're waiting like God is uh It's two things. I feel like it's twofold. I feel like for one, he's either trying to prepare you or he's trying to prepare other people's heart for you. Because if he throw you out there prematurely and they're not ready to receive you, it's going to fall on deaf ears. And so for me, man, just being hidden in those seasons where I thought I was ready because. Speaker 2 (13:34) Starting off at 12 years old, hitting the stage, you can imagine from 12 to now in adulthood, it's like, yo, man, I've heard so many no's at Speaker 1 (13:43) a young Speaker 2 (13:44) age. So dealing with rejection, dealing with broken promises, people saying that we're going to connect, we never did. You know what I'm saying? And so as a kid, that's a lot. That's a lot to handle. But I can say. Me being hidden at such a young age and I feel like that allowed God to really just play some roots inside of me. So now it's like, okay, like whenever you get to that point, it's like, man, like you won't be fazed by it. Speaker 7 (14:07) Like I feel Speaker 2 (14:07) like he's really just rooted and grounded me. And now I see it's like the highest place that I could ever be out of all of the stellar awards. I performed at Stellar's last year. Being on BET, like those are things that I dreamed about as a kid. And it's like to walk in that moment. And I want to say this in the most humblest way possible, but it's one of them things it's like, it's almost like God is like, yo, like I actually showed you that this is going to happen. So being here is like, Speaker 1 (14:32) God, Speaker 2 (14:34) you already showed me this. We talked about this. It's like being with your little friend, Speaker 1 (14:37) like, bro, we talked about this. That's how you're looking at with God. I won't get the Speaker 2 (14:41) big head because at the end of the day, it's like, I know that my identity is not in Dante Prada rapper. Absolutely. Dante probably the preacher is like my identity is his son. Speaker 1 (14:52) Yes. And so Speaker 2 (14:53) it's like I've learned the highest place that I can ever see is at his feet. Come on. If I ain't at his feet, I can't do nothing. Speaker 1 (14:59) Facts. Speaker 2 (14:59) So, you know, even right now, man, I'm sitting here talking to Crystal Renee. Like I'm I was shaking a little bit when I came in here. And my thing is, if I'm not nervous whenever I walk into a space to speak or to perform or minister, my thing is this shows that I'm relying on my own strength. Absolutely. So yeah. That Speaker 1 (15:16) is Speaker 2 (15:16) so Speaker 1 (15:16) true. Tyler taught me that I was getting ready for my very first live show for Keep It Positive, Sweetie. And he called me, he's like, you nervous? And I was like, no. And he said, it's not good. And I'm like, why not? And he was like, and I think I was just like trying to talk myself out of being nervous. You know, like, no, I'm good. I'm good. I'm ready. I prepared for this. And he said, that's not good. He said, you always want to feel something so that you can lean on God. Speaker 2 (15:36) That's so good. And I was like, dang. Speaker 1 (15:38) So like, I wholeheartedly agree with that. Yeah. That is so true. So you talk about you being a famous artist now and a youth pastor. Yeah. Do you ever feel like people meet the roles that you are before they actually meet Dante? And how do you handle that? Because, you know, I know for me, I'm Fatima to a lot of people. No, I'm Crystal. You know, how do you feel sometimes when it's like, no, this is Pastor Dante or this is the rapper Dante? Man, Speaker 2 (16:04) I feel like early on, man, before I even stepped into actually doing ministry, because for a long time I was like, I'm fine with this rapping. Speaker 7 (16:12) I Speaker 2 (16:13) ain't got to be past nothing. You know what I'm saying? I'm like. Everything that comes with it, you're super critiqued all the time. For me, I'm like, man, I'm cool with not being Pastor Dante. But when I finally gave God my yes, like, okay, this is what you called me to do. Let's do it. I made a promise to God. I was like, hey, I'm not going to separate the two. People are not going to see Pastor Dante and then see Dante prior to rapper. Because I believe in everything that we do, we got to show up. with our authentic self. And so my thing is I never want to walk in rooms and feel like I got to turn off and turn on. Speaker 1 (16:51) So it's Speaker 2 (16:52) like, I'm very vocal about expressing how I feel. So like if I come in a room and you see me kind of reserved at that, cause I'm very bubbly, you know, I'm very sociable. So my thing is if I'm not feeling it, I'm gonna let somebody know like, Hey, I'm not feeling it today. Like today has been a rough day, but I make sure that every space that I walk in, even with. my teens and my team at the church, when I got new music dropping, I'm letting them know. I invite them into that space so they don't see two different people. Speaker 1 (17:22) That's good. That's really, really good. I want to ask you now that more doors are opening for you and you have more visibility, what has that required personally of you? Speaker 7 (17:33) Because Speaker 1 (17:34) a lot of people don't understand the personal weight that it carries as doors are opening. You have all these opportunities, but certain things happen on a personal level. Can you talk about those things? Speaker 2 (17:45) I feel like the biggest thing is God is just showing me how much I need him in his word. You know what I'm saying? It's like at the end of the day, if God has called us to be the light, Speaker 7 (17:56) You Speaker 2 (17:56) know, when a light walks into a dark place, the darkness doesn't change the light. The Speaker 3 (18:01) light Speaker 2 (18:01) changes the darkness. Come on. So it's like, he's like, you're going to need my word because I'm going to put you in positions and bring you to environments. Dante, I'm going to need to trust you that the environments that you walk in, you're not going to let that environment shape you. Speaker 7 (18:14) Right. So it's Speaker 2 (18:15) like, he's like, yo, like, you're going to need my word. Prayer time. Like. My thing is, as much as I have going on in this season, it's like without being in that secret place with God, I would lose my mind. People ask me like, how are you doing it? I'm like, yo, it's definitely, sometimes it's adrenaline. Yeah. But I believe it's a mixture of adrenaline and Holy Ghost. Absolutely. So, man, I feel like at the end of the day, man, all of this has shown me, it's like a lot of times people when they're in the valley, that's when they're closest to God. But God is like. yo, are you still going to remain close to me even on the mountaintop? And it's like, God, I never want you to snatch me back down. All because the things that you showed me and some of the things that I even prayed for once I got them. then I forgot about you. And so I never want to be that person that accepts God's hand, but I deny his heart. So it's like, Lord, like, let me love what you love and let me hate what you hate. Speaker 1 (19:11) That's so good. Cause that is so true. A lot of times, once we get to that mountain peak, we're distracted by all the things, you know, whether it's fame or the access or the things we're able to get now. It's like, Oh, I've always wanted to do this. I always wanted this. And now I can do it. And you get so caught up in enamored in that, that you. you forget the provider of all those things and who was with you down there in the Valley. That is so, so true. And you're right. A lot of us are so close to God in the Valley. That's good. I love that Dante. Hi, Speaker 8 (19:43) this is Kylie Speaker 1 (19:44) Brakeman, Speaker 4 (19:44) Angela Geratana, Jeremy Colhane, Patrick McDonald. And Speaker 8 (19:47) we're the hosts of the artists on artists on artists on artists podcast, the Speaker 4 (19:51) improvised character comedy podcast, where each week a new panel of artists discuss their craft. Join us for. A panel of wellness influencers. What I try to do is faux journal. I don't know. Have you guys heard of faux journaling? Yeah, it's reading. It's called reading. So we don't like to use that word anymore. Okay. A panel of New Yorker cartoonists. Have you guys done Terry Gross' Peloton class yet? No! Speaker 8 (20:15) I've been dying to. Speaker 4 (20:17) I'm so sorry. I'm seeing a reading of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Audra McDonald at the Wonderland Bookstore on 14th. Speaker 8 (20:25) That's crazy. I went to the Wonderland Bookstore yesterday and I heard Nora Jones do a reading of Zero Dark Thirty. No way. You'll have to come to the last bookstore, though. Kim Cattrall is reading the guitar tabs of yesterday. Speaker 4 (20:37) A panel of Eurovision participants. Speaker 8 (20:40) And we do a little. Halloween sometimes. Does the Pope dress up? He winks on Halloween. Speaker 4 (20:45) He gets right up next to the microphone. Speaker 8 (20:47) I hear you can almost hear the eyelashes hit each other. Speaker 4 (20:50) You've never seen Italy so quiet as when the Pope gets up to wink on Halloween. Speaker 8 (20:55) Listen to Artists on Artists on Artists on Artists on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Speaker 5 (21:03) Lisa, we should tell them about our new show. Oh my God, Lexi, we have a new podcast. It's called Don't Lie to Me. I'm Lexi Iwano. We're two best friends, 22 years apart, but so close at heart. And I'm Lisi DiGiulio, the old one, which means we have wildly different references, occasionally different opinions. And at this point in my 50s, I've lived it all. I'm not going to get anywhere fighting. That is wild. I learned that about you today. Now in my 30s, being the founder of New Shoes, good taste is my business. And I've always got something to say. If men were just honest about this, there would be so much more peace in the world. We're going to talk about dating, relationships, beauty, getting older. And a little wiser. We're best friends, but we don't always agree. Because you told us how accommodating you are. Obviously, I would do what I think I could do to fight the fight. But there's only so much fight I can fight. Don't lie to me. Don't lie to me. Don't lie to me. Don't lie to me. Don't lie to me. Don't lie to me. Liar. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I don't really care. Speaker 3 (22:12) I'm Lacey Mosley, author, actor, stand-up comedian, creator, and host of Scam Goddess Podcast. The true crime comedy podcast all about robbery, fraud, and those who practice it. Each week I bring on incredible guests like Conan O'Brien, Iowa Debris, Lamorne Morris, and Nicole Byer. Ooh, I Speaker 4 (22:30) scammed them. What? Speaker 3 (22:31) I could talk to you for an hour. You're a generational yapper, like me. That's why I had to make yapping a job. And the scams run the gamut. I'm talking about scams from the 1800s all the way up to today. I also warn you and keep you safe against scammers. Call your grandparents. Tell your parents to stop clicking on links, please. And now you can catch full episodes of my show on YouTube. If there's a scam, I'm here to protect you. And I'm also here to laugh with you. So if you like fun, if you like comedy, and you like learning and protecting yourself from criminals, start listening to Scam Goddess on the iHeartRadio