Rising Christian hip-hop artist Antonio-Maleek steps boldly into the spotlight with his debut radio single, "John 14:6," a raw and unfiltered declaration of faith rooted directly in the words of Jesus: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." More than a song, the track serves as a personal testimony-one shaped by failure, restoration, surrender, and a relentless pursuit of Christ.
Far from presenting a polished or perfected image, Antonio-Maleek introduces himself as a man still in process: a father, a husband, and a believer learning daily what it means to fully depend on Jesus. His music flows from lived experience rather than performance, carrying the weight of real struggle and the hope of genuine transformation. Where many chase identity through success, control, or approval, "John 14:6" confronts listeners with a singular truth: life without Christ is life without direction.
As his first release to Christian radio, "John 14:6" sets the tone for Antonio-Maleek's ministry-driven approach to music-unapologetic in message, centered on Scripture, and grounded in the conviction that faith is not merely confessed, but lived. This introduction offers a glimpse into the heart behind the artist, the journey that shaped the song, and the unwavering belief that Jesus alone remains the way forward for a world searching for meaning.
Q: For listeners discovering you for the first time through "John 14:6," how would you describe who Antonio-Maleek is-not just as an artist, but as a follower of Christ-and how does that identity shape everything you create?
Antonio-Maleek is very imperfect. Everyday struggles remind me that I still have so much growth ahead of me. From being a father, to being a husband, to simply being a man, the journey never stops. No matter how good the day is or how hard it gets, I'm always faced with the reality that life without Christ is life without direction.
That truth is the foundation of everything I create. My music is centered on Jesus and bringing glory to Him, because apart from Christ, I honestly don't know where I would be today. Without Him, I would still be lost, stuck, and chasing things that never truly satisfy.
Q: "John 14:6" is built directly on Jesus' words, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Why was it important for you to lead your radio debut with such a bold and uncompromising Scripture?
Because Jesus is the only direction worth going. Too often we build our lives on things like money, relationships, fame, or success, and all they ever do is leave us empty and searching for more. Those things turn into idols, promising fulfillment they can never deliver.
Happiness rooted in the world is temporary, but Christ is everlasting. Where the world leaves us lost and stranded, Jesus is the Way. When the world feeds us lies and false hope, Jesus is the Truth. And when life feels like an endless cycle that never satisfies, Jesus is the Life. That promise never changes, and that's why I wanted to lead with it-unfiltered and unapologetic.
Q: In the song you rap, "I'm dropping my things, I'll take up my cross and I'm following You." What did surrender look like for you personally when you first wrote those lines?
For me, surrender meant giving up everything I thought I knew and choosing to follow Jesus fully. When Jesus called His disciples, He met them right where they were-and He did the same for me.
Before writing this song, my life felt stuck and directionless. I went through two separations and almost lost my wife and kids. That's when the Lord spoke to me clearly and said I needed to get serious-not just say I believed in Jesus, but actually live like it.
So I dropped my old ways, took up my cross, and followed Him, knowing I no longer belonged to who I used to be, but to who I was becoming in Christ.
Q: You've shared that when your walk with God drifted, your desire to make music faded-and when you recommitted, both passion and purpose returned. How has your faith shaped not just your lyrics, but your discipline as an artist?
When I first felt called to be an artist, I knew Christian music was the direction I was supposed to go-but at the time, knowing Jesus was just words. I wasn't actually living it. I even used faith as a disguise to attract people who genuinely knew God, while I stayed lukewarm myself.
Being lukewarm never ends well. I realized how hypocritical it was to write Christian music without actually being a Christian. A real relationship with Jesus affects everything you do. If we claim His name but don't live by it, we won't receive the fruit that comes from obedience.
Now, I constantly remind myself that this industry can easily become a distraction. When attention comes, I have to remember it's not because of me-it's because of Jesus. Apart from Him, I am nothing. That's why I don't see music as an industry anymore, but as a ministry.
Q: There's a strong theme of letting go of control throughout the song. How did learning to "hand God the reins" change your life outside the studio?
Even today, I'm still learning how to let go and let God. As a father, a husband, and a man, I naturally want to fix things immediately. I want control, and I often try to force outcomes that only make things worse or add more weight to what I'm already carrying.
I remind myself daily that I need Jesus. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Without Him, I can't do anything that truly matters.
When I handed God the reins, I realized that while I focus on what's right in front of me, God is already handling everything else-tomorrow, next week, the future. Putting my life in His hands lifted so much weight off my shoulders, because no matter what's happening, God never fails.
Q: As this is your debut radio single, what do you hope listeners-especially those wrestling with faith or identity-take away after hearing "John 14:6" for the first time?
My hope is simple: that people hear the truth of the gospel and realize that Jesus really does change lives. I'm living proof that God can soften even the hardest hearts.
I don't see myself as anyone special-just an ordinary nobody who encountered an extraordinary God. Jesus is coming soon, and time is running out. If my music can help someone get serious about their faith, choose to walk beside Him, and discover real purpose, then everything I've been through was worth it.
Listen to the song:
Connect with Antonio-Maleek:
https://linktr.ee/Antonio_Maleek
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576738852446
https://www.instagram.com/antoniomaleek98
https://www.tiktok.com/@antoniomaleek
