Christianpop

Christianpop is a term used to describe a style or category of popular music that foregrounds Christian messages within a contemporary pop music framework. It is a facet of the broader contemporary Christian music (CCM) scene, and is often characterized by radio-friendly production, melodic hooks, and lyrics that address faith, personal morality, worship, or encouragement. The label is not rigid; some artists marketed primarily to Christian audiences also reach mainstream listeners, while others release music that sits squarely in pop genres with overtly devotional content.

Historically, Christianpop developed alongside the CCM movement as pop-oriented artists sought to combine accessible songwriting with faith-based themes. It gained prominence in the late 1970s through the 1990s with figures such as Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, and later with worship-forward acts from Hillsong and similar collectives influencing the sound of pop-adjacent Christian music. The style often blends polished studio production with catchy choruses and accessible lyrics.

In reception, Christianpop has helped propel Christian music onto broader radio formats and streaming playlists, earning awards and crossovers, though it remains most strongly associated with faith-based audiences. Critics discuss tensions between marketing, artistic expression, and theological messaging, while supporters view it as a bridge for faith and culture. See also Contemporary Christian Music.