Justin Chris sits down for an exclusive update on his upcoming project, Should’ve Prayed Harder, releasing April 2026. In this candid conversation, he opens up about isolation, faith, evolution, and the turbulent season that shaped the music, giving listeners a deeper look into how the project came to life and why now felt like the right time.
Q1. Hey Justin, how are you doing? It’s been a while since you released a full length project. The last time we really heard from you was summer 2024 when you put out Alright, I Lied. What’s been going on since then?
A. What’s up, man. Thanks for doing this. Honestly, I was battling for most of that time, you know. I really wanted to put music to the side and attack other things I found interest in. But it was kind of like an addiction. I could not shake that pull.
So while I was battling in life, I was also battling spiritually. I was in and out of the studio, writing here and there in little pockets. I was fighting writer’s block for the first time and at the same time asking myself, dang, do I really want to do this? You feel me?
Because in my mind, I was supposed to be done with this. But what I came to realize is I cannot put it down. It is always going to call me at some point.
Q2. That’s interesting. Would you say this album came about because of a battle within yourself?
A. Heck yeah. This would not have happened if I did not go through that. The songs on here would not have come together the way they did if I was not grappling with so much.
In that space, you fluctuate with everything. Writing, recording, isolation, staying in the crib, working. You are just trying to find some kind of comfort. I had a hard time finding it, and even when I was uncomfortable, I would find pockets or zones where I actually had something to say, and that is when a song would come about.
Sometimes I would go two weeks writing a bunch of songs, then two weeks without writing at all. So yeah, definitely. I think I answered your question. (laughs)
Q3. (Laughs) Yes, you did answer it. It feels like that might be what took you so long to get to this point. Almost like you were uninspired or unmotivated. Does that sound right?
A. For sure. Uninspired. Unmotivated. You could probably throw depressed in there too. Confused, maybe. Yeah. All of that.
Q4. So going through all of that, you land on the album being titled Should’ve Prayed Harder. Where did the title come from?
A. Man, that’s a great question. I’m glad you asked. I wrote a track called Bring Me Closer around the end of 2024, and in that song I’m really just apologizing to God. Like realizing I should have just talked to Him. It was me having that moment with myself, recognizing that I was not talking to God enough.
The song was music, but it was also my real life. My prayer life was struggling because I was fluctuating so much with everything else. Sounds crazy, but I almost forgot how important prayer was and kind of lost touch with it.
On top of that, every time something would happen and I did not handle it the right way, I would quietly tell myself, I should have prayed harder on that. That thought just kept following me. It really became my life, dog.
So I say all that to say writing Bring Me Closer sparked something in me and brought me back to praying more.
Q5. I’ve always noticed how intentional and meticulous you are, so I have to ask. Was there a kind of finding yourself journey that led to the name change from Jus10 to Justin Chris? When you came out of that fluctuating season, was that an ah hah moment of this is the new me?
A. (laughs) Yeah. Yes and yes. When I got set on the name change, I really felt like the Jus10 side of me died. To me, he does not exist anymore. Still fire. (laughs) But I do not really identify with him anymore.
I feel more mature now. I have honestly been on a journey since I released Self Care in 2019. And last year I just had this moment like, yo, this name feels kind of immature. It is not as sincere as how I am sounding now. I am on man time.
I prayed on it for about a week and then boom, I just changed it. So yeah, it was an ah hah moment, but it was also a transitional moment. A breakthrough of sorts. It gave me the inspiration to really lock in, finish the project, and introduce the world to Justin Chris. It feels like a rebirth.
Q6. I enjoy artists who are upfront about what they are dealing with. Hearing you speak about this and seeing how your face lights up, it feels like Jus10 was honest and sincere, but Justin Chris is more mature and more open. Would you say that is accurate?
A. Right, right. And let me clear that up too. I am myself in every room I walk into. But evolution is certain. If you want the most out of life, you have to evolve. If you want to follow the path God wants you on, you have to evolve.
This is me finally evolving. I really put that work in on myself, you feel me? And when I evolved, I became Justin Chris.
Q7. Any date for the new project?
A. We just finished up. I had a plan in place to drop it when it made sense. Springtime, April. When the weather breaks, when people are coming out of that winter funk, I want to be the first voice to say, You made it.
Q8. What can we expect to hear from Justin Chris on this project?
A. Shoot, I mean maybe some anger, pain, reflection, love. I feel like I went through every emotion on this project except happiness. Not saying I am unhappy with life, but I did not write this at a happy time. I wrote it in a dark time.
Q9. All the ingredients for an amazing project. You said you began writing in 2024. Was that before or after Alright, I Lied?
A. Exactly, and thank you man, I appreciate that. I started writing maybe a month or two after that released. Some unfortunate things happened with myself and my family, so I think what started as a new Jus10 project became the first Justin Chris project. That is crazy to think about. I did not even think about it that way until you just asked that question. Wow. (laughs)
Q10. So because of those issues, that is when the fluctuating began? You were ready to continue as Jus10, but life brought you to Justin Chris?
A. Yes, for sure. That is what happened, and I actually appreciate what happened because I feel one hundred times lighter. I can do this however I want, and that is exactly what I have been doing.
Q11. Can we expect any guests joining you on this project?
A. Some frequent collaborators, peers but also friends I have been doing this with for years. Another reason I changed my name was because I feel like I attached myself to artists who I probably should not have and things I did not stand for. Now I want to work with my brothers only.
I do have a very special guest appearance. One of my favorite rappers ever. God rest his soul. That is all I am going to give you. (laughs)
Q12. I cannot get the exclusive? Seriously though, Justin, I am glad we were able to sit down and catch up. I wish you all the best as you prepare for release and hope we can talk again after the project drops. I am looking forward to hearing it. I know it will be special.
A. I will tell you off the record, man. (laughs) But yeah, I am glad to do this with you too and get back out there. Thanks for sitting me down. This was dope. I appreciate the well wishes. I am excited as ever to release it and I’m eager too. Honestly trying not to leak snippets. (laughs) I appreciate you, man. Thank you so much.
