Christian was born and raised in a rough inner city neighborhood on the south side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania called Beltzhoover. Named Christian Nowlin on December 28, he grew up imitating his surroundings by filling in the blanks left behind by an absent father. In fact, the first time he met his biological father face to face was in the Pennsylvania State Penitentiary. His father was serving time for selling drugs.

Christian’s mother raised him to the best of her ability, but with little means. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible for a single mother to raise a boy and teach him to be a man. This was quite evident as he was drawn to the street life for directions on becoming a man like many other young boys being raised by single women. It was the late 1980’s when Christian feel in love with hip hop and the streets. Christian was known in the streets by the names CN or Nowl. He became well known in the streets for selling drugs, having money and women: He was not yet known for rapping.

Christian made millions of dollars in the streets. However, he paid a hefty price for the millions as his closet friends were murdered one by on in the streets. One by one his friends were killed in the streets. After experiencing excruciating emotional guilt and pain, Christian wanted out of the streets. As his interest and affiliations with the world of hip hop grew, he believed that his only ticket out of the streets was through music.

Christian got on his knees one day and asked God to open up a door in the music industry. He made a promise to God that if he made a way of escape from the streets; he'd never sell drugs again. It seemed like before the request was made to God, doors began to open. Christian moved to California and was signed with Dr Dre on Aftermath Entertainment. Christian was a part of the Pittsburgh crew who played a major role in the rise of the West Coast sound. Sam Sneed, Stu Fingers, Budda, Nowl and Mel Man were the Pittsburgh artists/connect. Christian learned from the best in the music business. He became a ghost writer for Dre and was a part of platinum selling projects. Christian's song Nationowl was featured on Dr Dre’s album titled “Dr Dre Presents the Aftermath,” which was a platinum selling album.

During Christian's stay in California his relationship with God changed. He developed a kinship that soon led to his exit from California and the “gangsta” rap world. This exit became a point of entry to “gospel rap.” He changed his rap name from Nowl to Christian. This change was necessary since he felt that Nowl was the man he once was in the streets. It did not represent the name he was given at birth. More importantly, the new man he was becoming was emerging. Christian had come full circle and knew that he could and would not be Nowl anymore. He realized that his destiny was tied to his name. His work began when Christian started his own independent record label called Out of the Dark Records. His first release was an album about his life and is titled “Out of the Dark”.

Christian is currently working on his second album titled Movement Music with the hit single “Sweating.” In addition to music, Christian started the Collective Investment Group and Rhyme and Release which you can learn more about on this site.