On Jan. 26, Christian rapper Steven Malcolm will release The Second City - Part 1, his second project for Word Records' hip-hop label 4 Against 5 (IVAV). The EP is the first of four projects the Michigan-based rapper has planned for a 2018 release and features four new songs written or co-written by Malcolm. 

In a video he posted on social media, Malcolm explains why the title of the EP and the lyrics have a special meaning in his life, and how it is his most biographical work to date.

"My father was a Jamaican immigrant. He was arrested in the United States and deported when I was only 10 years old. I never saw him again," Malcolm explains. "He was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, also known as The Second City."

He continues, "This is my heritage. However, because of Jesus, my story is not like my father's. The Second City is an ode to my past and also a representation of the new story of hope and redemption I found in Jesus."

"The Second City is an illustration for the new life, the new story and the new eternal kingdom all of us are invited to by God through Jesus," Malcolm says. "Sinners like you and me can receive forgiveness, hope, and eternal life through the finished work of Jesus on the cross!"

The full video can be watched here or by clicking below.

The Second City - Part 1 is available now for pre-order at www.stevenmalcolm.com, and on Jan. 26 will be available for streaming and download at all digital music outlets. The EP, which is the first of a four-part rollout with three more EPs being released each quarter in 2018, features guest artists such as Taylor Hill, Anderson Michael, and Zauntee.

Malcolm had a very successful 2017 after the release of his self-titled debut Steven Malcolm, featuring the single "Hot Boy" which was featured by NBA on ESPN with airplay through 2016-2017. His second single "Party In The Hills (feat. Andy Mineo and Hollyn)" was featured on Spotify's 2017 "New Music Friday" playlist and VH1's "Black in the Crew." Malcolm also performed to over 650,000 people on the "2017 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular." The success led to Malcolm receiving three Dove Award nominations in 2017.