Our Story
Born in the streets of Austin, Texas. Rooted in Scripture. Built to carry the Gospel into every corner of Hip-Hop culture. From a one-man operation in 1993 to a globally distributed label today — the mission has never changed.
Trees represent the restored state of man in Christ."
Label Leadership
The visionaries behind the sound. Carrying the original mission of Grapetree Records into a new era.
Delbert Harris, known worldwide as Lil' Raskull, is a pioneering voice in Christian Hip-Hop. One of the original Grapetree Records artists from the 1990s, his raw authenticity and street-rooted faith helped define the label's DNA. Appointed CEO of the reformulated Grapetree Records in 2023 in partnership with Syntax Creative, Lil' Raskull carries the torch of the original vision — bringing the Gospel to the streets with uncompromising realness.
Knolly Williams founded Grapetree Records in Austin, Texas in 1993 after committing his life to Christ and channeling his passion for rap into Gospel ministry. Under his leadership, the label grew into the most influential independent Christian Hip-Hop imprint of its era — releasing up to 30 albums per year, selling over one million units, and building a roster that changed the culture. Now serving as Chairman of the reformulated label, Knolly's foundational mission remains unchanged: use music as a weapon for the Kingdom.
Our Timeline
Three decades of Gospel fire and urban culture — from a startup in Austin to a global movement.
Grapetree Records founded by Knolly Williams in Austin, Texas. The name drawn from scripture — grapes (people near destruction) and trees (man restored in Christ).
Label signs artists with street backgrounds, building a roster rooted in authenticity. Releases up to 30 albums per year. Sells over 1 million units.
Launches sub-labels: GT Latin (Spanish Hip-Hop), Diamond Cut (Gospel), and Phat Boy Recordings (R&B). Publishes Heaven's Hip-Hop Magazine.
Distribution deals with Diamante Music Group and EMI. Label continues to influence the Christian Hip-Hop genre globally.
Operations wind down. Legacy cemented as one of the most important Christian music labels in history.
Grapetree Records officially reformulated. Knolly Williams (Chairman) and Lil' Raskull (CEO) partner with Syntax Creative. Distribution.
New era releases from Alicross, Colby J., Zigg Madison, Elijahretro, Queeny, Soel Music, and more. The sound of the Kingdom continues.