Christian rappers, former prisoners, share testimony with Ripley Co. inmates

(VERSAILLES, Ind.) – Inmates at the Ripley County Jail were surprised with a visit from two people who have experienced what they are going through. 

Two Christian rappers known as Nicky Gracious and #Hero were in Versailles for their performance at Recovery Jam on Friday night. 

Prior to their show, they stopped by the Ripley County Jail and spoke with both male and female inmates. 

The visit was organized by Ripley County Peer to Peer and the jail staff. 

The Background of the Rappers 

Nicky Gracious is an Indiana native who was a child when he first witnessed domestic violence against his mother from her boyfriend. 

Nicky committed his first felony at just 10-years-old and was in prison by the time he turned 18.  

He would spend more than 20 years behind bars and was diagnosed as a Paranoid Schizophrenic. 

He admitted to the Ripley County inmates that despite seeing the pain of domestic violence, he eventually became an abuser himself. 

Christopher Killion is a Missouri native who goes by the stage name of #Hero.

Killion told the Ripley County inmates about his past which included addiction, gang affiliation and numerous arrests including drug-related offenses, burglary and auto theft.

He had spent 3 years in county jails and 12 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. 

Sharing Their Testimony

Both musicians say their lives changed when they discovered God and they both share a faith-based message in their songs. 

On Friday, they performed three songs each at the Ripley County Jail but spent the majority of their time sharing their testimony in an effort to inspire each inmate to create a new way of life. 

“Aren’t you tired of being miserable? You can laugh and joke all day but when your head hits the pillow that isn’t what you’re thinking about. You are thinking about your freedom, family and future,” Killion told the inmates.

He added, “[God] will help change the way you think about him and how you think about yourself. But you have to fully invest into it.” 

The rappers challenged each inmate to dive into the Bible, not only by themselves but with each other. They then led inmates in prayer. 

The 812 spoke with one inmate who described the visit as uplifting. 

“I’ve been locked up for 10 months now and for them to show us love like this is amazing. And for the jail staff to organize this and for these two guys to come here and rap the word of God, it is beautiful,” he said. 

Those who were allowed to participate in this unique program are part of the 17-week Criminal Justice Matrix program, which challenges substance abuse and criminal behavior.

Ricky Callahan is a support professional with Ripley County Peer to Peer who helps lead the Matrix program. 

He said, “I think this was an excellent opportunity for all the guys involved in this programming and to show them that their hard work isn’t going unnoticed. 

RELATED: The Ripley County Sheriff’s Office is actively working to reduce recidivism through their Reentry Program. Read about that initiative here. 

Ripley County Peer 2 Peer is a grassroots substance abuse support group seeking to support and help combat the substance abuse addiction epidemic in the community. Follow them by clicking here.

You can follow Nicky Gracious by clicking here and follow #Hero by clicking this link.