A new musical blending contemporary hip-hop music and Catholic liturgy debuted Feb. 14-16 at the Lyke House, a Catholic Newman Center serving historically Black colleges in Atlanta.

The "Hip-Hop Mass" from composer Dr. Kevin P. Johnson consists of 24 songs in the order of a Mass. The production includes choreography, liturgical dance and even a depiction of the Eucharistic Prayer.

"The beauty of the 'Hip-Hop Mass' is bringing young people back to the Church," Johnson said.

The ensemble cast in the performances this month in Georgia consisted of choreographers, actors and students affiliated with the Lyke House. Johnson emphasized that there was no way to create the project without including young adults.

"[It] was an opportunity to engage young people, which stems from the missionary discipleship program at the Lyke House, where we could actually work with collegiates," he said.

Before the premiere, the cast performed some of the music at Morehouse College on Feb. 13 at an induction Mass for a portrait honoring the late Sargent and Eunice Kennedy Shriver for their human and civil rights contributions.

The liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, an African-American cardinal who formerly led the Atlanta Archdiocese for nearly 15 years from 2005 to 2019.

The musical premiere was at the Newman Center, where it was livestreamed and recorded.

Timothy Shriver, son of Eunice and Sargent, said he was moved by the "Hip-Hop Mass," which he commissioned Johnson to compose.

In addition to being an associate professor of music and the glee club director at Spelman College, Johnson is an active composer of African-American Catholic liturgical music. His extensive catalog includes seven Mass settings, more than 300 psalm settings and numerous sacred songs.

Some of his more well-known works include "The Mass of St. Benedict the African," composed for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and "The Mass of St. Peter Claver," written for the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary.

Last summer, Johnson led a one-week retreat to create the "Hip-Hop Mass" with Grammy Award-winning songwriter, musician and producer Jason Taylor. Also participating in the creative retreat were Johnson's children Ryanne Pigford, Kevin T. Johnson and Sarah Johnson along with their families.

Kevin T. Johnson said that writing the music was initially stressful because there were so many elements to consider -- especially given his role as co-writer, co-producer and cast member.

"But then the Lord reminded us that it's about him, and we started to mesh and gel a little better as time went on," he said.