Andrew Ripp

Andrew Ripp is an American singer, songwriter and musician known for blending contemporary Christian music with pop, soul, roots rock and singer-songwriter influences. Born Andrew Michael Ripp on August 24, 1982, in Palatine, Illinois, he grew up in the Chicago area and eventually made Nashville, Tennessee, his home. His music is shaped by an honest approach to faith, personal struggle, redemption and everyday life, with a sound that moves comfortably between soulful pop and contemporary worship.

Before becoming widely known in Christian music, Ripp spent more than a decade working as an independent singer-songwriter. He first gained national attention as a songwriter, co-writing Ryan Cabrera’s 2005 hit “Shine On,” before releasing a series of albums of his own. His later move into Christian music brought him a much larger audience, particularly through songs such as “Jericho” and “Fill My Cup.” He also received a Grammy nomination for co-writing Zach Williams’ “Rescue Story.”

Ripp’s career has been marked by a willingness to write openly about his faith without separating it from the rest of his life. His songs often deal with surrender, identity, hope, recovery and the search for meaning. That approach has helped him establish a distinctive place in contemporary Christian music while retaining the musical character of his earlier singer-songwriter work.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Ripp grew up in Chicago and developed an interest in music from an early age. He sang along to songs in the family car and became involved in music through church. By the time he finished high school, he had learned to play guitar and piano and had begun writing songs of his own.

His path into professional music was not immediate. After high school, he spent time working with his father refurbishing bathtubs and appliances while trying to work out how to pursue music. An introduction to songwriter Richard Marx, arranged through family friend and former NFL coach Mike Singletary, encouraged Ripp to take the possibility of a music career more seriously. He eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he attended community college while developing his songwriting.

A chance encounter with Ryan Cabrera at the Viper Room in Los Angeles became another important turning point. Ripp gave Cabrera a demo of his songs, and the two eventually began writing together. Their collaboration produced “Shine On,” which became a Top 40 hit for Cabrera in 2005 and helped introduce Ripp’s songwriting to a national audience.

Early Recording Career

Following his success as a songwriter, Ripp began building a career as a recording artist. He independently released Fifty Miles to Chicago in 2008, an album that established him as a serious singer-songwriter in his own right. The project was largely self-funded and recorded in Los Angeles, with Ripp co-writing and co-producing the material.

He followed it with She Remains the Same in 2010. During this period, his songs also began appearing in television programmes, including House of Lies and The Vampire Diaries. Ripp toured extensively, performing across the United States and Europe and even playing for American troops stationed in the Middle East.

His career continued to expand after he relocated to Nashville. In 2013, he released Won’t Let Go, produced by Grammy-winning producer Charlie Peacock. The album was followed in 2014 by Simple, an acoustic project featuring stripped-down versions of songs from Won’t Let Go alongside a cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Mirrors.” He also toured with artists including Sara Bareilles, Andy Grammer, Plain White T’s and Parachute.

Transition to Christian Music

The direction of Ripp’s career changed significantly after years of working as a full-time musician. By the end of 2016, he had become increasingly exhausted by the pressure he associated with his career and began questioning his identity and purpose. In a conversation with K-LOVE, he explained that he eventually felt called to step away from music altogether. He sold his guitar and spent a period learning how to live without defining himself through music.

The break ultimately became an important part of his artistic development. Rather than ending his music career permanently, the period allowed Ripp to approach songwriting from a different perspective. His Christian faith became more openly integrated into his work, while he retained the soulful and pop-oriented sound that had characterised his earlier recordings.

His return included The Heart, an EP released in 2018, followed by The Soul. Together, the projects formed The Heart & The Soul, a body of work that marked a clear transition toward contemporary Christian music. The song “God Knows (Must Be Love)” became an important part of this new chapter.

Breakthrough with “Jericho”

Ripp’s breakthrough in Christian music came with “Jericho,” released in 2020 and later included on his album Evergreen. Co-written with Ethan Hulse, the song uses the biblical story of Jericho as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles and trusting God when circumstances appear impossible. It became Ripp’s first major entry on the Billboard Christian charts and eventually reached No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.

The success of “Jericho” was followed by “Fill My Cup,” another major Christian radio hit. According to K-LOVE, Ripp became the first purely independent Christian solo artist to achieve two No. 1 singles at Christian radio with “Jericho” and “Fill My Cup.” The success transformed his profile within the Christian music industry and introduced his music to a considerably wider audience.

In 2021, Ripp released Evergreen, a project built around themes of faith, renewal and spiritual growth. Songs such as “Jericho” and “Rejoice” helped establish the album as one of the defining releases of his Christian career.

Songwriting, Style and Collaborations

Ripp’s songwriting has remained central to his career. His music combines the rhythms and energy of contemporary pop with elements of soul, roots rock and gospel. Rather than treating Christian themes as something separate from his wider songwriting, he incorporates faith into songs about relationships, personal struggles, recovery, hope and redemption.

One of his most significant songwriting achievements came through “Rescue Story,” which he co-wrote with Zach Williams. The song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song in 2020. Ripp has also received songwriting credits on projects by other Christian artists, including Cory Asbury.

As a touring artist, he has shared stages with performers including Sara Bareilles, Andy Grammer, Jon Foreman, Plain White T’s and MercyMe. His songs have also appeared in television programmes and entertainment productions, giving his songwriting an audience beyond the Christian music market.

Later Work and Current Career

Following the success of Evergreen, Ripp continued releasing singles and collaborations while expanding his work as a touring artist. His catalogue from the 2020s includes songs such as “For the Love of God,” “Somebody to You,” recorded with Rachael Lampa, and “Love’s Got a Way.” His 2025 release The Mercy Room added another full-length chapter to his Christian music catalogue.

His music has continued into 2026 with releases including “I’d Do It Again,” “Hold Me Up” featuring Jervis Campbell, and “Everything I Prayed For.” His official music catalogue and current streaming listings show that he remains active as a recording and touring artist.

Ripp’s career stands out because of the distance between where it began and where it eventually led. He entered the music industry as an independent singer-songwriter, achieved mainstream songwriting success, stepped away from music after years of pressure, and later returned with a more openly faith-driven body of work. His story has become closely connected to themes of surrender and renewal, while his music continues to combine the emotional honesty of a singer-songwriter with the sound and message of contemporary Christian music.