Tony Cummings reports on a musicianary with deep spiritual roots, SEAN RODRIGUEZ

Sean Rodriguez

I'm not alone in believing the single "It Is Finished" by Sean Rodriguez featuring Disciple, released in late 2024, to be one of the best-ever Christian music recordings. It will undoubtedly be featured in the new series of Spirit Of Rock & Soul. Pastor's son Sean, originally from Denver but now based in Nashville, only emerged on the scene in 2020 while Disciple are true rock/metal veterans who made their first album back in 1995.

Sean's spiritual roots go back to a faithful and fearless man of God, Pastor William A Rodriguez, who for decades has overseen a thriving church in Colorado. Speaking about his grandfather Sean said, "He's 70 years old, but when he preaches, he sings, praises and delivers the Word with the energy of a young man. His obedience to God is at the very core of my faith. His leadership in my life inspires my own walk with Christ and fuels my passion for ministry."

That spiritual heritage comes through in Sean's track "House Of God". The official music video for the song was filmed with Sean singing and dancing before a packed congregation and even features "Pastor Grandpa" himself. Said Sean, "This song is a celebration of my upbringing in the church. I grew up seeing former gang members, ex-convicts, families from every walk of life, all worshipping together. That was church for me. That shaped who I am today."

The songsmith was asked how he got into music making. "I got into music through breakdancing. My friends and I were really into dance for a while, and then I thought it would be cool to make our music to dance too. That ignited my passion and dream to pursue growing as an artist. I started writing songs in high school, and they were all terrible, but I kept at it, developed the skill and always ensured God stayed at the centre of it. The word God allows me to do started years ago before I knew where he was taking me!"

Where God was taking Sean was Nashville. In 2022 the singer and songwriter left the support and familiarity of Colorado to plant new roots in the Christian music epicentre. Recording success followed. The title track of his WieRok Records debut 'Jesus Will' EP amassed over two million streams on Spotify and Pandora alone in its first six months of release while his appearances on 2023's Winter Jam Tour Spectacular showed him to be one of the most exciting new artists to emerge for decades. But of all his growing list of achievements it's been his collaboration with veteran rockers Disciple which has brought forth the most accolades... and streams.

"It Is Finished" was written by Rodriguez and Will Strotz and produced by Greg GREGATRON Williams. The electrifying anthem has been described as "a battle cry mobilizing believers to stand firm in Jesus' victory" and with Rodriguez and Disciple's Kevin Young trading powerful vocals the track hits home: "Devil may try to fight it / Enemy may deny it / But the victory is already in stone" goes the song while Rodriguez's signature lightning-speed rap is showcased in the bridge. Said Sean about his and Disciple's rock classic, "This song was written to recognize that our victory is not a result of anything we have done, but what Christ has done for us. I hope it gets listeners fired up about their calling in life, knowing that the Enemy cannot stand in the way. I want people to hear 'It Is Finished' and feel like they can overcome anything."

Sean believes prayer is the key to achieve peace, joy and inner contentment and victory. In an interview with the Salvation Army's Peer Magazine Sean was asked whether he had any tips for young people on how to pray. He responded, "Pray for what you desire, but then pray for God's desire to be first. Say to God, 'Wherever you place me, I will serve you.' We must remember that prayer and faith are about him, not us. When you live your life based on what you can do for him, you will make a more significant impact than you could imagine; your faith will be stronger than ever, and your prayer will have new power because you are praying that God will take place over your own."