This 20-year-old musician was scrubbing toilets and bagging groceries when he felt a nudge from God to “let go.” You’ll hear his testimony in his debut EP, “Prelude” and a second project, “BRKNHRT.” Keep an eye out for this breakout artist—Hulvey is not going anywhere.

PEER: What did you go through to get your first record deal?

HULVEY: I went through a lot. I moved to Atlanta, GA. I dropped out of college when I moved to Atlanta, GA. I got a job at Publix and started scrubbing toilets, and cleaning floors, and all of that. I did that to fund my music. Through that, through funding it and building up enough songs, Reach [Records]  heard them. They put out one of my songs on their summer playlist and then it did well. And then they chose to sign me.

P: What have you learned through life’s challenges?

H: I’ve really learned to really depend on God and just know that He has a plan. And to know that He’s good, and to know that the purpose for my life is to know Him. So when I’m knowing Him, I’m in that sweet spot. There’s nothing– there’s no challenge to big that can get in the way.

P: How has God lately inspired you in writing music?

H: So recently He’s really been giving me a lot of songs (these are songs that aren’t out yet), but recently writing songs that are very universal for everybody to hear. It’s not something I’ve been doing on purpose, it’s something that He’s just been flowing out of me. Yeah, very universal music that everybody can relate to. I think that Christians will definitely relate to it even deeper because of the fact that they know the source that it’s coming from.

“I’ve learned to really depend on God and know that He has a plan—know that He’s good, and that the purpose for my life is to know Him.”

P: When did you know you wanted to make music?

H: In middle school I started rapping. In high school, that’s when I knew I wanted to make music. It became a passion for me and I would stay up every night, really late making it.

P: Why does this upcoming EP mean so much to you?

H: It means so much to me because God gave me the vision in 2018 and it really talks about my story.  As I was moving to Atlanta and going through my journey, I was writing about it at the same time. It’s awesome because it’s my story of surrender and my story of freedom.

P: How did you come to know Jesus?

H: I grew up in church, so I had a lot of seeds planted in me. But when I was around sixteen or seventeen, there’s a guy that told me about the verse John 17:3 (ESV): “And this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

When I heard that verse it kind of blew my mind. Then one day I was on a mission trip and I literally was sitting down and I heard Jesus speak to me. He said, “Follow me”. He spoke to my heart. Ever since I heard that, I was following Him.  And it’s not that I didn’t know Him before, but I really came to have a super, super deep relationship with Him after that. I also want to say that I always want to keep growing. He saved me from my past and my sins, but also I want to keep growing and knowing Him more, and keep living for Him; keep dying daily at His feet.

P: What’s one thing that you want your generation to remember?

H: I want them to remember for real, to seek first the Kingdom. Remember that God is the one who has the keys for your life. God is the One that’s gonna bring the fulfillment and peace in your life. He’ll bring those godly desires to the surface. He’ll direct your path.

P: You’ve also helped in launching Crossover ATL, a church plant located in Atlanta. What’s your involvement in that and why?

H: Honestly, with Crossover ATL, I just go there as a member of the church. I try to help where I can, whether that’s help pull out chairs.  I feel like I try to be there and be present and be asked to help. The reason why is because the Lord highlighted that church on my heart. The moment I started building with Scott Free, the Lord really highlighted that community and the people on my heart. That’s why.

P: Who are you currently listening to? Any people that have influenced your life and faith?

H: This guy named Josh Garros and he’s my favorite artist. He’s definitely impacted me musically and in life because he’s just so spirit led. His music is so spirit-led. And I want to be the same way with my music. Just hearing his music and his lyrics is really cool to me. It reminds me of the hunger that I have for the Lord.

P: How do you maintain your faith? Have any tips for young people on how to pray?

H: I have to be honest before God. Maintaining your faith, you have to be honest before God and get in the word and seek Him in the Word. Be obedient to Him. When it comes to praying, be honest and open your heart to Him. Be real and He won’t judge you, but He’ll actually love you and hear you. He always loves us. Obviously, He loves us, but coming to Him with our burdens, He really does hear us and He meets us there.

P: What’s a Bible verse that has stuck with you through thick and thin?

H: John 17: 3 – “For this is eternal life, that you may know God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.” That verse is huge for me because, it’s just been one of them things that remind me that the purpose of life is to know God. Literally, to know God, to have a relationship with God is my whole purpose. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I live, is to know God.