For a lot of people, especially in urban communities, traditional Bible reading does not connect. It may be a literacy barrier, a format issue, or the difficulty of staying engaged with a wall of text. Streetlights Bible exists for that moment: a word-for-word audio Bible set to a custom hip-hop soundtrack, read by diverse voices from around the world, and given away completely free.^1
The English Audio Bible uses the New Living Translation (NLT), and the Spanish version uses the Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI).^2 After years of production, Streetlights completed the full English Audio Bible, all 66 books, and marked it with the Audio Bible Celebration Book, a collectible art piece featuring notes and highlights from founder Esteban Shedd on the creative and spiritual process behind each book.^3 Going into 2026, the team reported laying the relational foundation for Portuguese, Japanese, Arabic, and German editions while pushing to complete the Spanish Audio Bible.^3
Beyond audio Scripture, the app includes Bible overview explainers created in collaboration with BibleProject, a teaching series called Corner Talk that breaks down theology in an accessible street-corner style, gospel-centered music from ALERT312, and Academy videos and events for deeper training.^2 The site also highlights eB83's album Sacred Sound St.^7 Ministry leaders use Streetlights resources in small groups, youth ministries, prisons, and community outreach.^8
The idea was born in a Chicago basement, where Esteban Shedd watched young men struggle to engage with traditional Bible studies, not because they did not care, but because the format did not meet them where they were. "Seven or eight of the 10 guys really struggled to read," Shedd recalls. One night in 2006, he recorded himself reading Acts 2-3 over a hip-hop beat. "I pressed play on a Wednesday night in a Bible study, and it was like night and day, their engagement, their understanding."^5 Streetlights grew under GRIP Outreach for Youth, with support from Humble Beast Records, and became its own nonprofit in 2019. Its site says the app has been downloaded in over 100 countries, with teams in Chicago and Puerto Rico.^4
Streetlights is led by co-executive directors Esteban Shedd and Loren La Luz, and its site lists a board of directors alongside its team.^1 Everything Streetlights produces is freely given, funded by supporters. As Shedd puts it: "Faith can come through hearing. Give them the opportunity to hear, and then trust that the Holy Spirit will draw people to Jesus."^5
One Play Store reviewer wrote: "I love this app. I've shared it with everyone I know. The instrumental music is great, and the voice-over artists are very soothing with their delivery."^6
Platforms: iOS, Android Pricing: Free
