I have to begin writing my blog by giving my most favorite artist, Lecrae Moore, the spotlight. Over the past few years, I have become more and more, a rap and hip-hop fan. I grew up listening to my parents' records: The Beatles, Paul Simon and lots of folk music. In the 80's during my teens, I listened to what was popular at the time. I loved Michael Jackson and Madonna, Duran Duran and The Cure. In the 90's I listened to Bush, Collective Soul and Dave Matthews Band, Train and Sarah McLachlan. I went through a brief country music phase after I had my son in 1997, but for the most part, I have liked country music the least. I was led to Christ in 2003 by the southern rock band Third Day and a whole new world of music opened up to me. I soon learned that there was as much talent in Christian music as there was in the mainstream music world and I started falling in love with new bands and artists. But I never really got into rap except for the occasional Will Smith or Beastie Boys song back in the day.
I finally began to appreciate the lyrical genius and poetic delivery of some very talented rap artists in the mainstream sector after finally getting accustomed to rap through listening to Tobymac. I moved on to explore the work of Talib Kweli, Nas, 50 Cent and other well-known artists and soon I could recognize their individual styles and sounds. I became a huge fan of Akon. But the mainstream rap and hip hop as well as the more socio-political rap of the backpack rappers was still full of language I didn't want to hear and anthems about social acceptance of a plethora of lifestyles offensive to God. I wanted to enjoy the sound, but not listen to the garbage. I listened to a few Christian rappers and then I went to see Lecrae perform live. I was sucked in immediately to his raw, vulnerable lyrics and tight, smooth music, but most of all I was swept up by the humble, worship throughout it all. When I bought my first Lecrae CD, I think I had it playing in my car for a month straight before I changed the CD. I had to have more, so I downloaded all his other albums from iTunes and listened to all of that. Now that he has just recently released a mixtape, Church Clothes, hosted by DJ Don Cannon and a new album, Gravity, I have a lot to say about the man.
Lecrae's biographical video, "I Am Second" http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/lecrae/
and the bonus DVD in the Rehab/Rehab: The Overdose deluxe set I bought was how I saw his story. It's really worth checking out. Beginning in what has become a typical American kid's childhood, Lecrae emerged as a frontrunner to groundbreaking ministry through rap music. He was a latchkey kid raised by a busy mom and stepfather. His only real status was from rapping at school and composing his own rhymes. As he grew in his talent and went on to college, he came to Christ at a conference and heard the call to only record rap music that honored God and spread the Word to the lost. The lost like him.
He's confronted quite a bit of criticism and been labeled controversial by some in the mainstream industry as well as by Christians. Some people don't see how he can be rapping and respectfully represent Jesus Christ. I find it easy to understand. If you take the Word to Japan, you bring it in Japanese. If you bring the Word to children, you bring it with children's stories and lessons. But if you are going to bring the Word to the streets, you are going to have to bring it in their language. You aren't going to find many gang-bangers and hip-hoppers suddenly realizing the truth of the gospel from listening to Nicole Nordeman or Chris Tomlin. They're never going to hear those people. If they do, they aren't likely to listen. But Lecrae speaks street and he is as raw as he is a lyrical genius. I have introduced Lecrae to a number of friends who are lovers of rap and hip-hop, some of them Christian and some of them not, and they all agree that Lecrae would be high on the mainstream charts and critically acclaimed as an artist if he wasn't singing about Jesus. Well, that's okay with Lecrae.
So holla if it hurts, but we were made for greater
our greatest satisfaction is making His name famous
so if we're never named among the greatest,
they don't critically acclaim us,
ain't nothing to be ashamed of
we gave it up for the savior! - from "Chase That", Overdose album
The respect I have for the man and his music is only deepened when I listen to a song like "I Did It For You" with its smooth, R&B flow and lyrics full of love and compassion for the ones he is ministering to. Christ-like love. And I love that he has several songs about honoring your wife and your marriage vows. His lyrics are not the sugar-coated Christian lyrics your grandma listened to. This is not Amy Grant. He is going to talk about hookers and pimps and you're going to hear drugs and alcohol and porn on your laptop will be mentioned. "I'm Free" tells about youth who are going to church just to meet members of the opposite sex and who aren't there for the Lord at all. You're going to hear him tell stories about people who fall into the same downward spiral no matter what walk of life they're from because we're all in the same boat. But we don't all speak the same language.
Party like the fast life, hurry this the last flight
Chasin' all your dreams, this right here could be your last night
And man you finally got your cash right
But it never seems to last right
You know you sick of lookin', you sick of chasin'
I think you know the truth, you just don't wanna face it
Your life is empty, though you havin' fun
You never satisfied, you never get enough
You go from thrill-seekin' to pill-poppin'
From heavy drinkin' to club-hoppin'
You just can't stop it, like you're a slave
And you chasin' nothin' all the way into the grave. - from "God Is Enough", Rehab album
Lecrae peels back the glossy exterior of the World and exposes the radiant Glory of a walk with the Lord. He is completely UNASHAMED along with the 116 Clique, the other artists at his independent label, Reach Records. These are real men & women singing about needing grace and mercy and realizing their worth to a Savior who would suffer and die for all the sins they committed. They are not singing about collecting things...women, riches, cars, mansions, clothes, guns...they're singing about a relationship with Christ and getting out there and being the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world. From his early performances in juvenile detention centers and on street corners, to his current shows that are filling University stadiums, Lecrae is all about proclaiming a name other than his own. His lyrics are encouraging to all, from the one who is at the bottom of the pit and has never considered turning his eyes upward for help to the mature Christian who is at a place in life where submission to the Lord's service seems daunting when confronted with the values of the world. This artist, Lecrae, becomes a vulnerable source of strength as he tells of our weak, failing selves being empowered and reborn by the power of an Almighty God. He reminds us that it's for us all, not just the perfect people. God doesn't always call the qualified, but he always qualifies the called.
If you think you don't like rap, but you love Jesus, give Lecrae a listen. If you can't deal with 808 drums, look up some of his lyrics and read them just to see the genius. Watch his video, "I Am Second" and get to know the heart of the artist. But without listening, you will miss the artistic way Lecrae twists his double-jointed tongue around the social references, Bible verses and poetry to form a rhythm he can spit in perfect rhyme. Talent like that is a beautiful thing. He's an artist worth getting to know because I can guarantee that at some point, you are going to meet somebody who doesn't know the gospel, but who will listen to this music. It's a ministry tool and that's what it was meant for and that's what Lecrae and Reach Records are dedicating their life to.
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