Lecrae Moore: A Counter-Cultural Rebel In Modern Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop in modern-day America is filled with lines that spew profane language that brags on the artists and glorifies wealth and fame. Lecrae Moore, however, has recently topped Billboard charts with hip-hop music that is counter-cultural and refreshing to the ears of its listeners. In contrast to the hedonistic mainstream hip-hop music, Lecrae’s lyrics are filled with hope and present a lifestyle that consists of prayer, humility and adoration of Jesus Christ, whom Lecrae calls his Savior. In essence Lecrae’s rebellion is against the culture of modern-day hip-hop and the culture of American society. In contrast to what is popular in America, Lecrae’s music is focused on the impact of faith on his life while simultaneously addressing common issues and misconceptions about the Christian faith.

As Lecrae declares in many of his songs, his main focus is to openly profess his faith to the world; he shares this faith through rap, a passion that he’s had from an early age. In Lecrae’s fifth album ‘Rehab: The Overdose’ (released in 2011), he reflects on his previous rap career. In a song entitled ‘Chase That: Ambition’, Lecrae tells about how he previously rapped about things similar to what mainstream artists rap about today. He says that his main goal was to attain more money but the money that he received never seemed to satisfy him. From his regenerated mindset he says, “You can have the money and you can have the fame, but me I want the glory; I’m living for the name. See life is just a picture; I see outside the frame. I’m living for a kingdom that I ain’t never seen” (Moore). This kingdom that Lecrae speaks about in the song is Heaven, which Lecrae believes has more riches than are spoken of in secular hip-hop artists’ songs. From Lecrae’s perspective, it is much more beneficial to live for those riches than it is to live for the physical things in the world. Another song from his 2012 album ‘Church Clothes’ portrays more of Lecrae’s rebellion against mainstream hip-hop. ‘My Whole Life Changed’ explicitly talks about the difference between Lecrae and other artists.  He professes, “I could rap about money and cars and getting high but why? I let the rest of y’all pen that. Insecurity brags and I’ve been that” (Moore). Being that Lecrae was once on the secular side of hip-hop, he knows that the reasons for his bragging on himself stemmed from insecurities in other areas of his life. Now that he finds treasure in things that he believes are greater, he sees no need for bragging on his material possessions. Not only does Lecrae openly express his rebellion against hip-hop culture, but he also speaks from a position of understanding, and gives hope to current mainstream hip-hop artists.

Lecrae’s music may broadcast bold beliefs in Christianity but his lifestyle is one that provides evidence to all of the claims made in his songs. The 2012 album ‘Church Clothes’ features a song called ‘Sacrifice’, in which Lecrae talks about the philanthropic work that he has done in his life. He says that instead of classifying his music as Gospel Rap, it should actually be called a sacrifice because of the way he has given up some of his own freedoms to share his faith with the world. With heavy conviction Lecrae states,

I took my girl from the Lone Star to Memphis Ten on them cold blocks. And what you think we moved for? To see kids get killed in the school zone? To see crack get sold? Bodies turned cold? What, you think I think that’s cool, bro? What you think I went to school for? To turn around and move back to the hood? Na, boy this what you call a sacrifice; this is bigger than me. It’s for a greater good. (Moore)

The way that Lecrae vividly depicts his lifestyle in his lyrics makes it clear that he’s not just rapping to gain recognition from his peers; the message in his lyrics is something that he sees as beneficial for everyone and he would sacrifice his own leisure to deliver it. After his most recent album ‘Anomaly’ made the number 1 spot on Billboard 200 lists in September 2014 (Caulfield), Lecrae released a free single entitled ‘Non-Fiction’ that outlined his journey in the rap industry. He talks about his experiences when he first incorporated his faith into his raps. He confesses, “Was rappin’ in the hood and folks broke down cryin’. That’s when I knew this was bigger than me and bigger than rhymin’” (Moore). This theme of Lecrae selflessly sharing his faith with the world for the benefit of others is common amongst his songs and sets Lecrae apart from many of the modern-day rap artists.

One example of Lecrae’s selflessness is seen in his release of two free mix-tapes entitled ‘Church Clothes’ and ‘Church Clothes, Vol. 2’. The goal of these mix-tapes was to extend his music to an audience of people that do not necessarily identify themselves as Christians. In an interview with Adam Fleischer for XXL Magazine, Lecrae commented on this album saying, “More than anything my message and my mission has always been to give hope and inspiration and to see people transform” (Fleischer). In an effort to obtain this goal, Lecrae spoke about various Christian norms, while also addressing hypocrisy amongst Christians and the association with getting dressed up for church services. One song from the album, ‘Misconception’, specifically addresses false notions that are commonly held about Christianity. He features artists from another Christian rap label—Humble Beast—and each rapper talks about one misconception that they believe plagues the Christian faith in society today. In Lecrae’s verse, he states that the biggest mistake is that “…the world believes the Christian is foolish without direction” (Moore). In a sense, Lecrae’s lyrics make him appear to be a Christian apologetic in his attempts to defend his faith, a quality that is not often seen in hip-hop culture. Instead, most rappers are heard defending their identities in being drug dealers, womanizers, or millionaires. In the same interview for XXL, Lecrae points out another misconception about the Christian faith. “Everybody has this idea that, I gotta get dressed up or I gotta put on my church clothes; this putting on of airs. People believe that I gotta put on airs when it comes to dealing with God or dealing with Christians” (Fleischer). Lecrae refutes this idea in numerous songs, stating that his faith allows people to come as they are without the obligation of changing themselves. This theme of being one’s true self also defies the norms in modern-day hip-hop culture, where the majority of artists glorify wealth and riches while demeaning those who do not have such resources.

Lecrae’s fan base does not only consist of those who openly profess and practice Christianity, but he has many fans and associates that are quite famous in the secular world. DJ Don Canon, who is noted for working with secular artists from Yung Jeezy to Ludacris, hosted his ‘Church Clothes’ mix-tapes. However, the aforementioned artists have songs with titles such as ‘Thug Motivation 101’ and ‘Pussy Poppin’; Lecrae’s songs have not a trace of profanity. His music also features secular hip-hop artists such as B.o.B, Big K.R.I.T., Paul Wall, and Bun B and rapper Kendrick Lamar is featured in Lecrae’s ‘Church Clothes’ music video (Figure 1). Famous athletes also proclaim to be fans of Lecrae. An ESPN interview with Lecrae reveals that Jeremy Lin views Lecrae as a mentor and even calls Lecrae his favorite rapper (Zwerling). Other famous athletes associated with Lecrae include Bubba Watson, Justin Forsett, Anthony Tolliver, and Nolan Smith. These vast groups of celebrities, who already have a large impact on American youth only contribute to Lecrae’s expansion.

Figure 2: Lecrae's music video for the song "Church Clothes" begins with various celebrities giving props to the Christian rapper. Lecrae "Church Clothes" (Music Video). YouTube. YouTube, 2012. Web. 6 May 2014.

Lecrae—along with two other rappers on his record label, Tedashii and Trip Lee—also began a movement in 2002 called the 116 Clique. The group was initially geared towards modern-day youth who are unashamed of their faith and is based off of the Bible verse Romans 1:16, which states “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe…” The group of rappers produces t-shirts, bumper-stickers, hats, and other apparel that supports young people that are not ashamed of their faith (Figure 2). This movement paved the way for a more culturally acceptable route in which youth could be bold about their beliefs and publicly affirm and publicize their beliefs. Knowing that this bold declaration of being unashamed for one’s beliefs would set people apart, Lecrae makes sure that the young people that are ostracized for their faith are not alone; this group is full of Christians professing their faith and living lives that back it up as well.

Figure 2: Left to right—Tedashii, Lecrae, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka. They are members of Reach Records and pioneers of the 116 Clique Movement. Bonham, Chad. ‘A Conversation with Christian Hip Hop Artist Lecrae.’ Belief Net: Inspire Your Everyday. Belief Net, 2014. Web. 4 May 2015.

Lecrae Moore has had an effect on a wide variety of people from secular rap artists to athlete, all of which have influence on youth culture in America. His music, which portrays a lifestyle that is contrary to the normal rapper, shows young people that it is okay for them to be different and for them to be proud of their beliefs and faith in Christ. He also gives defense for his Christian beliefs while calling out some common misconceptions about the faith and even explaining some of the Christian norms. Ultimately the impact that Lecrae’s music has had influences the masses and, even more importantly, it influences the youth, which are the future of America.

Works Cited

Caulfield, Keith. “Lecrae Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200.” Billboard. Billboard, 17 Sept. 2014. Web. 4 Apr. 2015. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6251697/lecrae-earns-first-no-1-album-on-billboard-200.

Fleischer, Adam. “Lecrae On Church Clothes Mixtape, Why He’s Hip-Hop, No Malice, Kendrick Lamar, & Jeremy Lin.” XXL. XXL Mag, 9 May 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2015. http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/05/lecrae-on-church-clothes-mixtape-why-hes-hip-hop-no-malice-kendrick-lamar-jeremy-lin/.

Moore, Lecrae, perf. “Chase That (Ambition).” By Lecrae Moore. Rehab: The Overdose. Reach Records, 2011. CD.

Moore, Lecrae, per. “Misconception.” By Lecrae Moore. Church Clothes. Reach Records, 2012.

Moore, Lecrae, perf. “Non-Fiction.” By Lecrae Moore. Non-Fiction-Single. Reach Records, 2015.

Moore, Lecrae, perf. “Sacrifice.” By Lecrae Moore. Church Clothes. Reach Records, 2012.

Moore, Lecrae, perf. “My Whole Life Changed.” By Lecrae Moore. Church Clothes, Vol. 2. Reach Records, 2013. CD.

Zwerling, Jared. “Athletes Turn to Lecrae for Rap Inspiration.” ESPN Music. ESPN, 19 Oct. 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2015. http://espn.go.com/blog/music/post/_/id/3567/athletes-turn-to-lecrae-for-rap-inspiration.