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.
