The rap is essentially a powerful prayer to God, expressing a believer's insatiable hunger to
experience more of the Father's power, love, grace, word, and the essence of everything He is. I
was worshipping and having a Holy Ghost fit to this anointed number. I highly recommend it.
You'll be snapping your neck, praying, and praising all at the same time.
Powerful.
That's the word that describes the music ministry of Lecrae Moore whose album Rehab, the
predecessor of his latest release, Overdose, still sits at #1 on Billboard gospel. If you're not familiar
with this theologically astute Grammy-nominated Christian rapper, you're a part of a rapidly
shrinking minority, of which I was a member a couple months ago. You see, I had heard of Lecrae,
but didn't know much about his music beyond one of my favorite Christian Hip Hop songs, Jesus
Muzik featuring Trip Lee (another powerful rapper). But when the news of his music burning up
the Billboard charts hit my inbox, I dug a little deeper and stumbled upon a profound 2008
conversation Lecrae had with Pastor Mark Driscoll.
I was so impacted by that video and my subsequent interview with Lecrae, that I've been listening
to his music as a regular part of my daily routine. I'm convinced that the world needs "Moore"...
Lecrae Moore, that is. His albums are on par with mainstream Hip Hop releases from the likes of
Jay-Z, Kanye, Drake, and Wayne. These are a few of the household names that currently dominate
the mainstream rap genre. Sex, money, power, ambition, pride, and worldly lusts are the focus of
their rhymes, which have made their way into the ears and hearts of millions.
experience more of the Father's power, love, grace, word, and the essence of everything He is. I
was worshipping and having a Holy Ghost fit to this anointed number. I highly recommend it.
You'll be snapping your neck, praying, and praising all at the same time.
Powerful.
That's the word that describes the music ministry of Lecrae Moore whose album Rehab, the
predecessor of his latest release, Overdose, still sits at #1 on Billboard gospel. If you're not familiar
with this theologically astute Grammy-nominated Christian rapper, you're a part of a rapidly
shrinking minority, of which I was a member a couple months ago. You see, I had heard of Lecrae,
but didn't know much about his music beyond one of my favorite Christian Hip Hop songs, Jesus
Muzik featuring Trip Lee (another powerful rapper). But when the news of his music burning up
the Billboard charts hit my inbox, I dug a little deeper and stumbled upon a profound 2008
conversation Lecrae had with Pastor Mark Driscoll.
I was so impacted by that video and my subsequent interview with Lecrae, that I've been listening
to his music as a regular part of my daily routine. I'm convinced that the world needs "Moore"...
Lecrae Moore, that is. His albums are on par with mainstream Hip Hop releases from the likes of
Jay-Z, Kanye, Drake, and Wayne. These are a few of the household names that currently dominate
the mainstream rap genre. Sex, money, power, ambition, pride, and worldly lusts are the focus of
their rhymes, which have made their way into the ears and hearts of millions.
These days, many are lamenting the downfall of this generation and pointing the finger at Hip Hop
as the core reason for the moral ineptitude that plagues our society. But Christian rappers like
Lecrae Moore are showing a different side of Hip Hop, and causing lots of folks to reassess their
feelings about this medium. His Christ-centered lyrics that encourage passion for Jesus, and
denounce greed, lust, and pursuit of worldly pleasures, are resonating with thousands.
When I chatted with the down-to-earth co-founder of Reach Records, the label he is currently
signed to, it was clear from our conversation that Lecrae isn't just rapping for thrill, fame, or
profit. Rather, his excitement and hunger to maximize his platform is rooted in his recognition of
the opportunity that lies before him to impact the world with the best message of all, the Gospel.
He and his team at Reach Records and ReachLife Ministries are mission-focused, and committed
to raising up true followers of Jesus Christ. "Before there were any lights, camera, action, our goal
was always to influence people and see their lives and hearts change, specifically for the Lord," he
says.
Aside from the change of heart being experienced by multitudes of people accepting Christ as Lord
and Savior, many people's perception of rappers are changing, too. They are beginning to see that
a positive message and image has the potential to be embraced by wide audiences.
as the core reason for the moral ineptitude that plagues our society. But Christian rappers like
Lecrae Moore are showing a different side of Hip Hop, and causing lots of folks to reassess their
feelings about this medium. His Christ-centered lyrics that encourage passion for Jesus, and
denounce greed, lust, and pursuit of worldly pleasures, are resonating with thousands.
When I chatted with the down-to-earth co-founder of Reach Records, the label he is currently
signed to, it was clear from our conversation that Lecrae isn't just rapping for thrill, fame, or
profit. Rather, his excitement and hunger to maximize his platform is rooted in his recognition of
the opportunity that lies before him to impact the world with the best message of all, the Gospel.
He and his team at Reach Records and ReachLife Ministries are mission-focused, and committed
to raising up true followers of Jesus Christ. "Before there were any lights, camera, action, our goal
was always to influence people and see their lives and hearts change, specifically for the Lord," he
says.
Aside from the change of heart being experienced by multitudes of people accepting Christ as Lord
and Savior, many people's perception of rappers are changing, too. They are beginning to see that
a positive message and image has the potential to be embraced by wide audiences.
ARTICLE & INTERVIEW BY DIANNA HOBBS, EEW MAGAZINE FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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| EEWMAGAZINE.COM |
When I asked the University of North Texas
graduate how all the success feels, he said, "It feels
good for me because I feel like I represent a voice
for people that doesn't necessarily get heard. I'm
glad to give people a different picture of
Christianity, of urban men, black men." The picture
of which Lecrae speaks, is one of a blood-washed
believer, devoted husband and father, and strategic
urban evangelist who preaches to the masses
through his rhymes. By the grace of God, Lecrae has
grown into a Godly man despite the absence of a
drug-addicted father who abandoned him early on.
graduate how all the success feels, he said, "It feels
good for me because I feel like I represent a voice
for people that doesn't necessarily get heard. I'm
glad to give people a different picture of
Christianity, of urban men, black men." The picture
of which Lecrae speaks, is one of a blood-washed
believer, devoted husband and father, and strategic
urban evangelist who preaches to the masses
through his rhymes. By the grace of God, Lecrae has
grown into a Godly man despite the absence of a
drug-addicted father who abandoned him early on.
When you look at Lecrae today, it's hard to believe he was once a hustler who got into more than
his fair share of trouble. "I come from a lineage of extremely strong-minded firm black women,"
he says. "They painted a great picture for me. My mother grew up in the projects, extremely poor,
and she wanted more. She wasn't going to let circumstances or society dictate what she was gonna
do. She had me reading books that I think none of my peers would read. Internally, she made
something out of me that culture and society and the men around me shunned."
Lecrae was taught to educate himself, seek truth, and to believe that a much more exciting world
existed beyond his crime-ridden, poor neighborhood. Thankfully, Lecrae had positive examples to
draw from. " I had an aunt that had traveled the world," he recalls. "She was a teacher in Japan and
Africa. So, she really was very instrumental in encouraging me." Even throughout his wayward
years, the foundation set by the women in Lecrae's life, helped guide him along the way.
Nowadays, he is finally a mirror reflecting the image of Christ, and is daily influenced by the most
important woman in his life, his wife Darragh. "I married the right woman. She is not impressed,"
he laughed. "When I come home, there are the expectations of a man and not a superstar. She's not
caught up in that."
And neither is he.
Rather, the rising Christian rap star is interested in introducing as many as possible to Jesus Christ,
the one who transformed his life.
For that reason, I believe we'll be seeing lots of more of him in the coming years as the light of
Christ continues to shine through the Reach Records urban evangelist. For more on Lecrae, visit
ReachRecords.com.
his fair share of trouble. "I come from a lineage of extremely strong-minded firm black women,"
he says. "They painted a great picture for me. My mother grew up in the projects, extremely poor,
and she wanted more. She wasn't going to let circumstances or society dictate what she was gonna
do. She had me reading books that I think none of my peers would read. Internally, she made
something out of me that culture and society and the men around me shunned."
Lecrae was taught to educate himself, seek truth, and to believe that a much more exciting world
existed beyond his crime-ridden, poor neighborhood. Thankfully, Lecrae had positive examples to
draw from. " I had an aunt that had traveled the world," he recalls. "She was a teacher in Japan and
Africa. So, she really was very instrumental in encouraging me." Even throughout his wayward
years, the foundation set by the women in Lecrae's life, helped guide him along the way.
Nowadays, he is finally a mirror reflecting the image of Christ, and is daily influenced by the most
important woman in his life, his wife Darragh. "I married the right woman. She is not impressed,"
he laughed. "When I come home, there are the expectations of a man and not a superstar. She's not
caught up in that."
And neither is he.
Rather, the rising Christian rap star is interested in introducing as many as possible to Jesus Christ,
the one who transformed his life.
For that reason, I believe we'll be seeing lots of more of him in the coming years as the light of
Christ continues to shine through the Reach Records urban evangelist. For more on Lecrae, visit
ReachRecords.com.
LISTEN UP!
REHAB: OVERDOSE
REHAB: OVERDOSE
ust imagine me sitting in a room with my headphones plugged into my laptop with tears
streaming down my cheeks. Well, this is what happened to me while I was listening to "More,"
track #2 off Lecrae's new album, Rehab: The Overdose.
streaming down my cheeks. Well, this is what happened to me while I was listening to "More,"
track #2 off Lecrae's new album, Rehab: The Overdose.
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