Lecrae represents an open door.
For years I have seen musicians with Christian backgrounds try to penetrate mainstream culture and make a difference. Some find that the best way to do this is to dilute their content as much as possible in a bid not to come across as a Bible-bashing Jesus freak. After all, how many Bible-bashing Jesus freaks do you hear on mainstream radio?
Alternatively, some refuse to dilute their content and would rather quote Levitical law and complex theology in the hopes of bulldozing their way through the mainstream music industry. But again, how many songs quoting Levitical law and complex theology do you hear on mainstream radio? Lecrae’s tactful approach includes openly professing his faith while also displaying an understanding and empathy for the society and culture he lives in. Lecrae has opened a door that Christian locksmiths around the world have struggled with for a long time, and that door remains wide open. His approach is one to be admired and shows that openly professing your faith and still being relevant to culture is possible. GUVNA B
IN HIS OWN WORDS
‘As a rapper who is a devout Christian, you would think I would struggle or wrestle with compromise because a lot of hip-hop is full of violence and misogyny and so forth, but it’s not really a struggle for me because it’s not my reality. It’s not the life that I’m living.’
‘A musician has a unique opportunity to be a voice for equality, for unity, for love, for justice - but if they really want to take it a step further, go and get your hands dirty.’
‘I know I represent something much bigger than me. I thank God for a voice into culture. I pray I use it wisely.’
‘My mission is not to give an apologetic for why I’m trying to impact people’s lives and use the gospel to transform. My mission is to impact people’s lives and use the gospel to transform. I want to be on that mission and not explaining it all the time.’