BIGSONG:
One of the leading figures in the gospel-rap movement, Lecrae delivers his Christ-centric rhymes with secular flair, employing contemporary production that attracts fans from both ends of the spiritual spectrum. Influenced by Romans 1:16 (“For I am not ashamed of the gospel”), Lecrae made his debut in 2004 with Real Talk, which he issued on his own label Reach Records. He topped the Christian charts with 2008’s Rebel and took home the Grammy for Best Gospel Album with 2012’s Gravity. His journey to bring his message to the mainstream reached a peak in 2014 when Anomaly topped the Billboard 200 and continued into 2016 when he signed with Columbia Records. In addition to collaborations with secular artists E-40, Ty Dolla $ign, Tori Kelly, Lecrae teamed with trap producer Zaytoven in 2018 for the joint effort, the Christian chart-topper Let the Trap Say Amen. In 2020, he released his ninth set, and seventh Christian chart number one, Restoration.
The Compilation Album: Chopped and Screwed
Although he was born on Houston’s south side, Lecrae Devaughn Moore grew up in Denver, Colorado and San Diego, California. It was at the age of 19 that he decided to give his life to Christ. Using conventional methods to spread the Gospel, he began working for ministerial services, and became president of ReachLife Ministries, conducting Bible studies and many other projects. Lecrae’s popular success, however, came from his burgeoning Christian rap career. In 2004, he co-founded Reach Records with Ben Washer; one year later, the label released his debut album, Real Talk. Also, as a part of the 116 Clique, he put out 116 Clique: The Compilation Album.
After the Music Stops
In July 2006, Lecrae dropped his breakout album, the acclaimed After the Music Stops. It debuted at number one on the Christian Music Trade Association’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart and peaked at number five on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart. His 2008 effort, Rebel, topped that same chart for two weeks while his 2010 release, Rehab, reigned at the top for one. Rehab was also nominated for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards. A sequel album, Rehab: The Overdose, arrived in 2011, and won him his first two Dove Awards (for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year and Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year for “Hallelujah”).
Church Clothes
Lecrae’s sixth album, Gravity, appeared in September 2012. A star-studded release, it featured Big K.R.I.T., Mali Music, Trip Lee, and Andy Mineo. Gravity quickly became the biggest-selling Christian rap album in history, debuting at number three on the overall charts, topping digital charts, and, early the following year, winning him the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album (a prize no Christian rapper had ever won before). That same year, Lecrae issued the first installment of his Church Clothes mixtape series. Church Clothes 2 swiftly followed in 2013.
Brave Enough
Lecrae’s seventh album, 2014’s Anomaly, managed to outdo its predecessor. It debuted at number one — both on Billboard’s gospel chart and the overall chart — the first album to do so. It also received plenty of critical acclaim and won a Dove Award. Lecrae went on to appear on Lindsey Stirling’s 2016 album Brave Enough and contributed to the soundtrack to The Shack (“River of Jordan” with Breyan Isaac). He also signed a deal with Columbia in order to expand the audience of his Reach Records label. The first single from Lecrae’s Columbia debut, “Can’t Stop Me Now (Destination),” arrived in October of that year. Several months later, in February 2017, a second single, the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted “Blessings,” was released. Following a third single, “Hammer Time,” Lecrae put out All Things Work Together on Columbia in September 2017. Early 2018 saw the release of the single “Get Right Back” ahead of the arrival of full-length Let the Trap Say Amen, a collaboration with producer/DJ Zaytoven that also spawned the hit single “Plugged In.” The album debuted in the Top 50 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Christian charts for his sixth consecutive effort.
In 2020, Lecrae kicked off another album cycle with the release of the single “Set Me Free,” which featured Florida rapper YK Osiris. That was just one of the tracks that appeared on his ninth full-length, Restoration, which also included album-closer “Nothing Left to Hide.” His seventh Christian chart number one, the mainstream-friendly set featured guests John Legend, Kirk Franklin, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Marc E. Bassy.
