I grew up listening to rap music. I am a Gen Y gal, the generation that truly began to embrace rap music from a young age. I have discussed with my husband, “What happens when we get older… are we still going to be listening to this?” I ask this mainly because of the risque reputation rap music has gained from its lyrics. This thinking is similar to the current popularity of getting a tattoo and then having that image with you on your body as an elderly person. Because these things are what is popular, they create the new norms. Most popular music on mainstream stations IS hip-hop/rap. There are now stations devoted only to the genre.
When I first came to Pulse 101.7FM, I was not hearing much rap. I talked with Rachel Leigh about this once and she shared a great point: when Christian rock music first began, it had a sound that was different than the mainstream version, making it less accessible. Today, Christian rock artists create music that is very comparable stylistically to that of the mainstream, bridging that gap. She said that until Christian rap music became comparable in sound to that of the mainstream rap artists, it would be difficult for those who did not only listen to Christian music to relate and fall in love with the sound.
THE ALBUM
Lecrae has bridged this gap. His talent is immense. He creates music with similar beats and background music, and his talent of rapping and writing is easily at the same level of any mainstream rapper. BUT, he shares Truth… addressing relevant, important issues.
This album is raw. It is powerful. You can feel the emotion. Many of the songs are eye-opening, bringing awareness to issues that people face each day, but that we don’t always want to talk about. He even discusses the issue of mainstream rap music; what the artists are providing and what influence that can have on children of the current generation.
The last song on the album features Pulse 101.7FM artist For King and Country. It empowers and encourages the listener be a messenger of truth. Make sure that YOU share this album with anyone who is a fan of the genre…and ask them to share it, too. Those who are not currently listening to Christian music will recognize his talent and be impacted by the message. I believe this album is the beginning of a new era in Christian rap. Lecrae is truly an “Anomaly.”
