CHH artist Jaylafé recently wrote an article on the backlash Lecrae has been getting from all of the changes in his philosphy of ministry. Check it out:

I felt burdened to write this post because I’ve seen a good bit of mudslinging in Lecrae’s direction lately.  Because of some of his newer ministry ventures, the very community of CHH listeners he helped establish is becoming polarized.  And I used to be a mudslinger, I’ll be real.  But I’ve changed a good bit, and I think we all need to step back from our nitpicking and pray for this man.  He’s in an extremely potent place for the growth of Christian hip hop.  No, Lecrae is not the face of this ministry.  Jesus Christ is. Lecrae does not determine Christian hip hop’s success.  Jesus does. 

Lecrae is a broken human being, just like you (pun intended).  And I’m not writing this post because I’m particularly biased toward Lecrae’s music, because in all honesty, I wouldn’t say I absolutely love his music, although I definitely like it.  I most definitely respect it and I respect him.  God is choosing to use Lecrae on an unusually great platform for CHH, and we need to be careful about our criticisms.  We need to respect that Lecrae is in a critical position for growth, evangelism and bridge-building in the world of Christian artists.  What could be the most exciting evangelistic movement in the life of Christian hip hop is being sullied by unwarranted criticism, and it needs to stop.  So, here are two reasons you shouldn’t hate on Lecrae.

1. He’s said what he needs to say to the core Christian hip hop audience

Lecrae’s lyrical legacy for the way-back CHH listeners is solid. From Take Me as I Am to Don’t Waste Your Life to Go Hard to Background, Lecrae has penned many of the most memorable and influential songs in Christian hip hop’s history. And he’s said plenty. But that’s exactly the point. He’s poured out his heart to the Christian hip hop audience, and perhaps he’s said what he needs to say to his devoutly-Christian listeners. For those who’ve been listening to him since Real Talk, Lecrae’s dropped all kinds of knowledge for an audience who wanted an uncompromisingly Christian message with that syrupy-southern style Lecrae brings. Even the greatest artists communicate only a few major messages to their core audiences, and Lecrae has gone beyond that.

Once Rehab, Lecrae’s fourth studio album, dropped, it was time for something different. While tackling a new array of issues, Rehab’s lyrical content used arguably less explicitly Christian terminology than his previous works, and many took issue. It was clear that Rehab was crafted for a broader audience than Rebel, After the Music Stops and Real Talk. And some weren’t having it. They wanted the “old” Lecrae. For those who seem bothered that Rehab didn’t sound like Rebel (and who will be even more bothered when Gravity, his upcoming album, doesn’t sound like Rebel), the words of Jay-Z might paint a picture: “[If] you want my old [music], buy my old albums.”

If fans truly wanted Rehab to sound like the old Lecrae, they would have gotten an album that sounded like, well, Rebel. Or After the Music Stops. In fact, they would probably be complaining if Lecrae were to release another old-Lecrae style album, because it would be stagnant, repetitive and inauthentic. Not because the content would be bad, but because it would have already been said.  It would have been essentially a re-release of his old material (of course, this is only my opinion).

As Lecrae releases newer material, he’s reflecting the burdens of his heart from a different vantage point in ministry. He’s ministering to different people who need the same message spoken to them in a different way. Just because some of Lecrae’s ministry methods have changed doesn’t mean Lecrae’s conviction about the Gospel has changed.  And before one throws stones, he or she has to ask: is what he’s doing really less “Christian”? It would be irresponsible for Lecrae to not expand his giftings and calling in the Gospel before a new audience, as I’ll argue in my next point.

2. Lecrae is in a revolutionary position for Gospel ministry in the world of hip hop

Simply put, there are many who criticize Lecrae for “going secular”. But there’s a world of difference between “going secular” and “going into the secular market as a Christian.” It’s one thing for Lecrae to do work with DJ Don Cannon or to receive production from Boi-1da or 9th Wonder . It would another for Lecrae to hop on a track with DJ Khaled, talk about money, weed and women and throw a little Jesus in at the end. If Lecrae gets on a track produced by Boi-1da and spits a verse on redemption in Christ, is there a Biblical reason this is any worse than Lecrae spitting the same verse over a beat by K-Drama or DJ Official? People might argue, “Lecrae shouldn’t be financially supporting the work of people who don’t represent Christ.”

However, Lecrae’s association with “secular” DJs, producers and artists creates relationships, associations and doorways into a world that desperately needs Jesus. He’s becoming more accepted by this world in a way that allows him to effectively deliver the Gospel message.  He is “becoming all things to all men in order that [he] might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).  He’s established trust with people who probably wouldn’t have given the time of day to the 2006 Lecrae. He has a platform of hundreds of thousands of fans, potentially a million or much more, many of whom probably don’t know Jesus Christ in a genuine way (can I keep it real?). And that platform grows by leaps and bounds as he builds with more and more producers, DJs and artists. He speaks Biblical and Gospel-centered truths, and people listen by the multitudes. So, why are you hating again?

Another thing to consider is, there will most likely never be another Lecrae. While Lecrae isn’t the greatest lyricist of all time (and I’m sure he would admit that), he is a truly well-rounded MC, which is in my opinion more rare than a great lyricist. He has a rare combination of gifts that almost no one has. His lyrics are crystal clear. His rap voice is piercing and unmistakable. He’s an exceptionally-talented performer. He has a commanding presence. I’m probably a little under 6’2” with shoes on, and I’ve stood next to him, and he’s at least a couple inches taller than I am, maybe 6’4” or 6’5”.

He’s a captivating, intelligent speaker. People listen to him. He’s a businessman, he’s diplomatic, he’s cross-cultural, he’s humble. He knows how to develop talent in others. And he has a way of getting respect from a non-Christian listening audience. Because of his very rare combination of gifts, Lecrae is able to go deeper into a “secular” music world than most artists. He’s “influencing the influential” and getting a buzz no other Christian MC has gotten or probably ever will get. And don’t think that people won’t hear the Gospel when they listen to his music.  The iTunes music store didn’t create an “inspirational hip hop” section because Lecrae was watering down the Gospel.

Does this mean that every “secular” rapper is going to come to know Christ or that Lecrae is going to transform the entire hip hop culture? Of course not. And Lecrae is powerless in and of himself. But God is using him to do an unusual measure of positive work in hip hop as a vessel for the Gospel. And if Lecrae isn’t doing that, who else is in that position? To put it bluntly, to ask Lecrae to turn away from his work with nonChristian DJs, producers and artists is to curse the Gospel. Remember, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Mark 2:17). If you truly respect him as an artist, trust him. He knows what he’s doing. And he knows who his King is.

So you’re still hating? Here are a few questions. First, are you hating on Lecrae because you see him doing something clearly unbiblical or because he’s doing things differently than you’d prefer? There’s a big difference. Don’t judge another’s ministry if there’s no legitimate Biblical basis. Are you hating out of jealousy? Sure, you’ll likely say “no”, but search your heart deeply. It’s easy to criticize another artist when you see God expanding their platform in a huge way. Instead of criticizing Lecrae, pray for him. We have no idea what he experiences in the position he’s in. He needs prayer and encouragement in his Gospel ministry, because he’s a human being who has ups and downs just like we do. He’s in a position to do some truly incredible work for the Gospel. Let’s not sour that by unwarranted criticism. Invest in your own ministry, whatever that may be, and let’s pray for one another as we pray for Lecrae and those in positions of great exposure in Christian hip hop.

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