Latest news with #Lecrae
Black America Web
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Lecrae: Bridging Faith, Culture, and Hip-Hop
Source: Jason Armond / Getty Lecrae Moore, known mononymously as Lecrae, is a GRAMMY-winning rapper, producer, and entrepreneur whose career has reshaped the landscape of Christian hip-hop and beyond. Born in Houston and raised in a variety of cities, Lecrae's music carries the weight of his personal journey—one rooted in faith, redemption, and community uplift. Lecrae's 2013 GRAMMY win for Best Gospel Album with Gravity marked a historic moment—not just for himself, but for the Christian hip-hop genre as a whole. That project, a blend of introspective lyricism, trap-influenced beats, and socially conscious storytelling, showcased Lecrae's ability to tackle real-world issues while staying grounded in spiritual themes. His work has made space for messages of faith in mainstream hip-hop and proved that rap with purpose can still top charts. Lecrae's artistry is deeply informed by hip-hop legends like Tupac Shakur and Nas, whose vivid storytelling and social commentary laid the groundwork for his narrative style. He also credits Outkast and Lauryn Hill for teaching him that music can be both thought-provoking and sonically rich. However, it wasn't just rap that shaped him—gospel artists like Kirk Franklin and soul legends like Curtis Mayfield helped guide Lecrae's blend of spiritual depth and cultural resonance. These influences gave rise to a unique sound: vulnerable yet powerful, rooted in Scripture yet attuned to the streets. Through his label, Reach Records, Lecrae has created space for artists who share his vision—offering a platform for voices often excluded from both the church and the mainstream industry. Lecrae's influence reaches far beyond album sales and award wins. Artists such as Andy Mineo, NF, and even Chance the Rapper have acknowledged Lecrae's impact—whether directly or indirectly—through their own work that fuses spirituality and hip-hop. In fact, Lecrae has paved the way for mainstream artists to explore faith openly in their lyrics without sacrificing artistic integrity or popularity. His unapologetic stance on racial justice, mental health, and inner-city struggles has also inspired non-musical community work and social reform. Lecrae doesn't just make music—he makes movements. His influence continues to ripple through both Christian and secular music spaces, proving that rhythm rooted in purpose can truly change the culture. SEE ALSO Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Fox News
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Will Smith opens up about his spiritual journey and how the 'material world' only had so much to offer
Hollywood superstar Will Smith opened up on a new podcast about the spiritual journey he's been on since his fall from grace after slapping comedian Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Academy Awards. During a conversation with Christian rapper Lecrae on the April 4 "The Deep End with Lecrae," Smith was candid about the "inward work" he's done over the past few years to reach a "brand new" version of himself, both professionally and personally. The "Independence Day" star told Lecrae that he had to "trust himself and God" to "let go" of things in his life that weren't serving him and believe there was a bigger plan. Smith confessed that he also realized all the fame and success he earned didn't bring life meaning. "It is such a rare gift to reach the end of the material world, to reach the end of money. To get to the point where you can buy anything you want, and you sit in your house and there's nothing else to buy. Whereas buying things used to scratch an itch," he said. "Now there's nothing else to buy… To have had all the sex that you wanted. How many more number one movies do I need? How many more Grammys do I need?" Smith said. "It's such a rare gift to get to the end of the material world and a place where only God is left." Smith said he came to realize that the "material world" only had so much to offer. "People usually do that when they hit rock bottom. But there's a corresponding place to rock bottom which I call cliff top. Where you actually pop out of the material world and you [realize] there's nothing left here," he continued. "And inward is the only place left." "There's no country you can go to. There's no relationship you can start. No new job that's going to do it… You get to the end of it. It's excruciating, but I would wish that on everybody. I wish everybody could get everything they want to see that it doesn't satisfy," he added. Later in the interview, Smith said that while he was raised by a Christian grandmother, his current views on spirituality have been shaped by other religions, including Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. "My religion is love," he said. "I believe in the oneness and possibility of harmony of people who are reaching for the one truth." Smith said he recognized that he lived a "blessed" life and said he doesn't view himself as better than those who may have to make different life choices because of where they grew up or the situations they've been put in. Smith is currently promoting his newest music album, "Based on a True Story," which is his first full album in twenty years.
Boston Globe
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Working behind the scenes on a Grammy nominee can still be a huge win for an artist
Advertisement Lecrae's record ultimately secured a win for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at last year's ceremony. But even before that achievement, the nominations alone attracted prominent clientele – and bigger paychecks – that helped Lacossade support and record his own music. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I'm 100 percent funding myself [as an artist],' he says. 'To actually be from the city, and actually be a product of Boston, Massachusetts — from the Boys and Girls Club, to Boston Latin Academy, to working the summer jobs in Boston...I don't take for granted the fact that I'm amongst the highest levels of music possible.' For every teary-eyed winner you see onstage at the 67th Grammy Awards this Sunday, there are at least a dozen additional people who are also winners through their contributions as songwriters, session musicians, and engineers, among other roles. Many of them – including folks from Boston – go on to reap the rewards of that acclaim with more profitable work and chances to contribute to releases that differ stylistically from their solo projects. Boston jazz singer Advertisement Each artist will receive a certificate from the Recording Academy that acknowledges their contributions to the nominated projects, and will receive a second certificate if a project wins. It's quite not the same as a shiny gramophone trophy, but the opportunities that follow are often just as enviable. 'Every project that I'm part of gives me an opportunity to grow in my musicianship and grow my network, which is always a blessing,' says Malek, who was also nominated in 2022 as a vocalist on 'Crisálida' by In Lacossade's case, the slew of nominations from the past two years have nudged him closer to his personal goals, which include fully producing a Grammy-nominated album, or receiving a nomination for one of his solo rap albums. 'Last year, I gave my all to being the best producer/songwriter I could be,' he says. 'But now coming into this year, I'm trying to be the highest level artist that I could be.' GIG GUIDE Advertisement Devotees of The xx will gather at Roadrunner on After a year that saw New York singer-songwriter Crown Victoria reunite at the Burren on Brighton Music Hall hosts a 'winter reggae splash' on Advertisement On Boston hip-hop veterans STL GLD start the year with the standalone single "Pennies." Rose Glen NOW SPINNING STL GLD, 'Pennies.' After celebrating a decade as one of Boston's most prominent hip-hop groups, STL GLD usher in the new year by unearthing 'Pennies' from their vault. The standalone single finds emcee Moe Pope weaving his wordplay around a deep, teetering beat, with metaphors to spare. Heather Maloney, "Hopeless Nostalgic," the new album from Boston solo artist Savoir Faire, slinks and waltzes through retro lounge melodies. Sasha Pedro Savoir Faire, 'Hopeless Nostalgic.' There's a moment on 'Hopeless Nostalgic' where Savoir Faire likens herself to 'an inside-out cactus,' and there's perhaps no better way to describe the Boston soloist's undaunted demeanor on her latest record. This 10-track project slinks and waltzes through retro lounge melodies, guided by Savoir Faire's gauzy vocals and social commentary. Advertisement BONUS TRACK Victoria Wasylak can be reached at vmwasylak@ Follow her on X @VickiWasylak.
