Music

Restoration Christian rapper Lecrae shares his transformation

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Hip-hop recording artist Lecrae peppers his conversation with “restoration.” The theme isn’t only related to his new album and book. It’s his way of life.

In September, Lecrae went on a spiritual journey and was rebaptized in River Jordan.

Lecrae has stressed restoration through education. His TED Talk “Heroes and Villains” invited attendees to view hip-hop through a di erent lens. His Yale University Town Hall discussed mental health and faith.

To restore family, he kicked o his Man Up Campaign, which included a  lm, concert series, album and curriculum for church and small-group use. It was born out of this deep need for a godly model of manhood inspired by his own story.

He helped restore Atlanta’s English Avenue—also known as The Blu s—an area BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI known for its rampant drug tra cking and violent crime. Lecrae is an active member of the Peace Academy’s advisory board. It’s the  rst school in the English Avenue area to open in more than 20 years.

“I’ve heard people say that the traumas from our childhoods follow us into adulthood,” Lecrae says. “That’s certainly true for me. If you could trace my life’s biggest struggles back to their origin, most of them would lead to a childhood version of me wrestling with my father’s absence.

A two-time Grammy-winning hip-hop artist, Lecrae hopes to restore faith, fun and humanity with his show at the Pima County Fair on Wednesday, April 22.

“As always, a lot of high energy,” Lecrae says. “It’s always an experience—never a show. People go through moments of restoration. I want to restore laughter and joy, and restore peace and hope, and then give people a great time and enjoy great music.”

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| APRIL 2020 Take an interactive quiz to receive your own customized symptom score report Christian rapper Lecrae will release a book and album this year. (Submitted photo)

He’ll feature songs from his new album, which is due mid-May. The  rst single, “Set Me Free,” dropped in mid-March.

“The album was di cult in the sense of just getting it through a lot of red tape— you know, the legal things that happen,” he says. “The features (collaborations) don’t happen. There was so much negative energy around this project that I realized it had to be out there.

“I’m a big fantasy, ‘Lord of the Rings’-type person. Evil  ghts back ferociously. I know it’s special and it needs to be heard. It’s been amazing to create and to share my soul.”

The album is “packed,” he adds, with guest appearances by the likes of John Legend and the legendary Kirk Franklin.

“It’s a very special project and I think people will appreciate it,” Lecrae says. “It’s a story—and everyone loves a good story. It helps people understand this is not the end. Whatever you’re experiencing, it’s not the end. Whatever you’ve gone through, it doesn’t de ne you. That’s what I want people to understand. Restoration is real. Whether you’ve had a prison sentence or you’re on your third divorce, your story isn’t over.”

Franklin, he says, has been a “great source of wisdom.” Lecrae was a fan and then befriended the preacher.

“After that, I became a student; and to see his immense talent was amazing,” he says. “Even the things he says is impressive. He addresses the unfortunate departure of Kobe and Gigi on his birthday. God has a unique way of showing us ourselves and showing us the state of the world and painting a picture that we can still hope.”

Lecrae is also a New York Times-bestselling author. His book “I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion but Found My Faith,” which releases October 13, shares how he came into faith and has helped to restore, transform and de ne who he is as a man, father, community activist, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Lecrae has been transparent about adversities experienced in his life—childhood abuse, drugs, alcoholism, a stint in rehab, abortion, growing up fatherless and a suicide attempt.

“That’s why I’m so passionate,” he says. “I’ve been so low. I’ve been hopeless. I’ve thought there’s no point in living. I think I’ve been reminded over and over again, if you woke up today, your work is not done. I want people to experience that. God is not done with you if you woke up. He has a plan and a purpose. It doesn’t matter what your past looks like or what you’re doing now.”

It doesn’t bother Lecrae, either, to tell his story. He’s learned that leaders lead in vulnerability.

“Not everyone is required to stick their necks out there and speak on the issues they deal with,” he says. “Some of us have to for others to experience healing. I don’t mind sacri cing a lot of my privacy and my story so other people can heal. They’re helpful.”

Philanthropy is important to Lecrae, who will produce a documentary about the book and album.

“The funny part about it all is it’s just my normal life,” he says. “We’re just highlighting it through my book and album. I would be visiting the kids, volunteering at prisons, working on my own mental health and spiritual grown.

“It’s always a blessing to be able to use my gifts to impact other people and see them transform through what I do with my time and talents. It’s mind blowing to just see it come to fruition. I visit kids at St. Jude or in the community. I want people to know they matter. They’re heard and somebody cares what they’re experiencing.”

MORE INFO What: Lecrae When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 Where: Pima County Fair, 11300 S. Houghton Road Cost: Included in fair admission, upgraded seats available. Show subject to cancelation Info: 762-9100, pimacountyfair.com