Real Talk

Lecrae’s debut album Real Talk is truly a 'straight to the point' record. With a concise mixture of true talent and inspiration from God, each song has that blatant regard for Christ that most rappers in the Christian market used to. Highlights flood the album, like the very straight-forward “Souled Out,” the energetic rock/rap hybrid “Crossover,” the beat driven “Take Me As I Am,” and the synth flavored “Who U Wit.” There really aren’t many songs on the album that any rap fan can’t just bob their heads to, as exampled in the gangster flavored “Represent,” which is reminiscent of secular rap icon Lil’ John and features label-mate Tedashii. Another highlight is “Heaven Or Hell,” which urges listeners to make the right decision and follow God or face the consequences.Read More Here

The emcee opens with his message of being “Souled Out”, a slow beat banger creates desire for more of the same from the minister. R-Swift guests on “We Don’t”, as he and Lecrae assure everyone that they are serious about being sanctified. No church lingo here, they use phraseology that brings home their message loud and clear. Add to that the dope beat (by Lecrae) and you have a song that needs to be played all over radio and featured on mixtapes. 

“Aliens” is a song that unifies dancehall (a la Sean Paul or Papa San), hip hop and that rapid-fire lyric-spitting that is popular in the dirty South and Chicago (Twista). Plumbline member Tedashiijoins in on this cut, stepping in to rap so fast and so skillfully that it will have one asking, “What did he say and how can he rap so fast?”. (Here's an artist true to hip hop while being able to rap in many different styles.) 
Lecrae shows his versatility on “Crossover” as he raps over a crazy, synth-filled dance track provided by Deep Era Productions. This is a song that will burn up the repeat button. Lecrae wants those who are not saved to cross over to the life with Christ. 

For those who love the crunk music, “Represent” is just the song. Tedashii appears again with Lecrae as twosome admonish Christians to proudly proclaim the name of Jesus. 

“Take Me As I Am” is a chilled autobiographical story of how Lecrae came to Christ. Then on “Who U Wit”, Pac Man elements are folded in to create a clever jam good for a ride on the freeway. 

Another highlight is the uptempo "The Line”. Cheese provides the music, Tedashii sings the hook, and Lecrae and Tedashii provide the dope lyrics. 

Lecrae correctly titled the album Real Talk, for he tackles tough issues. On “Heaven or Hell”, the street minister bluntly expresses the reality of choices that people have, with regard to places to go when they die. “Wait” challenges young ladies to wait until they are married to have sex and not to follow their feelings. Read More Here

After the Music Stops

Right from the beginning on "After the Music Stops" Lecrae lets the listener know what his purpose is. It is to be able to fellowship with cats, disciple them, and reach out to and witness to the unbelievers. He makes it clear that his goal is not to blow up, or boast in himself; but his goal is to point listeners to Christ whether he is on stage or or off stage. " Ya boy ain't no rap star, I'm nothing like Jay-Z or Game/ I got a funny sounding name and I don't wanna be famous" is a line off "Invisible" and points to Lecrae's desire to stay humble. "Get Low" contains a catchy hook and is another jam pointing the listener to humility. Lecrae makes it plain that he wants to live a true Christian life even following a show, "After the Music Stops".The second I heard "Jesus Muzik" featuring Trip Lee I fell in love with it. I'm also feelin the head nodder "Unashamed" featuring Tedashii. These two members of the 1:16 Clique make it real clear they live by Romans 1:16. "Send Me" produced by Tony Stone is  like the "witness anthem" that will get you hype to go outside of your comfort zone and share your faith. Lecrae addresses the Christian complacency saying, "No one's signing up to go on mission's this summer/ Rather sit at home and watch Xzibit pimpin a hummer." 

Lecrae gets a little more mellow over the cuts "I Did It For You" and "Nobody". On both songs he shows his compassion for unbelievers in a heartfelt manner. "I Did it For You" is a dope testimonial song and "Nobody" featuring Cam is my favorite jam on the CD, on which they really just empathize with the unbeliever who feels lonely and like nobody loves them The truth of the matter is that Jesus loves them and they gotta trust in Him. I was diggin Lecrae's approach as it was not judgmental but he was reaching cats where they were at on the emotional level. 

Tony Stone, DJ Official, Mac the Doulos, Lecrae, N.A.B., J.R. and TRU-LIFE round out the talented list of producers who helped out for this project. "After the Music Stops" is one of the best CDs I have heard in 2006. Lecrae's flows are clever but straight to the point and his delivery is very clear. What really stands out on this CD is the content and Lecrae's desire to decrease while Christ increases. This project is one that will encourage Christians to go out and disciple someone, share their faith, be thankful for a God that loves them, and help them to reflect on the gospel. Unbelievers who hear this project will benefit from the simplicity of Lecrae's terminology and great analogies and they will be able to see that Lecrae is coming in love and not just pointing the finger at them. At the same time listeners will have fun listening to the CD and will want to sing along to a lot of the catchy hooks. Warning: You will be EDIFIED by this CD. Read More Here

Rebel

 The album title explains the lyrical substance, as most of the songs encourage the listener to be rebellious to the world. The Lil' Wayne-esque "Rebel Intro" has a sample from a preacher talking about real rebellion ("Everyone is sinning, so it's no longer rebellious to sin," and then later, "You're just a conformist if you're drunk and naked driving around on the back of a motorcycle smoking cigarettes and breaking commandments. Everyone's doing that, it's so tired. If you really wanna be a rebel, read your Bible, cause no one's doing that. That's rebellion, that's the only rebellion left.") Living opposite the world's standards is also mentioned in "Don't Waste Your Life" ("People out there living for a job, make a little money, start living for a car, get 'em a wife, a house, kids and a dog, when they retire they livin' high on the hog, but guess what they didn't ever really live at all, to live is Christ, yeah that's Paul I recall, to die is gain so for Christ we give it all"). There's not one time on the album where Lecrae - or the guest vocalist of choice (which in "Don't Waste Your Life" is an apparent newbie named Dwayne Tryumf, who should be one to look out for in the future) - is not focused on Christ. It's so refreshing.

Lecrae mixes things up a little bit with the music. There's some crunk (which is where he shines the most), but he also slows it down a little for songs like "Desperate" (whose chorus is a little weak) and the Isaiah 52:7-inspired "Beautiful Feet." But as I said, where he really shines is the more hardcore rap, like the beautiful beat and chopped and screwed hook of "Got Paper," as well as "Fall Back," which features Reach Record's own Trip Lee, and the hard-hitting "Go Hard." "Go Hard" features an appropriate appearance from Tedashii (whose guest appearances are always hard and fit the music perfectly), and lyrics that are both convicting ("What that mean, that mean that we should be out up in the streets, not just in houses with our Bibles summarizing what we read") and a little - or a lot - scary ("Lord kill me if I don't preach the gospel"). Read More Here

Rehab

The album opens with the aptly titled, "Check In," which sets the scene for the story that is about to unfold and will immediately have you bobbing your head to the beat. "Killa" is next up and Lecrae doesn't back down. The song is a little darker and talks about the battle between the two "women," foolishness and wisdom, who wish to rule your life. When speaking of foolishness Lecrae says, "My sin conceived a baby and we gon' name her death." The song's message is sold further by the female vocals in the chorus luring him towards foolishness.

"Divine Intervention" keeps the beat going and is about the realization that a change needs to be made in the life of the unsaved, as stated in the chorus, "Everything that this heart longs for other than you I will let die. Take all that I have 'cuz nothing really matters right now." "Just Like You" is next up and is a song that many people in today's society can relate to. Lecrae references the absence of a father and how he latches on to a "father figure" that is there for him, but is teaching him the wrong way to do things. Though he knows that he isn't living right, he is happy simply to have someone there for him and who appreciates him. As he decides to change his life, Lecrae provides these simple yet profound lyrics, "I wanna be like you in every way, so if I gotta die every day; unworthy sacrifice. But the least I can do is give the most of me, 'cuz being just like you is what I'm supposed to be. You say you came for the lame, I'm the lamest; I made a mess but you say you'll erase it; I'll take it. You say you came for the lame, I'm the lamest; I broke my life, but you say you'll replace it; I'll take it."

A couple of tracks later comes "Used to Do It Too," which a great, upbeat song about how all can be forgiven. The song ensures that a change is possible for all by claiming that God saved him even though he "used to do it to," referring to any number a sins that people use as an excuse. This is followed by one of the best songs on the album, "Children of the Light," which features P.O.D. front man, Sonny Sandoval. The combo might sound a little odd on the surface, but they knock it out of the park. The track has a rock vibe with a reggae flare and Sonny shows you that he's still got it. The song is amazing and is sure to be a fan favorite. "High" is another standout track and is about keeping your faith up, "I got my pride on low; faith (faith) on high." 116 Clique (Lecrae, Trip Lee, and Tedashi) also make an appearance on the album with the track "40 Deep." What more can be said? Three of the top guys in Christian rap on one track equal a hit song (On a side note, don't be concerned about the song's intro, "All s…" It sounds like a curse word that has been edited, but if you listen a second you will hear the full line, "All saved, all serious."

Lecrae continues to show his diversity with the hip hop, dance song, "God is Enough." Lecrae's venture into the dance scene shows that he can hang with anyone in the genre and his sound rivals that of Group 1 Crew or other similar artists. A few other standout tracks on the album are "Gotta Know," "New Shalom," and "Background." "Release Date" is the official ending track, though there is a bonus track afterward, and caps the album off with his rehabilitation.Read More Here

Rehab: The Overdose

Overdose starts out hard with the Street Symphony produced response record to Rick Ross’ BMF. Responding to a song by rhyming with a similar flow may not have been the best choice but the message was conveyed. Lecrae says: “you think your ballers you just some foul shooters." More of Christ is essential in our daily lives. Lecrae brings the fire and passion over the Kadence produced cut. This track sounds like Go Hard 2.0. Perfect track leading into the Battle Song. With the Kanye style flow Lecrae states, “They can kill us now go get the yellow tape/A put me 6 feet in the group and watch a great escape. I promise aint a sick shooter that can keep me down/My God is so official that’s a technical foul.” Suzy Rock on the hook adds flavor however her verse was too light for this Tony Stone produced song. D-Flow provides the soundtrack to Anger Management. I love the concept and content with Lecrae and Thisl sharing about dealing with anger. Lecrae adds, “People pop off at the mouth I tried to keep it cool/All I want to do is fix’em trouble shoot’em.” At the end of the song Lecrae offers a mini sermon about the song which I felt could have been left off because the lyrics effectively articulated the message. Blow Your High is a cool song about the danger of engaging in sinful acts to achieve a high. The hook is catchy and adds depth to the song. Canon’s twista-like verse was good but I would like to have hear with more punchline style flows instead of fast moving rhymes. Strung Out is a Cheesebeats produced banger. Personifying sin as a lady fits perfect with the hook saying, “how could I love when I you ever did was wrong/how could I trust you you lied to me all along." Lecrae articulates what sin does but faith in Christ can set you free. Selfish ambition can cause a person to Chase That instead of Christ. The PK produce song allows the listener to see ambition from a biblical lens. When Christ guides your vision then then you can experience The Good Life. Dj Official offers his production expertise on the J. Paul assisted song. Lecrae tastefully uses autotune on Like That as he encourages ladies to look at Ephesians 5 as their base for how a man should treat his wife. Overdose ends with Lecrae and Swoop Going In. Read More Here

Gravity

Lecrae starts things off in an explosive manner with the hard-hitting "The Drop (Intro)." There is no doubt that this track will have your head bobbing to the beat in no time. If anyone has been questioning whether or not Lecrae still has it, all doubts should be erased after one listen. The title track, "Gravity," features the soulful voice of JR on the chorus, but finds Crae painting with a seemingly broad brush about police corruption as he claims, "My onus is to keep the police from ridin' all up on us" in the opening verse. It's unclear as to why it has become his obligation to end the apparent widespread police corruption, but the song begins to sound reminiscent of some secular "the police are out to get us" songs.

Following the slower "Gravity" is the solid Novel-featured "Walk With Me." The song has a great groove and features one of the best lines in the album as he raps, "Ah, I'm on a mission, they probably think I'm missing some screws, but it's these three nails that keep me driven. If God ain't with me I know that I'm gonna fail…" The next song of note is "Falling Down," which features Trip Lee and Swoope. Trip kicks the joint off and helps to make the track stand out as memorable. Immediately after is this reviewer's favorite track, "Fakin'." Thi'sl's guest spots always bring a smile to my face and his spot here is no different. The first two verses focus on "wannabe" gangsters, but shifts focus a bit for verse three as Lecrae prays, "I turn to the Father. I'm praying, Lord, forgive 'em cuz they lyin' like Mufasa" and "I pray the Lord save 'em before He drop 'em."

Skipping forward several tracks to "Power Trip" will get you to the next song that really stands out. PRo, Sho Baraka, and Andy Mineo are all featured on this one and another lyrical bright spot appears in the opening verse with, "The lust for power go to your brain if you let it. You say, 'What up dog?'; I hear god, I'm so dyslexic." Next up is "Lord Have Mercy" featuring Tedashii; the song is easily one of the album's best. If you have a good system in your car you're going to want to crank this one as the bass hits hard throughout. Tedashii's guest spot turns out to be one of the best on Gravity and you will find yourself wanting to bump this track over and over again. "I Know" is a Lecrae solo track and is the last real noteworthy track on the album. Read More Here

Anomaly

Expectations are obviously high, and Lecrae has consistently been meeting them, and to make a potentially long story short, Anomaly is no different. Few would have any argument that the production, raps, collaborations, and Christ-centered message of Anomaly is anything less than what we have come to expect from the talented rapper. That said, much like where Gravity fell rather short, it occasionally seemed too much like the messages and production gave a "been-there-done-that" feeling. Not that the messages and/or production aren't good, but they seemed kind of stale ("Outsiders," "Say I Won't," "Wish," and "Give In," were all culprits of this to some degree). On a side note, Lecrae isn't the only one that this is seeming to happen to, as I am seeing it more and more in popular CHH, and I fear that the future of the genre may match the stale radio-single AC pop/worship state of Christian music today. This would especially be a pity, as I have come to believe that popular Christian Hip Hop has become the subsection of Christian music that is best telling both Christians and non-Christians alike what they need to hear.

An example of why I have come to this belief is "Welcome To America," a song every bit as sobering as the controversial "Church Clothes" from his hugely popular mixtape of the same name. In this song, laid on top of world music/choral beats, Lecrae takes on the personas of a wayward youth, a veteran, and an impoverished foreigner, each of them dealing with the message of their perceived worthlessness perpetuated upon them by the American culture. In particular, the account of the impoverished foreigner, a sweatshop worker who is enchanted with America, is the most heart-wrenching. "Dirty Water" is another song with a hard-hitting message, with the second verse being most notably vehement (where it is worth mentioning that Lecrae uses some strong language in context). The lead single "Nuthin" also deserves attention, a banging track where Lecrae condemns talking about the same-old-thing as equivalent to talking about nothing at all (a great but ironic message, considering my criticism from the previous paragraph). Other secondary highlights abound (though in the case of "Runners," perhaps only because of it's enjoyably cheesy humor), but perhaps the strongest feature of the album is the finish with the depressingly melodic "Good, Bad, Ugly," Kari Jobe's angelic contribution on "Broken," and the irresistibly catchy for KING & COUNTRY feature on "Messengers." Read More Here

All Things Work Together

All Things Work Together kicks off with "Always Knew," a smart track which clearly defines Lecrae's allegiance: "Listen, I know God did it, can't take the credit / paid off all of my debts, but I still feel so indebted / been all over the world with these songs I wrote / my life story oughta to give y'all hope." While there are hints of social justice issues being addressed ("still killin' over colors, now it's black and blue / we dyin' every day, B, we just don't make the news"), that aspect doesn't really kick off until "Facts." As he raps about the struggle of walking between different worlds and representing his faith, he brings to the table his own perspective, which might catch more than a few listeners by surprise. Lecrae needs to be genuinely listened to here, especially by Evangelical Christians. That isn't to say that he's uniformly correct on all issues, but instead that his concerns need to be heard and fairly addressed. Lines such as "you grew up thinkin' that the Panthers was some terrorists / I grew up hearin' how they fed my momma eggs and grits" should indeed jar listeners and initiate healthy discussion.

"Blessings," one of the album's more talked about songs (mostly due to the fact that it features Ty Dolla $ign) doesn't come across as anything particularly special, but "Whatchu Mean (feat. Aha Gazelle)" helps make up for the previous track's shortcomings. It has some witty lyrics, a crisp vibe, and isn't too self-serious.

Boasting fourteen tracks, the album feels ever-so-slightly bloated, but there are a handful of very good pieces. Most of these are found on the latter half of the album. This section is a little more accessible due to the overt pop influences, but it also seems to contain more of Lecrae doing what he does best. "I'll Find You," which features Tori Kelly, creates a healthy mix-up and holds a great tune. The contrast delivered by Kelly's voice helps bring some much-needed diversity to All Things Work Together.

"8:28" is essentially the album's title track, as it refers to Romans 8:28 ("And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." NIV), where the album's title is derived from. This is a lovely piece and is easily an album highlight, as well as its follow-up, "Cry for You." Featuring Taylor Hill, "Cry for You" helps to create a deeper texture on the album, with excellent vocals and lyrics which are poignant and point to the human condition, as well as its solution: "Praying for an intervention, feeling guilt and feeling shame I just call on Jesus name / praying daily, can you take away this pain? Take the thorn away / still, it remains, I feel the same, I know that I'm here, but still feel insane / satan would love to see my give up and throw up my hands / he say I'm guilty but You say I'm clean." Lecrae closes the album with "Worth it," which features Kierra Sheard & Jawan Harris. It's a solid, gospel-infused (as in genre) offering, but doesn't carry as much weight as the previous song. Swapping the final two tracks would have helped heighten the album's impact, but part of that is likely related to preference. Read More Here

Next week we will look at the mixtapes!