The last time I listened to this much hip-hop, was when I got Toby Mac’s ‘Eye on It.’ And before that, it had been a long time since I listened to much rap and hip-hop at all. When I was growing up, I listened to it ALL THE TIME and owned more than 100 Christian rap tapes—yes, tapes—and CDs. I was really into it.
Times change and your tastes broaden, but I still have an ear for good rap. In fact, my wife had suggested I give Lecrae a try several times. Tim Challies digs Lecrae, so she figured I would, too.
And she was right.
Phil Schneider had mentioned Lecrae to me before, and Phil and I have overlapping musical tastes. So with that, my wife’s pressure, and Tim Challies’s praise (I blame this mostly), I threw down my hard earned blogging money on release day. FYI: I don’t usually do crazy stuff like this.
Lecrae — Anomaly
I haven’t heard lyrics and sound this good in a long time (should I be surprised?). In fact, some of this prophetic poetry reminds me of the old school Christian hip-hop I listened to back in the day. Hard hitting, radical (see Biblical) lyrics that make you think and strikes a strong chord of conviction.
In fact, Lecrae addresses his personal experience with molestation, abortion, and touches on several relevant social issues—like segregation, sex trafficking, and privilege. As a missionary, I immediately liked his final track on the album, “Messengers,” a song that you can probably figure out by the title. 😛
Here’s a full playlist for you:
I’ve been listening to this album for several days straight, on repeat, and pull new nuggets of truth out of it every time—along with favorite beats and sounds. I would tell you what my favorite track is, but at this point, I am having a hard time saying which one.
It’s not every day that I land an album whereby I enjoy each and every track this much.
Anomaly is that album.
Update
As of Thursday, Lecrae hit #1 overall on both iTunes and Amazon!
Also, my wife keeps laughing at me saying, “I told you that you would like it!” Yes. Yes she did.
[You’ve just read ChurchMag’s Saturday Morning Review. We hoped you liked it.]
Giveaway!
This album is too good to ignore. Let me get you a copy!
Here’s how to win:
Share this post via Twitter, Facebook or Google+Leave a comment below, telling me what your first Christian rap album was.
When it’s time to announce the winner, I will update this post and tell you what my first Christian rap album purchase was.
Winner announced in the comments below, along with my first Christian rap album purchase. 🙂
Tim says
Does MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This count? If not It would be John Reuben – Are we There Yet
Eric Dye says
MC Hammer? I suppose we’ll allow it. 🙂
Jonathon Mitchell says
First rap album: Grits – Dichotomy A
Eric Dye says
YES! Great album. Grits is smooth.
Brock Paulk says
My first and definitely most worn-out Christian rap-album? DC Talk: Jesus Freak. Remember Mrs Morgan? “If he hits the drum one more time, he’s gonna be a dead drummer…And that was the last I heard of the drummer that day!”
Eric Dye says
LOL! Love that.
Matt Brier says
Does DC Talk’s “Free At Last” count?
It’s hard to pinpoint which was my first hip hop album. I was doing a Christian music webcast in the early 2000’s and incorporated a lot of music, including hip hop, that wasn’t getting airplay on radio stations. I would have to guess either KJ-52’s “Collaborations”, John Rueben’s “Are We There Yet”, or L.A. Symphony’s “Baloney E.P.”
Eric Dye says
Yeah, Free At Last counts for sure. I would call that their last true ‘rap’ / ‘hip hop’ styled album. Classic.
Blessing Mpofu says
I’ve always loved rap and hip hop… My first Christian album was Cross Movement’s Holy Culture.
Deep stuff!
Eric Dye says
YES!
Chris Coppenbarger says
Hard to say…
Hammer’ u can’t touch this
DC talk nu thang
D. O. C.
E. T. W.
Eric Dye says
NICE! D.O.C. and E.T.W.!!! I wondered if anyone would mention some of these old classics! “Let’s go deeper, deeper!”
phill says
DC Talk
Eric Dye says
Self titled. Classic. 🙂
Kevin says
First legit Christian rap album…Gospel Gangtaz: Gang Affiliated. I listened to it all growing up…DC Talk, SFC, ETW, T-Bown, Cross Movement, Grits, The Verb, Pettidee. Now I’m old and boring.
Eric Dye says
WOOT! T-Bone and SFC mention! Love Sup. Always fly. 😀
Eric Dye says
Have you purchased Lecrae’s album, yet?
Brendan says
DC Talk’s “Free at Last”. Then Pettidee blew my mind when I first heard of him at a Christ In Youth conference.
Eric Dye says
That’s awesome. 😀
Michael Beil says
Well, DC Talk: Jesus Freak, of course!
Eric Dye says
LOL!
Peter says
My first Christian album was actually won by LeCrae. He did a really great video, here’s the YouTube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiDOyQCCpKs.
Also Eric, if you haven’t heard of Andy Mineo, then you should definitely check out his album, Superhuman. I believe that he’s a part of LeCrae’s music label.
Eric Dye says
I’ll check that out, thanks Peter!
Jordan Staats says
My first CHH album,
Lecrae – Rebel
Eric Dye says
Nice!
Jason says
This is great. Love the sound. First rap album was SFC So Listen Up… Anyone remember that one?
Eric Dye says
Sweet! I had that album, too, along with all of SFC’s stuff. Loved Illumination and then Sup’s last solo project.
Oh.
Also.
YOU WIN!
Check your inbox. 😉
Josh says
DC Talk: Jesus Freak!!!
Eric Dye says
Naturally. 😉
Mark Goldfarb says
I think my first christian rap was the O so awesome and O so cheezy KJ52
Eric Dye says
Cool. 🙂
Jonathan Ober says
38th Parallel. They only had one album, but it was a great mix of rap and ballads. Kind of felt like Linkin Park.
Eric Dye says
Yeah, there were some good one timers. Before hip hop and rap become so popular, it was a pretty niche audience.
Jacob Coon says
I think my first album was probably Dc Talk’s Free at Last, but that was too long ago for me to really remember. 🙂
Eric Dye says
LOL!
Rick Lachner says
For me it was the start of it all: DC Talk Nu Thang 1990
Eric Dye says
Yo, yo, who’s doin’ it!?!?
Hesed Lagud says
First ever album I heard was Gospel Gangstas “Gang Affiliated”! This record changed the game for CHH.
Eric Dye says
One of THE best CHH albums EVER.
Tim says
DC Talk – Jesus Freak.
Eric Dye says
🙂
Bill says
DC Talk Jesus Freak!!
Eric Dye says
😛
Eric Dye says
Aight!
Jason is our winner!
My first album was P.I.D. Back to Back. My favorites from back in the day, the cassette tapes that I literally wore out included: P.I.D., D.O.C., E.T.W., S.F.C., Michael Peace, D-Boy, Gospel Gangstaz and others…
Great memories and easily the funnest giveaway blog post I’ve ever done.
Thank you, guys.
(Now if you didn’t win—GO BUY THIS ALBUM!!!)