Friday, January 18

This is what I call Missional Minded Brothers!! FLAME Our World Redeemed MARCH 4



This interview was taken from www.3HLIVE.COM !

You can Listen to Lecrae on my playlist right here Click on Catch me at the Brook:


Find more music like this on 3HLive

Recently, we had a chance to sit down with Reach Records recording artist "Lecrae", and ask him a few questions about his new experience being a father, husband, and about his success and experiences as a Holy Hip Hop artist this past year. Here's what the good brother had to say:

3HLive:

First off, congrats on the new baby! I'm sure the addition has been a blessing to you and your wife. If you can, tell us a little about your thoughts on being a new daddy.

LECRAE:

I love it man. I work hard for a smile man. Making a complete fool of myself for a simple grin from him. Its also sobering cause he was born into sin and is hopeless without Jesus. So my wife and I pray for him daily.

3HLive:

With all the traveling, how have you managed to balance family time, with music ministry? Is there any time where family time has to take a backseat to "the ministry"? I know Paul Washer had some choice words for that notion. What's your take?

LECRAE:

Man I have a system. First comes my the Glory of God in my home as a leader and a husband. Then comes my local body of believers, then evangelism and discipleship, and then music ministry. I would feel like a hypocrite if I was parading around the world promoting Jesus but neglecting his teachings in my own home and community.

3HLive:

What words of advice would you give to other young kats who want to do music ministry, but also have families?

LECRAE:

I see music as a bridge into the culture. It is great for informing people in that particular culture or who are influenced by it about the Truth of Christ but the music in and of itself will never produce a mature believer. After The Music Stops will not equip someone to be an elder or deacon in the church. We hope to turn people in the direction of the scripture and authentic biblical community. We want to remind them that satisfaction is found in Christ alone, and make a big deal about Jesus.

3HLive:

Speaking of young people, how is your discipleship program doing in Memphis? Can you tell us a little bit about some of the things you are involved in there?

LECRAE:

It's crazy man. The men in our church have a couple of programs going on and Reachlife has a set of things going on with other churches and ministries.

We are teaching young people to have biblical world views and think critically using scripture. Some of them can barely read but have great minds and are learning to see God's truth in the scriptures.

Also we are equipping leaders throughout the city with relevant but solid curriculum and training so they can implement discipleship programs in their churches and communities.

3HLive:

This past summer you spent some time in Africa I believe... What were you doing over there, and how was that experience?

LECRAE:

Man I was there with Trip Lee doing some equipping and teaching in christian schools. We also did a forum on hip -hop. The culture is big there but the church is in opposition of Hip Hop due to a lot of legalism, false teachings. I was humbled there man. People live in conditions you cant imagine. What you see on television cant really demonstrate it. I was broken and moved to continue to see life in the light of scripture. Cause post modernism, secularism, materialism, and consumerism have influenced the American Church heavily and to see the Body of Christ in Africa , praising Him and living it out was both encouraging and humbling.

3HLive:

Now switching gears to music; we know that "Real Talk" was your debut album, and that obviously caught the attention of MANY people (including myself), but now with your sophomore release "After the Music Stops", it seems like Lecrae has become a household name. Tell us a little bit about how your success as an artist has affected you.

LECRAE:

I don't really feel it man. I spend most of my time with people who don't pat me on the back and say "WOW, Lecrae you got a hot album!" They ask me how I'm treating my wife, or if I'm walking in integrity. I have no clue the true amount of albums I've sold because I don't want any impure motives. I don't even pocket royalties. That may seem dumb or naive to some but man I hold the music with a lose hand. I'm thankful for the platform but I don't want the platform to consume me. I want to be consumed with Christ. In light of Jesus I am so jacked up and undeserving man. To Him be the Glory.

3HLive:

Jesus Muzik. That video/record was HUGE. (I can't get my three sons to stop singing that song!) Tell us a little about how that song came about, and the impact the video had for your career as a Holy Hip Hop artist.

LECRAE:

Man JR made the track and had a chorus idea about letting the world hear our Jesus music. He's so gifted man. But I just wanted to talk about distinction and while we look like, talk like, dress like anyone else we are in fact what the bible calls peculiar and strangers. I had no idea the song would blow up and people would sing it everywhere. But it inspired me toward making sure my next album is relevant.

3HLive:

Ok, now for a "REAL TALK" question! (No pun intended lol) Since starting Holy Culture Radio almost 5 years ago, I've noticed a lot of things concerning the music, artists, labels, etc. One thing I've noticed is that there seems to be a lack of unity in the genre. Some would say the differences that have seemed to keep certain artists from working with each other, boil down to nothing more than differences of philosophy in (music) ministry. What is your take on this is?

LECRAE:

Man Paul writes that his desire is for the church to be of the "Same mind and same judgement" meaning we see the Bible as TOTAL TRUTH. Christ rules all areas of our lives. I am burdened to see brothers concerned with Christ and theocentric messages. Some artists don't even have an apologetic for what they want to do, they just act off instinct and what they think.

3HLive:

Many people involved in Holy Hip Hop get "funny" when you ask them about record sales, and I can see why many would. But to entities like ourselves (Holy Culture Radio, 3HLive/3Hmp3/3Hmobile), who's purpose is to provide platforms for artists to share their music with the world, we are interested in this type of information because it serves as a sort of indicator on where we are at and/or how many people are being reached by the music. Sooo, I have to ask you. A little birdy told me that your newest release "After the Music Stops", sold close to, or over, 100,000 copies. Is this true? If so, can you please tell the readers how you believe this happened?

LECRAE:

Well I know HCR's true desire is see God glorified through a modern cultural platform. However in my experience many of the young believers get so much into the industry of music, charts, sales, and numbers that they get further away from seeing Jesus and his message lived out in every aspect of life. We don't really use our album sales as indicators of our reach at Reach. We implement training and rally people toward local churches and conferences like the Legacy in Chicago. We look at the fruit in peoples lives and the testimony of those who are discipling them. Numbers aren't evil and we are thankful that thousands of people are buying the cds. We need that. Still some people get drunk off their own grapes and instead of crediting the Lord they think they are hot. I run from that.

3HLive:

Can you tell us a little about Reach's relationship with Infinity Distribution? I've heard from numerous sources that they (infinity) have been extremely impressed by what the label has accomplished over last couple of releases. How will this play into future releases from Reach Records? Will we see your labels music in more stores across the country?

LECRAE:

Man they have been very supportive of not just our music ministry but even finding ways to get our curriculum out as well. We do anticipate seeing projects in more stores in the future.

3HLive:

What can we expect from Lecrae and Reach in 08'?

LECRAE:

New Music. A tour. Curriculum will finally be here. Helping with a Church plant. And Growing.

3HLive:

Ok, now its time for the quick "Get Ta Know - Lecrae" questions (note to lecrae, just quick one or two word answers)

LECRAE:

Favorite Food – Chicken, greens, mac and cheese. Real country.

All Time Favorite Movie – That's hard....The Matrix.

Favorite All Time CD – Way too many to name. But I love Reggae more than any music on earth.

All Time Favorite Book (outside the Bible) – How Then Shall We Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and culture. Francis Shaffer

Favorite Sports Team – Dallas Mavericks

3 Most Visited Websites you frequent – Facebook.com Monergism.com Netbible.com

3HLive:

And last question…… One thing you'd never guess about Lecrae (example: I RULE at ping-pong, I sleep with a teddy bear, I used to rock a Michael Jackson style sparkly glove to elementary school, I have a pair of cowboy boots in my closet!…ect etc.)

LECRAE:

I used to have Gold cap on my tooth. Lol. Country.

3HLive:

Well Lecrae, thanks for sitting' down with 3HLive and talking with us. Any last words? Shout outs?

LECRAE:

Live to know God and Die to make Him known! Hit up Reachlife.org and hit up Reachrecords.com

This interview was really awesome, Praise God for Reach Records!!


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