Before releasing the country’s number 1 album, Anomaly (2014), multi-Grammy/Dove/Stellar Award rapper Lecrae abandoned arguably the most notable project in his catalog, Church Vestments Vol. 1 (2012), hosted by DJ Don Cannon. In the ten years since the release of Church Clothes’ first mixtape, no one has been able to surpass the heights Lecrae reached, bringing CHH into the mainstream while enduring the hits and lows like Lecrae.
Although Lecrae did not pioneer Christian hip-hop, he is considered a pioneer in the way and has consistently released music that represents the faith and hip-hop with an unapologetic edginess that challenges the Church of lives up to its potential and encourages the culture to be reconciled with its Savior. Respected hip-hop magazine XXL complimented him saying, “It’s impressive how he’s able to convey a message without being preachy by calling Church Clothes” a great example of the reach of hip-hop music and culture. People were talking even louder, downloading music from the original Church Clothes mixtape 100,000 times in 48 hours.
A decade later, the mission and vision remain the same for Lecrae. “Once upon a time, we had a vision to demonstrate what it looked like to be authentically hip-hop and a follower of Christ,” shares Lecrae. “We brought this vision together in this project called Church Clothes; something for the streets but that represents who we are as believers. Church clothing resonated with people and connected with them. Some people say it’s my best work yet! We did Vol. 1, 2 and 3, and it is only right that we carry on the legacy with Vol.4. However, Church Clothes 4 is the last one!
Church Clothes 4’s debut single, “Spread The Opps”, acknowledges the opposition and stands firm despite it. “I have been running away from the opposition for so long. Ever since I was a child, there were enemies, both physical and spiritual, who tried to destroy me. I decided to stop running. This song, “Spread The Opps,” is me knowing that even in the valley of death, God is with me. He disperses the opposition.
On “Spread The Opps,” the eerie production from DrumGod, JuanRa, Simbo and DudeClayy, 808 drums join forces with the haunting vocals of AGI Entertainment students. Led by Natarsha Garcia, CEO/Artistic Director, BrandinJay, Creative Director and Owner of Teddy Bear Productions, the students ranging in age from 9 to 13 are all triple threats, chasing their dreams of becoming household names. Together, they create the backdrop for a lyrical barrage from Lecrae.
Atlanta-based image maker Lance “Neutron” Rays, director of the music video for “Spread the Opps,” says of the song. “‘Spread the Opps’ feels like equal parts imprecatory psalm, personal excavation and charitable warning – a final act of diplomacy. I found myself interested in his inner turmoil and specific inflection points on his path to filmmaking, how these experiences reverberate outside of Lecrae the individual, and their broader implications in society.
Over the years, we have seen Lecrae rebuild a vision of the faith despite the large-scale shift toward distrust and disillusionment within the Church as a result of American racial tensions. As he delivers Church vestments 4, Lecrae stands unapologetically at the intersection of the sacred and the profane. People rocked out in church clothes because it was the first time anyone had stepped foot into the street and church simultaneously without compromise. He laughs with those who called him “Righteous and Ratchet”, acknowledging that “this is my path, and this path is completely acceptable.”
The post office Lecrae pulls the plug on the Mixtape series with the finale “Church Clothes 4” appeared first on TCA.
Author: Jessie Clarks
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