Double Ontaundra Research Papers

Double Ontaundra: Rap’s Positive Ambassador

Lecrae doesn’t want you to call him a Christian rapper. “I'm not a Christian rapper. I'm a rapper who happens to be Christian,” (A-Z Quotes 1). Lecrae might have a good message, gospel centered music and a cross necklace on but, for example, would you call Steph Curry a Christian basketball player? Some like to put Lecrae in a box, but he has already broken down many walls and that box has been demolished. In this way, Lecrae has both impacted the mainstream hip hop community and the Christian community. Lecrae’s words, style and honest approach to writing his music attracts a variety of audiences. At first glance, Lecrae seems like just another rapper. But, when you listen to his words closely,

Left by his father at birth, Lecrae was raised by his single mother, who provided him with the knowledge of Jesus. Unfortunately, he dismissed religion all together, seeing it as a crutch for the weak (About.com 2). Growing up, Lecrae had conformed to the ways of an ugly world, stealing, fighting, drinking, doing drugs, and getting arrested in high school. When a friend asked for his accomplice to visit a youth conference, Lecrae accepted, wishing to go to “the big city,” (About.com 3). Never would he figure that by attending this conference his life and outlook on the world would be drastically altered. Seeing former drug dealers, gang members, and addicts who had been changed by Christ, he looked at Jesus now in a whole new light (Lecrae’s Story 1). Lecrae shortly after this was back into his lifestyle of sin, but felt new and strong conviction with anything wrong he did. Lecrae begged the Lord to free him from his lifestyle, and he did. When Lecrae escaped a deadly car crash with just a cut, he knew what he would be doing for the rest of his life (Lecrae’s Story 2). Since, Lecrae has been writing rhymes and songs for the sake of the Lord’s kingdom. In his years rapping, Lecrae has been widely considered as a game changer in Christian rap and has been bestowed with awards such as a Dove Award for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year and Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year in (2012 & 2013), a

This was before Lecrae’s soul had been saved, that he listened to this music, letting it influence him at a young age. Lecrae’s theme and mascot in his music is evident: Jesus. Lecrae’s music is all about bringing him glory and spreading the good news to those who might not hear it otherwise. The central message in particular that Lecrae and his record label partners on Reach Records follow, is that of Romans 1:16. Romans 1:16 states: “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile,” (biblehub.com). One of the ways that Lecrae demonstrates this lifestyle is by making such an impact on the music genre of hip hop, paving the road for rappers that share the same motives that he does, being Christian. Lecrae has even shared with and formed relationships with mainstream hip hop and rap artists, helping them get to know God along the way. Lecrae stays true to his faith in his music and life. The way that Lecrae is unashamed of his faith is well represented by this direct quote: “If I'm wrong about God then I wasted my life. If you're wrong about God then you wasted your eternity.” (AZ Quotes 2) In Lecrae’s “Fear,” he explains and expounds on the fear that he specifically deals with, and using that, gives advice on how to deal with your fears and how to overcome them. Lecrae