Grammy nominated and Reach Records artist Lecrae is set to release his highly anticipated album Gravity on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, which will feature Mali Music, Mathai (The Voice), label mates Trip Lee and Tedashii as well as production from DJ Khalil, Street Symphony’s Heat Academy and The Watchmen.
This record is the follow up to his 2010 smash releases Rehab and the EP Rehab: The Overdose, which sold over 345,000 units combined as well as debuted at # 5 on the Billboard Hip-Hop Charts and #17 on the Top 200, Gravity will showcase Lecrae’s thought provoking lyrical technique, live instrumentation and amazing beats that will keep fans wanting more (Click here to view "Gravity" album teaser <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2j6qMpqzr4&feature=youtu.be> ). As part of the release of the album, Lecrae will be celebrating with fans holding release parties in Manchester, UK (9/22), Denver, CO (9/27) and Houston, TX (9/28). Tickets will go on sale on July 20 and for more information log onto www.reachrecords.com <http://www.reachrecords.com/> .
Lecrae recently released his first mixtape Church Clothes hosted by Don Cannon which featured No Malice (formerly Malice of The Clypes) and production by Grammy award winning producer Bio-1a, 9th Wonder, S-1 and Street Symphony. The mixtape received rave reviews from both critics and fans as well as garnered over 280,000 downloads.
“With the release of ‘Gravity’ I really wanted to expand on my previous work while still making sure to keep it all very authentic to who I am as an artist as well as a person,” states Lecrae. “When I released ‘Church Clothes’ earlier this year, it was the precursor of what’s come with this album. It introduced my music to new audiences, allowing me to impact others.”
This fall, Lecrae will hit the road for the 5th annual Unashamed Tour 2012: Come Alive that will kick off October 4. This 30 city tour will make stops in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago Dallas and Atlanta among others and will feature label mates Trip Lee, Tedashii, Andy Mineo, KB and Pro. Always keeping his fans entertained, Lecrae will perform cuts from Gravity as well as fan favorites such as, “Don’t Waste Your Life”, “Go Hard” and “No Regrets”. Tickets will go on sale August 1, 2012.
UNASHAMED TOUR 2012: COME ALIVE TOUR DATES (*Dates subject to change)
10/4: Pittsburg, PA
10/5: Chicago, IL
10/6: Detroit, MI
10/7: Columbus, OH
10/9: Buffalo, NY
10/10: Toronto, Canada
10/12: New York, NY
10/13: Virginia Beach, VA
10/14: Raleigh/Charlotte, NC
10/18: Birmingham, AL
10/19: Atlanta, GA
10/20: Orlando, FL
10/21: Miami, FL
10/23: Pensacola, FL/Mobile, AL
10/24: Little Rock, AR
10/25: Oklahoma City, OK
10/27: Dallas, TX
10/31: Lubbock, TX
11/1: Albuquerque, NM
11/2: Phoenix, AZ
11/3: Los Angeles, CA
11/4: San Francisco, CA
11/7: Portland, OR
11/8: Seattle, WA
11/10: Las Vegas, NA
11/15: Omaha, NE
11/16: Minneapolis, MN
11/17: Kansas City, KS
11/18: Memphis, TN
REACH RECORDS’ GRAMMY ® nominated hip hop artist Lecrae opens up about his latest song, “Church Clothes,” that was released last month as a part of his Mixed Tape. Hoping to inspire discussion about hypocrisy in churches, instead the track has caused quite a stir among the community. However, Lecrae stands by his lyrics and explains this song is not meant to accuse or attack anyone or any denomination but purely to voice the perspective of an unbeliever’s encounter and view of the church.
“In the song ‘Church Clothes’ I was actually speaking from the perspective of a person who sees all the hypocrisy in church,” says Lecrae. “Many people have seen the hypocrisy and inconsistencies that have helped push them away from the church and God all together.”
Lecrae admits that people have been hurt by churches who have told them that if they don't dress accordingly or put on airs than they aren’t welcome. Still, toward the end of the song you hear the hip hop artist explain that if there is a real, loving, and grace-based church as well as a loving God, they'd have no excuse.
“The goal wasn't to condone this behavior or view; it was just to show the real attitude that people outside the church have,” says Lecrae. “It is a personification, which is a literary and artistic tool constantly used in rap music.”
Pastors and authors from across the country are standing by Lecrae and encouraging their congregations to break down the barriers and put a stop to the deception and live by example.
“Lecrae’s scripture-infused lyrics are just what the REAL church needs in politically-correct times like these,” says Dr. Kenneith T. Whalum Jr., author of Hip-Hop Is Not Our Enemy: From A Preacher Who Keeps It Real. “Not only are his lyrics painfully direct, the visual images are stunning, just like the homeless people we drive by on our way to our urban cathedrals. I can already hear the shrill outcry of the self-appointed guardians of the religious status quo against what they characterize as the ‘evils of hip-hop’, but ‘Church Clothes’ is a prime example that Hip-Hop is not our enemy; HYPOCRISY is!”
“ ’Church Clothes’ is a clarion call to those of us who are true Believers in the Body of Christ to live a life of light so that those who live in darkness can be transformed and renewed,” says Minister Keisha Allen from Straight Gate International Church. “It is a challenge to address issues in the church that are more important than clothing of a non-believer such as, promiscuity, deception and the like. It’s a great song!”
“Thank you Lecrae for speaking on the behalf of the young people who see this,” comments Bishop Paul S. Morton. “Young people outside the church see these issues looking from the outside in. We will cause them to change if they see us being real.”
For more information about Lecrae and “Church Clothes” please visit http://reachrecords.com/ <http://reachrecords.com/> .
Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Lecrae (Reach Records), walked away with top honors this evening at the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards. Garnering two Dove’s in major categories, Lecrae won Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year: “Hallelujah,” (Rehab) and Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year: Rehab: The Overdose.
In addition to his Dove Award wins, Lecrae also took the stage for a special award show performance alongside Dove nominated artist and label mate Tedashii. Both joined the powerhouse talent that included special appearances by Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, Jason Crabb, Jamie-Grace, Kim Burrell, Kari Jobe, Danny Gokey, Ruben Studdard, Mandisa and more.
Having established himself as the frontrunner of Christian Rap, Lecrae broke into the Billboard Top 200 Albums debuting at No. 17 with REHAB, while reaching No. 3 on the Top 10 Albums chart on iTunes. With an offering of rehabilitation found in Christ alone, Lecrae also maintained his established base, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian chart and No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. The impact of this album continues to spread across the globe, receiving nominations for several awards including a Grammy for Best Rock/Rap Gospel album.
The Dove Awards is Christian/Gospel music’s biggest night of the year, where top artists from every style of gospel music come together for a night of music and celebration as the GMA bestows the industry’s highest honor. This year’s awards show was held at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA and will be nationally televised on GMC TV April 24 at 8 PM and 10 PM ET. For more information, please visit www.doveawards.com <http://www.doveawards.com> or www.gospelmusic.org <http://www.gospelmusic.org> .
For more information about Lecrae, please visit http://reachrecords.com/artists/show/Lecrae.
