How would rapper Lecrae follow up the Grammy Award winning, wildly successful Gravity album? Well, by breaking another record and becoming the first Christian rap album to debut #1 on Billboard. Wow! But what about the project itself?
In light of the history he made (first Rap Album to win a Grammy in the Gospel category), I expected a triumphant, “I Made It!” type feel, but his follow project, must like himself is an Anomaly. Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines ‘anomaly’ as: something that is unusual or unexpected. Well, that term definitely fits this album which is the most transparent and vulnerable from Lecrae to date. Far from boastful, he is intensely introspective and even intentionally exposed as a person who struggles with the same issues that many of his listeners can relate too, such as insecurities.
Ever since Real Talk, Lecrae’s first track on his albums have been energetic “bangers”. But again, he breaks with that norm with Outsiders on Anomaly. It is a song reflective and even a bit melancholy. It seems that the increased “success” has only magnified the tension that exists between his passionate faith and his platform in the secular music industry. Outsiders sets the tone that this project is a more mature and personal project than what we’ve been used to. Nuthin and the title track Anomaly also takes up the theme of inviting the listener to be more discerning and critical of the low standards and hypocrisy found in much the pop culture feeds us.
Welcome To America and Dirty Water boldly take on the issues of sex trafficking, war, immigration and American complacency. Say I Won’t is the only rap feature with Andy Mineo (who made the phrase popular on his catchy Paisano’s Wilin’ track on NeverLand album).
Give In, Runners and All I Need Is You (click to see video), are the upbeat pop songs on the album. Give In features a big vocal hook, and synth sounds and a driving beat that just feels good. Runners and All I Need Is You are truly anomalies in hip-hop. Runners playfully cautions listeners (and especially men) to resist the urges to be lustful and promiscuous … yes on a hip-hop track. All I Need Is You celebrates Lecrae’s marriage and commitment to his wife. Also, an anomalous track in the genre.
But the intimately vulnerable Good, Bad and Ugly, Fear and Broken are the standout tracks on this project. In Good, Bad and Ugly, Lecrae shares his past which has included abuse and a decision that resulted in a tragic end (no spoiler here). It’s a moving track that makes me wonder how many people will be touched by his willingness to tell dark aspects of his story that people typically hide. Broken responds to the heaviness of this by declaring “We’re all broken …”. The popular Contemporary Christian vocalist Kari Jobe’s vocals are hypnotizing like a sirens call. They call out “Lord, I’m broken in this mess I made/ I need you to restore me”.
What to say about Fear? Hip hop is a genre when bravado and chest-thumping is the norm. Christians are typically seen as judgmental and “holier-than-thou”, and yet in this track Lecrae presents his frailties on full display. Yeah, that’s an anomaly! He also takes aim at the sources of his fear to overcome them. The second verse is particularly raw when he rhymes “Jesus/Jesus/Jesus/Jesus to all of my haters/To the ones who think I forgot him/and the ones who won’t let me say it/I ain’t scared no more!” In one line, you get the theme of his career trajectory. An anomaly wherever he is. Called to two groups but not fully welcome in either. For all who can relate to that tension, anomaly is music to the ears.
Musically, this project is mature, and an anomaly from the Reach Records bass heavy/anthem laden tracks. Fear has a musical outro, and several songs have pop, rock and CCM influences.That this project deubuted #1 on Billboard is a historic moment that is hard to fully comprehend. Is Lecrae himself an anomaly whose success is an outlier that other Christian oriented artists can’t hope to duplicate? Or is this project proof that such anomalies like Mali Music, Christon Gray, Swoope, Propaganda, and many others can hope for similar unprecedented reception that Reach Records has enjoyed since 2004?
The last track on Anomaly, Messengers, plays like an anthem and an appeal. In this rhythmic S.O.S., Lecrae beckons others to join in this work of redeeming culture and restoring society. Musicians and mechanics alike are summoned to this calling. It took Lecrae seven studio albums, 2 mixed tapes and 10 years to achieve this milestone. Hopefully the long road to entering into the mainstream consciousness will be the anomaly and the exposure that his sales have given the masses will pave the way for other messengers who are talking about more than ‘nuthin’.
I give Anomaly 4 out of 5 stars for intensely authentic and awe-inspiring lyricism and music. Get your copy today!
What do you think of Anomaly?
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