Category: Christian Hip-Hop

Featured Artist: TRIP LEE

Trip Lee

As kids, most people aspire to be famous, but few actually achieve fame. Some come close, but most begrudgingly let go of their childhood fantasy once reality arrives. Trip Lee was just like most kids, until the reality of eternity compelled him to gracefully loosen his grip on worldly fame.

William Lee Barefield III, better known as Trip Lee, was born and raised in Dallas, TX. As a child, Trip had dreams of being a professional athlete or famous rapper, so he began to hone his lyrical skills at the age of 12. “I rapped about random stuff—how hot I was or how many girls I could pull,” Trip says. But upon giving his life to Christ, at age 14, his focus changed from fortune, fame and women to serving and ministering the Gospel.

Trip slowly recognized that all of his life should be centered on Christ. “One day, I just decided I’m only doing Christian Hip Hop. Rappers like Ambassador and Da Truth helped provide a model for how I would begin to do that,” he says. He also had an immense desire to learn and teach the scripture, so he became a leader in his youth group and preached his first sermon at age 17.

In 2004, Trip met Lecrae at a concert; months later, after talking and building with each other, Lecrae began to disciple him. While still in high school, Trip was given the opportunity to pen a few devotionals for the Reach Records website that dealt with theological matters. Trip would then sign with Reach Records, and his debut album, If They Only Knew, hit stores nationwide a few days after his high school graduation. His first full-length album introduced hip-hop fans to his distinct southern sound, unique delivery and gospel-saturated lyrics. That same year, Trip was also featured on the Dove Award-nominated, timeless classic “Jesus Muzik” with label mate Lecrae.

His sophomore album, 20/20, was released in 2008 and garnered much success: breaking into the Billboard Top 200, reaching #11 on the Billboard Christian albums chart and landing at #4 on the Gospel chart. With his third studio album, Between Two Worlds, Trip offers a collection of reflections on life in a fallen world. Those reflections resonated with listeners as B2W debuted at #1 on the Christian and Gospel Billboard charts, #5 on the Hip Hop/Rap iTunes chart and #9 on the Top Albums iTunes chart. The album also received two Dove nominations and a Stellar Award for Best Gospel Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year.

Since his first album release, Trip has traveled the world performing for thousands of listeners. The Christ-centered hip-hop message he brings has also built a platform for him among churches and other Christian organizations, which has led to numerous opportunities to preach and teach at conferences and other events.

Trip now resides in Washington, DC with his wife and is finishing his Biblical and Theological Studies degree by distance with Boyce College. He is currently touring, working on his fourth album, blogging (bragonmylord.com) and aiming to author a few New York Times bestsellers. Trip’s unending desire is to proclaim the grace and beauty of Jesus Christ to anyone that will listen. Ultimately, he hopes this journey will someday lead to pastoring a church.

 

Featured Artist Biography by: (www.newreleasetuesday.com) Entry lasted edited by NRTeamAdmin on 04.08.12
 

ALBUM: If They Only Knew (2006)

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALBUM: 20/20 (2008)

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALBUM: The Good Life (2012)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Featured Artist – LECRAE

lecraeAn unlikely story stands behind the man known by many as “Lecrae”. From the southside of Houston to a leader in the movement of urban reform, a rocky road provides a window into the grace he experienced through out his life, with every situation molding him into the artist and leader that he is today.

Born and raised by his mother in a struggling community on the south side of Houston, Lecrae moved around to several places giving him the versatile background and cultural awareness he carries with him. San Diego, Denver, and Dallas have also once been home to him and the street life he once idolized and pursued. Along the way, like many in the inner city, he took to rapping as a way of communicating his mind. It wasn’t until after high school that his hobby became a passion after his hip hop background was redeemed by Jesus Christ.

At 19 years old at the encouragement of a christian leader he attended a conference and heard James White delivering the message. In that moment, sitting in a chair, his world was flipped upside down as the Holy Spirit convicted him of his sin and need for a Savior. That day Lecrae was rescued by the Lord and began following after Christ. Almost instantly his renewed heart spilled over as he printed his testimony and passed it out enthusiastically all over his college campus at University of North Texas. The next 5 years included many struggles and victories before he teamed up to begin Reach Records, releasing his first album at the age of 25.

Calling Dallas home, Lecrae remained content using his gifts of speaking and rapping while volunteering at a juvenile detention center, but the Lord would have different plans and soon he began working on his debut “Real Talk”. Pouring out a genuine discussion of life issues and passionate, unashamed pursuit of Jesus Christ, Real Talk was released to the world where he quickly became noted as an emcee that would meet listeners where they were by delivering transparent, relatable, and impacting messages.

As Lecrae continued to make his mark in the music industry, he realized the stage wasn’t enough. He wanted to see deeper impact in urban culture. There needed to be a culturally relevant and biblically solid resource center to help train the next generation. Co-founding ReachLife Ministries in 2005, the non-profit organization exists to partner with organizations to equip local leaders with culturally relevant tools and media projects designed to strengthen communities with the word of God. ReachLife is another vital piece in the larger vision of seeing a reformation in urban culture.

Since formation, Lecrae has released the groundbreaking album After the Music Stops and the first Christian Rap CD to ever sit in the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Top Gospel Charts, Rebel. Led by the classic single Jesus Musik, After the Music Stops slowly spread to the mainstream market with other hits such as Praying For You and Send Me. Aimed to build an audience of disciples, the album sat on Soundscan Christian Hip Hop/R&B chart for two years after releasing in 2006. While in the No. 3 position, Rebel released in 2008 and claimed the No. 3 position on the secular iTunes Rap chart.

A graduate of University of North Texas, Lecrae now resides in the inner city of Memphis, one of the nations most violent cities. A movement is brewing around the country with hungry, unashamed believers popping up in inner city communities everywhere. Lecrae is humbled to be a part of leading others towards Christ so that lives can be changed forever just like his changed years ago. With new avenues and strategic partnerships Lecrae prays that the impact from Reach will spread far beyond simply the music and into the lives of believers across the world.

 

Artist Bio from (NewReleaseTuesday.com) Entry lasted edited by Dawson on 11.22.11

ALBUM: Real Talk (2006)

 

 

 

 

ALBUM: After The Music Stops (2006)

 

 

 

 

ALBUM: Rebel (2008)

 

 

 

 

 

ALBUM: Rehab (2010)

 

 

 

 

 

ALBUM: Gravity (2012)