Music Review: Hip-Hop Gospel Artist Lecrae’s “Gravity”

The distinguishment between Lecrae’s previous recordings and “Gravity” is his growth, his truth, and his desire to continue express himself and his faith in ways most are afraid to speak of. Tradition dictates the subjects we’re ‘allowed’ to talk about and share with the world—at least that’s what Christianity has been upheld to—in a box. Lecrae expresses ways of thinking outside of the box to draw people to God’s awesomeness. So many powerful messages he touches on this album.

His mixtape “Church Clothes” generated much criticism within the Christian community for his perception of the church through the mind of an unbeliever. With the world constantly changing, more issues are being looked over, untouched, and unaware. If we never address the problem, how can we expect to find the solution? That’s what Lecrae has been conveying, broadening the “Gospel/Hip-Hop” genre to other horizons.

Lecrae’s growing and shaping more into his own as he lyrically expresses himself in a way of importance and impacting the whole world. I think “Gravity” is more personal than Lecrae’s previous albums and mixtapes. To see his journey and his humbleness is very uplifting and encouraging. He discusses love for a companion, his father, wealth, violence, and etc. It is the best album of his and I cannot wait for the next. And the next and so forth. That’s why “Gravity” is one of my all-time favorite albums with a rating of 5 Stars.

So which songs on “Gravity” are my favorites?

“Gravity” can be one ugly thing. Sometimes you can feel like your on top of the world and it can pull you down. But a really good message that Lecrae portrays is, “I can’t stay.” Another message, “Everything in your hand you’ll never keep so why hold on?” The world, everything is going to all go down soon. This track bridges tracks “Wall With Me and “Free From It All” into “Falling Down,” with its underlining if you feel despair or defeat, everything will do down and you’ll “go somewhere where there’s no gravity.”

A personal track from Lecrae, “Walk With Me,” speaks about his father never wanted him, his mother skipped out and his grandfather’s death, it hit him how people keep leaving him…those moments when we need someone to lean on or uplift up, I recommend listening to this one. “Jesus, come walk with me, hear my cry, let your love rain from the sky.” The pressures and problems in life can wear you down, fall to your knees.

“Free From It All” is an very uplifting song—the vocals and lyrics were so empowering. This song you can play when you wake up in the morning before starting your day. Feeling free from it all relieves all the weights and pressures of life.

Violence- Another powerful, touchy subject that Lecrae tackles—violence instilled in young men to where they think it’s the “Man” thing if you don’t sell drugs, be in a gang, or carry a weapon. “Little boys want to bang but they barely got a brain…too scared to be better.” He conveys the message that taking someone’s life is like giving up your life to the system, violence isn’t the answer. “War, violence, six feet, rest in silence.”

“Mayday”—-Ashthon Jones vocals on this track are phenomenal. This track speaks about false prophets, despair, and hope of “Doing what I can…leave it in the Lord’s hands.” The song is uplifting as well. “When I look at Jesus, he lived the life I couldn’t,” Lecrae shows his appreciation. I recommend this song as well for when you need encouraging.

“Confe$sions” tells the tale of how many people want fame and fortunes but really don’t consider what it all entails. You can have all the money in the world, companionship, cars, homes, etc. but what would it matter if you’re alone or unhappy. I think Lecrae portrays this wonderfully. Everyone who wants to be famous should hear this song.

Dedicated to a female companion, one can assume to Lecrae’s wife, the track “Buttons” should be the anthem for the male population I think. Marriage is for better and for worse. Through the ups and downs, we’ll stick it out and make it work together.“Though you push my buttons, I ain’t going nowhere.” This shows his romantic side.

“Power Trip” conveys the pressures of the world and everything in it. Lecrae delivers the question, “Do you really want it all, the world in the palm of your hands?” Envy can corrupt you if you let it, humility not being shown or taught, can take you out to where you think you’re on top of the world and then it’s all over.

Lecrae speaks to the criticism, the haters and naysayers in “I Know.” The tenacity and strength in saying, “Yes, I know what they’re saying but I’m not tripping. Even when I do the right thing, they still want fight me.” Pleasing yourself and the Man Above is all that matters when it comes to people’s ideas of what you should be, how you should do it, and who they want you to be.

This song speaks to the heart of it all and you can hear it in this song, “Tell The World.” Mali Music is the icing on the delicious cake. The message, “I gave you no reason…what did I do to deserve this loving? Christ came and rescued me and I’m going to tell the world. I’m a Billboard.”

“Lucky Ones” expresses his gratefulness for being one of the “Lucky Ones,” this is another personal one. This song registers with my soul from beginning to end. The emotion and flow of this track makes this one my ultimate most favorite on the album. God gives us a second chance even when we don’t deserve it. “I’m not saying I’m perfect, I ain’t always right and I know I don’t deserve it but I’m glad I got this life.”

Here’s an insight to the creation of “Gravity.”