I‘ve been working hard on trying to eliminate a phrase from my vocabulary, “It’s pretty good for Christian_______”. How many times as Worship Leaders do we say, “The album’s pretty good for Christian music”? Put that music in the light of whats popular or even “Mainstream” music and it falls apart. If what they are saying is that important, why does it often get presented in a less than flattering music and lyrical context? Thats why most of the “Music you Should be Listening to” posts you see around here aren’t for CCM. I still try to listen to Worship Music to find new songs to use in church, but its hard to remember the last Worship Album that I found that I legitimately enjoyed musically.I don’t say that to be a negative nancy, or to try to discredit people’s expressions of Worship, but to simply provide you with a bit of context that I judge the music I listen to.
I was excited when I heard about Lecrae. I had heard his name for a few months, but didn’t really check his music out. I heard about the incredible version of “Our God” on the new Pasison album. I checked it out and didn’t really care for it. I liked that he rapped during the song, but it felt forced. It didn’t seem like a natural fit. I’m a huge supporter of using something other than acoustic driven, white-guy music in Worship services, but this attempt didn’t go over well with me. Lecrae’s Rehab album was a different story though.
I really like Rap music. Yes I’m white. I’m not pasty white, but not far from it. I like James Taylor and Starbucks, but I love rap music. What’s great about Lecrae’s album is that it isn’t good for Christian Rap. It’s good for Rap. The music is great, you want to crank it, and the lyrics are deep and honest. It’s catchy but full of truth. It’s full of honesty. I mean..like David in the Psalms honest. Check out this section of “Just like You”:
” I was created by God but I ain’t wanna be like Him, I wanna be Him. The Jack Sparrow of my Carribean. I remember the first created bein’, and how he shifted the blame on his dane for foolish in the eatin’. And I look at us all out of Eden. Wearing designer fig leaves by Louie Vuitton make believin’. But God sees through my foolish pride, an how I’m weak like Adam, another victim of lucifer’s lies. Then in steps Jesus. All men were created to lead, but we needed somebody to lead us. More than a teacher, but somebody to buy us back from the darkness, you can say He redeemed us. Taught us that real leaders follow God, finish the work cause we on our job. Taught us not to rob, but give life. Love a wife like He loved the Church, without seein’ how many hearts we can break first. I wanna be like you in every way. So if I gotta die every day, unworthy sacrifice, but the least I can do is give the most to me. Cause bein’ just ike you is what I’m supposed to be. They say you came for the lame, I’m the lamest. I made a mess, but you say you’ll erase it. I’ll take it. They say you came for the lame, I’m the lamest. I broke my life, but you say you’ll replace it. I’ll take it.”
If you’re looking for something other than the typical white-guy CCM music we’re used to hearing, check it out. As I was writing this article I found out he had a newer CD, Rehab: The Overdose. I’m downloading it now. If it’s half as good as Rehab, I’m gonna love it. After that I’ll probably listen to some more JT, watch some Grey’s and pick up a brew at Starbucks. Just another day as a white guy.. “You mean I’m gonna stay this color?”
Will Doggett is a certified Ableton Live Instructor, musician, worship leader and educator based out of FL. He currently works in the Worship Ministry at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and teaches Ableton Live and Ensemble courses at Ocean's Edge School of Worship . You can reach him by Email and find him on Twitter @willdoggett. He's currently available for consultation and training for churches and musicians interesting in learning to integrate Live into their setups. Want more info? Shoot him an Email!
Music you Should be Listening: 5/17/2011 Edition
Posted by Will in Music you Should be Listening to
I was excited when I heard about Lecrae. I had heard his name for a few months, but didn’t really check his music out. I heard about the incredible version of “Our God” on the new Pasison album. I checked it out and didn’t really care for it. I liked that he rapped during the song, but it felt forced. It didn’t seem like a natural fit. I’m a huge supporter of using something other than acoustic driven, white-guy music in Worship services, but this attempt didn’t go over well with me. Lecrae’s Rehab album was a different story though.
I really like Rap music. Yes I’m white. I’m not pasty white, but not far from it. I like James Taylor and Starbucks, but I love rap music. What’s great about Lecrae’s album is that it isn’t good for Christian Rap. It’s good for Rap. The music is great, you want to crank it, and the lyrics are deep and honest. It’s catchy but full of truth. It’s full of honesty. I mean..like David in the Psalms honest. Check out this section of “Just like You”:
” I was created by God but I ain’t wanna be like Him, I wanna be Him. The Jack Sparrow of my Carribean. I remember the first created bein’, and how he shifted the blame on his dane for foolish in the eatin’. And I look at us all out of Eden. Wearing designer fig leaves by Louie Vuitton make believin’. But God sees through my foolish pride, an how I’m weak like Adam, another victim of lucifer’s lies. Then in steps Jesus. All men were created to lead, but we needed somebody to lead us. More than a teacher, but somebody to buy us back from the darkness, you can say He redeemed us. Taught us that real leaders follow God, finish the work cause we on our job. Taught us not to rob, but give life. Love a wife like He loved the Church, without seein’ how many hearts we can break first. I wanna be like you in every way. So if I gotta die every day, unworthy sacrifice, but the least I can do is give the most to me. Cause bein’ just ike you is what I’m supposed to be. They say you came for the lame, I’m the lamest. I made a mess, but you say you’ll erase it. I’ll take it. They say you came for the lame, I’m the lamest. I broke my life, but you say you’ll replace it. I’ll take it.”
If you’re looking for something other than the typical white-guy CCM music we’re used to hearing, check it out. As I was writing this article I found out he had a newer CD, Rehab: The Overdose. I’m downloading it now. If it’s half as good as Rehab, I’m gonna love it. After that I’ll probably listen to some more JT, watch some Grey’s and pick up a brew at Starbucks. Just another day as a white guy.. “You mean I’m gonna stay this color?”
Pick up Rehab on iTunes
Pick up Rehab on Amazon
Pick up Rehab:Overdose on iTunes
Pick up Rehab: Overdose on Amazon
What are you currently listening to?
Wills website