For a very long time, there was a stereotype about rap and the kind of music that was appropriate for worship. Many did not like the idea of music that was often so vulgar being appropriate to the Lord. Is this perception still the case? Many would say yes, but there has been substantial change to this view over the years; a large part of this was due to Reach Records.
Reach Records was founded way back in 2004 by two men: Ben Washer and Lecrae. Lecrae is one of the founders of “Christian Rap” and is one of the most well known Christian rappers and hip hop artists, but many have since joined the mission and company including: Tedashii, Trip Lee, Gawvi, 1K Phew, Hulvey, and my personal favorite, Andy Mineo. They use their talents and platform to create music to glorify the Lord and express emotion towards difficulties many Christians face from depression, persecutions, and marriage: something you often do not think about with the topic of rap.
Reach Records is not the only record label to step into newer areas of worship. Capital Christian Music Group and Capital Records have taken steps to expand Christian worship styles. Social Club Misfits signed their first record label as a group and individuals to CCMG back in 2012 and NF was taken on by Capital Records back in 2014. These names have changed the views on worship and how many people view the word “rap” as an overall stereotype.
Since the creation of Christian rap records labels and the addition of Christian rappers to existing Christian groups, albums have not stopped selling and have been a way to reach many around the world. This just goes to show that God is not stopped by stereotypes and use an entrepreneurial mindset to help create new opportunities to worship and spread the gospel message.
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I believe that Christian Rap has done exactly what Jesus did in his day. Jesus was relevant to the culture of the time while at the same time presenting a completely contradictory message and ideology. The Rap genre of today is filled references to sex, drugs, and money, and our culture needs a different message than that.
I think this is a great example of redemptive entrepreneurship. I personally know more than one person who began listening to Christian rap music before they were saved and party because of the Christian rap music they felt like themselves and their culture was still accepted by Jesus and the church. Cool to see personally the fruits of redemptive entrepreneurship.
It is so cool to see a group of people breaking down barriers to reach more people for Christ. Our generation is extremely into rap, and what Reach Records is doing is exactly what the name implies, reaching. It is an amazing testament to God using things that are broken to share who he is to others. Rap is generally a very secular place, but this is a great example of God turning a secular space into something for his kingdom.