It’s been a couple of years since Lecrae shed the “Christian rapper” label and proclaimed himself to be like any other MC; stating his worldview, lamenting about his personal life, and finding unique ways to do so. Never has Lecrae Moore’s refusal to be put in a box been more apparent than on his latest album, All Things Work Together. The project finds Crae reflecting on his successes, shortcomings and detractors, all while keeping his faith either at the forefront or at the very least, in his peripheral vision.
Lecrae, as the title of his Billboard-topping 2014 album belies, is an anomaly. His popular 2012 mixtape Church Clothes crossed him over to the mainstream without compromising his faith, but many within the Christian Hip Hop community have never forgiven him for it. On the flip side, Lecrae received a backhanded compliment in the form of a Grammy for Best Gospel Album for 2013’s Gravity. He was appreciative of the award but felt he should have been included in the Grammy’s Hip Hop categories. It seems the heat he takes from both sides has only ramped up, as Lecrae spends a bulk of All Things Work Together unapologetic and even defiant in his views. On the bouncy “Come and Get Me,” he proclaims that his only fears are the IRS and God, and details advice his mother gave him: “Told me God ain’t white and that there’s more to life than rap and/I expressed my opinions, my faith and my views/If they want to keep me quiet, tell ‘em ‘Do It!’”
His bold stance and his aggressive delivery make for compelling rebel music. What’s more impressive, he does it without ever conveying a sense of disdain for his detractors, and keeps the album from having a holier-than-thou feel.
Humility has always been a strong suit of Lecrae’s, and his raw self-reflection makes for the best tracks on All Things Work Together. He shows gratefulness to God for his family, his career and life on the wistful “Blessings,” which is personal enough to hold its own against tracks of the same name by Chance the Rapper and Big Sean. He leaves no stone unturned when examining his shortcomings, admitting arrogance, pain, and even past doubt in God’s direction for his life. His bars usually are not super lyrical but remain sufficient. Not unlike DMX, Lecrae’s strength comes in his ability to use his faith to elicit emotion. No more is this more apparent than on the album’s best song, “I’ll Find You.” Tori Kelly belts an inspiring hook while Lecrae offers a hand to anyone struggling. His openness keeps the song — and others like it on the album — motivational rather than cheesy.
The album’s only major drawback is its at-times lackluster production, particularly near the beginning. Though Crae spazzes out on “Facts,” the song, as well as the following “Broke,” features cookie-cutter trap beats that do little to inspiring repeat listening. Fortunately, the album’s production picks up on “Blessings” and never looks back. Go Grizzly’s cool woodwinds on “Whatchu Mean” and Metro Boomin’s lively beat on “Hammer Time” show just how in-pocket Lecrae is with trap production done right. Alternately, he beautifully plays off Swoope and Taylor Hill’s melancholy piano keys on “Cry For You.” When it matters the most, the production on All Things Work Together is memorable and is in-step with Lecrae’s thoughtful bars.
All Things Work Together is the culmination of Lecrae’s unapologetic faith combined with his ambition to spread his message through Hip Hop. His naked honesty and knack for conveying relatable emotions make the album one of his best projects to date.
gay
Des stop being a homophobe!
God condemns Homosexuality – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Repent and believe the gospel while God has given you time
Bruh, nobody listens to the bull horn guy on the street telling people they are going to hell. Check yourself before you wreck yourself
lecrae at his best
I gotta be real. I’m thoroughly impressed. Although the production came off as inorganic at times, he still delivered raw and hard lyrics. That’s what we need more of.
Lecrae STILL got the blessing! Real talk!
Facts!!!
I’ll Find You is one of my favs of the year. Thanks Lecrae!
didnt think he would top anomaly..he proved me wrong..hammer time and broke are hard af. 5/5
One of the best, if not THE best hip-hop album this 2017. Trully feels like Lecrae has found his joy and path just being himself and not letting any haters distract him. Keep it up bro. #ATWT.?????
Lecrae is not a Christian. Your sinful lifestyle & sin is in the way of you having a relationship with God(Isaiah 59:1-2). God is holy and just and he cannot look upon it Habakuk 1:13. God’s standard is perfection and you will never meet that.You deserve to burn in hell for your sin Romans 6:23. You cant do anything good to earn a right standing before God i.e good works, getting baptized, the five pillars of Islam, going to Church every Sunday, praying to Mary, confessing your sin to a priest etc.
God is gracious, loving and merciful,- He crushed his only son so that we could be restored back to him to satisfy his justice on sin(the death and resurrection of Christ- Son of God, God-Man, 2nd person in the trinity) to make us holy before God and clothe us in righteousness that we could not & can not attain to be restored back to God for eternity and for his glory. 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:5, Hebrews 13:12, Psalms 106:8.
Repent and believe in what Christ did and only Christ can do to be restored to God. Count the costs though, God dosent want your half heart, he wants everything, let go of everything and trust in Christ Luke 14:33.
REPENT &BELIEVE THE GOSPEL AND BE RECONCILED TO GOD (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
Lecrae is absolutely a Christian. He’s expressed your very definition of Christianity hundreds of times in his music. Get off your high horse.
shut up
Sound more like a pop record
Still the same Rebel on another level
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KEEP ON CRITICIZING AND HATING THIS MAN FOR BEING HIMSELF STOP YOUR FOOLISHNESS KNOWING DAM WELL YOU NEVER MET CUZ BEFORE NOW GO SUPPORT THE HOMIE AND BUY THIS ALBUM
Album is amazing
This review was awful. He talks about blessing as being greatly produced while the intro songs aren’t. Production has NEVER been a problem in Lecrae or any of Reach’s artist’s music. Also he talks about how these “cookie cutter beats” on Facts and Broke don’t make you listen again, yet songs like Whatchu Mean and Hammer Time while still great tracks, have the most cookie cutter beats as shown by the flute on Whatchu Mean. Facts and broke are two highlights of the album. I’ll find you and Blessing are songs that were made to sell as by who he features on them. “His bars usually are not super lyrical but remain sufficient” has to be maybe the worst part of this review. Lecrae has some of the best bars in Rap PERIOD, and I can go back all the way to Real Talk and show bars upon double upon triple entendres. I don’t know what the reviewer’s background of Lecrae is but he doesn’t seem to fully understand him or what he is talking about with a statement like that. This album is easily a top 5 rap/hip-hop album of 2017. Production IS fantastic as always, bars are tier 1 as ALWAYS, and overall this is a fantasic album and not “one of his best projects to date.” This is his best album to date.
Lecrae can definitely be one of those super lyrical rapping cars if he really wanted to especially when you examine his verse on “Misconceptions” from CC1. Recently, his bars have been a tad bit weak. The thing about Lecrae as a rapper is he’s so dope with his voice, delivery, and flow that his lyrical technique and rhyme schemes won’t get thar many criticism similar to the way 2Pac was when he rapped.
Overall, I enjoyed this project tho. He was unapologetic from his black pride to his faith and love for God. He was transparent and unashamed of his past pains and struggles. Production wasn’t original. It was the same ole cliche mainstream appeal with weak mixing. Despite that, Lecrae stood strong. I’m just hoping that this isn’t Lecrae’s peak as an artist. I really want to see him to continue improving and working on his craft. He’s dope, but a lot of his songs are heavily saturated in radio influence. I want to see Lecrae experiment with sounds for the sake of innovation
Just my thoughts
@Jackson I have been following Lecrae’s music for years. To say I don’t understand him or his music is a groundless assumption. You can disagree with my thoughts; that’s fine. But because you disagree doesn’t mean the review wasn’t solid. You’re making yourself sound like a fanboy. Not a good look. But I’ll leave it at that because I don’t want to get into negativity when discussing a Lecrae album.
Forgot to rate
5/5
IT’S LIT
This album is Art. By all means, Lecrae gives you a candid, honest picture of his life and thoughts through hard beats, creative rhymes, and addicting melodies. He is no one’s puppet and his lack of regard for popular opinion is expressed throughout this album. Cry For You was the first time I listened to a Lecrae song and thought that, damn, this man is just another human who needs prayer and love like anyone else. “Im so far from perfect, can’t believe they listen. But hear broken man tell you healing happens, and hear a liar tell you truth to bring you gladness”. God’s love is not always black and white and Lecrae is a witness to this. This album is an awesome expression of how a journey of pain can make you grow in Love and Grace.
Another classic!
audio crack
Love the fact that he is unapologetic about his race and beliefs. This album is SOLID!! Another masterpiece.
lackluster production? Broke is like one of the best on the album tho
Fantastic album. It’s clear that Lecrae put his soul into his art and clearly gave up trying to cater to a particular audience.
After almost a year, I can that this album has fully grown on me now. I really appreciate Lecrae stepping out and using his voice and platform to bring awareness to real issues affecting real people in the real world.
Gorgeous audio. You can really feel his heart and what he stands for.