Lecrae, Blessings | Track Review 🎵

Christian rapper Lecrae delivers a spiritual banger with “Blessings.” He gets a welcome assist from Ty Dolla $ign.

The legitimacy of Lecrae as a rapper should never be questioned.  While he eschews profanity and street talk in favor of uplifting God, he clearly has bars.  After delivering another awesome LP with Anomaly in 2014, he’s set to return with a new project in 2017.  He gets off to a fast start with single “Blessings,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign.

Hold up – Lecrae features one of urban music’s hottest artists on a religious rap record? Yep. Surprisingly, the end product is successful. If the listeners were unaware of the spiritual status of Lecrae, “Blessings” would sound like any other rap gem.  Ty Dolla $ign asserts himself early on, delivering a memorable sung hook:

“If I ever took a loss, I learned a lesson
I won’t ever think I’m better than the next man
I’ve been down before the come up, I ain’t stressin’
Baby I’m too busy countin’ all these blessings.”

After setting the tone, Lecrae spits ferociously.  His approach and appeal is secular for the most part, but he gives the glory to God: “Won’t take the credit, I know where we get it / them blessings be comin’ from God above.” With the spectacular hook following, an infectious post-hook adds the cherry on top: “Count it up, count it up, count it up / Blessings.”

Ty gets his chance to shine on the second verse.  He doesn’t reference God, but he also avoids the hellish.  Interestingly, it doesn’t feel as if he had to go out of his comfort zone, save for the language.  Down the line, Lecrae spits one more verse, spitting about his “losses” and referencing Mary Mary, and geniusly, Anita Baker:

“All I needed was the Mary Mary
But the God in me was havin’ commentary, woo!  I got angels all around like Anita Baker
Blessings fallin’ in line, guess I need a taper...”

 Final Thoughts

All in all, “Blessings” gives Lecrae another winning song.  Maybe more than past songs by the MC, this might appeal more to the youthful generation – particularly those who identify as believers.  Well produced and blessed with biting, humble rhymes.

Lecrae • All Things Work Together •  Columbia • Release: 9.22.17

Photo Credits: Columbia