Most religious popular music is terrible, with craftsmanship and artistry typically taking a back seat to the lyrical message. The gap is most evident in genres like rap and reggae, where pervasive themes of drugs, sex, and violence are seemingly at odds with messages about salvation and love. Reggae artist Matisyahu and rapper Lecrae have both made careers out of successfully straddling this divide, despite having been pigeonholed as religious artists.
Matisyahu rose to fame as the Hasidic Jew who performed a blend of reggae and hip-hop, providing opportunities for those who shared his faith to enjoy music otherwise forbidden while bringing elements of Judaism to a broader listening public. In 2012, it seemed he was headed in a more secular direction when he shaved his beard and was pictured not wearing a yarmulke—two choices that sent ripples through his Orthodox fan base. Still, his fifth studio album, Akeda, maintains the religious themes of his previous material while also furthering his evolution toward a more mainstream pop sound.
Lecrae has been making headlines since his most recent album, Anomaly, became the first to top Billboard’s 200 and Gospel charts in the same week. Known by many as a Christian rapper, he’s taken to describing himself as a “rapper who happens to be Christian.” “I’m not ashamed of my faith, but I think it really does kind of capsize my art,” he says, referring to his Christian-themed messages, which critics say “sneak up on you.” Yet they’re no sneakier than those of unity, love, and justice set forth in socially conscious underground rap, and the MC hopes his music can bridge the mainstream and spiritual rap chasm. What’s true for both Lecrae and Matisyahu is that it’s easy to miss the message—positive or negative—when all you’re doing is nodding along to the beat.
Matisyahu With Radical Something, Cisco Adler. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151, showbox presents.com. $29.50. 8 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 16.
Lecrae With Andy Mineo, DJ Promote. ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent, 253-856-6777, showarecenter.com. $25 adv./$30 DOS. 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 19.
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