Lecrae
He reshaped Christian hip-hop by blending raw street narratives with theological depth, reaching audiences far beyond the church.
Born 1979 (age 47)·American rapper·Birthday: October 9·Generation X
Biography
Lecrae Moore didn't just make music for the choir; he built a bridge between the pulpit and the pavement. Emerging from a turbulent youth in Houston, his conversion to Christianity became the catalyst for a sound that refused to sanitize life's struggles. Co-founding the 116 collective, named after the Bible verse Romans 1:16, he created a platform for artists to be unashamed of their faith but uncompromising in their artistic integrity. His 2014 album 'Anomaly' debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, a seismic event that proved the commercial and cultural viability of his message. More than a rapper, Lecrae evolved into a thoughtful commentator on race, justice, and belief, challenging both secular and religious establishments with a vulnerability that made him a pivotal figure in modern music.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Lecrae was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lecrae Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Lecrae's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His album 'Anomaly' debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2014.
- Co-founded the influential hip-hop collective and label 116 (Reach Records).
- Won Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for 'Gravity' (2013) and 'All Things Work Together' (2018).
- Authored the bestselling memoir 'I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion but Found My Faith.'
Did You Know?
He was arrested for stealing cars as a teenager, an experience he frequently references in his music.
He studied at the University of North Texas before transferring to Columbia International University.
He voiced the character 'Raps' in the animated film 'The Star.'
His stage name is simply his first name, Lecrae.
“I'm not trying to make Christian music; I'm a Christian trying to make music.”
