Church Clothes 4 | ||||
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Mixtape by | ||||
Released | November 4, 2022 | |||
Genre | Christian hip hop | |||
Length | 41:16 | |||
Label | Reach | |||
Producer | Juberlee, Ace Harris, Connor Back, theBeatbreaker, DrumGod, Dude Clayy, Simbo, JuanRa, Sims Cashion, Jaden Eli, WEARETHEGOOD, Slikk Muzik, Alex Goose, Matt Zara, Andy Mineo, Dylan Hyde, Leslie Johnson, Curious George, Joel McNeill, Carvello, Lil' Ronnie, CuBeatz, Vinnyforgood, Luis Bacqué, Lecrae, KelbyOnTheTrack, Lyle Leduff, Don Cannon, NIQ Maximus, Andrew Prim, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., M-80, Luke Crowder, Mike & Keys, Money Jezu$, 206Derek, Dunk Rock, Elkan, Steven Shaeffer, Splitmind | |||
Lecrae chronology | ||||
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Singles from Church Clothes 4 | ||||
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Church Clothes 4 is a 2022 mixtape from Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on November 4 through his own label Reach Records. It constitutes the final installment of his Church Clothes mixtape series begun in 2012. It includes featured appearances from Andy Mineo, PJ Morton, A.I. the Anomaly, Jon Keith, nobigdyl., WHATUPRG, and Jordan L’Oreal. Two singles were released from the mixtape — "Spread the Opps", on August 5, 2022, and "Fear Not", on October 26, 2022. A deluxe edition of the album, Church Clothes 4: Dry Clean Only, was released February 24, 2023.
Lecrae released the first installment of his mixtape series, Church Clothes , in the summer of 2012. Hosted by DJ Don Cannon, it was intended to exemplify Lecrae's authenticity to both hip hop and his Christian faith. [1] [2] Within 48 hours of its release for free on Datpiff.com, the mixtape was downloaded over 100,000 times. [2] Two more mixtapes followed in subsequent years: Church Clothes 2 in 2013 and Church Clothes 3 in 2016. Lecrae's tenth studio album, Restoration (2020), was announced to be possibly his last studio endeavor, but Lecrae held out the possibility of future mixtapes. He told Rapzilla in 2020 that “...I'll probably do some mixtapes, but I don't know if I'm making another full-featured album. It's a younger generation right now man, so you know, I feel like I may give them another Church Clothes and close a chapter out." [3] [4] In 2021, he and labelmate 1K Phew released the collaborative album No Church in a While . [5] In January 2022, he announced Church Clothes 4. [4] On August 4, 2022, a press release from Reach Records stated that Church Clothes 4 was forthcoming and that it would close out the Church Clothes series. "We did Vol 1, 2, and 3, only right that we keep the legacy with Vol.4. Church Clothes 4 is the last one though!" [1] On September 29, 2022, Lecrae stated in an interview that the previously hinted at J. Cole feature did not materialize. [6]
Two singles preceded the mixtape's release. "Spread the Opps", produced by DrumGod, JuanRa, Simbo, and DudeClayy, was released on August 5, 2022. [7] [2] It was accompanied by a music video directed by Ray Neutron. [2] A second single, "Fear Not", was released on October 26, 2022, and was produced by Lecrae, Juberlee, Cubeatz, and Vinnyforgood. [8] Church Clothes 4 was released on November 4, 2022, on digital platforms and for CD pre-order. [9] [10] A music video for the song "Still in America", directed by Isaac Dietz, from the album was released on the same day. [11]
Preezy Brown from Vibe noted Lecrae's lyricism, apparent immediately on the first track, "CC4", and contemplative and uplifting moments of thought. [12] A major theme of the mixtape is Lecrae's faith deconstruction and coming to accept himself. [6] Another is the need for healing and for people to work together. [13] "Spread the Opps", according to Lecrae, is about him being rejected by others but still holding his own. [14] The song references Genesis 3 as well as Romans 1:16. [14] On "Still in America", Lecrae tried to explore the nuance and diversity of experiences of Americans and try to find unity through common ground. [13] [15] "Take Me Up" includes a sample from the group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. [16] Lecrae stated in an interview with Holy Culture that after the first Church Clothes mixtape came out, Krayzie Bone sought him out for conversation. [16] "Fear Not" follows Lecrae's journey from sin to salvation. [8] Ken Partridge from Genius noted that the song's music and lyrics have a "chilly horror-movie vibe" that were perfect for late October. [8] The chorus references Halloween and Partridge considered the first verse, which ends with Lecrae resigned to an early death, to be "pure psychological horror". [8] The song then interludes with Psalm 23:4–6, and the Psalm is then called back to in the second verse. [8] The direct quotes of the Psalm are in Portuguese and Yoruba. [8] [11] The song also references Lecrae's pressuring of a then-girlfriend into getting an abortion. [16] On the final song, "Deconstruction", Lecrae recounts his deconstruction and reconstruction, which was triggered just before the fall of 2015. [17] After Lecrae tweeted about the killing of Michael Brown, he encountered backlash from many Christians online and was further hurt by the response he received from pastor Voddie Baucham. [14] Lecrae fell into clinical depression. As he worked through his church trauma, he came to the conclusion that Western society has twisted the teachings of Christianity and so he reconstructed his faith with a more Eastern context instead. [17] Lecrae said in his interview with Holy Culture that this song was one of four that he feels he was prompted by God to write. [16]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Jesus Freak Hideout | [18] |
Matt Baldwin of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the mixtape four stars out of five, describing it as an "autobiographical telling of his deconstruction journey that ultimately lead to his reconstruction and strengthening of his faith... [shining] like a beacon for those walking through the valley of the shadow of death". [18]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "CC4" | Lecrae Moore, Nate Robinson, Jeffrey Lawrence Shannon, Lasanna "Ace" Harris, Connor Back, Alexandria Dollar, Mohamed Elkhalifa | Juberlee, Ace Harris, Connor Back, theBeatbreaker | 1:47 |
2. | "Spread the Opps" | Moore, Harris, Clayton Rogers, Brice Sibomana, Juan Ramón Luis Melián, Robert Labraunte Gullatt, Deandre Hunter, Dollar | DrumGod, Dude Clayy, Simbo, JuanRa | 3:01 |
3. | "Dirt" | Moore, Shannon, Sims Cashion, Jaden Eli, Dollar | Juberlee, Sims Cashion, Jaden Eli | 2:57 |
4. | "Still In America" | Moore, Wesley Eugene Smith, Quinten John Coblentz, Robinson | WEARETHEGOOD, theBeatbreaker | 3:21 |
5. | "Misconceptions 4" (featuring nobigdyl., Jon Keith, and A.I. The Anomaly) | Moore, Dylan Phillips, Jon Keith, Aitina Fareed-Cooke, Rickey Offord, Jakob Zimmerman, Dollar, Montell Jordan | Slikk Muzik | 3:52 |
6. | "Good Lord" (featuring Andy Mineo) | Moore, Andy Mineo, Alex Goose, Matt Zara, Harris | Alex Goose, Matt Zara, Andy Mineo | 3:07 |
7. | "I-45 Freestyle" (additional vocals from Tedashii) | Moore, Dylan Hyde, Leslie Johnson, Curious George, Robinson, Michael Girgenti, Dollar, Tedashii Lavoy Anderson | Dylan Hyde, Leslie Johnson, Curious George, theBeatbreaker | 1:49 |
8. | "Take Me Up" (featuring WHATUPRG) | Moore, J. Raul Garcia, Harris, Joel McNeill, Ryan Bert, Robin William, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O'Kelly Isley Jr., Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley, Steven Howse, Anthony Henderson, Bryon Anthony McCane II, Charles C. Scruggs Jr., Danny Towers | Ace Harris, Joel McNeill, Carvello, theBeatbreaker | 3:11 |
9. | "Protect My Peace" (featuring Jordan L'Oreal) | Moore, Jordan L’Oreal, Dollar, Ronnie Jackson, Harris, Hunter | Lil' Ronnie, Ace Harris, theBeatbreaker | 2:53 |
10. | "Fear Not" | Moore, Shannon, Kevin Gomringer, Tim Gomringer, Luis Bacqué, Vincent Dean Verdi, Dollar | Juberlee, CuBeatz, Vinnyforgood, Luis Bacqué, Lecrae | 3:17 |
11. | "We Did It" (featuring PJ Morton) | Lecrae, L’Oreal, Dollar, Offord, Hunter | SlikkMuzik, KelbyOnTheTrack | 3:13 |
12. | "Journey" | Moore, Lyle Anthony Leduff Jr., Donald Cannon, Jaron Allen, Harold Allen | Lyle Leduff, Don Cannon, NIQ Maximus, theBeatbreaker | 4:33 |
13. | "Deconstruction" | Moore, Harris, McNeill, Andrew Prim, Robinson | Ace Harris, Joel McNeill, Andrew Prim, theBeatbreaker | 4:09 |
Total length: | 41:16 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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14. | "They Ain't Know" | Moore, Carlton Davis Mays, Jr. | Honorable C.N.O.T.E. | 3:12 |
15. | "Double R Dreamin" (featuring Urstrulyxyz) | Moore, Turrell Thomas Sims, Dollar, Darwin Cordale Quinn, Luke Crowder, Cody Hao Duan, Heath Jackson | C Gutta, Luke Crowder, Cody Hao Duan, Heath Jackson | 2:44 |
16. | "Can You Hear Me Now?" (featuring D Smoke) | Moore, Daniel Anthony Farris, Quinn, Michael Ray Cox, Jr., John Groover, Jacob Guyton, Dollar | C Gutta, Luke Crowder, Mike & Keys, Classified Alias | 3:00 |
17. | "Price Up" (featuring Torey D'Shaun) | Moore, Torey D'Shaun, Lucas DiFabbio, Derek Anderson, Desmond South, 8ae, Stan Greene, Jr., Deandre Hunter | Money Jezu$, 206Derek, Dunk Rock | 2:51 |
18. | "Legacy" (featuring J Paul the Carpenter) | Moore, Jared Foster, Bert, Andrew Andriyashev, Mic Lovay, Nisan Joseph, Timothy Mingo, Paul Omar Elkan Agyei, Steven Shaeffer, Aidan Crotinger, Derek Andrew Kastal, Marcus Fitzgerald Rucker Jr., Verdi | Carvello, Elkan, Steven Shaeffer, Splitmind, Vinnyforgood | 3:20 |
19. | "Best Thing" (featuring Rotimi) | Moore, Olurotimi Akinosho, Bert, Harris, Dollar | Carvello, Ace Harris | 3:12 |
Total length: | 59:35 |
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
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US Christian Albums (Billboard) [19] | 2 |
Lecrae Devaughn Moore is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, record executive, actor, and entrepreneur.
Torrance Esmond, better known by his stage name Street Symphony, is an American record producer and music executive from Memphis, Tennessee.
The discography of Lecrae, an American Christian hip hop artist, consists of 11 studio albums, two of which were collaborative; four mixtapes; two extended plays, one of which was collaborative; 114 singles, including 63 as a featured performer; 67 music videos, including 31 as a featured performer; and 86 guest and other appearances. Lecrae debuted with Real Talk in 2004 through Reach Records; the album was re-issued the following year by Cross Movement Records. After the Music Stops followed in 2006 and his third solo album, Rebel, was released in 2008 and reached No. 1 on the Gospel chart, the first Christian hip hop album to do so. Rehab, his fourth solo album, was released in 2010 and reached No. 1 on the Gospel, Christian, and Independent charts, and garnered a nomination at the 53rd Grammy Awards. Rehab: The Overdose, was released on January 11, 2011, and peaked at No. 1 on the Christian and Gospel charts. Lecrae began garnering mainstream attention when he performed at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher and was featured on the Statik Selektah song "Live and Let Live" from his Population Control album.
Dee-1 is an American rapper, author, college professor, activist, and public speaker from New Orleans, Louisiana. Dee-1 initially gained attention in 2010 after the release of his single "Jay, 50, and Weezy," which garnered over 1 million views on YouTube. Dee-1 signed to RCA Inspiration in 2013 and went fully independent in 2019. He has released 11 studio albums in his career thus far.
Church Clothes is the first mixtape by Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released for free on May 10, 2012, and hosted by DJ Don Cannon. It featured No Malice of Clipse on the song "Darkest Hour", and included production work by 9th Wonder, Boi-1da, S1 and Street Symphony. Label-mates Tedashii and Andy Mineo, as well as other fellow Christian hip-hop artists such as Dre Murray, Thi'sl, Swoope, Christon Gray, and Braille, also made appearances on the album. The mixtape was downloaded 100,000 times in 48 hours, and met with critical acclaim. It received controversy in Christian media upon its release due to its condemnation of hypocrisy in the Christian Church and Lecrae's collaboration with the mainstream producer Don Cannon. A shorter, remastered EP version was released on iTunes on June 25, 2012. The EP debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Christian Albums and Gospel Albums charts.
Gravity is the sixth studio album by American Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on September 4, 2012. The album features appearances from Big K.R.I.T., Mathai, Ashthon Jones, Sho Baraka and Mali Music, along with labelmates Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, Derek Minor, who was formerly known as PRo, and Tedashii. Producers on the album include DJ Khalil, Street Symphony's Heat Academy, and The Watchmen. The first single off the album, "I Know", was released on July 24, 2012, and was followed by "Tell the World" featuring Mali Music on August 15, 2012, and "Mayday" featuring Big K.R.I.T. and Ashthon Jones on August 30, 2012. Reach Records released five music videos for the album: "Lord Have Mercy", featuring Tedashii along with No Malice of Clipse, on August 1, 2012, "Tell the World", featuring Mali Music, on October 19, 2012, "Mayday", featuring Big K.R.I.T. and Ashthon Jones, on December 13, 2012, "Fakin'", featuring Thi'sl, on February 1, 2013, and "Confe$$ions", featuring David Banner, on April 30, 2013.
Andrew Aaron Mineo, is an American Christian hip hop artist, producer, music executive, and video director based in New York City. He is signed to Reach Records and his creative initiative Miner League. In addition to his solo work, he is a member of Reach Records' hip hop collective 116 Clique.
Tyshane Thompson, professionally known as Beam, is a Jamaican-American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is the son of dancehall and gospel reggae singer Papa San. He was one-half of the production duo 808&Elite. Beam released his debut studio album, Alien, on February 4, 2022. It includes collaborations with Justin Bieber, Jorja Smith, and his father, among others.
Reach Records is an American independent record label specializing in Christian hip hop. The label was founded in 2004 by Ben Washer and the hip-hop artist Lecrae. In addition to Lecrae, the Reach Records roster contains artists like Tedashii, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, 1K Phew, WHATUPRG, Wande, Hulvey, and Limoblaze. The hip-hop collective 116 operates under the label and consists primarily of the label's solo acts. The artists Sho Baraka, Derek Minor, Aha Gazelle, KB, and Gawvi were formerly signed to the label, and DJ Official was under the label until his death.
Church Clothes 2, officially Church Clothes, Vol. 2, is the second mixtape by Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on November 7, 2013 by Reach Records. Hosted by Don Cannon, it follows Lecrae's previous mixtape, Church Clothes, and Grammy Award-winning full-length album Gravity, both of which came out in 2012. Two versions of the album were released, a free version with host Don Cannon, and a commercial version off iTunes without the DJ. The first single off the album, "Round of Applause", was released on May 14, 2013. On May 21, a remixed version of the song, featuring rapper B.o.B, was released. A second single off the album, "I'm Turnt", dropped on October 18, 2013. The mixtape was downloaded over 100,000 times on DatPiff.com in the first two weeks and debuted at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 chart, No. 1 on the Top Christian and Gospel charts, and No. 3 on the Top Rap chart.
"Round of Applause" is a single by Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on May 14, 2013. The lead single from the commercial version of his mixtape Church Clothes 2, it was followed a week later by an extended, non-commercial version which featured B.o.B. Upon the release of the album's track-listing on November 2, which listed "Round of Applause" without B.o.B's feature, Reach Records producer Alex Medina tweeted that the commercial version of Church Clothes 2 does not contain the feature, while the free version hosted by Don Cannon does contain B.o.B's feature.
Beautiful Eulogy is a Christian experimental hip hop group and production team from Portland, Oregon, signed to the label Humble Beast. Composed of rappers Braille and Odd Thomas and producer Courtland Urbano, the group coalesced in 2011 while the three artists were involved in the creation of Braille's seventh release, Native Lungs. Known for its experimental and eclectic sound, the group melds myriad styles of hip hop with genres such as folk, electronic, hymn tunes, and modern worship music. After contributing a song to the charity compilation King Kulture and making a guest appearance on Lecrae's Church Clothes, the band released its debut album, Satellite Kite, on June 19, 2012. A second album, Instruments of Mercy, came out on October 29, 2013. Called one of the most innovative hip hop groups in Portland, Beautiful Eulogy has met with critical acclaim, with particular praise directed at the group's creative, unconventional sound and deep theological lyrics.
Anomaly is the seventh studio album by American Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on September 9, 2014, through Reach Records. The album features appearances from Crystal Nicole, Kari Jobe, and For King & Country, along with label-mate Andy Mineo. Anomaly met with a positive critical reception, and the song "Nuthin", released for streaming as a single on July 1, 2014, was nominated for the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards in the best Impact Track category. The album also fared well commercially, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with over 88,000 copies sold. It also debuted at No. 1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart, marking the first time that any artist has ever topped both the 200 and Gospel charts. Anomaly won Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards, and Rap, Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year at the 2015 Stellar Awards. Two songs earned a nomination for the 2015 Grammy Awards; "All I Need Is You" was nominated for Best Rap Performance, and "Messengers", featuring For King & Country, which won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.
"I'm Turnt" is a song performed by Christian hip hop artist Lecrae for his second mixtape Church Clothes 2 (2013). It was released on October 18, 2013, by Reach Records as the second single from the record. An accompanying music video was released on December 17, 2013.
Mez, formerly known as King Mez, is an American rapper, producer, writer and director. He is perhaps best known for his work with Dr. Dre and on the 2019 rap album Revenge of the Dreamers III. He was born on a military base in Fort Campbell, KY and grew up in Southeast Raleigh, NC.
John Lawrence Givens, known professionally as John Givez and sometimes Juan Dando, is an American musician, who plays hip hop, R&B, soul, funk and neo soul music. He is cousins with fellow rapper JGivens. John has released two studio albums, Four Seasons in 2013, Soul Rebel in 2015, while both releases charted on the Billboard magazine charts.
Church Clothes 3 is the third mixtape by Christian hip hop recording artist Lecrae. It was released on January 15, 2016, through his label Reach Records. The mixtape is the third in his Church Clothes series, and his first major release since his studio album Anomaly (2014). It features guest appearances from E-40, N'dambi, Propaganda, John Givez, JGivens, Jackie Hill-Perry, and then-label-mate KB. While the previous two mixtapes were hosted by DJ Don Cannon, on Church Clothes 3 S1 served as executive producer on the tape. In addition to S1, Epikh Pro, Black Knight, GAWVI, and others contributed production to the mixtape.
Natalie Lauren Sims, also known by her stage name Natalie Lauren and former stage name Suzy Rock, is a musician, songwriter, graphic designer and visual artist, writer, and music executive from Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a solo artist she performs within the Christian hip hop and R&B genres, having released a studio album, eight singles, three extended plays, and a mixtape as well as being featured on numerous songs by other artists. She also is a member of High Society Collective – along with Sho Baraka, Swoope, and J.R. – which released a studio album, Circa MMXI: The Collective, in 2012. She released her first studio album, Handle with Care, in 2020 through Rostrum Records. Five singles were released for the album: "Meditate" in 2019, and "Something Something", "Just Breathe", "Back to Love", and "Bra Off" in 2020.
All Things Work Together is the eighth studio album by American Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on September 22, 2017, through Reach Records and Columbia Records, also making it his first major label release. The album features appearances from Tori Kelly, Ty Dolla Sign, 1K Phew, Kierra Sheard, Taylor Hill, Aha Gazelle, Jawan Harris and Verse Simmonds.