Lecrae and his Church Clothes series is easily one of CHH’s most classic mixtape runs in history. The first volume of Church Clothes was released in 2012, Church Clothes 2 was released in 2013, and Church Clothes 3 was released in 2016. After a six-year hiatus from the series, Lecrae is returning for the closing chapter of the legendary mixtape series.
Ahead of the upcoming release of the last installment of his classic Church Clothes mixtape series, we had a chance to talk with Lecrae about CC4, his deconstruction movement, Reach Records roster, and more.
Tell us about your latest single from CC4 “Spread The Opps”
This was a newly recorded song. Man, I’m just going in, that’s where I’m at right now musically and I wanted to show what’s coming and the whole energy for the CC4 tape.
What was the direction and vision for the “Spread The Opps” video?
It was definitely supposed to be black and white, we wanted to have things that would catch your eye as a viewer. We also wanted it to be where you can make whatever you want of the symbolism and meanings in the video.
The first Church Clothes mixtape was released in 2012. How do you feel about the CC4 series overall and what inspired it?
Man the Church Clothes series was about creating our own narrative, this is who we are and what we represent. As Christians, you know we get placed in boxes on how we should be, and what we should be doing. There are so many boxes we get placed in and I wanted to deconstruct some of those misconceptions…I wanted to try different things music-wise and just have that freedom to express without any boxes…CC4 talks a lot about that deconstruction and me finding my faith and truly accepting myself.
Streaming wasn’t big then, so how do you differentiate this as a mixtape vs an album?
The difference for me is the freedom…It’s me doing what I want, you will see that in the music. You get a chance to be raw and try different things and not feel like you have to put together a certain type of project.
Favorite Church Clothes sonically?
The first one sonically…I ran into different producers like Lil Wayne’s producer and they wanted to try different sounds. But this CC4 is a beast man, it’s no joke. I’m just letting y’all know, it might be my favorite.
You hinted at a potential J. Cole feature, what’s going on with that?
My fans will be upset man but the song got cut…We had a dope conversation and I left wanting to express those emotions in a song…you never know what can happen in the future.
In your book “I Am Restored” you talk about losing your religion but finding faith and relationship. What does that mean to you?
I find myself unteaching a lot of things that people think about Christian culture…I’ve had conversations with Killer Mike, with Waka Flocka in the studio and everyone has different perspectives. I just try to explain certain things aren’t how they seem and a lot of the misconceptions aren’t real in my life. Just because you see things on TV talking about Christianity, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the reality for all of us. People blame God for our own human mistakes and inconsistencies. There are people who blew it and represented God wrong, but that doesn’t mean we get rid of God or the Bible. God is still perfect.
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What word would you use to describe your relationship with God?
Acceptance is what my relationship with God is built on. Me growing up without a father, or feeling like I didn’t fit in, or wanting to be in the streets but realizing I don’t really want that commitment…I felt like I didn’t know where I fit in and that weighed on me. But God’s acceptance for me despite all the things I’ve done and my imperfections, really is what made me who I am. That acceptance is what made me fall in love with God.
What is your Mount Rushmore of Lecrae projects?
That’s easy man. Church Clothes, Gravity, Rebel, Anomaly. All Things Work Together I actually dislike it because I was in a dark place but I know that’s the one people love.
Who are the future carriers of CHH?
Whoever has the character man, that’s what it’s going to take. It’s not the glitz and glam, it’s who has the character that can be tested with all the lights.
What can we look forward to from the Reach Records roster?
Tedashii on his new album is taking risks. WHATUPRG’s album is perfect, I can’t stop listening to it. 1K is dropping, we all coming by the end of the year. We coming.
How did it feel to be alongside 1K Phew in winning a stellar award?
It’s amazing to see him win overall and be able to help him with everything in life from marriage, business, music, etc. People don’t see that side of how close we are and me being able to walk with him.
