The Christian Manifesto

Every once in a great while we’re granted an interview that we are truly excited about. Well, recently we were honored to be granted an exclusive interview with Reach Records recording artist, Trip Lee. I (C.E. Moore) have been following his career for some time now and have been thoroughly impressed with his depth of knowledge and soul. His lyricism is astounding, driving home theological truth over urban beats. Now, Trip Lee is poised to release his sophomore album “20/20” and we couldn’t be happier. We recently sat down to discuss his life, career, and a little bit about his upcoming release.

 

Enjoy!

 

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TCM: First, we’d like to thank you for taking the time to interview with us. 

 

Trip Lee: No problem at all.  Thank you for the opportunity fam. 

 

TCM: Tell us a little about your past. How did you get started in Christian rap? Were you always a Christian rap artist? 

 

Trip: Well, growing up I was always a lover of music.  I got that from my Dad.  I fell in love with hip hop in particular and was just really captivated by it.  Even though I didn’t realize it, hip hop really influenced by whole life.  The way I talked, dressed, and even acted.  Me and my friends used to have a lil notebook we wrote raps in in class during middle school(got taken up several times).  At that time I used to rap about what was number one in my heart, myself.  Rapped about how bangin I thought I was, how many girls I could pull, or how many mc’s I would surpass on the mic.  But as the Lord snatched me up and gave me a new heart, He became number one in it.  I still rapped about what was number one in my heart, but of course the content took a drastic shift from me and my so called greatness to the Lord Jesus Christ and His true greatness.  

 

TCM: Trip Lee is a stage name. Tell us, how did this stage name come about, what meaning does it hold, and how has that meaning grown as you’re furthered your music career?   

 

Trip: I get this question all the time!  I’m named after my grandfather who is William Sr.  My father is Jr. and I’m the third.  My sister started calling me Trip because of that and Lee is my middle name.  So I just threw Lee on the end and you get Trip Lee.  Genius right? haha 

 

TCM: How did you first connect with the other guys in the Reach Records and how has that relationship grown? 

 

Trip: I went to a Truth concert in Dallas and got to go backstage because I was with a friend of Da Truth. This was during the time that Lecrae started doing a lot of stuff with Cross Movement Records and he was opening for him at that concert, along with Tedashii, Sho, and BJ.  During the show I was blown away and encouraged by what they did and got to meet them afterwards. I was also blown away by the convo and how well them dudes knew the Bible.  I bought his cd that night and later found a way to get in contact with him.  To make a long story short I saw him again shortly after and he asked me if anyone was pouring into me.  I said no and from that point on he began to disciple me.  He taught me bible study methods, pointed me to great books, and most importantly kept me around to observe what it looks like to be a Godly man.  I built a great relationship with him and the rest of the guys.  BJ used to meet with me and some dudes at a McDonalds by my crib (bout a hour away from him) and we would study the Scriptures there.  All of them really reached out to me and I am forever indebted. A little while after the music thing just happened to work out.  The owner of the label just came to me and asked if I would like to record an EP.  That EP turned into a whole album, and you get “If They Only Knew”

 

Since then, we all continue to grow together in the Lord.  We’re all over the country now in terms of location, but we keep in touch by email and phone and always love when we get to chill together and chop it up about the Lord.  And we can’t wait to travel together for the tour this summer.

 

TCM: Christian rap is still a marginalized genre within Christian music, despite the mainstream success of the medium. Only recently have we seen any real recognition, though it seems limited to known names such as Tobymac and KJ-52. Even after 10 years, the rap duo Grits doesn’t seem to get the recognition they deserve within the Christian music world. What are some inroads you see being made to help grow the genre and what are some things you think still need to be accomplished? 

 

 

 Trip: Well honestly, what I don’t think needs to be accomplished is more recognition for us as artists.  I think the Lord has us just where He wants us.  The Lord has kept us as a genre humble, partly through our lack of mainstream success.  It seems a lot of times that when cats start to get recognized more by the mainstream they have to compromise in some areas to please them.  (Not just musically, all throughout church history). And for us, that’s not really a option. Now if He does end up throwing that success our way we will praise Him for that and continue to run hard for Him in hopes that He’ll use us to make His name great.  I think the genre more so needs to grow in terms of the standard we hold as far as maturity and living out what we rap about.  I see us as teachers, and we are held at a higher standard.  I don’t mean to sound “overly-righteous” at all, just speaking from the heart.  The mainstream recognizing us as artists really has no eternal significance, apart from more people picking up the product and as a result catching the message.

 

TCM: You’ve already collaborated with so many great artists in the holy hip-hop sphere. Are there still any artists out there that you’d like to hook up with on a track?   

 

Trip: Yeah, I had the great privilege of working with one dude on the new album that I anticipated working with for a minute, shai linne.  He’s a MC from Philly on Lampmode Recordings.  We are part of the same church in Philly and were excited to co-labor on the album.  Look for more in the future.  Besides that, I would love to work with some more of the more underground Philly cats.  I’m always hoping to meet new solid believers who love the Lord and excel at their crafts.  There are a lot of cats who I respect musically, but I like to know people well before I co-labor with them in ministry.

 

TCM: What artist are you currently listening to most often? 

 

Trip: Flame, shai linne.  Christ centered, God exalting, sinner convicting.  Love them dudes.  Eagerly anticipating Crae and TDot finishing their albums so I can bump those too.  

 

TCM: Give us your thoughts on the state of secular rap today?

 

Trip: Wow, where do I start? haha.  I think secular hip hop has, for the most part, always reflected the hearts of those who do it.  And as a result is filled with foul lyrical content.  And hip hop is more of a boastful art form than most, so not only is it sinful but cats boast in their sin and encourage cats to do the same.  It’s crazy.  Not to mention poverty and hood life are glorified.  As a whole the art form is backwards.  You feel wack if you remain pure and grew up in a nice neighborhood.  It’s crazy.  Now musically, I think it’s at the worst quality-wise I’ve ever seen it.  We are in a Myspace, YouTube age where talent and quality takes a back seat at times.  Anybody can get on these days, and the more quality artists don’t make the songs that are as catchy and make you dance. So they don’t always get much play.  It effects what I do because cats are used to mindless music and they are no longer used to listening to what artists have to say.  That’s what my music hinges on.  But at the end of the day, the Lord is in control of that.  I’ll do it as long as He uses it.

 

TCM: What has Jesus been teaching you lately? 

 

Trip: Wow, once again where to start?  I’ll try to pick one specific. The Lord’s been teaching me a lot about what it takes and means to persevere in this Christian thing.  It’s hard man.  And so contrary to our natural self.  I think biblically, all of His elect will persevere but God has ordained means for that to happen.  I’ve just been looking more and more into what those things are and embracing them more.  Speficially, abiding in Jesus and His Word, being constant in prayer, and cultivating my hope in future glory.  The Lord is gracious.

 

TCM: When it comes to music put out by Reach Records, it is always evangelistically focused. Thus, your faith is very evident in your lyricism. How does your faith affect what you do on a day-to-day basis and how does what you do on a day-to-day basis affect your faith? 

 

Trip: Well the short answer is I try to make decisions for what I will do on a day to day basis based on what will glorify God most.  How can I show Him to be most glorious?  How can my life serve others?  It’s easy to lose focus and just start making decisions for what I think will benefit me most.  God forbid I waste my life like that.  It’s all about Him. What I do on a day to day basis affects my faith greatly.  I learn more daily about God, go through more trials that force me to my knees and closer to Him, and become more mature and wiser in the faith.  Time spent with God is central in that, church is big in that, school is big in that, my relationships are big in that, etc.  I pray everything would be tailored to affect my faith positively and contribute to my pursuit of God. 

 

TCM: Let’s talk a little bit about your new project, “20/20,” coming out on May 20th. What can listeners expect to hear?

               

Trip: Listeners can expect to hear the same Christ-centered content as the first album.  Same southern swag, but just from a more mature dude, spiritually and artistically.

 

TCM: How would you say “20/20” is different from “If They Only Knew?” Were you more comfortable putting this project together or do you feel there was more pressure to measure up to the success of your debut?  

 

Trip: The Lord has really grown me in between the first one and now.  I think lyrically I’m far better, in terms of swag I’m far better, in terms of hooks far better, etc.  I was just a senior in high school when I recorded that.  Sometimes I forget I’m so young and have a long way to go.  I fell so much more in love with music in between now and then too.  That was reflected in the album with the production I chose and some of the new stuff I tried.  I got stuff from southern anthems to joints with live strings and trumpet.  And since the Lord has grown me so much spiritually I see Him so much more clearer now than I did then.  I think I would be in sin if I hadn’t grown tremendously over these 2 years.  God forbid I get content and stagnant.

The process for this one was a lot more stressful and difficult than the first.  I had a lot more ideas and passions and a lot less time.  I was more comfortable in some ways, more uncomfortable in others because of the expectations I set for myself.  I did feel a pressure, more-so from myself though.  At the end of the day I just had to trust the Lord to bring everything together.  And He did. 

 

TCM: Do you feel there is an overarching theme to the new album or will the tracks act more as stand-alone pieces? 

 

Trip: Definitely an overarching theme.  I called the album 20/20 because seeing the Lord clearly is the first step in any kinda move forward towards spiritual maturity.  For the person who doesn’t know God, He has to see God in His holiness and perfection to recognize how sinful and in need of a Savior he is.  And for the believer we have to behold His beauty and see Him to get to know Him better.  Seeing is central to the faith. 

 

There are pretty much two kinds of songs on the album.  1, songs that just talk about who the Lord is in general.  His attributes, etc.  And 2, songs that talk about who He is to us.  Our true comfort, our true security, true satisfaction, etc.  I’m excited about cats getting to know Him better.  And at the end of the day really want cats to be encouraged to crack the text and get to know Him better.  If cats wanna know more about the theme they can check my blog.  I’ll be blogging from time to time to let cats know more.  (www.ReachRecords.com, www.myspace.com/TripLee116 ) 

 

TCM: Who are some of the artists you’ve collaborated with on this outing? 

 

Trip: Of course, Lecrae, Tedashii, and Sho Baraka.  Also Flame, shai linne, J.R. Cam, and Diamone. 

 

TCM: Tell us a little about some of the songs? Are there any you’re particularly excited about people hearing?  

 

Trip: All of them.  Really, I’m not tryna be difficult but it’s too hard to pick just one!  Real Vision with Tedashii is one I’m pretty excited about.  It gets to the heart of the album.  The hook says, “I don’t know what you heard, hope it matches with the Word.  I don’t know what you think, homie time to get it straight.”  Basically says, forget about what you heard and thought about God, and let’s let Him speak for Himself.  And He has, in His Word. 

 

TCM: We know Tedashii is expecting to drop a new album this year, too. Can we expect to hear you on any of those tracks?  

 

Trip: Oh definitely.  Actually one is already done and another in the works. 

 

TCM: Reach Records’ first tour is preparing to launch with the entire artist roster hitting the circuit. How do you feel this will be different than sporadic solo touring?  

 

Trip: There are pros and cons to both.  I did the Cross Movement History Tour last summer and it was bangin.  Pros are constant fellowship with brothers as you travel.  Cons are continuous traveling with little break. I love it though. We’re all really excited about being among each other for the summer.  It’s rare and the fellowship is rich.

 

TCM: In the two years since your debut release, what has Jesus been teaching you? 

 

Trip: Way too much to say without writing a book.  In short, I’ve come to know Him better.  Before I think I knew about Him more than I knew Him.  But I hit a place where I realized my faith was more intellectual than it was heart felt.  I come to the Bible different now.  I see everything differently.  In addition, I’ve learned a lot about myself.  My issues are more apparent, my struggles are more exposed, I know my strengths and weaknesses better.  This was huge for me in growing.  It always seems like right when you think you killin it, the Lord shows you a new area you need to work on.  I praise Him for that though.

 

TCM: In addition to working on your new album, you’re also a full-time college student. What’re you currently studying and how does it affect what you do as an artist? 

 

Trip: My major is biblical studies.  So I get a whole lot of Bible and doctrine courses.  Along with other core stuff like philosophy, a couple sciences, etc.  It affects me deeply because I’m getting to know the Lord better, and how His truths apply to other disciplines.  And my music is in many ways an outpouring of my life.  I plan to do seminary after I finish my undergrad.  

 

TCM: Are there any particular subjects you’ve found particularly formative to your faith?

 

 Trip: All of them are.  There are certain professors who stretch me more than others, though.  My theology is challenged real often and the benefit is incalculable.  I praise the Lord for the opportunity for real.

 

TCM: Talk about some of the opportunities that have been presented by God as you’ve ministered to people through rap. (Replay a special episode for us.) 

 

Trip: Really the platform opens up opportunities for so much more than rappin.  The platform has given me constant opportunity to be seen as a person of influence in all kinds of circles.  This has allowed me to be able to preach and teach (my true passion), encourage a lot of dudes, and disciple others. 

 

TCM: Let’s switch gears here before I let you go and talk about the world around us. There’s a lot going on in the world and most rap out there is talking about money, women, and cars. As a Christian artist, what are some important social issues that you think should be highlighted in your art?

 

Trip: One of the major issues is one that we are tackling as a ministry, that’s the false view of manhood.  The hip hop culture, of course, does a great disservice to what it means to be a man.  And American culture as a whole has a skewed view of what a real man looks like.  We are by no means smarter than everyone, we just take our queues from the Scriptures. 

 

Especially in urban environments where a lot of cats don’t have fathers, they take their queues from the culture on what a man is.  The hardest dude, the dude with the most females, or the most cases, or whatever else.  The same goes for womanhood.  Girls don’t know what a real woman is.  They shouldn’t have to take their queues from Beyonce, but that’s how it goes many times.

 

TCM: Looking at the social issues you’ve highlighted, what are some unique ways in which Christians can approach the topic in their everyday lives?

 

Trip: Well I think as believers with this particular issue we have to 1, know what that looks like Biblically.  Then, disciple less mature believers in the truth. It’ll look different for different cats with different callings.  Some cats may have to move to urban environments where blocks are filled with these kinds of young people who need truth.  And live it out among them and snatch some of them up by God’s grace.  I know plenty cats who do this.  For some it may mean just snatchin up some cats in your church and discipling them.  It is a very urgent need.

 

TCM: What are some of the greatest challenges facing the church and how can we address those problems?

 

Trip: I would have to say one of them is false teaching.  The most popular preachers are, unfortunately, seldom the most biblically sound preachers.  The truth is, many of them don’t preach the Gospel at all.  It’s a watered down feel good message.  I hit on some of this in one of my songs “Real Vision”.  For us as the church, we have to really get to know God for ourselves.  Then we can match up what cats are saying to what God says.  If everyone did that, some of these cats would either be sat down, or forced to preach the Word.

 

Another challenge, especially for dudes in more scholarly camps (where false teaching isnlt the issue), is loving people.  It’s easy to get judgmental once you stack up a bunch of knowledge and you’re serving and stuff.  It’s easy to look down on the other guys.  But prayerfully, we’ll model this thing and be able to challenge them in love.

 

TCM: You’ve been so gracious in spending some time with us. Just one more question, though. If Jesus were to comment on your life, what would you want him to say about you? 

 

Trip: That He was truly in my heart what pleased and satisfied me most.  And as a result my lifestyle pleased Him.  To His glory.