Lecrae

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Lecrae

Lecrae "Rehab" album

- Release date : September 2010 -

Rehab is the fourth studio album by Christian hip hop artist, Lecrae's. It was released on September 28, 2010 on Reach Records. According to the Reach Records website, the album's "motto" is "The Christian life is an entrance into rehab." Centered on release and freedoms from inhibiting addictions and habits, Rehab is a highly conceptual album.

In early 2010, Lecrae had been planning to name his next project "Rehab" although he had doubts about the name, mainly because Eminem released an album of a similar title. Despite this, Lecrae stuck with the original name, because "it made too much sense to not move forward with it."

According to Lecrae's blog, he will be in Southern Sudan at the time of the album's release so the "distractions of my life are stripped away and I'm left to focus on Jesus and his mission." He states that he won't be looking at the iTunes charts on which his album will be. On his blog he encourages his fans to not only buy his album, but asks them to donate to causes in Sudan and provides a link for them to do so.

On the first day of its release, Rehab charted high on several iTunes charts: #2 on Hip Hop/Rap albums and #3 overall in America. In Canada it also charted #2 on Hip Hop/Rap albums and #7 overall. Rapzilla reported that the debut week sales for Rehab were 25,864 units, about 15,000 more than Lecrae's previous album, Rebel. HipHopDX reported this figure at approximately 28,000 units, ahead of Ice Cube's I Am the West which was released on the same day.

"Rehab" album tracks and lyrics

"Rehab" album reviews

Lecrae is back with his fourth studio album: 'Rehab'. His previous projects displayed his passion to be unashamed, encouraged believers to live for Christ after the music stops and be rebels. Rehab conveys the message of rehabilitation, redemption and recovery.

The Christian life is your rehab center so its time to Check In. Lecrae’s intro songs are always exciting. This song sets the tone of Rehab with lyrics such as “Aye Check me in I know I’m sick of my addiction got my itchin' everyday I need a fixin'.” Produced by Cheesebeats Killa personifies sin as a lustful woman. Painting the picture of sin’s destructive patterns. The synth driven, southern swag beat is a perfect fit for this song. When vices attempt to destroy you there is Divine Intervention. Lecrae says “before I work I need a couple tools, you spoke the earth into existence no auto tune.” J.R. is the featured vocalist and producer of this song. Just Like You has to be one of the most transparent songs on the album. The reminiscent flow of Lecrae’s uncles as model figures, lack of fatherly influence and learning to be a husband scrapes the surface of this J. Paul featured song. The vibe of the album at this point drifts from the anthem songs into a more poetic soundtrack of life.

When life is moving fast Lecrae encourages the listener that you Gotta Know that God will be there to hold everything together. Musically, this song presents acoustic drums with piano riffs giving a live unplugged vibe. With production from Benjah and Sky, as well as featuring Benjah gives us a cool cruising song to ride to. New Reach Records artist KB assist on the PK produced Used To Do It Too. The guitar intro leading into a stutter drum pattern brings light to the developing new sound for Lecrae. This song caught me off guard because I was expecting a song with lyrics going faster than Nascar drivers. With lyrics reminiscing of the past but ending with “a living testimony so you can do it too.” It’s refreshing hearing that you can go through trials but come out changed. Sonny Sandoval (P.O.D.) and Dillavou adds to the rock/reggae anthem Children of the Light. Musically this song didn’t appeal to me. I expected a harder presence rather than the laid back reggae feel. Lyrically the content is great but the music didn’t really catch me.

High was the first street single and didn’t grasp as I thought it could have. The beat contained a whining bass line that was borderline overcrowding the drums. The production also included "drop it like its hot" break down which is actually my favorite part of the beat. Suzy Rock and Sho Baraka are featured on the song, and Sho shined on this track. I would have like to have seen Suzy rap on this song as well. New Shalom comes hard, featuring Reach affiliate PRo. Sonically this brings us back to the southern fused banger which includes the chopped and screwed hook. Followed by another banger 40 Deep with help from Tedashii and Trip Lee. The kick hits with a crunching effect with a snappy snare. This is arguably the best beat on the album. At this point in the album, Lecrae takes it back to classic banger music. The feeling is as if you are Walking on Water. God is Enough sounds like it should have been the lead single, and is a radio ready groove produced by Kajmir Royale. It is a new sound for Lecrae featuring Flame and Jai. Anthony Evans is surprisingly featured on the song Boasting. This song starts with Anthony singing over an acoustic guitar, followed by the beat dropping and Lecrae rapping. This song really helped give the album a mature and polished feel. Chris Lee, C-Lite and Chinua Hawk are featured on Background, New Reality and Release Date, and a wife-dedication, I Love You to complete the project.

Rehab is Lecrae’s best project to date. The introductory songs all the way to the ending is an incredible ride through the growth of Lecrae. There are moments of familiar themes and rhymes that we’ve heard on previous Lecrae albums. However, the listening experience didn’t include songs that sounded like Lecrae is preaching at you. Rehab encourages the listener as he tackled various topics. The content is an added plus to the array of guest features. Usually with fifteen plus features the artist will be lost. But Lecrae is loud and clear in the music. At first listen the sonic direction of the album appears to be all over the place. But after listening you will begin to feel the various sounds blend in. The mid-tempo songs could have been condensed because it overshadows songs such as Killa. The flow of the project could have also included a few more bangers similar to New Shalom and 40 Deep but the grooving songs are so well produced it feels just right. The overall sound of Rehab is different from previous offerings. With production from: J.R., Cheesebeats, PK, Benjah, Sky, Street Symphony, Alex Medina, G.Roc, G. P. and Kajmir Royale, the album is extremely diverse. I appreciate progression and growth so the change in my view is communicated well. With diverse content, Rehab is set to reach.

*** by Logan Remy, Rapzilla ***