Multi awarded Christian rapper Lecrae is crediting his current success in the mainstream charts to God.
The rapper said that on his own, he doesn't believe he has the talent or the appeal to crossover to the mainstream.
"I don't have [it]. I don't accredit any of this to just my capability or talent. I think God is doing something far beyond my comprehension. So I don't understand it. I don't try to make a science out of it," Lecrae said.
In addition to four Dove awards, the rapper, who was the first hip hop artist to win the Grammy Best Gospel Album in 2013, added another Grammy to his trophy case this year for his song Messengers, a track from his new album Anomaly.
Anomaly also became Lecrae's first number one album on the Billboard 200 last summer.
According to Lecrae, who produces other Christian artists under his label Reach Records, he believes that God is using their talent to inspire others through their music.
"There's guys who are way better than me. There's guys who are more talented and more disciplined than I am. But for whatever reason God is using it. But I hope that more guys are able to infiltrate culture and have unique platforms. My ambition is to create room for more artists to shine light in a dark world."
One artist seemingly following in Lecrae's footsteps is Andy Mineo, who is opening for Lecrae on his Anomaly tour.
While trying to cross over to the mainstream, Mineo is trying to understand his place as an artist and as a Christian, and he said he does not want to be limited by labels in exploring his potential.
"For me, it's been a growing process. Just thinking through how I see myself in the hip-hop industry and as a Christian and what does that look like. I wouldn't call myself a Christian rapper. [With the label] there's already this assumption that you're trying to engage people in hip-hop culture that Christian stuff is not relevant. It's not good," he said.
In addition to Andy Mineo, Lecrae is developing Christian artists Trip Lee, Tedashii and KB.
