Lecrae to open for comedian Kevin Hart at Essence Fest 2015

Grammy-award winning Christian rapper and songwriter Lecrae is all set to open for comedian Kevin Hart at the Essence Fest 2015, which will be held on July 2 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Hart stars in the new film Get Hard with Will Ferrell and he will be performing at the event with Lecrae opening for him.

The musician told Essence in an interview that he is really excited about his involvement with Essence Fest 2015. "I'm someone who appreciates the culture. Someone who has grown up loving black music and appreciative of everything from Frankie Beverly and Maze to Kendrick Lamar, and then having those firm faith foundations," he said.

"It will feel like a family member is up there rocking with you. I'm somebody who cares about you, who wants you to enjoy yourself. It's just that whole vibe but within Hip-Hop," he noted.

Lecrae cited Anthony Hamilton as another supportive artist.

"Within Hip-Hop, you really haven't had anybody you feel like, 'Man, that's my brother. He's not just here to turn up all the way on me. He wants to encourage me in my relationship, he wants to be a positive influence in my life and yet, we can have a good time,'" he added.

Other big names who will grace the event include Kendrick Lamar, who just released his sophomore album called To Pimp a Butterfly. In an interview with Breathe Cast, Lecrae shared his appreciation for Lamar's album.

"Kendrick's album is high art. With high art and high story, you gotta take you time and really digest it," he said. "It's not something that you can just casually listen to and say, 'Alright, this is what I think.'"

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