Summary
Unashamed is the memoir of rapper Lecrae Moore. Written by Lecrae. Chronicling through his childhood before Christ, college years when he found Christ, his rise as a rapper, and how he found freedom in Christ.
Lecrae is a four time Grammy award winning hip hop artist. In addition to his Grammys, Lecrae has earned several Dove Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award. He is also a founder of Reach Records along with Ben Washer. Lecrae, his wife, and 3 children live in Atlanta, Georgia.
Review
“I make a point to show off my scars because I want others to know that they aren’t alone. Talking about wounds is important, but talking about our healed wounds is just as important.”
― Lecrae Moore, Unashamed
Growing up in church and listening to Christian music, Christian rap was always lame. Until I discovered Lecrae.
Actually, my sister was the first person to put me on. I remember when she first told me about him, I could not believe that Lecrae was that man’s real name for some reason 😆
Lecrae gets real in this book and opens up about his struggles with anger, lust/sex, and acceptance.
Let’s talk about 2 themes of Unashamed: anger and acceptance.
Anger
I did not know Lecrae was so angry. When you see him now in interviews he always seems so calm and chill.
In the book, he really walks out how his anger controlled him. From acting out, being rebellious and ripping out pages of a Bible in high school to getting in a fight in college that almost led to murder.
It’s crazy how unresolved issues can intensify in such a big way. Anger especially if not checked can become an all consuming fire. Devouring any and every body within its reach, including yourself.
Ultimately, he had to come to grips with why he was so angry. He then realized how much grace and mercy the Lord had shown him and how blind he had been to this fact.
Acceptance
“…if you live for people’s acceptance, you’ll die from their rejection.”
― Lecrae Moore, Unashamed
Acceptance is defined as the action or process of being received as adequate or suitable, typically to be admitted into a group.
Acceptance is something that we crave. We all want to feel a part of something.
In this book Lecrae explains that his need for acceptance stemmed from his fatherlessness and a lack of a male role model growing up. He felt like he never quite fit in anywhere.
This feeling continues to be something that he battles with even after he gets saved.
In fact, Lecrae opens the book describing an incident at an award show that left him feeling excluded by his peers.
This is a good reminder that problems just don’t go away because of your salvation.
This excerpt explains it well:
“When I decided to follow Jesus that night in Atlanta, I assumed that becoming a Christian would make life easier. I thought the rest of my life would be smiling and smooth sailing. I assumed I wouldn’t be tempted by women and partying and acceptance and all the things that I’d been a slave to for so many years. I thought I would walk around with a continual inner peace and serenity like Gandhi or something. This turns out to be a lie that too many people believe. You’ll actually experience more temptation, not less, after you become a Christian. Following Jesus doesn’t mean you’ll start living perfectly overnight. It certainly doesn’t mean that your problems will disappear. Rather than ridding you of problems or temptations, following Jesus just means that you have a place—no, a person—to run to when they come. And the power to overcome them.”
― Lecrae Moore, Unashamed
Why read?
3 reasons to read Unashamed:
- To be encouraged- To see the things that Lecrae has overcome and also seeing the things that he still has to take to the Lord, is an encouragement and a reminder to continue to pursue God.
- To learn more about Lecrae- Even if you do know Lecrae, you may have some assumptions about him, and reading this book will help you understand his motives better.
- Quick read- Unashamed was interesting and engaging and took no time to get through.
“I make a point to show off my scars because I want others to know that they aren’t alone. Talking about wounds is important, but talking about our healed wounds is just as important.”
― Lecrae Moore, Unashamed