Christian rapper Lecrae delivers a powerful freestyle in response to Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical shout-out, showcasing his skill and maintaining his message of faith.

By Rebecca Johnson // Hip-Hop // EEW Magazine Online

After news broke that rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline next year’s Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans, the hip-hop icon surprised fans with an untitled five-minute track on Instagram.

The post, featuring only the audio and a photo of black sneakers, quickly drew attention. In the track, Kendrick name-checked four-time Grammy-winning Christian rapper Lecrae Moore, a major nod for the Reach Records co-founder.

Over the weekend, Lecrae responded to the rap megastar, who has won 17 Grammys, with his own version of the untitled track, sharing a freestyle on Instagram.

In Kendrick's song, unofficially titled "Watch the Party Die," he raps, "I wonder what Lecrae would do?"—a direct callout that had fans buzzing. Lecrae didn’t disappoint, delivering a sharp and introspective response.

His verse begins, “I was wrestling, like, should I write a verse? / The culture got enough clout-chasing vultures out here trying to prove their worth / They need attention, they can’t imagine me not trying to make myself look bigger off of this Kendrick mention / I can’t imagine his position.”

Lecrae’s freestyle captures the same intensity as Kendrick’s track while adding his own personal touch. In a symbolic twist, Lecrae’s version features a fresh white pair of Nike Air Force 1s, contrasting Kendrick's worn-out black ones—perhaps signifying his transformation through faith in Jesus Christ, cleansed from his old life and made new. His conversational tone invites listeners into a space of vulnerability and self-reflection.

Explaining his decision to respond, Lecrae shared, "I didn’t want to respond initially. I didn’t want to come off as a clout chaser, but when Dot said my name, people reminded me the world was listening, and I should be responsible with that."

Now, there’s no more wondering what Lecrae would do—he's made his mark with grace and depth, leaving a lasting impression with his thoughtful response to Kendrick’s lyrical nod.

This exchange not only highlights Lecrae's skill but also solidifies his position as a formidable voice in the hip-hop world. As he navigates the increased attention, building upon his years of momentum as one of the few Christian rappers with crossover appeal, his ability to stay true to himself and his message of faith will be crucial.

Moreover, this moment could pave the way for future collaborations with Kendrick, the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album “DAMN”—and other major artists—further cementing Lecrae’s place in the genre.

Regardless of what the future holds, the Christian hip-hop community is undoubtedly celebrating this milestone, while fans eagerly anticipate what’s next for Lecrae."