Remember When Lecrae Topped the Billboard 200 with "Anomaly"?

Nine years ago, Lecrae scored his first and only Billboard 200 #1 album, Anomaly. The album also debuted at No. 1 on several other Billboard charts, including Digital Album, Rap Album, Christian Album and Gospel Album. As noted by Billboard, " Anomaly is the Grammy winner's sixth No. 1 on the Gospel Albums chart and his fifth leader on Christian Albums."

Consequently, this means, Anomaly is the first title to crown both Gospel Albums and the Billboard 200, and just the fifth set to lead both Christian Albums and the Billboard 200.

The album features guest artists Andy Mineo, Kari Jobe, for KING & COUNTRY and Crystal Nicole. Impressively, last month, the single "All I Need Is You," debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Hip-Hop chart and predicted the eventual success of "Anomaly."

Lecrae, known for his music message, which is often at odds with his hip-hop peers, speaks of monogamy, contentment and faith. While remaining true to his beliefs, Lecrae has managed to garner critical media buzz, release chart-topping albums and mixtapes, headline the highest-ticketed tour in the country, draw a Grammy nomination and win a Grammy award for Best Gospel Album.

Lecrae has been praised by mainstream and hip-hop press alike with features in Time Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, XXL, Essence Magazine, Billboard and Vibe Magazine, among others. Radio personality and MTV News Executive Producer Sway Calloway recently proclaimed Lecrae's music as the "evolution of hip-hop."

His mixtape, "Church Clothes," debuted at No. 10 on iTunes as an EP, and charted on Billboard. "Gravity," Lecrae's previous studio album, broke industry records when it debuted with 70,490 units sold in its first week - making it the No. 1 rap album, No. 1 independent album and No. 3 on the Billboard 200, earning Lecrae the Grammy for Best Gospel Album.

Lecrae's message spreads beyond his music. He's a guest speaker at several major conferences and speaks to many professional sports teams throughout the year. ESPN noted, "Lecrae is highly sought-after by players around the league - and even team chaplains - for his prayer sessions. Lecrae either does them at the arena or stadium or the visiting team's hotel, typically starting two hours before the game and lasting 45 minutes."

 

 

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