Faith, Hip-Hop, and Healing: Lecrae on Building Bridges Between Kingdom and Culture with Crystal Renee Hayslett Keep It Positive, Sweetie Podcast Live

Crystal Jordan
Sep 21
4 min read

By Crystal Jordan

Auesomely You Magazine

Published: 9/21/2025

Pillar Focus: Mental Health & Emotional Wellness

On a Sunday, the atmosphere was filled with gratitude, laughter, and deep reflection as award-winning artist and cultural voice Lecrae sat down for a powerful conversation. What unfolded was more than an interview it was a raw, transparent look into faith, identity, mental health, and the ongoing work of reconstruction.

Image Credit: Crystal Jordan / Auesomely You Magazine

From the Streets to the Stage

Raised without a consistent church upbringing, Lecrae shared how his early years were shaped by a mother scarred by strict religious traditions and summers spent with a grandmother who quietly planted seeds of faith. Music was his first sanctuary. But life in the streets nearly swallowed him whole until, as Lecrae recalls, “it was like grandma’s voice in the back of my head saying, Come on, baby. Come home.”

That moment of surrender became the foundation of his spiritual transformation and ultimately the birth of an artist who would redefine Christian hip-hop.

Lecrae refuses to be boxed in by labels. “I don’t do the labels,” he said firmly. “At the end of the day, I’m a bridge between the kingdom and the culture.”

That bridge hasn’t come without criticism. Too secular for the church, too church for mainstream hip-hop, Lecrae has lived in the tension of being misunderstood. Yet he’s never wavered in his mission: to reach people who may never step inside a sanctuary but can encounter hope through music.

“You can’t cancel God’s plans,” he declared. “I’m gonna be who I am, consistently.”

Therapy, Trauma, and Transformation

Perhaps the most powerful thread of the conversation was Lecrae’s candor about therapy. Growing up in environments where men were told to bottle emotions, he now speaks openly about mental health.

“Stop saying ‘I don’t need therapy, I got Jesus,’” Lecrae challenged. “You wear glasses, you take your medicine, you exercise—you do all those things because God uses people to help us heal. A Christian therapist can pray with you and then get to work.”

He described therapy as life-changing, helping him confront childhood abuse and unresolved trauma. “We’re unhealthy men terrorizing our women with the unhealth inside of us,” he admitted. “Therapy helped me break that cycle.”

This vulnerability speaks directly to Auesomely You Magazine’s Mental Health & Emotional Wellness Pillar, reminding our community that wholeness is both spiritual and practical.

Fame, Faith, and Redefining Success

Lecrae recalled his first Grammy win with a mix of humor and humility—missing the stage because he was caught in a red-carpet interview and learning about his win through a phone call from his mom. “She was so mad, I had to keep that Grammy at her house,” he laughed.

But the deeper reflection came later: “These shiny statues don’t validate me. I was already somebody before I got it. The Grammy should be happy to have a child of God in the building.”

That redefinition of success—from validation through awards to rootedness in faith—became the theme of his latest album, Reconstruction.

“It’s about tearing down the moldy walls we’ve built on shaky foundations,” Lecrae explained. “I was so hurt by church at one point I walked away. But Jesus looked at me like he looked at Peter—He knew I’d fall short, and He still chose me. Reconstruction is the process of starting again with Him at the center.”

“Walking with Christ means being misunderstood sometimes. But I refuse to shrink just to make people comfortable.” -Crystal Renee Hayslett

“There were moments I wanted to quit speaking about my faith, because the criticism was louder than the encouragement. But God reminded me, I’m still chosen.” - Crystal Renee Hayslett

Beyond the stage, Lecrae is a husband and father of three. He spoke tenderly about the importance of prioritizing family: “My wife comes first. But here’s the kicker—before her is me. Because if I’m not emotionally and spiritually healthy, I’m no good to her or my kids.”

This honesty cuts through the façade of celebrity, showing the heart of a man who has learned that leadership is about service, humility, and accountability.

“Using my platform for impact means more to me than applause. If one person finds hope in my story, I’ve done my job.” - Crystal Renee Hayslett

The conversation closed with Lecrae giving flowers back to the host: “Millions of little girls want to grow up to be actresses, but to use that platform to bless people the way you’re doing—that’s powerful.”

It was a reminder that no matter our platform—Grammy-winning artist, podcast host, or everyday parent—our voices matter when used to uplift others.

Why This Matters

At Auesomely You Magazine, we believe in being Seen. Heard. Celebrated. Lecrae’s journey is a living testament to the power of faith and therapy, resilience and transparency. His story underscores our Mental Health & Emotional Wellness Pillar: healing is possible, but it requires both spiritual surrender and intentional care.