Grammy Award winner Lecrae to perform free concert at Bon Secours Arena in late February

A.J. Jackson
Greenville News

Fresh off of winning two Grammys, Christian rap artist Lecrae said he likes performing in the South because it is full of soul and feeling.

Lecrae is touring the region and will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville. He will perform at Winter Jam 2024, a free Christian-based concert, although a $15 donation is suggested at the door.

Lecrae won 2 Grammy Awards on Sunday

David Crowder headlines the Christian music concert series. Crowder is a 2023 Grammy nominee for Best Contemporary Christian Performance/Song with "God Really Loves Us."

Lecrae recently won two 2024 Grammy Awards Sunday for Contemporary Christian Album with "Church Clothes 4" and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with "Your Power" alongside Tasha Cobb.

Lecrae said 'South is full of soul.'

Lecrae last visited Greenville in 2014 and said he has memories of his last visit involving good food and authenticity from the Southern crowd.

"The South is full of soul, and it's a region that's not trying to be heady or trendy," said Lecrae, a Texas native. "It's about appealing to the roots and being around not easily fooled people. The South welcomes that soulfulness and depth of feeling, and I feel that my music is appealing to the soul."

Lecrae accepts the award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song during the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.

Lecrae's music crossover of traditional rap, Christ-conscious music

His music immerses optimism and spirituality and the sound of traditional rap and hip-hop. Lecrae's music is a crossover between traditional rap and Christ-conscious music.

"We love to put people in boxes, but I try to be honest," said Lecrae. "I love God, but I'm also a product of hip-hop culture. When it's used well, it's an expression of what's happening in our world. I'm not here to do any exploitation. I want to bring hope and light and to uplift the city."

Lecrae, a Grammy nominated hip-hop artist, will perform at Winter Jam 2024 on Feb. 23 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Lecrae made a music video cameo with Kendrick Lamar

Lecrae's authenticity has crossed over into the traditional rap and hip-hop industry. He has worked with legendary Southern rap/hip-hop producer Zaytoven on a music project titled "Let the Trap Say Amen" and has worked with other rap contributors such as Don Cannon and Malice of The Clipse. Lecrae also appeared in a music video cameo alongside rap icon Kendrick Lamar.

The 44-year-old gained national notoriety around the time the BI-LO Center became the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in 2013. That same year, Lecrae won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album for "Gravity" and followed up in 2014 with "Anomaly," which debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200.

Winter Jam Tour will feature six artists

Lecrae is part of the six-artist Winter Jam tour, which began in 1995 by NewSong, a Valdosta, Georgia, Grammy and GMA Dove Award nominee group. The concert has grown into a bi-coastal celebration of Christian music.

New Song  bring leads the worship.  Winter Jam 2017 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena  Friday February 17,2017

"The lineup looks incredible this year," said Crowder of the upcoming Christian-based concert. "Some of my favorite folks will be there, and I am beyond excited to be back out there singing to God together."

Joining Lecrae and Crowder are the Contemporary Christian threesome of CAIN, 2023 Gospel Music Association Dove Award winner Kathy Nichole, Texas native band Seventh Day Slumber.

For more information on this concert, visit the Bon Secours Wellness Arena website at BonSecoursArena.com.

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened.