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One of the leading figures in the gospel-rap movement, Lecrae delivers his Christ-centric rhymes with secular flair, employing contemporary production that attracts fans from both ends of the spiritual spectrum. Influenced by Romans 1:16 ("For I am not ashamed of the gospel"), Lecrae made his debut in 2004 with Real Talk, which he issued on his own label, Reach Records. He topped the Christian charts with 2008's Rebel and took home the Grammy for Best Gospel Album with 2012's Gravity. His journey to bring his message to the mainstream reached a peak in 2014 when Anomaly topped the Billboard 200, and continued into 2016 when he signed with Columbia Records. In addition to collaborations with secular artists E-40, Ty Dolla $ign, and Tori Kelly, Lecrae teamed up with trap producer Zaytoven in 2018 for a joint effort, the Christian chart-topper Let the Trap Say Amen. In 2020, he released his ninth set and seventh Christian chart number one, Restoration. No Church in a While, a full-length collaboration with 1K Phew, arrived in 2021, followed by the 2022 mixtape Church Clothes 4 and singles like 2023's "Walk" with Hulvey and "Your Power" with Tasha Cobbs Leonard.

Although he was born on Houston's south side, Lecrae Devaughn Moore grew up in Denver, Colorado and San Diego, California. It was at the age of 19 that he decided to give his life to Christ. Using conventional methods to spread the Gospel, he began working for ministerial services, and became president of ReachLife Ministries, conducting Bible studies and many other projects. Lecrae's popular success, however, came from his burgeoning Christian rap career. In 2004, he co-founded Reach Records with Ben Washer; one year later, the label released his debut album, Real Talk. Also, as a part of the 116 Clique, he put out 116 Clique: The Compilation Album.

In July 2006, Lecrae dropped his breakout album, the acclaimed After the Music Stops. It debuted at number one on the Christian Music Trade Association's R&B/Hip-Hop chart and peaked at number five on Billboard's Gospel Albums chart. His 2008 effort, Rebel, topped that same chart for two weeks while his 2010 release, Rehab, reigned at the top for one. Rehab was also nominated for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards. A sequel album, Rehab: The Overdose, arrived in 2011, and won him his first two Dove Awards (for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year and Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year for "Hallelujah").

Lecrae's sixth album, Gravity, appeared in September 2012. A star-studded release, it featured Big K.R.I.T., Mali Music, Trip Lee, and Andy Mineo. Gravity quickly became the biggest-selling Christian rap album in history, debuting at number three on the overall charts, topping digital charts, and, early the following year, winning him the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album (a prize no Christian rapper had ever won before). That same year, Lecrae issued the first installment of his Church Clothes mixtape series. Church Clothes 2 swiftly followed in 2013.

Lecrae's seventh album, 2014's Anomaly, managed to outdo its predecessor. It debuted at number one -- both on Billboard's gospel chart and the overall chart -- the first album to do so. It also received plenty of critical acclaim and won a Dove Award. Lecrae went on to appear on Lindsey Stirling's 2016 album Brave Enough and contributed to the soundtrack to The Shack ("River of Jordan" with Breyan Isaac). He also signed a deal with Columbia in order to expand the audience of his Reach Records label. The first single from Lecrae's Columbia debut, "Can't Stop Me Now (Destination)," arrived in October of that year. Several months later, in February 2017, a second single, the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted "Blessings," was released. Following a third single, "Hammer Time," Lecrae put out All Things Work Together on Columbia in September 2017. Early 2018 saw the release of the single "Get Right Back" ahead of the arrival of full-length Let the Trap Say Amen, a collaboration with producer/DJ Zaytoven that also spawned the hit single "Plugged In." The album debuted in the Top 50 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Christian charts for his sixth consecutive effort.

In 2020, Lecrae kicked off another album cycle with the release of the single "Set Me Free," which featured Florida rapper YK Osiris. That was just one of the tracks that appeared on his ninth full-length, Restoration, which also included album closer "Nothing Left to Hide." His seventh Christian chart number one was a mainstream-friendly set featuring guests John Legend, Kirk Franklin, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Marc E. Bassy. A year later, Lecrae teamed up with fellow Christian rapper 1K Phew for the full-length collaboration No Church in a While. With 2022's Church Clothes 4, he closed out his ongoing series of mixtapes. A non-album single and collaboration with Tasha Cobbs Leonard, "Your Power," arrived in 2023. ~ Cyril Cordor

Atlanta-based rap producer Xavier L. Dotson (aka Zaytoven) played a central role in popularizing the wave of trap music -- particularly in his home city -- that began in the mid-2000s. In addition to winning a Grammy in 2011 for his work with Usher, he is most known for his work with rappers Gucci Mane, Migos, and Future. He ventured into Christian rap and gospel with his 2018 collaborations with Lecrae and Deitrick Haddon, and released a charting album with Usher titled A the same year. Zaytoven's extensive list of mixtapes includes efforts with Chief Keef, Boosie Badazz, Lil Yachty, and many others. Additionally, he's released solo recordings like the 2023 EP Only One.

Dotson was born in 1980 on an army base in Frankfurt, Germany, although his family moved to San Francisco shortly thereafter. When he left his family home, he moved to Atlanta. Before entering the world of rap, he was a church musician who, after dabbling on the drums, quickly turned to the organ and piano. In 2002, he met Radric Davis (aka Gucci Mane) for the first time, and the two quickly decided they should make music together. From there, he produced Mane's debut album, Trap House, as well as receiving at least one production credit on every subsequent Mane record. As time went by, Zaytoven worked with a number of Southern rappers, including Migos, Future, Waka Flocka Flame, and Lil Uzi Vert.

His work garnered much attention over the years -- with his piano lines becoming a signature of his productions -- resulting in his first Grammy in 2011 for his work on Usher's Raymond v. Raymond. Around the mid-2010s, public attention was growing toward producers, with names such as Mike WiLL Made-It, Metro Boomin, and Boi-1da becoming stars in their own right; Zaytoven was no different, gradually moving further into the spotlight. By 2017, he had begun touring with the musicians he produced for -- playing various pianos and keytars on-stage -- as well as signing to Motown. He continued releasing collaborations and mixtapes at a prolific rate, often on his own Familiar Territory imprint.

Zaytoven's full-length debut album, Trapholizay, arrived in May 2018, entering the Top 100 of the Billboard 200. The effort featured a roster of familiar faces including Gucci Mane, Young Dolph, Rick Ross, Yo Gotti, and several others. A month later, the producer issued his collaboration with Christian rapper Lecrae. Let the Trap Say Amen debuted in the Top 50 on the Billboard 200. The album A, with Usher, appeared the same year, reaching the Top 40. A Christmas EP with gospel singer Deitrick Haddon, Greatest Gift, rounded out the year.

2019 saw Zaytoven team up with Chief Keef for the Glotoven mixtape, in addition to releasing Bad Azz Zay with Boosie Badazz. His 2020 releases included A-Team (with Lil Yachty, Lil Keed, and Lil Gotit), Zaystreet (with Young Scooter), and GrinchToven Stole the Trap. In 2021, Zaytoven released the solo effort Been Rappin, as well as several Lost Tapes volumes, including full albums with OJ da Juiceman, B.o.B, Young Dro, and others. He also issued the compilation Zaytoven Presents: Fo15 and collaborated with Orlando rapper Moe on an album called Moetoven. Keys to the Streets (with Luh Soldier) and GhostToven (with Ghostluvme) rounded out the year.

Bun B, Peewee Longway, and Trouble all featured on Zaytoven's 2022 mixtape Streetz Got No Heart. Loverz n Friendz followed, with guests including Elijah Blake and Tiffany Bleu. Zay1Thou, an EP with deeblack1thou, appeared the same year. In 2023, Zaytoven released the solo EP Only One. ~ Liam Martin & Paul Simpson