One Rapper's Mission to Address Absent Fathers

"Be the last of a dying breed, it's time that we man up." That's the last line of the new "Man Up Anthem" from Christian rap group 116 Clique. The song is just one sliver of a growing campaign launched last year by rapper Lecrae, 32, and his Reach Records in Atlanta, to get young men in hip-hop culture to "man up" into responsible husbands and fathers across the country.

Lecrae, whose outspoken faith and creative rhymes have gained the attention of John Piper and BET alike, has skyrocketing album sales for a Christian hip-hop artist, landing on Billboard's top 200 and independent album charts. But the Houston native is determined to steward his recent fame to address chronic social ills affecting communities nationwide, one man at a time.

"Everybody on staff at ReachLife [Ministries] and the artists at Reach Records realized that biblical masculinity was one of the things lacking in culture, specifically urban culture," said Lecrae in a recent phone interview with Christianity Today. The Man Up Campaign—including a film, concert series, album, and curriculum for church and small group use—was born out of this deep need for a godly model of manhood, as well as Lecrae's own story.

Father absence is a systemic problem, particularly in urban contexts, that's proven to lead to higher rates of gang violence, incarceration, and suicide. As of 2007, the national rate of children born to single mothers was 40 percent. According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, 24 million American children—one in three—live in homes without their biological fathers. The Man Up Campaign, says Lecrae, addresses father absence by telling "young African American males that you're immediately an example for other African American males in the community at large. Not only are the young men challenged and encouraged by this, but also the young ladies, because they get to see what they should be looking for and how to encourage their brothers in the direction of taking leadership and responsibility."

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Gdrake

May God bless his efforts
ceejay

How refreshing to hear a rapper addressing RESPONSIBILITY. Children do better in a household with both parents. The IRREVERENTS JACKSON and SHARPTON should preach this instead of inciting RACIAL CONFLICTS. Responsible parenting benefits everyone.
Peggy

Accepting responsibility for our actions is not a race thing – it's an "adult" thing. America and her people need to grow up. Growing up and accepting responsibility for your actions would be a wonderful sight to see. We, the American people, need our nation to "man up" and take our country back and be the light to the nations that we used to be!
daves

I like the story and I like all the comments!
aceituna

Peggy stated the crux of the problem. Every race has its share of irresponsible people who do not grow up and take their rightful place within our communities. Everyone should do a self-examination and see where they do not measure up. Then each should take steps to grow and accept their responsibilities. Do not let the environment you grew up in cause you to say let others take care of me. That is the easy and coward's way out.
http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville

http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ
DEFEATOBAMAIN2012

It will take a ton of work to change their attitude, it seems black men put a notch in their belt every time they breed a child with different women & walk away to have someone else support both mother & child, and it's the fault of the mothers to continue this insane way of life by allowing them to be used this way, and then blame the white man for them being poor, mistreated, and living in slums. Not leaving out white men they too are at fault for doing the same thing.
- Penny
  
  I love a good dose of flagrant racism in the morning. -_-
  - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
    
    "You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into."
    - author unknown
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      Your foot is about to slip Dod-xon… http://youtu.be/TtHijgqceXo
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Ah yes, the classic angry god argument. Amazing how theists often are limited to empty threats of a non-existent deity.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        You will find out how "empty" they are soon enough.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        No, I will not. When I die, it will be over. Your absurd views on what occurs after death are simply childish myths.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Of course you and I know that you are not "100%" sure Jeff. You cannot deny this fact. As a matter of fact, the evidence is overwhelming to the contrary of what you are saying. You are hoping that it will be over–if you were willing to tell me the truth.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        When I die, it will be over…. Famous last words of infamous folks! Jeff, you are absolutely entertaining!! :D
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Don't let the goads (not a misspelled word) hit you on the way out Jeff! : D
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        "No, I will not. When I die, it will be over. "
        
        Fool it will not. You are not in position to determine that. You did not determine your beginning here and you surely do not determine the end here. For that is what that is. Just an end to here. Death is not the end of existence. It is only an end to a specific form of existence.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        You are in no better position to say it will not be over.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Simply not true Jeff.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Completely true. Neither of you have ever been in this heaven of yours, and therefore, you are in no better position to discuss its validity. You are working off of fables that cannot even agree with itself.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        But we know someone who has while do not and cannot and priori too… Another foolishness of your schizophrenia.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        No, you do not. You want to believe a fable, but a fable is all that it is. Stories about talking snakes and donkeys and the sun stopping in the sky are simply fables. That has never occurred and could not occur.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        "Fables" is how simpleton is trying to frame and excuse his deep inability to think on a higher level.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        "Your absurd views on what occurs after death are simply childish myths."
        
        Your foot shall slide in appointed time Dixon. Your foot shall slide…
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        " Your absurd views on…"
        ~ Dixon
        
        "Vengeance and recompense are mine: their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their destruction is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them, make haste."
        ~ God
        Deuteronomy 32:35
        
        Repent and Believe Dixon while you have not slipped yet…
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Thanks Despe. Excellent material really. God bless you for sharing.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Enjoyed listening to the entire sermon with member of my family. A real blessing!
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        "members of my family" that should read.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        God Bless you too Joe. Hope you have listened and share it as needed.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Excellent message. We all need it today–when we are living in an age which seems to focus on "fun" and "what can I get?" or "is there an app for that" so "I can do less and have more fun?" Absurd really.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        As you already are aware, we are all totally at the absolute mercy of God. All of us are in a real sense powerless if you know what I mean. At God's total mercy and at His disposal whether we can appreciate that or not!
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        I do know what you mean. I do and I would greatly appreciate your prayers for me as God the Holy Spirit will lead you. Thank you.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Will be praying for you brother, and I hope that you can pray for my family and myself. I have been thinking quite a bit about doing some evangelical work in Italy–which as you know is still under the bondage of Satan–since about 590 AD!
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Oh yes, that is a dark place for sure. Place of soul slaughtering wickedness dressed up in religious piety on display catching confused as a rat trap. I will pray for you right after I post it and will do later too. Pray for me and God will lead you to what that is…
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Have you ever listened to this sermon Jeff, and actually paid attention to the words? Ever?
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Well Jeff? Yes or No? You seem to disappear when we really need an answer.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        He did not. He turned it off after few for it was too scary for him even though those are "just myths"… Have you or do you know anyone who is scared of concerned about "myths" Joe???
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        You know Despe, for all of his sophistry, and manipulation of what little words he knows, Jeff is not for sure about anything that he asserts. What a real shame. Wasting his life away.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        He is only sure of his sensory perception as if that was sufficient for these matters or lasting.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        As you know, the "sensory thing" of course only serves our bodies in this "natural" environment and beyond that the Spirit takes over. The very fact that we can have or experience faith and express faith is evidence for that which we hope for–the Kingdom of God, The City of God. That wonderful everlasting abode–where we won't need Google or Texting or "Smart phones"! Hebrews 11
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Joe, there was a war in this "wonderful everlasting abode". Any place where a war can break out hardly fits the definition of wonderful.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Totally out of context Jeff. You do not know what you are talking about. In the same way that you did not know what goads were.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Joe, you have never demonstrated any critical thinking ability. It is laughable that you pretend otherwise.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Humpty, you rely on fables about the sun stopping in the sky, snakes and donkeys talking and cattle being born with stripes simply because other cattle mated in front a striped stick. Your desire that these be true are a sad commentary of what you consider factual information.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Again out of context. Rubbish answer.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Sadly rubbish is Jeff's only treasure…
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Nonsense. You referred to "the Kingdom of God, The City of God. That wonderful everlasting abode". I pointed out there was a war in this 'wonderful" place, which would hardly make it as wonderful as you would like to pretend it it.
      - Heidi
        
        Ah, but in the future, no more:
        "And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
      - Heidi
        
        (Revelation 21:4)
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        If it happened once, it can happen again. It is laughable that it ever happened at all to an all knowing, all powerful god in the first place. Being all knowing, he had to be aware it was going to occur and being all powerful, there is no way he could not have prevented it. Yet, this god who cannot abide sin, and is powerful enough to prevent the sin from occurring, allowed sin to enter his "wonderful everlasting abode". He is either not all powerful or all knowing or the most incompetent deity man has created.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Thanks Heidi for the passage.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Dodxon is completely oblivious to progressive nature of God's revelation. That is why for the most part I do not discuss Scripture with unbelievers past Mark 15. It is like trying to describe to deaf Beethoven's 9TH…
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Since Beethoven was himself deaf, isn't it odd that he seemed to be perfectly capable of comprehending the music he was creating?
        
        Have any more idiotic comparisons, Humpty?
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Moron, he was not deaf whole life. It took 20 years in his mature life to loose hearing while he was composing already as a young child. Learn something before you post your inane and imbecilic comments.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        I never said he was deaf his entire life. I said he was able to compose music while he was deaf. You need to learn to comprehend what you attempt to read, Humpty. I realize it is a stretch for you, but give it a try for a change.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        There are also deaf people who can enjoy music being played as well. It is simply amazing what you do not know about this world we live in.
        
        Brains Of Deaf People Rewire To "Hear" Music
        ScienceDaily (Nov. 28, 2001) — CHICAGO (Nov. 27) — Deaf people sense vibration in the part of the brain that other people use for hearing – which helps explain how deaf musicians can sense music, and how deaf people can enjoy concerts and other musical events. "These findings suggest that the experience deaf people have when ‘feeling’ music is similar to the experience other people have when hearing music. The perception of the musical vibrations by the deaf is likely every bit as real as the equivalent sounds, since they are ultimately processed in the same part of the brain," says Dr. Dean Shibata, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Washington.
        http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/11/0111…
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Not out of context a all. Just more evidence of the silliness of your worldview.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Simpleton ranting away his deep ingrained ability to process on a higher level.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Lapsus linguae: inability that is.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        As it was documented here and many times over you have no slightest idea what you are mocking for attacking it is not… You even refuse to see proper context of those events and irrationally a priori dismiss them because their do not fit into your limited key hole sensory perceptions, incredibly rudimentary experiences and substandard education you have been unlucky to receive and your observed and confessed ignorance of what "goads" stands for is symptomatic.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        You are pretty amusing. Are you going to now claim to know all the words and meanings of every word in the English language? There are over a million at this point, so that would be pretty impressive if it was at all an accurate claim. However, we both know you do not, so the fact that I also was unaware of a word is hardly anything of consequence. It is simply another one of your idiotic attempts at logic.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Let me say and factually too that I do know far more and by n factor than your 1500 words you live with… but of course none of that has any point to what I was saying in the first place Mr.Goads…
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Another statement that has no factual basis. You have no idea what my vocabulary is and more important have demonstrated an appalling lack of understanding what words mean.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Oh I have seen plenty of your nauseating ignorance and lets face it in your biased dishonesty Dixon how many words and terms and concepts you have "learned" from me and others.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        No, you have merely decided as judge, jury and executioner how to view my posts. All you have done is shown yourself to be a pompous buffoon.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        I can spot an idiot from a long way out and you are it.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        I did not listen to this sermon, however, I have heard many on the same topic over the years. They are all the same drivel.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        I can tell you did not listen. Go listen to the whole thing then and get back to me–after you listen carefully to the entire message.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        There is no reason to waste my time on yet another meaningless sermon. I have listened to far too many over the years.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        And indeed meaningless then they were as evidenced in your case.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        They are meaningless, that is true.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        My comment was descriptive and not prescriptive if you can grasp it with your inane mind.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        I do not disappear when you need an answer. I am engaged in other activities. When I log back in, you get an answer if I see your comment.
keyboardshark

A message of responsibility from a rapper, most of whom are known for espousing the opposite. How refreshing.

Here is another rap video that exposes the 40 Arabic words that prove Islam is false:
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FCCCBFNU
http://www.kidon.com/media-link MalikTous

I'll give him credit for using Rap for something harmless or useful and peaceful, instead of that awful violence-prone 'gangsta' (c)rap. Same rating I give Tebow for advertising instead of proselytising.