DALLAS, Texas – With his new EP “For Your Glory” releasing Feb. 13, Trip Lee is taking a departure from his previous hip-hop albums and going back to his early days reflecting on the heart of worship.
The new worship project is the first album launched under the development of BRAG Worship, an extension of the “Brag On My Lord” movement Lee created based on the theme of Jeremiah 9:23-24.
Growing up, Lee attended Concord Church in Dallas and accepted Christ when he was in the youth ministry.
“I accepted Christ when I was 14, and not long after, I started rapping and writing songs,” he said. “Through my music and message, I really want to make the Gospel clear to teenagers and students. That’s what I’m really passionate about.”
Before Lee graduated high school, he signed a record deal with Reach Records and was given the opportunity to begin writing devotionals for the company’s website. As his music and ministry began taking shape, people noticed his spiritual maturity. He was asked to preach his first sermon to his youth group when he was just 17.
However, Lee never anticipated where the journey would take him or what the Lord had in store.
He went on to attend Cairn University in southeastern Pennsylvania and Boyce College, the undergraduate school of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
In early 2011, he served as a pastoral intern at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and in 2014, he worked as the pastoral assistant there. In 2015, he became the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Atlanta.
In 2019, he moved back to Dallas for a chance to work on staff at his home church and became the young adult pastor at Concord Church. However, two years later, he was forced to stepped down while battling chronic fatigue syndrome, an affliction with which he still struggles.
“Some seasons are better than others,” he told Baptist Press.
Still, he is determined to keep pressing on and praising God.
Going through this season and battling health issues inspired the message behind the music on the new project.
“When Christians gather together to worship, the songs help each other to grow in discipleship,” Lee said. “I wanted these songs to revolve around Jesus and focus on how gracious Jesus is.
“Some of my favorite worship leaders joined alongside on this album, and I’m really grateful because I’m a rapper not a singer so I didn’t want the songs to be limited to my vocal ability. It was a huge help to collaborate with other artists, and it displayed the heart of what we’re trying to do with this album and encouraging others to join in songs of worship and reflection.”
In addition to performing concerts, Lee speaks at Christian conferences and events around the country. He has also written two books – “The Good Life,” which focuses on the abundant life available only in Christ, and “Rise,” which challenges students to take action and follow God’s calling on their lives.
As a hip-hop artist, Lee’s music has received numerous accolades, including multiple Dove Award nominations and a Stellar Award. His last three albums have debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel charts.
Through his music and message, Lee says he wants to demonstrate and display the glory of Jesus. As he travels, he enjoys meeting people and hearing their stories of God at work in their lives.
“Life is hard, but God is good,” Lee said. “The songs on the new album are inspired by sermons and stories I’ve heard about God’s faithfulness. People may let you down, but God never changes. His character and consistency never changes. Even in walking through hard times, that’s when it’s time to praise God and sing because there is joy in the midst of trials, knowing God is gracious and helps His people.
“It’s a sweet victory to sing about salvation and the hope that we have in Him. I’m excited for people to hear this project. It’s a departure from my past eight albums, but it really reflects the season of life that I’ve been in. The songs point to the fact that we can lament and praise in the same breath, and God is with us in every moment.”
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