Lecrae, a Grammy-winning Christian hip-hop artist, performed at I !arc.ling for rhe hr~t time on ept. 11, 201 . Alex Jamerison, Jirector of <li\'ersiry for church relations, said the concert \\'a. the fin,t time he haJ sccn an .\ frican-,\merican hip-hop artist perform at Harding. He \\·as e'lcitcd to sec Cami u ,\cti\'itie Board (CAB) bring an arti~t like Lecrae ro perform for the ~rudenr body. "The ara. rs rhat \\'C bring shour this concept of diversu:y to rudent ," Jamerison said. "It says \H' are about morL than just bringing srudent of diversity in, but \\'hen they get here they are in an environment that speak to their culrure, not just the majority's culture." Jamerison \\'atched students who had never participared in concerts at Harding before jump for ioy because rhey felr filled by the mu ic and included in Harding's community. enior Robert , rewarr, CAB srudenr worker, agreed with Jamerison and loved seeing an artisr with such a unique style and purpose perform at Harding. "Lecrae introduced the campus to a new genre," tewart said. "Lecrae took back the genre of rap; he is being a Christian out I ud." According to Stewart, people loved I,ecrac's music because he told relatable Storie . fter meeting him, tewart saw that Lecrae truly cared for people by the way he interacted with them and took the time to talk with them. tewart could see that talent being incorporated in the stories in his music. "Lecrae, more than being a musician is omeone who is a lon:r of story," rewarc said. "He changed pe pie. He i not there to make an income; he is there to make an impact." enior Pre ley ixon CAB co-director, knew Lecrae's ound was perfect for the Harding community to experience and was different from anything the · had done before. '\ hen I ixon saw how much people enjoyed the concert, he knew it was worth it. "I think we sometimes go for artists that everyone knows, [artist I who are older or [up]-and-coming," ixon said. 'We haven't catered to a hip-hop sound yet. I think that it\! as a huge succes ." long with catering to a whole new community of music listeners, Jamerison believed that the concert showcased the po itive attitude of diversity Harding pur ued during the 2017-18 school year. "l t shows students that Harding is just as w rried about me as the next student, faculty or staff member," Jamerison aid. "Lecrae is a great image of the direction of diversity we are striving for at the university." I Lecrae performs or he chee ng studen body on. he George S. Benson Auditorium stage on Sept. 11 , 201 7. Lecrae, an award-winning singer, songwriter, prooucer an actor. was famous or his 11 Christian hip-hop albums. // Photo courtesy of Taylor Howard 0 )> OJ m < m z -, (/)
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