Houston-born rapper Lecrae continues to challenge traditional thinking with his latest effort, “Gravity.” Far from what’s expected of a gospel album, the LP blends messages of faith with mainstream production, orchestral samples and brash delivery. Heavily influenced by southern hip-hop, the tattoo-bearing emcee’s effortless flow transitions smoothly between fast-paced beats to soulful synths. No topic is left untouched as the artist vigorously addresses thought-provoking issues like violence, death, drugs and poverty – all without sounding too preachy. Ironically, the album elicits memories of old school, underground rap, but still remains current enough to capture a vast audience of hip-hop enthusiasts. Overall, Lecrae delivers a cohesive hip-hop album without tottering into the awkward transitioning that often plagues other Christian rappers. Grade: B+ ____ Contact David Jones at [email protected]