Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae, who studied sociology at UNT, was featured in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Vibe, The Atlantic and even in Qatar this fall as his album, Anomaly, made history. It was the first ever to debut at No. 1 on both the Billboard gospel chart and the Billboard 200 chart, which covers all genres.

Co-founder of Reach Records and already a Grammy winner for his album Gravity, Lecrae has received three more Grammy nominations -- for Best Rap Performance for "All I Need Is You," for Best Gospel Performance/Song for "Help" with Erica Campbell, and for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for "Messengers," featuring For King & Country.

Lecrae tells Qatar’s Gulf Times that he came to UNT with the idea of becoming an actor but then volunteered at a juvenile detention center where he also performed some of his songs.

“Their response convinced me I should try to offer hope and encouragement through my music,” he says. 

(Photo courtesy of Reach Records)