homeEntertainment

Christian rapper Lecrae battles depression caused by loss of black lives

Lecrae poses with his Grammy award for Best Gospel Album for ''Gravity'' backstage at the 55th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 10, 2013. | REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn

Award-winning hip hop artist Lecrae expressed his grievances about the African-American lives that have been lost in the past few years. He revealed that the losses caused his depression and made him want to quit.

In an open letter published by Huffington Post, the rapper stated that he has become frustrated because he is often misunderstood when he speaks out against the killings of African-Americans. He added that his friends and supporters abandoned him when he shared his sentiments and he encountered some comments that were "evil and hurtful."

Lecrae clarified that he does not hate the police because he has friends and relatives who worked in the field of law enforcement and corrections. However, he stated that he has experienced several incidents that led him to conclude that there is injustice in the system.

"I've been pulled over before a show, spoken to like I was less than human, unlawfully searched for drugs, and left to put my destroyed car back together and make it to my show as the cops drove off," he wrote.

The rapper emphasized the distinction between the sentiment behind "Black Lives Matter" ("BLM") and the organization that bears the same name. He said that his agreement with the sentiment does not equate to an endorsement of the organization.

"I don't condone violence or rioting for which BLM is so often blamed, and I don't believe these isolated acts express the values of the BLM organization or the sentiment either," he added.

On top of his other grievances, he revealed that he had a 34-year-old cousin who passed away and one of his longtime friends betrayed him.

"Life has really been crumbling over the past year, which brought on depression and so many doubts," he said.

The rapper confessed that he wanted to quit because he cannot meet other people's expectations. He admitted that he is fallible but acknowledged that God is still working on him.

At the end of the letter, he asked for grace and mercy and urged his supporters to continue praying for him.

Lecrae released a new song titled "Can't Stop Me Now (Destination)," in which he raps about his depression and doubts.