Christian rapper Lecrae releases 'Unashamed' memoir

Christian rapper Lecrae opens up about his troubled past in a new book titled "Unashamed."

"I'm hoping my scars will heal other people," Lecrae told the Associated Press. "I'm dealing with my pain and guilt in a healthy way for people to see me navigate. I'm not saying that I have it all figured out. But I am saying that I'm willing to wrestle with it in a productive way."

The memoir talks about the two-time Grammy award-winning artist's experiences, including abuse in childhood, drug use and alcoholism, and an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Lecrae, according to the book's description, "holds nothing back" -- he shares handwritten excerpts from his personal journal, answers his critics, and reveals sensitive information about his life.

Months before the book's release, the artist had already provided his fans with some teasers, including personal photos that were to be included. He also said in a statement last year that he was writing the book for people who have yet to find out who they are, those "who feel confined by the labels given to them."

"As an artist my ambition is to make honest music, and I feel the same way about writing this book," he said. "I want to be honest about where I've come from and what I've learned along the way. I want to influence culture, to help catalyze and inspire, and help other people find understanding. If they find some inspiration and some clarity for their own lives, as they follow my journey, then I have succeeded."

The 208-page book gives readers a first-person account of the Christian rapper's experiences. Starting from the first chapter, a sample of which is posted on its website, he shares how he had felt ignored and rejected, of fitting in yet not fitting in. He discusses how this raises the question of "what it means to be Christian in a world that assumes Christians are obnoxious. Or irrelevant. Or hypocritical. Or judgmental. Or ignorant. Or bigoted. Or any number of negative adjectives." He also said that it seems God had been preparing him for this all his life.

"If you live for people's acceptance, you'll die from their rejection," the description of the book reads. "This is the story of one man's journey to faith and freedom."

"Unashamed" was published early this month and is available at brick-and-mortar stores and online, including B&N, Amazon, and iBooks. The memoir will reportedly be followed by a brand new album slated to be released later this year.