Trip Lee

William Lee Barefield III (born December 17, 1987), better known by his stage name Trip Lee, is an American Christian rapper, singer, poet and author. Signed to Reach Records, he has recorded both as a solo artist and as a founding member of the 116 Clique. Originally from Dallas, Texas,[1] he serves as a young adult pastor at Concord Church. His third album, Between Two Worlds, was nominated for two Dove Awards and won the Stellar Award for Best Hip Hop Album in 2011.

Trip Lee
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Lee Barefield III
Born (1987-12-17) December 17, 1987
OriginDallas, Texas
GenresChristian hip hop, Southern hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, singer, poet, author, pastor
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2005–present
LabelsReach
Associated acts116 Clique
Websitebuilttobrag.com

Biography

Early life

William Lee Barefield III was born on December 17, 1987 in Dallas, Texas.[2][3] As a young boy, Lee had dreams of being a professional athlete or a famous rapper, and he began to hone his lyrical skills at the age of 12. "I rapped about random stuff… how hot I was, how many girls I could pull," Lee says.[4] But upon giving his life to Christ, at age 14, his focus changed from fortune, fame, and women to serving and ministering the Gospel.

Lee slowly recognized that all of his life should be centered around Christ. "One day, I just decided, I'm only doing Christian hip hop. Rappers like Ambassador and Da' T.R.U.T.H. helped provide a model for how I would begin to do that," he says.[4] He also had an immense desire to learn and teach the Word of God, so he became a leader in his youth group where he preached his first sermon at age 17.[4]

In 2004, Lee met Lecrae at a concert; months later, after talking and building with each other, Lecrae began to disciple him. While still in high school, Lee was given the opportunity to pen a few devotionals for the Reach Records website that dealt with theological matters and showcased his spiritual maturity.[4]

Lee attended Cairn University[5] and Boyce College,[6] the undergraduate school of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.[7][8]

Music career

Trip Lee signed with Reach Records, and his debut album, If They Only Knew, was released a few days after his high school graduation.[4] His first full-length album introduced hip-hop fans to his distinct southern sound, unique delivery, and gospel-saturated lyrics. That same year, he was also featured on the Dove Award-nominated, Jesus Muzik with label mate Lecrae.

His second album, 20/20, was released in 2008 and garnered much success, breaking into the Billboard Top 200 and reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Christian albums chart and No. 4 on the Gospel chart. Back with his third studio album, Between Two Worlds, Lee offers a collection of reflections on life in a fallen world. His hope is that his reflections not only resonate with listeners, but also point to Jesus as the hero.

Since his first album release, Lee has traveled the world doing concerts for thousands of listeners, and his last three summers have been spent on national and international tours with his Reach label mates. His Christ-centered hip-hop message has also built a platform for him among churches and other Christian organizations, which has led to numerous opportunities to preach and teach at conferences and other events.

Lee released two new singles "Brag on My Lord" and "King Like Mine", the latter featuring Alex Medina, on March 29, 2011.[9]

Trip Lee released his fourth full-length studio album, entitled The Good Life on April 9, 2012. The album featured various notable Christian artists, such as Sho Baraka (formerly signed with Reach Records), JR., Lecrae, J.Paul, KB, Andy "C-Lite" Mineo, Jimmy Needham, V. Rose, Suzy Rock, Jai, and Leah Smith.[10] As a continuation to the album, Lee has worked with Moody Publishers and has authored a book titled The Good Life, to be released October 1, 2012.[11]

On October 9, 2012 Lee announced he would be "stepping away" from music altogether.[12] The Unashamed 2012 tour with the Reach Records roster was his final tour before pursuing a career as an author and pastor.[12][13][14] He later clarified that while he would continue to make music, he wouldn't be touring as much.[15] He is currently training to be a pastor at his local church, while still engaging in public ministry.[15]

On October 27, 2014, Trip Lee released his fifth studio album, Rise. On January 27, 2015 he released his second book called Rise: Get Up and Live in God's Great Story to accompany the album.[16] He was part of the Winter Jam Tour 2016 along with KB and Tedashii in the central and eastern parts of the United States.[17]

On December 9, 2016, Trip Lee released the album titled, "The Waiting Room."[18] The title was inspired by a line in the song, "Take Me There" from his, "The Good Life" album. He says the album highlights the fact that, as a Christian, his life is much like sitting in a waiting room, looking for what God has ahead.[19]

Ministry

In early 2011, he did the pastoral internship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.[20]

In 2014, he became pastoral assistant at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.[21]

In 2015, he became pastor at Cornerstone Church West End in Atlanta.[22]

In 2019, he became young adult pastor at Concord Church Dallas, Texas.[23]

Personal life

Trip Lee married Jessica Barefield in 2009. The couple have two children.[24][25][26]

Discography
Main articles: Trip Lee discography and 116 Clique § Discography

Studio albums

Books
  • The Good Life (Moody Publishers, 2012)[27]
  • Rise: Get Up and Live in God's Great Story (Thomas Nelson, 2015)[28]

Award nominations
GMA Dove Awards[29]
Year Award Result
2011 Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (Between Two Worlds) Nominated
Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Invasion (Hero)") Nominated
2013 Rap / Hip Hop Song of the Year ("I'm Good" featuring Lecrae) Nominated
Rap / Hip Hop Album of the Year (The Good Life) Nominated
2017 Rap / Hip Hop Album of the Year (The Waiting Room)[30] Won
Stellar Awards
Year Award Result
2011 Best Hip Hop Album (Between Two Worlds)[31] Won

References
  1. Busy R. "The Holy Hip Hop Database – He has changed my life in so many different ways – says 11-year-old rising christian hip hop artist Grady E Music. Trip Lee". Hhhdb.com. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  2. Angela Lu. "WORLD | Braggin' on their King | April 20, 2013". Worldmag.com. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  3. "Top 10 Trip Lee Songs of All Time". Wade-O Radio. December 21, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  4. "Reach Records". Reach Records. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  5. Daniels, David. "D.C. rapper Trip Lee withstands disease, while pastoring at church, releasing album". The Washington Times. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  6. Trip Lee (September 8, 2011). "Trip Lee". Boyce College. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  7. Ethan Cole, Rising Christian Rapper Trip Lee on What Makes Jesus Irresistible, The Christian Post, USA, July 9, 2012
  8. Robin Cornetet, Free Christian hip-hop concert in Frankfort Oct. 28, kentuckytoday.com/, USA, October 13, 2017
  9. Hoiland, Tim. "Two New Singles Released". Reach Records. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  10. Bradley (April 9, 2012). "Trip Lee – The Good Life in Stores Now". Reach Records. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  11. Bradley (May 23, 2012). "Trip Lee's Debut Book Release The Good Life". Reach Records. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  12. Rood, Philip (October 9, 2012). "Trip Lee talks Unashamed Tour 2012, 'The Good Life' book, and what's next". Rapzilla. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  13. DJ Official (November 16, 2012). "Though I'm excited we have..." Twitter. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  14. "@nbferraro His last tour. He's..." Twitter. November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  15. Archived April 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  16. "Rise: Get Up And Live In God's Great Story". Jam the Hype. February 13, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  17. "Trip Lee, Tedashii & KB to tour nation on Winter Jam 2016". Rapzilla. October 28, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  18. Leonardo Blair, Rising Trip Lee on Being a Pastor; New Music in 'The Waiting Room' (Interview), The Christian Post, USA, December 5, 2016
  19. "Trip Lee explains title of his mixtape 'The Waiting Room'". Rapzilla. November 26, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  20. "Capitol Hill Baptist Church Past Interns".
  21. Daniels, David (November 3, 2014). "D.C. rapper Trip Lee withstands disease, while pastoring at church, releasing album". The Washington Times. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  22. Leonardo Blair, Rising Trip Lee on Being a Pastor; New Music in 'The Waiting Room' (Interview), The Christian Post, USA, December 5, 2016
  23. Dallas Theological Seminary, Trip Lee : MLK Chapel 2019, voice.dts.edu, USA, January 17, 2019
  24. "Why Did I Get Married So Young?". TRIP LEE. October 26, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  25. Matt Smethurst. "Trip Lee Brags on the King". TGC – The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  26. HipHopDX (October 23, 2014). "Trip Lee Discusses "Rise", His Faith & T.I.'s Role in Promoting Fatherhood in Hip Hop". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  27. Barefield, William (October 1, 2012). The Good Life. Moody Publishers. ISBN 978-0802408587.
  28. Barefield, William (January 27, 2015). Rise: Get Up and Live in God's Great Story. Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-0529120991.
  29. Emma Schkloven, Rising Christian rapper Trip Lee to perform at Liberty University, newsadvance.com, USA, February 5, 2015
  30. CCM magazine, 2017 Dove Award Winners + TV info, ccmmagazine.com, October 18, 2017
  31. Ethan Cole, Rising Christian Rapper Trip Lee on What Makes Jesus Irresistible, The Christian Post, USA, July 9, 2012
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