Christian hip-hop was more popular with adolescents than adults. Grits, for example, created some of the best Christian rap songs during the early 2000s like “Ooh Aah (My Life Be Like),” which is one of their most popular songs since 2006. More recent artist like Andy Mineo, Tobymac and Trip Lee have become popular in Christian youth because of their use of bass and meaningful lyrics. Most noticeably, music created by Lecrae has been admired since one of his first successful albums Church Clothes in 2013. His album, All Things Work Together, was released on September 22, 2017, and its songs are still popular to his fans. Each of Lecrae's albums reflects a different Bible verse as its theme. In this album, the theme is Romans 8:28. Lecrae worked with many artists like 1K Phew, Kierra Sheard, and Jawan Harris to mix and mashup different tunes and words. “I’ll Find You” featuring Tori Kelly and “Blessings” featuring Ty Dolla $ign are the album’s most well-known songs. Some of the album’s songs reflect the Bible verse better than others, but altogether each song is unique with its own soundtrack, featuring various artist, and making All Things Work Together one of Lecrae’s best albums.

Tori Kelly’s beautiful voice and Lecrae’s amazing rhythm create one of the best Christian hip-hop songs in 2017. It has long been awaited by fans to hear Lecrae and Tori Kelly come together in music. According to Spotify, “I’ll Find You” remains on Lecrae’s top ten most popular songs and has over 186 thousand views on Genius. The song’s meaning is an encouragement to those who feel life too difficult to continue and move past the bad times. The lyrics, “when you got nobody to turn to just hold on and I'll find you” reference Luke 15:3-7, a short passage from Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep. The parable was about a shepherd who has a hundred sheep. When one sheep runs away, the shepherd is joyful to find it again. The story symbolizes how God cares about everyone and leaves no one behind. “I’ll Find You” displays the theme well, which is most likely why the song is so popular to teenage listeners.

 The second most popular song to “I’ll Find You” is “Blessings.” Lecrae collabed with Ty Dolla $ign, which is different compared to the other songs in this album. Ty Dolla $ign is best known for his explicit lyrics, especially in the song “Psycho” where he rapped with Post Malone. Even though Ty Dolla $ign is as far from Christian music genre, his work in “Blessings” is quite astounding to me. In the song, the words “count it up” are said multiple times. It's a reminder to remember how many blessings and priveledges you have to be grateful for. In an interview with Genius, Lecrae list off many things we take for granted. “You woke up this morning. You got people who love you… just go through the list and it’s so much stuff you have to be grateful for.” Simple things like having food to eat or even breathing are blessings from God. Being grateful for what God gave you is what this song conveys.

“8:28” featuring Lewis Sky may not be the best song in the album, but it does the best at explaining Romans 8:28. The New International Version translation of the verse says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” A footnote placed by Bible Gateway rephrases the verse stating, “That all things work together for good to those who love God.” In the chorus of the songs, Lewis Sky sings, "It's gon' all work out sooner than later you don't have to worry 'bout tomorrow it's gon' work out in your favor.” He’s singing how life will get better and how you should stay hopeful. The songs also say how you can always have a comeback from hard times with the help of God.

Overall, All Things Work Together reflect the meaning behind Romans 8:28 with upbeat soundtracks, syncopated bass, and classical piano. More of the songs on the album should relate back to the theme, which unfortunately most of the songs fail to do so. Aside from this misfortune, Lecrae’s album was a success with its top hits “I’ll Find You” and “Blessings.” I personally enjoy listening to “8:28” because it combines piano with its persuasive lyrics to continue looking forward. It brings up my spirits on a rainy day especially. The album as a whole gives the listener a renewed feeling of hope, which is what all teenagers need to hear.