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Lecrae Helps Prison Inmate Record Original Song: ‘I Am Humbled to Share My Gift and Help Uplift Others’

Photo from Lecrae’s Instagram

Lecrae Helps Prison Inmate Record Original Song: ‘I Am Humbled to Share My Gift and Help Uplift Others’

By Movieguide® Staff

Christian music artist Lecrae recently reflected on his new partnership with an organization that seeks to serve incarcerated individuals.

The Grammy Award-winning rapper gave one inmate a special opportunity to record an original song after Carmela Mose, an inmate at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) won Securus Technologies’ first ever “Original Hip-Hop Track Contest” with her song “I Think.”

In July, Lecrae visited CCWF, helped Carmela record her song, and produced it under his label, Reach Records.

“Recording this track with Carmela onsite at a maximum-security prison facility, which houses many other inspiring women, was an absolutely life-changing experience for me,” Lecrae said. “I’m proud to be part of a campaign that invests in those who often feel forgotten, and hopefully this contest will open doors for other creative campaigns to reach the incredible talent behind bars.”

“Being given the opportunity to be supported, and listened to, by so many talented visionaries has been a truly humbling experience,” Carmela added. “As I sat there recording my track, I felt a stark contrast between the me who was rapping into that mic, and the old me that was sitting on a bus on the way to prison.”

According to CBN, Carmela faced violence and abuse daily at her broken home in Long Beach, California. She became homeless at a young age and got addicted to methamphetamines.

Now, Carmela is dedicated to rehab and leading life outside the correctional system.

“I’m grateful for that confirmation,” she said. “Thank you so very much to all the folks at Securus, Reach Records, and Lecrae for lifting me up and getting me started on my amends.”

“We knew this campaign would change the life of one lucky winner, but we didn’t anticipate the impact Carmela’s experience would have on all of us as after we read her lyrics, watched her passion during the recording, and learned of her personal story and battle to become who she is today,” Dave Abel, president and CEO of Aventiv Technologies, the parent company of Securus Technologies, said.

“The objective of this campaign was to ignite creativity and encourage participants to translate their passion through lyrics,” he continued. “We are honored to have the opportunity to work with Carmela and all the contest participants and look forward to continuing to host more creative campaigns to bring hope to the incarcerated community.”

Lecrae said called his interaction with Carmela a joy, and is grateful for the opportunity to connect with Carmela through music.

“Music is part of my soul, and I am humbled to share my gift and create songs that help uplift others,” Lecrae said. “Carmela now has that same feeling as her work ethic, talent, and beautifully written lyrics will inspire the lives of so many.”

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.