
Show Notes
Lecrae sits down with Boyz II Men founding member Shawn Stockman for a conversation that goes far beyond the music. Shawn reflects on the journey from a kid in Southwest Philly to becoming part of one of the biggest groups in the world, and what happened when the industry that celebrated them began to move on. He opens up about race, the realities behind the music business, the difficult years Boyz II Men faced as a group, and how his understanding of success and purpose changed through fatherhood. 01:04 Introduction 05:06 Shawn Stockman Before Boyz II Men 07:07 Dreaming of Being on Stage 09:11 The Moment His Mom Heard His Voice 12:56 From Classical Training to R&B 14:52 How His Father Changed His Life 17:17 The Audition That Almost Didn't Happen 19:54 The Road to Boyz II Men 25:19 How Shawn Joined the Group 26:50 The Truth Behind Boyz II Men's Clean Cut Image 30:27 Sponsor 32:21 Boyz II Men Had Nothing to Prove 35:35 Surviving Three Record Labels 37:31 When the Music Industry Moves On 40:24 Did Boyz II Men Create the Boy Band Blueprint? 41:47 Race and the Crossover Success of Boyz II Men 44:13 Could Their Success Happen Again? 47:50 Sponsor 50:29 What Really Happens Behind the Music Industry 51:29 Being Taken Advantage of at the Top 55:05 Learning the Business Behind the Money 58:22 What Kept Boyz II Men Together 1:00:04 When Michael McCary Left the Group 1:00:31 Going from Arenas to Empty Clubs 1:02:51 Why Success Couldn't Make Him Happy 1:05:43 Finding Purpose Through Fatherhood 1:08:35 Raising a Son with Autism 1:10:07 Why Shawn and His Wife Started Giving Back 1:12:09 Would Michael McCary Ever Rejoin Boyz II Men? Stay hydrated throughout your day. Use code lecrae for 20% off at dripdrop.com Go to pendulumlife.com/deepend for 20% off first order Get paid EARLY. with the Earn In App. Use code: DEEPENDWITHLECRAE_PODCAST: https://tinyurl.com/3veyjh6j Step Into Reconstruction: https://reconstruct-u.com/ 📱Connect with us on Instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/deependlecrae/ 📱Connect with Lecrae - https://linktr.ee/Lecrae Stream the Deluxe Album: https://music.apple.com/us/album/reconstruction/1828052699 👕 Shop Lecrae Merch: https://lecrae.store/
More from The Deep End With Lecrae
Does your ancestry determine whether you're one of God's chosen people? Lecrae sits down with Hebrew Israelite artist Zaydok and pastor and author Jerome Gay for an honest conversation about race, faith, and identity. What do Hebrew Israelites actually believe? Why do different groups disagree? And where do those beliefs align with, or depart from, Christianity? Together, they examine the controversial 12 Tribes chart, the whitewashing of Christianity, scriptures used to justify slavery, and the difference between honoring your heritage and making it the foundation of your faith. Zaydok also challenges beliefs within his own movement, including claims that salvation is limited by race. It's a conversation about belonging, what we believe about Jesus, and how to talk through real disagreements without losing sight of one another's humanity. Where do you draw the line between celebrating your identity and making it an idol? Let us know in the comments. #Lecrae #TheDeepEnd #HebrewIsraelites #Christianity #Faith
Chance the Rapper joins Lecrae on The Deep End for an honest conversation about faith, music, and the experiences that have shaped his life and career. Chance opens up about growing up in the church, the struggles that led him to develop his own relationship with God, and how his faith has influenced his music over the years. He reflects on the evolution of his projects, from Acid Rap to Coloring Book, the pressure of success, and navigating the public criticism surrounding The Big Day. The conversation also gets into his relationships within the music industry, the importance of genuine friendship, and what fatherhood and co-parenting look like in his life today. Lecrae and Chance also discuss black liberation theology, the relationship between Christianity and systemic injustice, and the responsibility of the Church to address oppression. Throughout the conversation, Chance shares how his understanding of God continues to grow and what it means to pursue faith while navigating life in the public eye. 1:10 Intro 3:22 Chance's Personal Journey with God 7:02 Wrestling with Faith and Surrender 9:46 The Evolution of Chance's Music 13:50 Faith Behind Acid Rap and Coloring Book 20:13 Responding to Criticism of The Big Day 25:38 Navigating Fame and Christian Expectations 30:08 Chance's Relationship with Kanye West 36:48 Friendship and Competition with Vic Mensa 46:42 Fatherhood and Co-Parenting 48:06 Black Liberation Theology and Christianity 52:20 Addressing Personal Sin and Systemic Injustice 59:56 The Church's Role in Fighting Injustice 1:03:56 Chance's Perspective on Christian Hip Hop 1:08:20 What's Next for Chance the Rapper Stay hydrated throughout your day. Use code Lecrae for 20% off at dripdrop.com Quo keeps your business calls, texts, and voicemails all in one place, with AI that can answer calls and book appointments when you're unavailable. Get 20% off your first six months with Quo at www.quo/deepend. Step Into Reconstruction: https://reconstruct-u.com/ 📱Connect with us on Instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/deependlecrae/ 📱Connect with Lecrae - https://linktr.ee/Lecrae Stream the Deluxe Album: https://music.apple.com/us/album/reconstruction/1828052699 👕 Shop Lecrae Merch: https://lecrae.store/
Lecrae sits down with Joyce Meyer for a candid conversation about the story behind more than 50 years of ministry. Joyce opens up about surviving childhood sexual abuse, the long process of healing, and how her painful past ultimately shaped the way she ministers to others. She reflects on the early years of her calling, navigating ministry as a woman, and the criticism and misconceptions that have followed her throughout her career. They also unpack her connection to the Word of Faith movement, why her understanding of faith changed over time, and why she rejects the prosperity preacher label. Joyce shares what decades of walking with God have taught her about suffering, renewing your mind, forgiveness, and continuing to obey God when life does not go the way you prayed it would. Throughout the conversation, Joyce reflects on the lessons behind her memoir, My Battlefield: A Life Broken and Made Whole, and why she believes what you've been through can become part of how God equips you to help someone else. 01:33 Introduction 03:26 Joyce Meyer's Story of Abuse and Survival 09:19 How Joyce Was Called to Ministry 12:26 Your History Doesn't Have to Be Your Destiny 14:00 Sponsor 15:37 Healing After Sexual Abuse 20:03 Navigating Criticism as a Woman in Ministry 22:08 The Story Behind My Battlefield 23:11 Is Joyce Meyer a Prosperity Preacher? 26:39 How Her Understanding of Faith Changed 33:05 Lecrae's Experience with Battlefield of the Mind 39:21 Finding Purpose in What You've Been Through 44:16 Why Time with God Still Comes First 51:06 Healing Through Forgiveness 57:28 Confronting Evil and Helping People in Need 1:01:35 What Keeps Joyce Going After 50 Years? 1:04:33 Showing God's Love to People If God is calling you into counseling or ministry, take the next step! Apply to Richmont Graduate University by November 1 and use promo code "Lecrae" to waive the $50 application fee. Richmont.edu Reclaim your faith from OCD. Book a free 15 min call at https://www.treatmyocd.com/ Step Into Reconstruction: https://reconstruct-u.com/ 📱Connect with us on Instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/deependlecrae/ 📱Connect with Lecrae - https://linktr.ee/Lecrae Stream the Deluxe Album: https://music.apple.com/us/album/reconstruction/1828052699 👕 Shop Lecrae Merch: https://lecrae.store/
Divorce is one of the hardest things to talk about in church. We know how to celebrate marriage, but we don't always know how to sit with people when it ends. I sat down with four Christians who have lived through divorce or a broken engagement. We talked about the warning signs, the grief, the questions they had for God, and how they began to rebuild. They were honest about their own choices and about the ways the church helped—or made an already painful season harder. If you've ever felt like the end of a relationship made you less welcome in church, I hope this conversation reminds you that your story isn't over. Full episode of The Deep End is out now.
Rickey Smiley sits down with Lecrae for a deeply personal conversation about faith, grief, and the pain hidden behind a lifetime of making people laugh. Rickey opens up about losing his 32-year-old son, Brandon, and the devastating journey that followed. He shares what it was like learning the news while alone in Dallas, having to lead his family through the tragedy, and why he says he didn't simply lean on God—God carried him. They also discuss Rickey's upbringing in the Black church, surviving being shot at point-blank range, the golden era of '90s comedy, the importance of therapy, and why Black men need the freedom to cry. Rickey also reveals how friends disappeared and people attacked him publicly during the darkest year of his life. This is an honest conversation about trusting God when life no longer makes sense, finding gratitude in unimaginable grief, and using your pain to help somebody else survive theirs.