For the past 20 years, Reach Records' legacy artist Trip Lee has grinded out nine projects, a handful of singles, and collaborated on a Christmas album. Also, he's wore several other "hats" of a creative nature by writing a book and currently working on a second. Serving in pastoral roles at three churches including Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Washington, DC), Cornerstone Church (Atlanta, GA), and Concord Church (Dalls TX). Other talents and roles include self-taught producer, engineer, and of course devout husband and supportive father.
In between various seasons of life, Trip has been handcrafting and fine tuning what developed into BRAG WORSHIP. Changing the heartscape of a boastful-filled genre found in hip-hop and transforming such into vertical praises magnifying our love for God. Therefore, For Your Glory was born; Trip's first worship-driven album.
Trip and I connected for a brief Zoom interview one snowy, Thursday afternoon the day prior tot he album's release.
When we think for a moment, it’s crazy to think two decades (20 years) have passed since you've signed with Reach Records. That means, your debut album If They Only Knew is coming up on its 20th anniversary, right?
Yeah. You’re not supposed to say that out loud. I was 18 when I signed.
You’ve been a rapper, an author, self-taught producer, songwriter, pastor, speaker — all kinds of hats — and of course husband and father. Even with chronic fatigue syndrome, it’s remarkable! What’s one facet of your creative toolbox that’s been a blessing and a gift to you above the other hats you wear?
I think honestly one of the unique things is all of those things serve each other really well. It makes me approach them in different ways. When I think about this worship project and writing these worship songs, having been a pastor and served people and tried to share God’s Word with people — seeing them worship God and deal with stuff going on in their lives — that really impacts how I write songs for Christians to sing together.
I’m thinking about stuff that’s going to build up people’s faith, put God’s truth in their hearts and minds, and pull them out of doubt and darkness. And I really enjoy the creativity part of all of it. I had a friend years ago say, “Trip, you’re so romantic about creativity.” I was like, "what are you talking about?" However, as time went on, I realized he was right.
There’s something really beautiful and magical that God lets us come up with ideas and then bring them out. He lets us think of stuff and then make it. That’s one of the most amazing gifts God has given us, and I feel grateful to take part in it in many different ways.
Two and a half years have expired since your last album, The End. Through present day, are there any creative outlets you’ve been working on outside of For His Glory?
There’s always lots of stuff. I’m finishing a book I’m excited about — it should’ve already been done. My publisher has been gracious with me.
There’s been this music, and stuff I put on pause so I could finish this worship album because it’s something I wanted to do for a long time. I had ideas for songs and thought, I gotta wrap this up because I’m excited to share it with people.
But I’m always making stuff.
If nobody ever wants to hear anything I write or record again, I’m still going to make it for myself. I write Christmas songs for my family every year — rap parts for everybody. My mom, my aunt — we’ve had a Christmas song every year for the last 10 years. I write love songs for my wife. If no one wants to worship Jesus to these songs, I’m going to write worship anyway. That’s just part of how God made me.
Looking back to 2011 and the successful single titled, “Brag on My Lord" - how does that single connect to this idea of BRAG WORSHIP? That’s kind of been my thing my entire career. Hip-hop is a boastful art form — look at what I got, look at who I am. I’ve always wanted to be as bold about serving a really strong God. That tagline has been there the whole time. So it made sense for it to be part of the name of this worship project.
Thinking of another single — “Sweet Victory” from the 2014 album Rise. Does that single stand out as your first worship track?
It could be seen that way. It’s so special to me and to so many other people. When I do it at shows, it turns into a big worship moment. Everybody’s singing along. I have another version of it that’s a full worship song. It’s not on this project, but it’s on the way.
How long was the process for For His Glory?
It’s hard to say because I picked it up and put it down a bunch of times. It’s been on my heart since college. I remember seeing how joyful we were singing together as a church community and thinking, what if there were more worship songs that felt more like us?
I probably started learning keys just so I could write chord progressions and songs. Some of these started around The Waiting Room. I’ve written a ton over the years and really picked it back up last year to finish it.
The timing feels perfect for 2026 with everything going on in the world.
Absolutely. God isn’t saying ignore the bad stuff so you can worship Me. He’s saying I’m with you in the bad stuff. I’m the one you can lean on in the chaos.
You’re shooting for a different style of worship. Talk about that creative process.
If Jesus is the Savior of all peoples and nations, there should be as many cultural expressions of worship as there are cultures. Worship doesn’t have to be narrow. It has to be singable and rooted in gospel truth, but I wanted to expand what some of us think worship should sound like and make the kind of worship records I want to hear more of.
Who influenced you for this project?
My influences are all over the place. You are what you eat as an artist. What I consume shapes my creative output. It might be Stevie Wonder one month or old hymns the next.
From a biblical standpoint, how much did the Psalms influence this?
The Psalms are a gigantic influence. So many of them are lament. You open it for encouragement and might land on “I wish I was never born.” But by the end it says, “But God, You are my refuge.” I wanted these songs to feel honest about life in a broken world but still proclaim a good God who is our hope.
How hard was it to balance hip-hop complexity with worship simplicity?
Extremely hard. In hip-hop, I can use specific metaphors tied to my own story. But in worship, I’m putting words in other people’s mouths. I have to think about what’s singable for everyone. There’s something beautiful about that limitation. There’s something special about everyone fighting for the same thing with one voice.
Talk about collaborating with Jonathan Traylor, Madison Ryann Ward, Leah Smith, DOE, and Naomi Raine.
It’s not just about liking someone’s music. It’s about how well it fits the song and heart behind it.
Working with Naomi was unique because we wrote together. We hadn’t been friends before. We opened the Bible, talked, wrote songs. “Fortress” is one of my favorites. I wanted Christians to sing, “It’s okay if I’m too weak until God’s strength shows up.” I’m grateful the Lord let us write that.
What's next after this project releases on February 13?
I have more songs. I didn’t want to give people too much at once. This is new for me. Lord willing, people will hear more.
What do you want listeners to take away?
Two things. First, that God is strong and majestic and worthy of our confidence. Jeremiah 9 says don’t boast in wisdom or strength, but in knowing Him. Second, that life can be really hard and God can still be really good — and we can sing those in the same breath.
What do you say to those who might misunderstand “BRAG WORSHIP"?
The Bible talks about boasting in Jesus. Not confidence in ourselves, but in Him. When we gather, we’re bragging on God. We’re making much of Him.
During your "116 Life" interview with Reach's Ace Harris and Meah Evans, you were quoted saying, “The church is not a movie you’re going to, but a family you’re a part of.” Can you elaborate on this concept?
When you’re adopted by God, you don’t just get a Father — you get siblings. We gather together to run after God together. It’s a beautiful thing we don’t have to do alone.
Lastly, our NRT staffers are accustomed to praying with interviewees as our gracious gift back to the artist. What can our staff be praying for on your behalf?
Pray that the Lord connects this EP with the people He wants to encourage, and that I wouldn’t focus inward on what people think but on helping people boast in Him.
Father God, thank You for this time with Trip. We pray You connect this project with the ears meant to hear it. May it bring glory to You and encourage Your people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joshua Galla is an audiophile hyped about all forms of art in music, but his passion rests behind CHH and soulful vibes. He's a devout husband, father, and child of God. Concerts are his happy place. He has been an NRT contributor since 2016.
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