Trip Lee facts for kids

William Lee Barefield III (born December 17, 1987), known as Trip Lee, is an American Christian rapper, singer, songwriter, and poet. He is signed with Reach Records. Trip Lee has made music as a solo artist and was also a founding member of the group 116. He was a young adult pastor at Concord Church in Dallas, Texas, until 2021. His third album, Between Two Worlds (released in 2010), was nominated for two Dove Awards. It also won the Stellar Award for Best Hip Hop Album in 2011.

About Trip Lee

Early Life and Faith

William Lee Barefield III was born in Dallas, Texas, on December 17, 1987. When he was a young boy, Trip Lee dreamed of becoming a professional athlete or a famous rapper. He started practicing his rapping skills at age 12. He used to rap about everyday things.

However, when he became a Christian at age 14, his goals changed. He decided to use his music to share his faith. Trip Lee realized that his whole life should be about Christ. He said that other rappers like Ambassador and Da' T.R.U.T.H. showed him how to make Christian hip hop. He also wanted to learn and teach about the Bible. He became a leader in his youth group and gave his first sermon at 17.

In 2004, Trip Lee met Lecrae at a concert. After they talked and got to know each other, Lecrae became his mentor. While still in high school, Trip Lee wrote some devotionals for the Reach Records website. These writings showed how much he understood about faith.

Trip Lee went to Cairn University and Boyce College. Boyce College is part of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

Music Journey

Trip Lee signed with Reach Records. His first album, If They Only Knew, came out just a few days after he finished high school. This album showed off his unique Southern sound and lyrics focused on the Gospel. In the same year, he was featured on the album Jesus Muzik with Lecrae. This album was nominated for a Dove Award.

His second album, 20/20, was released in 2008. It was very successful, making it onto the Billboard Top 200 chart. It also reached No. 11 on the Billboard Christian albums chart and No. 4 on the Gospel chart. His third album, Between Two Worlds, came out in 2010. In this album, Trip Lee shared his thoughts on life in a world with problems. He hoped his songs would connect with listeners and point them to Jesus.

Since his first album, Trip Lee has performed concerts for many people around the world. He has also toured nationally and internationally with other artists from Reach Records. His Christian hip-hop message has also given him chances to preach and teach at churches and Christian events.

On March 29, 2011, Trip Lee released two new songs: "Brag on My Lord" and "King Like Mine." The song "King Like Mine" featured Alex Medina.

Trip Lee released his fourth album, The Good Life, on April 9, 2012. This album included many well-known Christian artists like Sho Baraka, JR., Lecrae, J.Paul, KB, Andy "C-Lite" Mineo, Jimmy Needham, V. Rose, Suzy Rock, Jai, and Leah Smith. To go along with the album, Trip Lee also wrote a book called The Good Life, which was released on October 1, 2012.

On October 9, 2012, Trip Lee announced he would be stepping back from touring as much. He clarified that he would still make music but would focus more on being an author and pastor. He continued to train to be a pastor at his local church while still doing public ministry.

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

On December 9, 2016, Trip Lee released a mixtape called "The Waiting Room." The name came from a line in his song "Take Me There" from The Good Life album. He explained that the album shows how a Christian's life is like waiting for what God has planned.

On March 4, 2022, Trip Lee released his sixth album, "The End." This was his first project in six years. The album featured three singles: "Supernatural," "Stone," and "Right Out The Gate." It also included artists like WHATUPRG, Anike, Taylor Hill, KB, and Desi Raines.

On October 27, 2023, Trip Lee released his seventh album, "The Epilogue." This album featured collaborations with Kirk Franklin, Hulvey, Madison Ryann Ward, Lecrae, KB, WHATUPRG, and Jonathan Traylor.

Ministry Work

In early 2011, Trip Lee completed a pastoral internship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. In 2014, he became a pastoral assistant at the same church.

In 2015, he became a pastor at Cornerstone Church West End in Atlanta. In 2019, he became the young adult pastor at Concord Church in Dallas, Texas. He stepped down from this role in 2021. He shared that he made this decision because he was dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Family Life

Trip Lee married Jessica Barefield in 2009. They have three children together.

Music Albums

• 2006: If They Only Knew
• 2008: 20/20
• 2010: Between Two Worlds
• 2012: The Good Life
• 2014: Rise
• 2022: The End
• 2023: The Epilogue

Books Written

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

Awards and Nominations

GMA Dove Awards

Stellar Awards