fbpx
February 27, 2024

Looking up with Lauren Daigle: Facing Criticism from Christians

Lauren Daigle

Lauren Daigle’s star is shining brighter than ever.

Singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle has one of the biggest Christian albums in a long time. Last September she led all five of Billboard’s main Christian charts at the same time, marking the first time that any artist had achieved that feat.

The lead single You Say has been on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for 16 weeks with a highest position of #44. She debuted at No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, with over 100,000 albums sold — the biggest number for a Christian set in nearly nine years.

Look Up Child, Daigle’s third LP after her breakthrough debut How Can It Be and Behold: A Christmas Collection, is a bit of a departure from her previous style, borrowing heavily from Adele’s winning production and song-writing formulas. There’s plenty to love as Daigle successfully conveys her heart for introducing people to the love of Jesus.

Her recent appearances on Ellen and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon were outstanding. Her voice was excellent, working with a band and crew she has been rehearsing with for upcoming tours. While some online comments and discussions have characterized these achievements as a negative, Daigle isn’t letting it bring her down. (Haters gonna hate.)

“A lot of times, whenever you are doing the business end of creativity, sometimes you can get stifled or feel like a sell out,” Daigle told Billboard.com. “But we really just stayed focused the entire time on, ‘What are the things that are naturally fun?’ And are naturally things that I gravitate towards or love to be involved with? Let’s celebrate those things, and bring people in on the journey that I’m already walking.”

The mainstream, or secular notoriety, is remarkable. While it’s certainly well-deserved, it’s also been part of a growing trend in popular culture to “accept” faith-based film and music.

“For Christian artists, this is a strange and exciting new time.” says writer Ryan Duncan of crosswalk.com. “The barriers that have traditionally kept them from sharing their work with the secular world are starting to crumble. Suddenly, movies like Unbroken, Calvary, and God’s Not Dead are finding their way to local theatres. Faith-based music is turning up in the most unexpected places, and Christian authors are showing they can write stories that are more than just coffee table books. God’s word is finding its way into the hearts and minds of an audience that is thirsting for something more than the next big fad.”

Duncan asks, “So what does this mean for us Christians in general?”

Instead of negativity, I choose to celebrate when Lauren Daigle or Lecrae appear on The Tonight Show. I cheer when Social Club Misfits and Tauren Wells’ song War Cry is used for a World Wrestling Entertainment promo video! When Needtobreathe’s music is used on American Idol video packages, or when for KING & COUNTRY songs play over the speakers at my local grocery store, it’s hard not to contain my joy!

Working in Christian media for over 20 years, I have been given opportunities to meet with the artists and creators from music, film, radio and television. I’ve discovered only genuine people with a real passion to pursue God and encourage others. When Chance The Rapper or Chip and Joanna Gaines point others to Jesus by using their gifts, we should give thanks and praise them.

It’s like your favourite indi-band or hometown sports team that makes it to the big stage. We need to root for our brothers and sisters; not resent them for achieving their dreams. Let’s cheer on Lauren Daigle!

Look into someone’s heart to when they first came into prominence. You’ll often be reminded of why they pursued God’s calling on their lives, and in turn, your own heart will urge you to “Look Up Child”.

Listen to Your Story with Melinda’s podcast back in 2016, when we were just getting to know the 25-year old Lauren Daigle.

mm

Matt Caine

Working in radio and digital media, Matt is a third generation broadcaster and President of Faith Strong Today. Starting in the family business at the age of 14 playing Sunday morning Bible-teaching programs, Matt went on to win national advertising awards in radio, and now hopes to reach a new generation through engaging online Christian content.

View all posts

Newsletter

Get Faith Strong Today in your inbox!

Advertisement

Get in touch

Collaboratively harness market-driven processes whereas resource-leveling internal or "organic" sources. Competently formulate.