Mr. Del's music is widely recognized as Holy Hip Hop, it is laced with beats that range from southern street to east coast bounce. His undeniable energetic flow can be compared to that of many legendary Hip Hop greats, but his message is strong enough to penetrate the soul and edgy enough to catch the attention of youth everywhere.
Mr. Del began writing, drumming and spinning as a child. He has released three albums on his independent label Holy South (of which he is President and CEO). He was nominated for Grammy in 2005 for the "Best Rock Gospel Album" category for his fiery feature "Shake 'em Off" on EMI Gospel's Holy Hip Hop: Taking the Gospel to the Streets, Vol. I. In 2005, Mr. Del fulfilled his dream of being on a major label and inked a deal with EMI Gospel. In August of 2005, this combined venture yielded its first album entitled "The Future". Recently, his second chapter was released entitled "Hope Dealer”
His lyrical style has been featured on music with legendary Hip Hop artist Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa Fabo of D4L and Gospel artists Kirk Whalum, Lisa McClendon, Out of Eden, Debra Killings and label mate Canton Jones. He has also opened for Kirk Franklin, Tonex and a host of other Gospel greats.
His new album, Thrilla, will be released June 30th, 2009 on his new label deal with Universal Music Christian Group.
Who Am I
Mr. Del Lyrics
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Took a free ride off a billionaire's jet
L.A, I'm from nowhere, who am I to love you?
L.A, I've got nothing, who am I to love you when I'm feeling this way and I've got nothing to offer?
L.A, not quite the city that never sleeps
Not quite the city that wakes, but the city that dreams, for sure
If by dreams you mean in nightmares
L.A, I'm a dreamer, but I'm from nowhere, who am I to dream?
L.A, I'm upset, I have complaints, listen to me
They say I came from money and I didn't, and I didn't even have love, and it's unfair
L.A, I sold my life rights for a big check and I'm upset
And now I can't sleep at night and I don't know why
Plus, I love Zac, so why did I do that when I know it won't last?
L.A, I picked San Francisco because the man who doesn't love me lives there
L.A, I'm pathetic, but so are you, can I come home now?
Daughter to no one, table for one
Party of thousands of people I don't know at Delilah where my ex-husband works
I'm sick of this, but can I come home now?
Mother to no one, private jet for one
Back home to the Tudor house that borned a thousand murder plots
Hancock Park, it's treated me very badly and resentful
The witch on the corner, the neighbor nobody wanted
The reason for Garcetti's extra security
L.A, I know I'm bad, but I have nowhere else to go, can I come home now?
I never had a mother, will you let me make the sun my own for now, and the ocean my son?
I'm quite good at tending to things despite my upbringing, can I raise your mountains?
I promise to keep them greener, make them my daughters, teach them about fire, warn them about water
I'm lonely, L.A, can I come home now?
I left my city for San Francisco
And I'm writing from the Golden Gate Bridge
But it's not going as I planned
I took a free ride off a billionaire and brought my typewriter
And promised myself that I would stay but
It's just not going the way that I thought
It's not that I feel different, and I don't mind that it's not hot
It's just that I belong to no one, which means there's only one place for me
The city not quite awake, the city not quite asleep
The city that's still deciding how good it can be
And also
I can't sleep without you
No one's ever really held me like you
Not quite tightly, but certainly I feel your body next to me
Smoking next to me
Vaping lightly next to me
And I love that you love the neon lights like me
Orange in the distance
We both love that
And I love that we have that in common
Also, neither one of us can go back to New York
For you are unmoving
As for me, it won't be my city again until I'm dead
Fuck the New York Post
L.A, who am I to need you when I've needed so much, asked for so much?
And what I've been given, I'm not sure yet
I may never know that either until I'm dead
For now though, what I do know
Is although I don't deserve you
Not you at your best and your splendor
With towering eucalyptus trees that sway in my dominion
Not you at your worst
Totally on fire, unlivable, unbreathable, I need you
You see, I have no mother
And you do
A continental shelf
A larger piece of land from where you came
And I?
I'm an orphan
A little seashell that rests upon your native shores
One of many, for sure
But because of that, I surely must love you closely to the most of anyone
For that reason, let me love you
Don't mind my desperation
Let me hold you, not just for vacation
But for real and for forever
Make it real life
Let me be a real wife to you
Girlfriend, lover, mother, friend
I adore you
Don't be put off by my quick-wordedness
I'm generally quite quiet
Quite a meditator, actually
I'll do very well down by Paramhansa Yogananda's realization center, I'm sure
I promise you'll barely even notice me
Unless you want to notice me
Unless you prefer a rambunctious child
In which case, I can turn it on, too
I'm quite good on the stage as you may know
You might have heard of me
So either way, I'll fit in just fine
So just love me by doing nothing
And perhaps, by not shaking the county line
I'm yours if you'll have me
But regardless, you're mine
In Mr. Del's song "Who Am I," the lyrics delve into the complex emotions and experiences of an individual who has left their hometown to venture to San Francisco, seeking a sense of belonging and purpose. The singer reflects on their identity and struggles with feelings of inadequacy and emptiness, particularly in the context of their relationship with Los Angeles (L.A). The mention of taking a free ride on a billionaire's jet and selling life rights for financial gain alludes to a sense of desperation and the search for validation and connection in a city that they feel disconnected from.
The singer grapples with feelings of resentment, loneliness, and a deep yearning for a place to call home. They express a longing to return to their origins, seeking solace and a sense of belonging that is lacking in the glamorized but ultimately unfulfilling world they find themselves in. The mention of their relationships and past decisions, such as their attachment to a person in San Francisco and regret over certain choices, adds layers to their internal conflict and sense of detachment.
The lyrics explore themes of abandonment, unfulfilled yearning, and a quest for identity and purpose. The singer struggles with their sense of self-worth, grappling with expectations and societal perceptions while seeking genuine connection and understanding. The references to familial relationships, such as the absence of a mother figure and the desire to nurture and belong, add a poignant layer of vulnerability and longing for a sense of grounding and stability in a world that feels transient and uncertain.
Ultimately, the song delves into the complexities of human emotions, the search for belonging, and the yearning for acceptance and love. The singer's plea to Los Angeles to be accepted, loved, and understood reflects a universal desire for connection and authenticity, despite feelings of unworthiness and doubt. The lyrics capture a sense of vulnerability, resilience, and the enduring hope for a place to call home, where one can find love, acceptance, and belonging amidst the tumultuous journey of self-discovery and emotional healing.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elizabeth Grant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind