Then there's 21:03. Unlike the scores of teenage heartthrobs before them, the group is cut from an entirely different mold. Total Attention, their head-turning second album, proves that their rise to the top rungs of faith-based R&B wasn't manufactured, but a direct result of their rock-solid foundation and exponential growth as artists, performers, and ministers.
When 21:03 first hit the urban gospel scene with its watershed debut, PAJAM Presents Twenty One O' Three, they were slowly finding their voice and place in an already cluttered marketplace. With Total Attention, the trio cements its identity, assuring the world they're not a flash in the pan. They're here to stay.
Things were rough at first. Handpicked by production supergroup PAJAM from hundreds of candidates during a casting call in their native Detroit , then-hopefuls Evin Martin, Torrence Greene, and Jor'el Quinn were three strangers chosen on the basis of their faith, as well as their singing and dancing abilities.
Sensing the young men had great potential, and acutely aware of the short shelf life of assembled, teen-based urban acts, the PAJAM team-Paul "pda" Allen, Walter Kearney, and J Moss-went to great lengths to groom 21:03 into something more substantive: a trio that could really leave a long-lasting imprint for the Kingdom.
To that end, the recruits were subjected to a six-month entertainment boot camp-a grueling period of artist development that harkened back to the glory years of Motown. After an intense season of vocal, physical, and spiritual formation, PAJAM finally cast the definitive vision for its protégés on January 21, 2003-the fateful day that inspired 21:03's moniker.
As Evin, Torrence, and Jor'el matured in their faith and as performers, it wasn't long until they realized that three passages taken from the beginning, middle, and end of the Bible-Genesis, Psalms, and Revelation 21:3, respectively-provided a deeper look into their mission. The near-prophetic verses reinforced in them that their purpose wasn't to just sing, dance, or entertain, but to actually minister and impart truth to anyone with ears to hear.
"We've grown spiritually," Evin says of the period between their first album and Total Attention. "We have a better sense of our ministry and our call. We know that there's a dying world that needs Jesus and they need to see him in music, in the media, in the church, and in us. We want to be those examples."
To get to that point, 21:03 faced its share of uphill battles, but none was bigger than the one Evin had to weather. Unexpectedly, the 21-year-old looked death straight in the eye when he confronted the back-to-back loss of both of his parents-his mother succumbed to multiple sclerosis right as the trio's debut released, and his father lost his bout with cancer in the months leading up to Total Attention.
"The loss of one parent can be crippling. But the loss of two is devastating," Evin says. The singer was not left alone: His unwavering faith in Christ and the unending spiritual and emotional support of his 21:03 and PAJAM brothers carried Evin through the storm, weeping with him and making sure he had a shoulder to lean on.
"That's something you have to be led by God to do," Jor'el, 19, says. "We had to support him because we're accountable for each other. We're brothers. We're family. It was almost second nature."
"People say your misery is your ministry," Jor'el continues. "That's something that's been proven in this group. When Evin opens up his mouth now, you feel a little bit he has been through something. You know it's nothing but the Lord-that God is with him."
Evin concurs: "I can say with all assurance and confidence that I know that I'm called. I know that I'm chosen. I'm now officially known as a living, breathing, walking testimony of the power of Christ. I can definitely say I have more fervency. I have more wherewithal to do what I'm doing."
"It's time to get our lives together," Jor'el says after quoting the Gospel appeal found in Mark 1:15. "It's time to stop playing. Let's get out of the mentality, ‘I'll get right tomorrow.' Tomorrow is never promised. We want to encourage the young and the young at heart that God is coming back. God is not playing with us. He wants our full heart."
"It's not boring to be a Christian," Torrence adds. "To be a Christian isn't wack. It's an exciting experience when you walk with Christ. We can get so easily distracted by things around us, but God wants your total attention. This is a time to stay focused."
Cold World
21:03 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No, And I don't wanna be chasing left n right lookin blind without a guide.
I want everything that He has for me, want the promise land and my destiny, let nothing hold me back knock me off my track, not going back to Egypt tonight.
Bridge
Trouble in paradise He'll make it alright God is on my side He hold me down.
Trouble in paradise He'll make it alright God is on my side.
It's a cold, cold world.
It's a cold, cold world out there.
Come inside from the rain, He'll ease the pain make it ok.
Can't you see arms open wide it's a cold cold world out there.
I know the safest place, the safest place is in the will of God.
Not gonna run away, stop doing foolish things to abort my calling.
I want everything that He has for me, I want the promise land and my destiny, let nothing hold me back knock me off my track, not going back to Egypt tonight.
Come inside from the rain, He'll ease the pain make it ok.
It's a cold cold world it's a cold cold world out there.
Come inside from the rain, He'll ease the pain make it ok.
Can't you see arms open wide it's a cold cold world out there.
Rap
I'm tryna stay in His will yall.
When I was comin up knew it was a cold world so I had to bundle up.
Remember when I was in the cold stomach used to bubble up.
Was goin down the wrong road eyes was even covered up.
Till I had to switch my direction they was opened up.
Seen the rain ran inside before I was even soaked up.
Yup it's a cold world people don't just open your eyes you gotta see through your pupils.
Come inside from the rain, He'll ease the pain make it ok.
It's a cold cold world it's a cold cold world out there.
Come inside from the rain, He'll ease the pain make it ok.
Can't you see arms open wide it's a cold cold world out there.
The song "Cold World" by 21:03 begins with a desire not to waste time wandering in the wilderness but instead to pursue everything that God has intended for the singer's life. The lyrics express a yearning to reach the Promised Land and fulfill their destiny without being held back by anything that would derail their progress. The bridge acknowledges that there will be challenges along the way, but the singer finds comfort in the idea that God is always with them and will provide relief from their struggles.
The chorus repeats the idea of asking those who are lost and weary to come inside, out of the rain, and find comfort in the arms of God. The second verse continues the theme of exploring the depths of God's will and avoiding distractions and foolishness that would prevent them from attaining their goals. In the subsequent rap section, the singer reflects on their past, the hardships they faced, and the importance of making positive changes in their life. The song ends by reiterating the idea that no matter how cold and difficult the world may be, there is always a loving God waiting to offer warmth and shelter.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna be searching 40 years in the wilderness tryna get it right.
I don't want to spend my life wandering and making mistakes. I want to find my purpose and fulfill it.
No, And I don't wanna be chasing left n right lookin blind without a guide.
I don't want to be lost and aimless, without any direction or guidance.
I want everything that He has for me, want the promise land and my destiny, let nothing hold me back knock me off my track, not going back to Egypt tonight.
I desire to fulfill all of God's plans and reach the destiny He has in store for me. I won't let anything hold me back or keep me from moving forward.
Come inside from the rain, He'll ease the pain make it ok. It's a cold, cold world.
God will provide comfort and ease the pain that comes with living in a harsh, unforgiving world.
Can't you see arms open wide it's a cold cold world out there.
We need to be aware of how harsh the world can be, but also remember that God is there with open arms to comfort and protect us.
I know the safest place, the safest place is in the will of God.
The safest place to be is in God's will for our lives.
Not gonna run away, stop doing foolish things to abort my calling.
I won't run away from my purpose or do things that will prevent me from fulfilling my calling.
Trouble in paradise He'll make it alright God is on my side He hold me down.
Even when things go wrong, God will make them right and be with me every step of the way.
Rap - I'm tryna stay in His will yall. When I was comin up knew it was a cold world so I had to bundle up. Remember when I was in the cold stomach used to bubble up. Was goin down the wrong road eyes was even covered up. Till I had to switch my direction they was opened up. Seen the rain ran inside before I was even soaked up. Yup it's a cold world people don't just open your eyes you gotta see through your pupils.
The rapper talks about the importance of staying in God's will, and how he learned to deal with the harsh realities of the world by protecting himself and changing his path towards a better future.
Contributed by Adalyn H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.