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."
Power of Christ
21:03 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I was doing ok on my own until I lost it all.
I thought that I had real joy in possessions of this world
Until that day I met you and told me about the Power of your love
The power grace the power of your nail scarred hands that changed eternal fate.
The power of you blood the power of your word the power of you life in me to make me free today.
The power of your love the power of grace the power of your nail scarred hands that change eternal fate.
The power of your blood the power of your word the power of you life in me that makes me free today.
Every burden I had you lifted off me.
You gave the ultimate sacrifice You shed your blood you gave me life.
Now all this pain my eyes can see my heart has turned and its chases after thee so I denounce myself and things so I can be like you.
The power of your love the power of grace the power of your nail scarred hands that change eternal fate.
The power of your blood the power of your word the power of you life in me that makes me free today
The lyrics to 21:03's song "Power of Christ" speak to the transformative power of accepting and embracing Jesus Christ as one's savior. The singer describes how they used to rely on friendships and material possessions for happiness, but they came to understand that true joy can only be found in the love and grace of Jesus. The repeating chorus emphasizes the power and significance of various elements of Jesus' life and sacrifice, including his love, grace, blood, and word. The verses delve further into the singer's personal journey of accepting Christ and turning away from their former ways.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I had the best in life. I had friends and I had things
I believed that I had everything that mattered in life, including possessions and friends.
I thought I was doing ok on my own until I lost it all.
I thought I could manage life on my own until I lost everything.
I thought that I had real joy in possessions of this world
I believed that my possessions gave me genuine happiness and satisfaction.
Until that day I met you and told me about the Power of your love
However, the day I met you, you told me about the transforming power of your love.
The power grace the power of your nail scarred hands that changed eternal fate.
Your grace and the power of your hands marked by the nails that were used to crucify you had the power to change my eternal destiny.
The power of you blood the power of your word the power of you life in me to make me free today.
The power of your blood, words, and life can set me free even today.
You came to earth so that I can be free.
You willingly came to earth so that I could experience freedom.
Every burden I had you lifted off me.
You took away every burden that I carried on my shoulders and set me free.
You gave the ultimate sacrifice You shed your blood you gave me life.
You made the ultimate sacrifice by shedding your blood to give me life.
Now all this pain my eyes can see my heart has turned and its chases after thee so I denounce myself and things so I can be like you.
As I see the pain around me, my heart turns towards you and I reject my old self and selfish desires to become more like you.
The power of your love the power of grace the power of your nail scarred hands that change eternal fate.
Your love, grace, and powerful hands have the ability to transform one's eternal fate.
The power of your blood the power of your word the power of you life in me that makes me free today.
Your blood, words, and life have the power to set me free from all my chains even today.
Contributed by Elliot L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jgrant Robertson
Just hearing this song 4 the 1st time 2day..(9/23/'20). IT'S *FAB-U-LOUS*.!!!!From the comments, sounds like it's been out 4 awhile.,🤔
So glad I listen to Liz
Black (WLIB) & heard it. (TGBATG.. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY.)!!!!!!
NOTE:... Don't do like I DID, and JUDGED "THE BOOK BY IT'S COVER".!!!!!!!
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
My GOD.... PLEASE 4GIVE ME..!!😔😔😔😔😔😔😔
THESE *BABIES*😇 LUV'💚 GOD & R "SINGIN' THEIR HEARTS OUT TO HIM".
(TGBATG)🙏🏾🙏🏾
GOD CONTINUE 2 BLESS THEIR LIVES WITH YOUR ANNOINTING🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾☺️😅👍🏾.!!!!!!!
(Ma' Jess) 👵🏾
Sheila
I've been looking for this song for a while since I heard it some years ago. God knew now was the best time because God's timing is perfect 🙌
Vita Tu'amoheloa
Same here. Thank God for Shazam app that I can be able to get the artist and the name of the song.
Adam Querino
I'm inspired in this praise to God. Whenever I am listening I feel God's freedom inside me
Jgrant Robertson
Just hearing this song 4 the 1st time 2day..(9/23/'20). IT'S *FAB-U-LOUS*.!!!!From the comments, sounds like it's been out 4 awhile.,🤔
So glad I listen to Liz
Black (WLIB) & heard it. (TGBATG.. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY.)!!!!!!
NOTE:... Don't do like I DID, and JUDGED "THE BOOK BY IT'S COVER".!!!!!!!
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
My GOD.... PLEASE 4GIVE ME..!!😔😔😔😔😔😔😔
THESE *BABIES*😇 LUV'💚 GOD & R "SINGIN' THEIR HEARTS OUT TO HIM".
(TGBATG)🙏🏾🙏🏾
GOD CONTINUE 2 BLESS THEIR LIVES WITH YOUR ANNOINTING🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾☺️😅👍🏾.!!!!!!!
(Ma' Jess) 👵🏾
Brandon Ramnath
I feel you bro you feel so clam and peaceful with God spirit inside you
aashyscott1
this song is helpin me get thru a hard time...if you read my comment...pray for me...my name is Ashlynd S.
Pharaoh Tone
I pray that everything you seek jesus for has come to pass i pray you have been healed!
Cherie Lady Rie Yvette
I heard this the other day while walking the track and fell in love with the words of this song!!!
Too Sweet MAC
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 THE POWER OF CHRIST🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Carl Walcott
very powerful words spoken....i hope they can touch lives through their ministry as god continue to use n bless them.......