Chanté Torrane Moore (born February 17, 1967) is an American singer, songwr… Read Full Bio ↴Chanté Torrane Moore (born February 17, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and author. Born to a gospel minister, Moore grew up singing in the church and was heavily influenced by the music of George Duke and Lee Ritenour. While in high school, she decided to make a career of singing. She was a successful beauty pageant contestant and model when she was discovered by the late Louil Silas at 22, a record executive who had started his own label, Silas Records, then distributed by MCA. Moore has recorded several hit records, including "Love's Taken Over", "Alright", "I'm What You Need", "Old School Lovin'", and "Free" (a cover of a Deniece Williams' original song that showcases her effortless flip into whistle register by jumping an octave higher than the song's original top note). Moore was also featured on the soundtrack of the 1995 film Waiting To Exhale with the song "Wey U", which also shows off her ability to reach the whistle register. Once married to Kadeem Hardison, she then married to Kenny Lattimore, with whom she is now divorced. The two are currently a duet act on Jive Records, where they remade Minnie Riperton and Peabo Bryson's 70's soul hit "Here We Go" on their album, Things That Lovers Do. It is interesting to note that Moore is still signed as a catalog artist with MCA.

In 2000, Moore earned a Soul Train Music Awards nomination, alongside Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, for "Single of the Year, Female" for her Billboard No. 2 R&B / No. 10 Pop hit "Chante's Got a Man". However, she lost the award to Lauryn Hill. The single was also certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of over 500,000 copies in America. In 2002, she won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo for "Contagious" featuring The Isley Brothers. She also appeared on the hit UPN show Girlfriends, singing Minnie Riperton's Lovin' You. In 2002, Moore sang on Kenny G's single "One More Time," which registered on the Smooth Jazz and Adult Contemporary singles charts.

In 2006 Asian singer Hyori remade Moore's single "Straight Up", it became a top ten hit in Korea. Additionally, in 2006 it was confirmed by Peak Records executive and founder that Chante Moore has signed a record deal with the independent label. Moore released her fifth solo album Love the Woman on June 17, 2008. The album's lead single "Ain't Supposed to Be This Way" impacted radio on May 12, 2008.

In 2009, Moore set some dates for a Love the Woman tour, with performances in Los Angeles, and Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, she starred with James Pickens, Jr. (of Grey's Anatomy), Vickie Winans, Loretta Devine, Reginald VelJohnson, Rocky Carroll and Kenny Lattimore in a live stage production of Otis Sallid's Gospel! Gospel! Gospel at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in May 2009.

In July 2011, it was announced that she would be the TV host for an upcoming women's fitness reality series sponsored by SportyGirl Fitness. The following year, Moore performed at the 2012 BET Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in a tribute to the late singer Donna Summer.

On January 1, 2013, Moore inked a new record deal with Shanachie Entertainment. She released her sixth studio solo album "Moore is More" on July 30, 2013 which was preceded by the single "Talking In My Sleep."

In early 2013, it was announced that Moore had joined the cast of the Reality TV show "R&B Divas L.A." with Kelly Price, Dawn Robinson (of En Vogue), Michel'le, Lil' Mo & Claudette Ortiz. They filmed the series throughout the year, and it premiered/aired during the summer.

Currently, Moore is set to join Tom Joyner's "Fantastic Voyage 2014" Cruise, and is contracted to star on Broadway in the 2014 musical "Gospel Soul Rock 'n' Roll".

Pray
Chanté Moore Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh smooth chocolate
Skin like licorice
Baby boy I'm loving the taste
Came from the bottom
He's real OG
Well known in the streets on LA
He does something to me I can't explain
He' s piece that only I can taste

And I know I'm not supposed to love a gangsta
I can't help it baby I do
He'll probably never be a preacher
Well I'm a tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna say a prayer for you
Prayer for you prayer for you
I'm gonna say a prayer for you
Lord knows I've been needing your love

I'm a say a
He keep a heater by the bed
And he know how to get a chance
I know I'm the apple of his eye
He always showed be respect
Turn around and put his foot on me know
I'm a be his Bonnie and he's my Clyde

And I know I'm not supposed to love a gangsta
I can't help it baby I do
He'll probably never be a preacher
Well I'm a tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna say a prayer for you
Prayer for you prayer for you
I'm gonna say a prayer for you
Lord knows I've been needing your love

I'm a say only god can judge
Only god can judge
I'm a say a prayer for you
Only god can judge
Only god can judge
I'm a say a prayer for me too

And I know I'm not supposed to love a gangsta
I can't help it baby I do
He'll probably never be a preacher
Well I'm a tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna say a prayer for you
Prayer for you prayer for you
I'm gonna say a prayer for you
Lord knows I've been needing your love

I'm a say a prayer prayer
I'm a say a
I'm I'm I'm a say a prayer prayer
I'm a say a prayer

I'm I'm I'm a say a prayer prayer
I'm a say

Overall Meaning

In "Pray," Chanté Moore discusses her love for a gangsta. She acknowledges that it's not socially acceptable to love someone involved in criminal activity, but she can't help how she feels. She describes him as having smooth chocolate skin and being well-known in the streets of LA. He does something to her that she can't explain, and he's a piece of something that only she can taste. Even though he'll never be a preacher, she's going to pray for him and her own need for his love.

Throughout the song, Moore depicts her lover with both positive and negative characteristics. He's a real OG who keeps a heater by the bed and knows how to get things done, but he also shows her respect and calls her the apple of his eye. She describes herself as his Bonnie, and he's her Clyde. Moore acknowledges the danger that comes with being involved with someone like him, but she can't resist her strong feelings for him. The chorus emphasizes her commitment to praying for him and her own needs.

One interesting aspect of this song is the way Moore addresses societal expectations and social taboos. She doesn't whitewash her lover's involvement in criminal activity, but she still desires and loves him. Additionally, the chorus includes the line "Only god can judge," which can be interpreted as a defense of her choice to be with someone who is often culturally seen as "bad" or "wrong." The combination of vulnerability and resilience in the lyrics makes the song a compelling story of love and devotion.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh smooth chocolate
Describing the appearance of her lover as smooth and dark like chocolate.

Skin like licorice
Further emphasizing the unique and captivating qualities of her lover's appearance.

Baby boy I'm loving the taste
Expressing her deep attraction and desire for her lover, as if savoring a delicious taste.

Came from the bottom
Describing her lover as having risen up from a difficult and challenging background.

He's real OG
Referring to her lover as an original gangster, someone who has been involved in street life for a long time.

Well known in the streets on LA
Highlighting her lover's reputation within the local community as someone who is respected and perhaps even feared.

He does something to me I can't explain
Acknowledging the intense and overwhelming feelings she has for her lover, even if she can't fully articulate them.

He's a piece that only I can taste
Viewing her lover as something special and unique to her, like a delectable treat that no one else can experience.

And I know I'm not supposed to love a gangsta
Admitting the societal expectations and pressures that come with being romantically involved with someone from a criminal background.

I can't help it baby I do
Reaffirming her deep feelings for her lover, regardless of what others may think or say.

He'll probably never be a preacher
Recognizing that her lover may not have a conventional, law-abiding future ahead of him.

Well I'm a tell you what I'm gonna do
Asserting her decision to take action and do something about her love for her gangsta lover.

I'm gonna say a prayer for you
Expressing her religious faith and devotion by vowing to pray for her lover's safety and well-being.

Prayer for you prayer for you
Repeating her promise to pray for her lover multiple times for emphasis.

Lord knows I've been needing your love
Acknowledging her own emotional needs and longing for affection, implying that her love for her gangsta lover fulfills those needs.

He keep a heater by the bed
Describing her lover's habit of keeping a firearm close by for protection purposes.

And he know how to get a chance
Acknowledging her lover's potential willingness to engage in violence or criminal activity if needed.

I know I'm the apple of his eye
Viewing herself as the most important person to her lover, the person he cares for the most.

He always showed be respect
Emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and honor in their relationship despite their different backgrounds.

Turn around and put his foot on me know
Suggesting a potential scenario where her lover may exert dominance or control in their relationship.

I'm a be his Bonnie and he's my Clyde
Referring to the infamous outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde and comparing their relationship to that of her and her lover, two people who will go to great lengths to be together.

Only god can judge
Reiterating her belief that only a higher power has the right to judge her and her lover's relationship.

I'm a say a prayer for me too
Not only praying for her lover's safety and well-being, but also for her own peace and strength as she navigates their relationship.

I'm a say a prayer prayer
Repeating her vow to pray for both herself and her lover multiple times for emphasis.

I'm I'm I'm a say a prayer prayer
Continuing to emphasize the importance and urgency of her prayer.

I'm a say a prayer
Concluding her song with a final affirmation of her commitment to prayer for her and her lover's sake.

Writer(s): Chante Moore, Kaitlyn Williams, Philip Lynah Jr., Rafael D Ishman, Ronnie Jackson

Contributed by Gavin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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