His mother, Rochelle Hairston, coping with the ills of single parenting and trying to escape the influence that street life ends up having on young minds, led her family to live everywhere from friend's homes, shelters and finally the Passyunk Homes housing projects. It was there that Eshon, the oldest of four children, took on the leadership role in his family. Instead of playing the latest video games and getting involved in other childhood activities, he made his mother, brother's Seiffuddin and Ameer and his sister Aleema his main activity and responsibility. After his family, running errands and chasing girls, his spare time included writing rap songs with his best friend and rap partner Maik Sharp.
When Eshon was 15 years old he was shot three times right outside the Passyunk Homes housing projects while waking home. He says he had his first intimate encounter with Jesus Christ while laying on the ground, going in and out of consciousness from the gunshot wounds. Despite the fact that at this point he had no idea how this would later effect his music career (and he was still living a life that didn't reflect his encounter), thereafter he became even more aware of God's presence.
Eshon spent the next 5 years making a name for himself in Philadelphia's underground hip-hop scene. He performed at talent shows, open mic's, house parties and local events. In 1999 he signed a record deal with a city-known drug dealer and childhood friend, and again with another big time drug dealer the following year. Because of Eshon's Godly convictions neither venture ever progressed into anything.
In 2001 Eshon was introduced to the Lord more deeply when he met a pastor who gave him God's Word in a way that he hadn't known. He joined that pastor's church and began serving immediately. At this time he saw fit to start the group Society Park with fellow believers Larry "Who I Am" Dixon and Cobbina "Chances R" Frempong. While working on their album the group was invited to perform with Jazmine Sullivan in London, England alongside some of the United Kingdom's brightest stars like Andrew Roachford. "Freedom's Journal," Society Parks first and only album, was released in 2002.
From 2002 to 2006 Eshon continued to broaden his musical experience by performing at numerous events in places like Canada, Detroit, Miami, California, New York, Chicago, and New Jersey; and even shared the stage with well known artists including Mos Def, Common, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Talib Kweli, Roy Ayers and Pharoah Monch. He also toured with the guerrilla theater team Salt World, where he spent months using rap to spread the love of God on the street corners of Philadelphia's most drug infested neighborhoods. In that same year Eshon was introduced to Jazzy Jeff (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air) by long-time acquaintance Black Ice (Def Poetry Jam), who featured the two on the song "Run That Back" which appeared on Jeff's "The Return of the Magnificent" (BBE Records).
After years of dabbling in both secular and holy hip hop, Eshon finally decided to focus his message solely on the saving grace of God through Christ, but still for the streets. He's poured out his message in mixtapes like "The Fire Escape," "Cleaning Out My Closet," "Blood Bought" and "The Fire Escape Reissued" between 2007 and 2010. Along the way he discovered his graphic design and film making abilities and founded GoodLook Multimedia, providing design and video services to other artists and clients.
Eshon currently resides in Florida with his wife Tandeace and two daughters Harlem Promise and Evyr Anadai, working on his first album to be released in 2011.
Nothing Above You
Eshon Burgundy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′m living in the struggle
And I really want to hustle
But can't put nothing above you
Because you′re up there, you're up there
You're up there, you′re up there
You′re up there, you're up there
I want to be on my own sometimes
I want to be in the wrong sometimes
I want to stay in my zone sometimes
But you will not leave me alone sometimes
Feel like I′m writing letters to myself
Each time be like a letter to myself
Reminded that I was blinded by no remorse
I threw shots
And He responded with a cross
Young sheep temporarily lost
Shepard keep me covered He would never cut me off
True talk that can never be false
New patterns like I'm covered in Lebanese cloth
And it′s been conviction over addition
On top of that more faith over suspicion
More grace being poured over my snapback
I cannot deny God's love it′s real that's that
I'm from a place where they ask you where the cash at?
Answer that wrong you might become a hashtag
Naturally I possess the same tendencies
So Lord keep me away from the wrong energy, please
The lyrics of Eshon Burgundy's song Nothing Above You highlights his internal struggles between his desires to pursue personal goals and his love and loyalty to God. He expresses his desire to hustle and succeed, but acknowledges that he can't put anything above God. He repeats the phrase "You're up there" several times to emphasize his belief in God's superiority in his life. Despite his internal conflicts, he feels comfort in God's constant presence and guidance.
Eshon also admits that he feels the urge to independent and make mistakes. He writes "I want to be in the wrong sometimes, I want to stay in my zone sometimes" but ultimately accepts God's unwavering presence in his life. He recognizes the redemption and forgiveness he received from God after throwing "shots," or making mistakes, saying "He responded with a cross." Eshon acknowledges the internal struggle between following his desires and maintaining his faith, but ultimately finds peace through his trust in God's guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
I just want to say I love you
I want to express my love and devotion to you.
I'm living in the struggle
I am facing difficulties and obstacles in my life.
And I really want to hustle
And I desire to work hard and make something of myself.
But can't put nothing above you
But I cannot prioritize anything above my love and obedience to you.
Because you're up there, you're up there
Because you are God, the most high and holy.
And I be feeling like
And I sometimes feel as though
I want to be on my own sometimes
I want to be independent and make decisions for myself at times.
I want to be in the wrong sometimes
I want to make mistakes and learn from them on my own.
I want to stay in my zone sometimes
I want to remain in my comfort zone and not challenge myself.
But you will not leave me alone sometimes
But you will not abandon or forsake me, even when I try to distance myself.
Feel like I'm writing letters to myself
I feel as though I am only talking to myself and not really communicating with you.
Each time be like a letter to myself
Each prayer or thought feels like I am only expressing my own feelings and not truly seeking you.
Reminded that I was blinded by no remorse
I am reminded that even when I was wrong and showed no remorse, you still showed me grace and forgiveness.
I threw shots
I directed my anger and frustration towards you.
And He responded with a cross
And you responded by sending your son to die for me.
Young sheep temporarily lost
I am like a lost sheep, wandering and unsure of my direction.
Shepard keep me covered He would never cut me off
Please keep me protected and guide me, never abandoning or leaving me.
True talk that can never be false
I speak the truth and will never deny what you have done for me.
New patterns like I'm covered in Lebanese cloth
I am being transformed and changed, like being adorned in a new garment.
And it's been conviction over addition
I have been shown the error of my ways and the need to change, rather than just adding good deeds to my life.
On top of that more faith over suspicion
I choose to have faith in you, rather than doubt and suspicion.
More grace being poured over my snapback
You are constantly pouring out your grace and mercy over me.
I cannot deny God's love it's real that's that
I cannot deny that your love for me is real and true.
I'm from a place where they ask you where the cash at?
I come from a place where material possessions and money are highly valued.
Answer that wrong you might become a hashtag
If I prioritize money over what is right, I could become a negative example or even a victim of violence/misfortune.
Naturally I possess the same tendencies
I am naturally inclined to be materialistic and selfish.
So Lord keep me away from the wrong energy, please
Please guide me away from negative influences and towards your will for my life.
Writer(s): Anton Eshon Hairston, Christopher Brown
Contributed by Harper P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@blingbody
So happy God won't leave me alone.
@elijahwilliaks3068
Amen, Ikr
Hallelujah
@deidrescott1303
😊🙏🏾😊Amen!!
@blaketundra3216
He never will.
Stay blessed
@Faevaaplayboi
Amen🙏🏾❤
@isaiahbrake2472
Amen that's beautiful
@Rio-uv1gs
I don't hear any other rappers period with the flow and the lyrical content that actually talks as Christian as Eshon Burgundy..keep going and always keep God front and centre in your message as you've been doing ...Certified Gold vibe.
@LincolnFalana
Rio Shia Linne
@KenpoKid77
Rio shai linne, Propaganda, Braille, and KB are some names that come to mind.
@Shadav1000
Gemstones, Bizzle and the whole God over money team, sevin, datin, selah the corner, swoop and the we live as Kings crew, reconcile, benjah I could keep going but you can start with them...lol