Almost Home
GemStones Lyrics

hold on, I say
Keep persevering and don't give up.

Night turns dawn, have faith
Even in the darkness, there is hope for a new day. Trust in a higher power.

We're almost home, half way
We've come a long way, but still have a ways to go.

You be strong I pray
I hope that you can find the strength to keep going in difficult times.

What they give you?
What have you received in exchange for your success and fame?

Twenty million?
Have you been given an incredibly large amount of money?

Twelve thousand?
Or only a small amount compared to the vast wealth of some in the industry?

A few Lamborghinis, couple houses
Maybe you have acquired material possessions like fancy cars and multiple homes.

Lifetime's supply of wire cell trousers
Or perhaps you have been given a ridiculous amount of a completely useless item.

Got you passing turkeys out to show you care about us
Even if you have given to charity, it may be for selfish reasons rather than genuine concern for others.

But what about the life that you promote to make us doubt us?
The message and lifestyle you promote may actually harm the community in subtle ways.

Or robbing us of all our hope to sell a couple albums
Your art and message may be contributing to the lack of hope and despair in people.

I'm sure that this would be insulting to the brother Malcolm
Malcolm X, who fought for the rights and dignity of his people, would be insulted by your actions.

And the marching that Martin thought would bring another outcome
Martin Luther King Jr. had hope and believed in peaceful resistance to achieve a better future.

You're either flying in the friendly skies with the falcons
You may be up in the clouds, living a life of extravagance.

Or dyin' at the giant's feet, right beside the mouse's
Or you may be constantly struggling to make a living, overshadowed by those with more power and resources than you.

Features more than country stores and how to buy your outfit
Your music should be about more important subjects than just fashion or consumerism.

Why keep us numb, dumb and living on our momma's couches?
Why perpetuate a culture of ignorance and laziness that keeps people from reaching their full potential?

What have we become, I can't believe that we've allowed this
We as a society have let ourselves fall into complacency and apathy.

Shunned because I ain't shooting guns and bagging ounces
Some people may reject you or consider you less of a man because you don't engage in illegal or violent activities.

I'd rather lose my tongue and have nothing to pronounce wit
You would rather lose your ability to speak than conform to the pressures of society.

You feel the same way, you're just afraid to announce it
Others may feel the same way but are hesitant to speak out because of fear.

They say the game is to be sold
The industry sees music as a business to make money.

I could share some stories with you Lupe ever told
I have personal experiences that could shed light on the inner workings of the industry.

From the po-lice locking Chillyup to hanging out with Hov
From police corruption and mistreatment of artists to hanging out with Jay-Z.

To the monies that I've never seen off albums that were sold
Even if an artist's music sells well, they may not receive a fair share of the profits.

In the industry where everybody's fighting for control
The industry is a cut-throat world where everyone wants power.

Over pennies when they clearly should be fighting for their souls
Artists should prioritize spiritual health and well-being over material gain.

It stripped me of my inner peace, my energy was cold
Being a part of the industry may have robbed me of my inner peace and made me more cynical.

Imagery's the centrepiece, was empty in the soul
The superficial image portrayed in music was the focus, rather than genuine depth and emotion.

Friends become your frenemies and spite you coz your goals
Those we thought were friends may become enemies when they feel threatened by our success.

Hurts you, coz the ones you thought would never turn to foes
Seeing people you once trusted betray you is painful.

But never did I fall
Despite the hardships, I never lost faith or gave up.

My God could open doors for me no man could ever close
When you have faith, there are still opportunities that can arise that no one can take away from you.

Grace always protecting me from wolves that come in droves
God's grace is a source of protection from those who wish to bring you harm.

Crazy how these blasphemies coz surely I've been chose
Despite the negativity in the industry, I still believe that God has chosen me for a purpose.

My great amounts of treachery has yet to be disclosed
There are still secrets about the industry and its practices that have yet to be revealed.

And my destiny's so checked for me, respected round the globe
Despite the challenges, I have faith that my destiny is secure and that I will be respected around the world.

Had no idea that Christian rap and Gospel music weren't the same
There is a distinction between the two genres and their messages.

I'm thinking, "What's the difference?
I was confused about why the two genres were separated.

They both call on Jesus' name"
Both genres share a common focus on Jesus Christ.

Tryna come to grips with it because it's boggling my brain
I am trying to understand the reasoning behind this separation.

Who cares how you deliver it?
The important thing is the message you are conveying, not the style in which you are doing so.

You choose to rap, he choose to sing
Artists may choose different styles, but it doesn't make either one less valid or important.

My only issue is you people kinda box me in a lane
Sometimes, people want to pigeonhole me as only a Christian rapper or only a gospel artist.

Put limits on a gift that God has totally ordained
These limitations can feel like a hindrance to the calling that God has placed on my life.

I'm bumping Tasha Cobbs until I'm broken from these chains
I find solace and encouragement in listening to other gospel artists who inspire me.

You sure you're doing this for God?
It's important to constantly reflect on whether my music and message are truly inspired by my faith.

Or is it really for the fame?
The temptation to pursue fame and success rather than a genuine message is always present.

Is it just a cover up to get your foot inside the game?
I must ensure that my motives are pure and not just to gain entry into the industry.

And when you make it to the top then you'll forget from what you came?
There is a danger of forgetting one's roots and original message when they achieve great success.

Are you denying the title of the genre because you're ashamed?
Perhaps people within the Christian rap or gospel genres face stigma or criticism that makes them feel ashamed.

Deny Me on the earth and I'll deny you where I reign
It's crucial to stay true to one's faith and message, because ultimately, God is the one who will judge us.