Later that year, MTV gave Gemstones the opportunity of a lifetime when he hosted Chicago’s version of the network’s document series “My Block”. The “My Block: Chicago” soundtrack featured four tracks from Gemstones, including his single “Got what you need” accompanied by the music video that received heavy rotation on MTV1 and MTV2. The success from “Got what you need” landed Gemstones the opportunity to host MTV2’s Suckerfree countdown, sending Gemstones’ career into overdrive. He has also been featured on MTV’s Diary, which aired internationally.
While working on various projects, including Lupe Fiasco’s Food and Liquor and The Cool, Gemstones’ music reached international levels. He has also featured on tracks with artist such as G. Dep, Poo Bear, Bryce Wilson, Drake, and Jay-Z as well as touring the world as part of Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool Tour. The tour reached countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and France, making Gemstones a house hold name amongst music fans all over the world. He began putting together his debut album “Troubles of The World” and in the summer of 2007, gemstones and label mate Lupe Fiasco released the projects first single “We On”. The duo attended the BET Awards that same year and began promoting his debut project to a worldwide audience. After traveling the country Gemstones returned back to the studio and in 2008, he released his follow up project, The Testimony of Gemstones.
Following the release of The Testimony of Gemstones, in 2009 Gemstones decided to part ways with his 1st and 15th family. He took a small hiatus from music, to build a relationship with God and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He also focused his attention on building his own brand and expanding his fanbase. In 2010, Gemstones re-emerged and released his highly anticipated street album Road to Glory: My Story. With the release of Road to Glory, Gemstones found his ever growing fanbase reach new levels, utilizing the World Wide Web by releasing various viral videos and taking advantage of the growing social media scene.
By building his company “Gemstones for Life”, he is actively touring and performing in various cities and expanding his resume by writing and producing for new and established artist in the music industry. Fans can look forward to newly inspired music from Gemstones, reaching a global audience from all walks of life through his creative and eclectic reinvention.
Selfish
GemStones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever I just pray I do it right?
I probably won't make it through the night
I tell them that it's better suicide
GemStones 1
Drowning in depression as the tears pour
Asking yourself what am I here for
Questioning the dear lord Convinced there's nothing left to live for
by the Chester with the creepy smile
Pressured you to do some things that's really foul
Your mom accepted it cause she was in denial
Convinced yourself abuse is love, which led to your abuse of drugs
I bet every time you in the tub,
you imagining your body floating in the suds
Contemplating suicide,
tried it once but you survived
Standing in the mirror, devil in your eyes!
Should I do it from the front, or shoot it from the side?
Blaming God for what's been done to you,
feel he gave you life to punish you!
Hurt by everyone you run into!
End up walking on you like some running shoes
Always thought you wasn't mommas best,
that you were treated different from the rest
So in your mind you think you worth less, you aren't worth dirt!
You deserve death!
Imaging your soul tore,
on the bathroom on that cold floor
With your back against that closed door
And you slash your wrist with slow force
Blood running down your wrist. Dripping from your finger tips
Pills causing you to drift,
slipping into the abyss
Precious GemStones overlay
Should I take it with a blade or use a knife? Walls are starting to close in on you
Whatever I just pray I do it right? You can't see your wake anymore
I probably won't make it through the night. Everybods against you
I tell them that it's better suicide myGod
GemStones 2
Your esteem ain't where it need to be
You gotta learn to let these demons free
Let all the suffering within you cease
and the small love within you be increased
I speak a prophecy inside your life: that you be guided by a shining light
That you won't die but be a sign of life
that you are flier than defined heights
That the wings you grow forever soar,
that you redeem whatever that was yours
That you have dreams of heavenly rewards,
that your esteem forever berestored
That you'll oppose to such a tragedy,
that it would never come to past and be
That you would rather walk a path of glee,
and give your troubles to your majesty
I pray you be the head would be the head and not the tail.
I pray your footsteps create a trail
I cast depression to the pits of hell
that which you wrestle with shall not prevail
I bind the voices that have conquered you,
and said the dreams would always run from you
God redeems the just and I'm the proof.
You uncling from us you monster you!
I speak forgiveness in your rainy soul,
that you forgive yourself and gain control
The same dealer dealt the reigns to job:
that joy cometh when the rooster crows
Precious GemStones overlay
Should I take it with a blade or use a knife?
Whatever I just pray I do it right? Right now I come against depression, I come against rejection
I probably won't make it through the night. I come against those demonic spirits that have hindered you
I tell them that it's better suicide I come against rebellion I come against abuse I come against regretI come against anxiety
Should I take it with a blade or use a knife? I come against financial loss. I come against cocaine addiction, I come against heroin abuse
Whatever I just pray I do it right? I come against neglect, I come against molestation, I come against worry
I probably won't make it through the night. I come against self-hatred I come against anything that has hindered you from the divine will That God has set for your life
I tell them that it's better suicide
The song "Selfish" by GemStones is a powerful and introspective track that delves into the difficult and often painful depths of suicidal ideation. The lyrics are incredibly raw and honest, chronicling the struggles of someone who has been deeply traumatized by abuse and neglect. The song opens with the singer questioning whether they should take their own life and hoping that they do it "right." They feel as though suicide might be the best option because they are drowning in depression and can't see a way out. They blame God for their pain and feel as though they don't deserve to live. The song goes on to describe the singer's experiences of abuse and the way that trauma has affected their self-worth and their ability to see their own value. Ultimately, however, the song takes a turn towards hope and redemption. The singer speaks of healing and of finding a way forward through forgiveness and faith. They pray for guidance and for strength to overcome their struggles, and they speak words of encouragement and empowerment to those who may be struggling with depression and suicidal ideation themselves.
Overall, "Selfish" is a deeply emotional and heartfelt song that speaks to the many complexities of mental health and the struggles that come with surviving trauma. It is a reminder that there is always hope, even in the darkest of moments, and that healing and recovery are possible for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Should I take it with a blade or use a knife?
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed, questioning the method of ending their life
Whatever I just pray I do it right?
Desperately hoping to find the right way to end their life to avoid more pain and suffering
I probably won't make it through the night.
Feeling like death is inevitable and that there is no hope for the future
I tell them that it's better suicide
Voicing their current belief that suicide is better than continuing to face their pain and suffering
Should I do it from the front, or shoot it from the side?
Contemplating the details and logistics of ending their life
Blaming God for what's been done to you, feel he gave you life to punish you!
Struggling with old wounds and trauma, questioning the purpose of their existence
Convinced yourself abuse is love, which led to your abuse of drugs
Explaining the cycle of self-harm that they've fallen into and the source of their drug addiction
Imagining your soul tore, on the bathroom on that cold floor
Visualizing the aftermath of their suicide as they reach their breaking point
Your esteem ain't where it need to be. You gotta learn to let these demons free
Encouraging the listener to address their personal demons and troubles to improve their self-esteem
I pray you be the head would be the head and not the tail. I pray your footsteps create a trail
Offering a prayer for the listener to break free from the cycle of destruction and become a leader and trailblazer
Should I take it with a blade or use a knife?
Repeating the idea that they are still struggling with suicidal ideation
Whatever I just pray I do it right?
Repeating the hope that they will find a solution to end their suffering
I probably won't make it through the night.
Repeating their belief that their time is running out and they will not last much longer
I tell them that it's better suicide
Repeating their current belief that suicide is the better option compared to the pain they are currently experiencing
Contributed by Adam B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@candicebstacy1989
YES!! THIS IS WHAT IVE BEEN WANTING FROM A CHRISTIAN ARTIST!! FINALLY SOME SUBSTANCE, SOME DEPTH, SOME INDIVIDUALITY, SOME POWER......AMAZING MAN!!!
@beastoftheeast8121
Listen to NF, he raps about that stuff, FR
@virginianesbitt7777
He keeps it real & that prophesy is strong. I revisit this song to remember where I came from. There was a time this song kept me really early on in my walk. Back in those days my tv was 24/7 TBN all music worship. I was fighting for my life & had made up my mind God was my only hope.
@thegoodfight426
This music reaches another dimension! Satan trembles and flees when Gemstones walks in the room. Praise God for this yoke destroin, God anointed, soul searchin man of God!!!!! Chains are being broken off of everyone who listens to this and souls are being set FREE in the name of Jesus!!!!! Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!
@preciouswhite143
Who still listening in 2022? This song is so Relevant today, Lord please give us more songs like this in 2022 to save souls 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
@alex_jack225
Joy comes when the rooster crows... Awesome piece.
@Benny-pk1zh
Play this on the radio and the world will stop spinning...😨😨😨
@dreamlyphartco.
Raymond Benitez still waiting for it.
@cy0n1dE
You can tell who holds the spirit of Yeshua the Christ in their heart by the fruit of their labor. This man is planting seeds in the world for the broken hearted.
Amen!
@himealvarado4995
MAN GEMSTONES GO HARD!!! AGAINST ALL ODDS....GOD IS POWERFUL!!!!!