In this period James developed as a keyboardist and burgeoning songwriter. He also learning first-hand the business of music. He attended Michigan State University for two years, but the desire to write and perform was too strong, and he left to seek a career in music.
Upon his return to Detroit, Moss signed with a small local Christian label Aviday Records and released two albums to little fanfare. Yet, during this time he became acquainted with Paul Allen and Walter Kearney. The three began working together as PAJAM. Moss spent the mid-90s touring with The Clark Sisters and was signed, along with Karen Clark-Sheard, his cousin, to Island Records in 1996 to record a solo album. While a proper release never materialized for Moss before Island Black Music shut its doors, Clark's became a smash and introduced the Gospel world to the production powerhouse of PAJAM.
Over the next seven years, the PAJAM team became Gospel music's most prolific hitmakers. However, Moss' desire to perform never went away, and in 2003 he and Allen began writing songs for what would ultimately become The J. Moss Project, released in September 2004 on GospoCentric Records.
Though PAJAM's work has been seen as a revolutionary blend of gospel and hip-hop style, The J. Moss Project is a surprisingly traditional affair. The set largely relies on familiar arrangements, and keeps its focus on Moss's clear tenor voice and strong backing choir vocals. The album made a grand entry with the upbeat lead single "I Wanna Be".
The disc includes a number of upbeat gospel numbers such as such as "Don't Pray and Worry" and "Psalm 150". J. Moss' lithe falsetto at times draws comparison to the likes of Prince and Tonéx on "Livin' 4". There are also several gentle ballads such as "Give You More" and the album's anthemic single "We Must Praise" that display J. Moss' range as a vocalist and songwriter.
Afraid
J. Moss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not gonna be afraid no more
Fear dont live here no more
Not gonna be afraid no more
Pain just walked out that door
That spirit aint here with me
God didnt put that in me
But the spirit of power and love
Of sound mind
Verse 1
Waking up every day
Thinking what im gonna pay
With the money i made
Thinking what im gonna say
When the wife ask me
Where the money we saved
Use the loot for the gas bill
To pay the rent
More loot from the light bill i spent
Dont wanna get the phone
Cause it just keeps ringin
Alot of things through the mail
Got me thinkin i can make it
If i use more debt
Get a refi on the crib
But the loan man keep sayin not yet
I rob pete make a deal with paul
Prayin that pink slip dont fall
Brother aint got time
Too much on the grind
Im gone let it go
Trust God let Him know
Chorus
Seems like every day
Somethin worse poppin up
On the news report
Should i keep the kids home from school
Should i stay away from the airport
Using fear as a weapon revoke hate
Everybody think the world aint a safe place
Dont wanna use the phone cause it might be
Shhh somebodies listening
Alot of views got me all confused
And i really dont know what to think
(we got)
Executives, liberals, activist, sprital, hipocrits
On the brink
One nations deadly call
Results in another nations fall
People aint got time
Too much on the grind
We gone let it go
Trust God let Him know
Chorus
Gas up through the roof
And i just bought a hummer and convertibl coupe
Tryna keep a little juice in the boose
In my trunk
But the loots in use
PAJAMs working over time
Keeping hope alive
Keeping Moss in the ministry and public eye
But hypothetically what happens if the phone stops ringin
Its my belief (not gonna be afraid no more)
Of poverty (not gonna be afraid no more)
Not losing sleep (not gonna be afraid no more)
Of running out of money (not gonna be afraid no more)
Racist (not gonna be afraid no more)
Terrorists (not gonna be afraid no more)
Brother aint got time
Too much on the grind
Imma let it go
Trust God let Him know
Chorus (x2)
In J. Moss's "Afraid," the chorus emphasizes an important message that fear no longer has power over him. Through his faith, he has cultivated a spirit of power, love, and soundness of mind, which enables him to conquer his doubts and worries. In the first verse, Moss paints a vivid picture of the economic struggles and pressures he faces daily. He is consumed with thoughts of bills, debts, and how to make ends meet. The burdens he carries could easily lead him to succumb to fear, but he chooses to trust God instead. Despite all the challenges, he remains positive and firmly believes that God is in control.
In the second verse, Moss shifts his focus to the world's current state and the fear it instills in people. He highlights the fear-mongering techniques used by those in power to control and manipulate the masses. He talks about the confusion and mixed messages spread by various groups, causing chaos and exacerbating people's anxieties. Despite all the uncertainties and challenges, Moss reiterates the message from the chorus that he chooses not to be afraid and that he trusts in God.
Overall, "Afraid" is a song that encourages listeners to let go of their fears and put their trust in God. It serves as a reminder that fear has no power over us unless we allow it, and that by cultivating a spirit of power, love, and soundness of mind, we can overcome all obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Not gonna be afraid no more
I am no longer going to live in fear
Fear dont live here no more
Fear does not belong in my life anymore
Pain just walked out that door
I have let go of my pain
That spirit aint here with me
Negative spirits do not reside in me
God didnt put that in me
God did not instill me with fear or negativity
But the spirit of power and love
I am filled with the spirit of power and love
And oof sound mind
And with a clear and rational mind
Waking up every day
Starting a new day
Thinking what im gonna pay
Anxious about my financial obligations
With the money i made
With my current income
Thinking what im gonna say
Anxious about my communication with my wife
When the wife ask me
When my wife inquires
Where the money we saved
About our savings
Use the loot for the gas bill
Using my funds to pay for gas
To pay the rent
Leaving me short on rent payments
More loot from the light bill i spent
Using more funds from my income for electricity
Dont wanna get the phone
Avoiding phone calls
Cause it just keeps ringin
As it always brings bad news
Alot of things through the mail
Receiving a lot of mail
Got me thinkin i can make it
Making me believe that accruing more debt is a viable option
If i use more debt
If I take out more loans
Get a refi on the crib
Refinancing my home
But the loan man keep sayin not yet
But unable to refinance at this time
I rob pete make a deal with paul
Taking shady financial actions
Prayin that pink slip dont fall
Praying that I do not lose my job
Brother aint got time
I am too busy
Too much on the grind
To focus on anything else
Im gone let it go
I am releasing my worries
Trust God let Him know
Putting my faith in God
Seems like every day
Every day it feels like
Somethin worse poppin up
Something bad happening
On the news report
On the news
Should i keep the kids home from school
Wondering if it is safe for my children to attend school
Should i stay away from the airport
Considering avoiding air travel
Using fear as a weapon revoke hate
People are using fear to incite hatred
Everybody think the world aint a safe place
Many people believe the world is not a safe place
Dont wanna use the phone cause it might be
Avoiding phone conversations as they may not be private
Shhh somebodies listening
Being cautious of potential eavesdroppers
Alot of views got me all confused
Feeling lost and confused by conflicting opinions
And i really dont know what to think
Unable to form a clear perspective
Executives, liberals, activist, sprital, hipocrits
Various groups with differing perspectives
On the brink
On the verge of something
One nations deadly call
A country's actions leading to violence
Results in another nations fall
Resulting in the downfall of another country
People aint got time
People are too busy
We gone let it go
Letting go of the need to worry
Gas up through the roof
Gas prices are extremely high
And i just bought a hummer and convertibl coupe
And I purchased luxury vehicles
Tryna keep a little juice in the boose
Struggling to afford my indulgences
In my trunk
Stored in my car
But the loots in use
But my money is being spent
PAJAMs working over time
The PAJAM production team working hard
Keeping hope alive
Providing optimism in difficult times
Keeping Moss in the ministry and public eye
Helping J. Moss stay in the public eye and ministry work
But hypothetically what happens if the phone stops ringin
What if my source of income dries up?
Its my belief (not gonna be afraid no more)
I believe (I do not have to be afraid anymore)
Of poverty (not gonna be afraid no more)
Of being poor (I will not be afraid to face it)
Not losing sleep (not gonna be afraid no more)
Not worrying (I will not be afraid to face it)
Of running out of money (not gonna be afraid no more)
Of being broke (I will not be afraid to face it)
Racist (not gonna be afraid no more)
Of racism (I will not be afraid to face it)
Terrorists (not gonna be afraid no more)
Of terrorism (I will not be afraid to face it)
Brother aint got time
I am too busy
Too much on the grind
To focus on anything else
Imma let it go
I am releasing my worries
Trust God let Him know
Putting my faith in God
Chorus (x2)
Repeating the chorus twice
Contributed by Kylie F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.