In this period James developed as a keyboardist and burgeoning songwriter. He was 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.
Musical career
Upon his return to Detroit, Moss signed with a small local Christian label Aviday Records[1] 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.[1] While a proper release never materialized for Moss before Island Black Music shut its doors,[2] 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 "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.
V2... The J Moss Project
Finally, on April 3, 2007, J Moss released his second album V2... The J Moss Project through GospoCentric Records. Appearances made by contemporary Gospel group 21:03, Moss's cousin Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, Kirk Franklin, his cousin Karen Clark-Sheard, Marvin Winans of the famed Winans family, Byron Cage, and American comedian Steve Harvey. Three bonus tracks were originally thought to be regular album tracks. The bonus tracks are "Florida", "73 Degress", and "Everybody Ain't Got a Word". Of the album tracks on this release, an instant standout is the track "Dance", featuring Kirk Franklin, which riffs off of an infectious sample of Morris Day & The Time's early 1980s smash "777-9311".
All Day
J Moss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where would I be without the LORD′s arms wrapped all around me?
Think about it. What would I know?
People coming at me trying to plot from every angle.
Think about it. Who would I trust?
Even the church people got me feeling like I want to cuss.
When I think about the dangers that I
See and the ones that I don't know, day.
All day and all night, angels keep watching over my life 2x
Think about it.
Where would I be without the LORD′s blood covering me, yeah?
Think about it. What would I know?
People all around me used to smile but they hate me now.
Think about it. Who would I trust?
Even some family members see me and look at me with disgust.
When I think about the harmful things that You kept from me all day
Every corner brings a new adventure that I never seen before.
And every person that I meet I never know what their intentions are.
As long as I'm delighted in Him, You're my best chance to win.
I hope in what You say, knowing You watch over me all day.
4x (J Moss vamps over the chorus)
In this song, J Moss reflects on his faith in God and how it has protected him from the dangers and negativity he has experienced in life. He asks the listener to consider where they would be without God's presence in their life and how much they would actually know. Moss then goes on to talk about the challenges he has faced with people plotting against him and feeling distrusted even by members of the church. Despite this, he recognizes that the angels are always watching over him both day and night.
Moss then shifts to talking about the power of God's blood to cover him from harm and negativity. He acknowledges that people who used to be friendly to him have now turned against him, even some of his own family members. He reflects on how God has kept him from harmful things and the many unknown dangers that could have come his way. Moss emphasizes the need to remain faithful to God and trust in His protection, especially as he encounters new and unexpected experiences and people in his life.
Overall, J Moss's "All Day" is a powerful message about the importance of faith and trust in God's protection. The song speaks to the challenges and pitfalls of life and the need to rely on a higher power to guide and guard us. Moss's lyrics convey a deep emotional resonance that is sure to resonate with listeners across generations and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Think about it.
Reflect on this.
Where would I be without the LORD's arms wrapped all around me?
If God wasn't protecting and guiding me, I don't know where I'd be.
Think about it. What would I know?
Consider what knowledge and wisdom I would be lacking without God's presence in my life.
People coming at me trying to plot from every angle.
There are those who wish me harm and work to scheme against me from all directions.
Think about it. Who would I trust?
Without God, it would be hard to know who I could truly rely on.
Even the church people got me feeling like I want to cuss.
I'm so frustrated that even members of the church can sometimes make me want to swear.
When I think about the dangers that I
See and the ones that I don't know, day.
The potential threats I recognize and those I can't even see lurk every single day.
All day and all night, angels keep watching over my life 2x
I know that angels are continuously protecting me, day and night.
Where would I be without the LORD's blood covering me, yeah?
I'm acknowledging the gratitude I have for God's sacrifice and the redemption I have because of it.
People all around me used to smile but they hate me now.
There are those who used to be friendly and supportive, but now dislike me.
Think about it. Who would I trust?
Given these circumstances, I wonder who I could truly confide in and believe.
Even some family members see me and look at me with disgust.
I'm even experiencing negative reactions and judgment from some members of my own family.
When I think about the harmful things that You kept from me all day
God has prevented me from experiencing terrible things that would have been harmful to me had He not intervened.
Every corner brings a new adventure that I never seen before.
Each day and circumstance presents a new challenge and experience I haven't encountered before.
And every person that I meet I never know what their intentions are.
I'm faced with the unknown motivations and intentions of every new person I encounter.
As long as I'm delighted in Him, You're my best chance to win.
For as long as I am joyful in knowing and following God, I know He is my greatest chance at success.
I hope in what You say, knowing You watch over me all day.
I trust God's promises and guidance, knowing full well that His watchful eye is on me every moment of every day.
4x (J Moss vamps over the chorus)
This line doesn't contain any significant lyrics, and is instead a musical term referring to improvising over and repeating a section of a song. In this case, J Moss is improvising and repeating the chorus four times.
Writer(s): Allen Ritter, Ernest Brown, Charles M. Njapa, Tyler James Bryant, Malik Yusef El Shabbaz Jones, Karim Kharbouch, Victor Kwesi Mensah, Kanye Omari West, Noah D. Goldstein, Allan Kyariga, Michael G. Dean, Paul James Mccartney, Rennard L. East, Mario Winans, Cydel Charles Young, Noel Ellis, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Patrick Reynolds, Che Pope, Sean Puffy Combs
Contributed by Christian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ozimede Feyikemi Ayodeji
on Good & Bad
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