Powerful music
Although Japhia knows that he is a gospel artist, he prefers not to be put in a box. In his own words “I just make life changing music. I’m from the hood so I just wanna make powerful music inspired by God that will affect the world.”
Beatmart Recordings
In 2005 Japhia Life signed to Beatmart Recordings after initial interest of Warner Brothers and started on the "Fountain of Life" project, that would be released in march 2006.
Independant
On June 5th, 2007 the rapper announced he was breaking with Beatmart Recordings and is an independant artist again: "There is no bad blood between Label, and Artist. We appreciate what the label has done to enhance the Japhia Life brand, and we do wish them the best!"
Own Label
A press release is issued on August 28th, 2007 stating Japhia Life launched his own label Arms Out Entertainment. The label has an online division entitled "Arms Out Digital", which will use the imprint "Arms Out Ent. Online".
New projects
The MC is working on:
- Westside Pharmacy: 2009
- The Heartsville Mixtape: 2009
Sources:
Press release: He's back!/Beatmart Recordings, June 2005; Japhia Life a Free Agent?/MySpace Blog, June 5th, 2007; MySpace Bulletin: Breaking News!, August 28th, 2007.
We Cry Blood
Japhia Life Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fight to the death my brother, I'm not a thug
I'm a soldier, yea but I write to the thugs on the corner
Yea, cause homie they need love
We cry blood, we got love
Fight till it's done my brother, I'm not a thug
I'm a warrior, yea but I write to the thugs in the coroners
Touching their bodies like get up
Todd, you might wanna come and check my pulse
TC, am I alive or what?
I just came from the battlefield riding cuz
You say you're a christian then why you scared of warfare?
You're general missing and I ain't going nowhere
My platoon has never seen defeat
We're coming soon man, read it and weap
If God is before me than who can be against me?
God is a warrior, lucifer is shifty
My homies be bucking them rugers till they're empty
Back in the hood they know I changed
If they can talk about a knife, I can talk about life
If they can talk about Allah I can talk about Christ
I spit with a passion, so this is The Passion
If you've seen that movie, you know what that's like
They say that I'm Destiny's Child like Beyonce
Jesus walks with me, but I ain't Kanye
Giving you life my brother I never change up
Japhia Life my brother you know the name, what
Was sixteen when my hat tilted
In high school every time that I rapped I killed it
It's much different than back in the days
Like Ahmad from 4th Ave. I rap for the slaves
We finally getting our reparation, I'm still giving you education
I'm still chilling with Pastor Aaron
He said we're living in Revelation
The Devil's head was down soon as he looked up
The black and the white boy done hooked up
A stop on my journey was Nashville, Tennessee
My bad folk, Cashville, Ten-a-ki
It's prejudice, believe me
On both sides, black or white believe me
So, you you see Todd and you peep Jay with him just know
This is our effort to end racism
In Japhia Life’s song “We Cry Blood”, the lyrics reflect his belief that he is not a thug, but a warrior fighting for his beliefs. He speaks directly to the “thugs on the corner” who he believes need love and who he is writing to. He repeats the line “we cry blood” several times throughout the song, emphasizing the deep emotional connection and passion he feels for his message.
Japhia Life believes in channeling this passion into promoting education and enacting change. He references his pastor Aaron and their conversations about living in “Revelation,” which suggests an awareness of the need to carefully consider the state of the world and the beliefs we hold. Japhia Life speaks of multiple efforts to combat racism, including his own personal journey through Nashville and the partnerships he has formed with other musicians.
The lyrics of “We Cry Blood” represent a powerful message of courage and hope in the face of adversity. Japhia Life speaks to those who may feel lost or hopeless, offering a reminder of our shared humanity and the importance of standing up for what we believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
We cry blood, we got love
We are deeply affected and emotional about the issues we face, but we still have love for humanity
Fight to the death my brother, I'm not a thug
I am willing to fight for our cause until the end, but I am not a violent criminal
I'm a soldier, yea but I write to the thugs on the corner
I have the spirit and determination of a soldier, but I also reach out to those who are stuck in violent lifestyles
Yea, cause homie they need love
I do this because I know that people involved in violent lifestyles need love and compassion to change
Touching their bodies like get up
I am trying to inspire and motivate people to stand up for themselves and their communities
This ain't for the kids, this is for adults
The message I am sharing is mature and meant for conscious and responsible adults
Todd, you might wanna come and check my pulse
Todd, I am so committed to this cause that I am ready to give my life for it, come check if I am still alive
TC, am I alive or what?
TC, tell me if I am still alive, because I am so dedicated to the cause
You say you're a christian then why you scared of warfare?
If you claim to be a Christian, why are you afraid of fighting for justice and righteousness?
You're general missing and I ain't going nowhere
If the leadership is absent, I will not abandon the cause, I will keep fighting
My platoon has never seen defeat
The group of people fighting with me have never lost, they are strong and resilient
We're coming soon man, read it and weap
We will soon arrive with force, so prepare yourself for the impact
If God is before me than who can be against me?
If God is on my side and supporting my mission, no one can stand in my way
God is a warrior, lucifer is shifty
God fights for justice and righteousness, whereas the devil is sly and deceitful
My homies be bucking them rugers till they're empty
The people I know are involved in gun violence, and they don't stop shooting until they run out of bullets
Back in the hood they know I changed
The people in my old neighborhood know I have transformed and am now committed to a higher cause
If they can talk about a knife, I can talk about life
If people are comfortable discussing violence and weapons, then I have the right to discuss peace and life
If they can talk about Allah I can talk about Christ
If people are free to talk about their religion, then I have the freedom to talk about mine as well
I spit with a passion, so this is The Passion
I rap with a lot of passion and intensity, reminiscent of the movie 'The Passion of the Christ'
If you've seen that movie, you know what that's like
If you have watched that movie, you will understand the intensity of my rap style
They say that I'm Destiny's Child like Beyonce
People compare me to Beyonce and the group Destiny's Child because of my talent and potential
Jesus walks with me, but I ain't Kanye
Although I have the support of Jesus, I am not like Kanye West who is known for his controversial behavior
Giving you life my brother I never change up
I am dedicated to giving you hope and inspiration, and I will never compromise on that
Japhia Life my brother you know the name, what
I am Japhia Life, and I am known for my dedication and commitment to this cause
Was sixteen when my hat tilted
I was very young when I started expressing my identity with a tilted hat
In high school every time that I rapped I killed it
When I used to rap in high school, I was exceptionally good at it
It's much different than back in the days
Things have changed a lot since I was in high school
Like Ahmad from 4th Ave. I rap for the slaves
Like Ahmad who was a part of the group 'Digable Planets', I am rapping for those who are oppressed and marginalized
We finally getting our reparation, I'm still giving you education
We are finally getting justice for the wrongs committed against us, but I am still committed to educating and inspiring others
I'm still chilling with Pastor Aaron
I am still spending time and talking to Pastor Aaron, who is a spiritual mentor and guide for me
He said we're living in Revelation
Pastor Aaron believes that the current times are significant and prophesied in the book of Revelation in the Bible
The Devil's head was down soon as he looked up
The devil was defeated and powerless as soon as he recognized the power of God
The black and the white boy done hooked up
People of different races have come together to work towards a common goal
A stop on my journey was Nashville, Tennessee
During my travels, I spent some time in Nashville, Tennessee
My bad folk, Cashville, Ten-a-ki
Sorry, I meant to say 'Cashville, Tennessee' in a colloquial way
It's prejudice, believe me
There is still discrimination and bias towards certain groups, trust me
On both sides, black or white believe me
Both black and white people are guilty of prejudice and discrimination
So, you you see Todd and you peep Jay with him just know
If you see Todd and me together, know that we are united against racism
This is our effort to end racism
Our collaboration and commitment is aimed at stopping racism and promoting equality
Contributed by Julia F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.