He was awarded the Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year for "Never Look Away" and Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards of 2007. KJ-52 also has four Dove awards to add to his 'collection.'
KJ-52's song "You're Gonna Make it" was played at the end of Cold Case Season 5 Episode 8 "It Takes a village." He rapped in the Newsboys version of Jesus Freak alongside, and had a part in TobyMac's remix of One World.
He has been rapping since 1993 (age 18), and his current label is BEC.
Back In The Day
KJ-52 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back in the day when I was a teenager
Before I had status and a two way pager
You could find KJ listenin to hip hop
Blastin it so loud my parents were like "turn it off"
I used to rock turtlenecks wit Mc Hammer pants
Watch Yo Mtv raps jus to check out the lastest dance
I did the runnin man, they said not bad for a white man
I used to write the girlies numbers down upon my hand
And I didn't go nowhere wit out my tapes and walkman
Rollin up the bottom of my pants as tight as I can
And I'm up late at night talkin to my girlfriend and
[Chorus]
Back in the day I was so cool [I was so cool]
Back in the day I was so cool [The coolest one in school]
Back in the day I was so cool [Well I can't lie to you]
Back in the day I was so cool [I was a nerdy little dude]
[KJ-52]
Back in the day when I was a teenager
I wanted lines in my eyebrows so I took a razor
But I messed up and accidentally I just shaved the
Whole eyebrow off I was like, "I'm goin crazy"
See it was jus tough jus growin up in the 80's
But for me it was rough cause no girls would ever date me
All the ladies I asked out was like... "well, maybe"
You're okay, but you're no Patrick Swayze
Unfortunately I think that all my teachers hated me
Cause I sit in the back makin noises like I'm crazy
Ahhh... but its all gravvy
In third period today I asked out this lady
Got the paper out got the pencil now whoops here I go
Will you go out wit me, check yes or no
I'm feelin all slick when I handed her the note
I told you 10 times already no, now leave me alone
[Chorus]
[KJ-52]
Back in the day when I was a teenager
I was only fifteen when I jus met my Savior
And he came in straight in my heart and jus changed the
Way the used to live in all my ill behavior
See its amazin to see my life that I jus gave ya
So amazin to me Jeus Christ you became the
Savior to me and I ain't never been the same the
Way I would be back in the day it would amaze ya
But the change that I see it was done in a major
Way that would be so that all I can do is thank ya
And everydat jus for me is a new day to praise ya
Cause you came jus to be all I need and you jus made a way for
Me too see so I broke it down for you
Now Ima take ya back in the day kind of like this dude..
[Chorus]
The lyrics of KJ-52's "Back in the Day" highlight the artist's past as a teenager and how he tried to fit in by dressing and acting in certain ways. In the first verse, he recounts how he used to listen to hip hop and blast it so loudly that his parents would tell him to turn it off. He also talks about his fashion choices, which included wearing turtlenecks with MC Hammer pants, and how he used to check out the latest dance moves on Yo MTV Raps. The chorus of the song emphasizes that KJ-52 felt cool back then, even though he admits to being a "nerdy little dude."
The second verse of the song delves deeper into KJ-52's struggles as a teenager. He talks about wanting lines in his eyebrows and trying to do it himself with a razor, but accidentally shaving off the whole eyebrow. KJ-52 also reveals that he had a hard time getting girls to go out with him, and even when he did mustered up the courage to ask one out, she turned him down. However, the climax of the song is when Kj-52 explains how he met Jesus at the age of 15 and how his life changed dramatically.
Overall, "Back in the Day" can be seen as a typical "coming of age" song, discussing the experiences that many people face as they try to fit in and find their place in the world. It is an insight into the life of a young KJ-52 and how he used to live before finding his faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in the day when I was a teenager
When I was younger, I had a different life than I do now.
Before I had status and a two way pager
I did not have the same power and communication tools I do today.
You could find KJ listenin to hip hop
I enjoyed listening to hip hop music when I was younger.
Blastin it so loud my parents were like "turn it off"
I would play hip hop music so loudly that my parents would tell me to stop.
I used to rock turtlenecks wit Mc Hammer pants
I used to dress in a certain style that was popular at the time.
Watch Yo Mtv raps jus to check out the lastest dance
I would watch a specific MTV show to see the newest dance moves.
I did the runnin man, they said not bad for a white man
I learned a specific dance move that was popular at the time and people were surprised that I could do it because of my race.
I siad I'm not really white, I jus really need a tan
I joked that I was not actually white, but just needed a tan to fit in more with the culture.
I used to write the girlies numbers down upon my hand
I would write girls' phone numbers on my hand to remember them.
And I didn't go nowhere wit out my tapes and walkman
I always carried around my cassette tapes and Walkman so I could listen to music wherever I went.
Rollin up the bottom of my pants as tight as I can
I would tightly roll up the bottom of my pants to fit in with the style of the time.
And I'm up late at night talkin to my girlfriend and
I would stay up late at night talking to my girlfriend on the phone.
Back in the day I was so cool [I was so cool]
When I was younger, I thought I was really cool.
Back in the day I was so cool [The coolest one in school]
I thought I was the coolest person at my school.
Back in the day I was so cool [Well I can't lie to you]
I cannot lie, I thought I was really cool back then.
Back in the day I was so cool [I was a nerdy little dude]
Despite thinking I was cool, looking back, I realize I was a nerdy guy.
I wanted lines in my eyebrows so I took a razor
I wanted to fit in with the culture at the time and shaved lines into my eyebrows.
But I messed up and accidentally I just shaved the
I made a mistake and accidentally shaved off my whole eyebrow.
Whole eyebrow off I was like, "I'm goin crazy"
I was upset that I made a mistake while trying to fit in, and joked that it made me crazy.
See it was jus tough jus growin up in the 80's
It was difficult growing up during the time period of the 1980s.
But for me it was rough cause no girls would ever date me
I had a hard time finding a girlfriend in high school.
All the ladies I asked out was like... "well, maybe"
Girls I asked out would give me a maybe or non-committal answer.
You're okay, but you're no Patrick Swayze
Girls would say that I was not as attractive as famous actor Patrick Swayze.
Unfortunately I think that all my teachers hated me
I felt like my teachers did not like me in school.
Cause I sit in the back makin noises like I'm crazy
I would make noises in class and act like a crazy guy to try and get attention.
Ahhh... but its all gravvy
Despite the difficulties, everything turned out okay in the end.
In third period today I asked out this lady
I had a feeling of hope when I asked out a girl during a specific school period.
Got the paper out got the pencil now whoops here I go
I was nervous when I prepared to ask the girl out and made a mistake by writing too much.
Will you go out wit me, check yes or no
I asked the girl out by having her check yes or no on a paper note.
I'm feelin all slick when I handed her the note
I was confident when I handed the girl the note asking her out.
I told you 10 times already no, now leave me alone
The girl I asked out rejected me and asked me to leave her alone.
I was only fifteen when I jus met my Savior
I became a Christian when I was only fifteen years old.
And he came in straight in my heart and jus changed the
God came into my life and changed me for the better.
Way the used to live in all my ill behavior
God helped me change my bad behavior and habits.
See its amazin to see my life that I jus gave ya
It is amazing to share my life story with others.
So amazin to me Jeus Christ you became the
It is amazing to me how Jesus Christ changed my life for the better.
Savior to me and I ain't never been the same the
Jesus Christ became my savior and changed my life in a profound way.
Way I would be back in the day it would amaze ya
If you knew me back then, my transformation would amaze you.
But the change that I see it was done in a major
I have seen major changes in my life since becoming a Christian.
Way that would be so that all I can do is thank ya
I am grateful to God for the changes in my life.
And everydat jus for me is a new day to praise ya
Every day is an opportunity for me to praise God.
Cause you came jus to be all I need and you jus made a way for
God provided everything I need in life and made a way for me to follow Him.
Me too see so I broke it down for you
I shared my story with you so that you can understand what God has done for me.
Now Ima take ya back in the day kind of like this dude..
Now I will take you back to my past through my story.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PHELPS COLLINS, WILLIAM BOOTSY COLLINS, MACEO PARKER, DAVID SPRADLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind