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.
Dear Slim part 2
KJ-52 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been a couple years now since I wrote that song and
A lot has changed now for you and I
I had no clue that I would write a song to you
And it would change some lives
Kids with tears in they eyes now come up to me
Showing love to me and telling me that they look up to me
The effects to me well it's really kind of strange to see
But there's a whole another side of things now I've come to see
It's a huge influence that you go upon the industry
But enough of me 'cause it's not what I came to say to you
Not a day goes by where I don't take time to pray for you
And I'm sorry for what ya mom and dad they did to you
But I can relate with you cause well see dude I've been there too
I know there's a lot of pain and hurt now that you been through
But never forget there's a real love God gave for you
La la la la la (To whom it may concern)
La la la la la (It's still to whom it may concern)
Dear Slim I wrote you but ya still ain't calling
Backstage at the VMA's someone gave you my song and
I'm kind of wondering what ya thought man
When that guy walked up to you talked to ya and put it in your hands
Maybe ya never listened to it or maybe ya lost it
Or maybe ya heard it ya just got mad and then ya tossed it
Did he diss you back that's the question that I always get
I'm like well God forbid that ya might even have liked it
I don't know but congratulations on your movie yo
And I heard ya last record well it's over ten million sold
But there's one thing that's really got me thinking bro
Does a grammy mean anything if it's just got to cost ya soul
In case ya didn't know there's a love that will never go away
You said you was going to hell but it don't have to be that way
See the bottom line of what I'm trying to say is
God puts back together the broken pieces that been thrown away
Even if everyone you know just up and goes away
He'll still love you till the very day that ya old and gray
Too bad a lot of Christians all they do is hate on you
Instead of dropping to they knees and taking time to pray for you
And it's obvious that ya really love ya daughter dude
And for that I gotta tell ya well I really got respect for you
So here it is Dear Slim Chapter Part 2
From just another cat trying to make it just like you
Dear Slim did you hear the junk that I'm going through
Kids sending me hate mail and telling me how I'm biting you
Telling me how they gonna beat me and just kill me too
But a lot of people they just seem to get the song confused
See what I say to you I know it might even sound funny
But I never came at you just to paint you as the enemy
It wasn't about hating you or starting some controversy
It wasn't about blaming you or trying to make some money
I don't claim to know everything that you've experienced
Man I don't even know if you'll even be hearing this
But I said it once and I still hold to this
Is that a life without Christ is still a life that is never fixed
I'll tell ya this even if it's a hard pill to swallow
Like it or not Slim you're gonna always be a role model
Do you know these kids we're the ones they always follow
What we say and how we live gives them a better tomorrow
I had my share of sorrow plus man I been rejected
I've been chewed up spit out and plus disrespected
But if I die today and I never sell another record
Jesus gave me more than I ever could've been expecting
I know life is hectic it can leave ya blown away
But check it bro cause we all just gonna die some day
On that note well there's only one thing left to say
It's still one love one God and only one way
The song "Dear Slim Pt.2" by KJ-52 is a sequel to his first song written to Eminem titled "Dear Slim." The song is a heartfelt letter from KJ-52 to Eminem who is a huge influence in the music industry. KJ-52 confesses that he never expected his song to change lives, but kids now come up to him with tears in their eyes, showing love and telling him how much they look up to him. He explains how there is a love that never goes away, that he only wanted to share it with Eminem and how it has the power to fix a broken life. KJ-52 also acknowledges that he knows what it's like to go through pain and hurt, and that he can relate to what Eminem has been through.
In the second verse, KJ-52 admits that he's never heard back from Eminem despite his song being given to him backstage at the VMA's. He congratulates him on his success but questions the cost of selling one's soul. He reminds Eminem that there is a love that will never go away, even if everyone he knows up and goes away. KJ-52 also acknowledges that despite the hate Eminem receives from many Christians, he has respect for him as a loving father. The final verse sees KJ-52 responding to the hate and criticism he's receiving from fans, reminding them that his intentions were never about starting controversy or making money. He reiterates the message that a life without Christ is a life that is never fixed, and that Eminem will always be seen as a role model to many kids who follow what he says and does.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Slim I wrote you but you ain't calling
I previously reached out to you but haven't received a response.
It's been a couple years now since I wrote that song and
It's been some time since I wrote the initial song to you.
A lot has changed now for you and I
Both you and I have undergone significant changes.
I had no clue that I would write a song to you
I didn't anticipate writing a song directed to you.
And it would change some lives
The song had a positive impact on listeners.
Kids with tears in they eyes now come up to me
Young fans approach me with emotional reactions.
Showing love to me and telling me that they look up to me
Young fans express admiration for me.
The effects to me well it's really kind of strange to see
It's unusual to see the impact the song had.
I only wanted to share with you what Jesus done for me
The song was meant to showcase how Jesus helped me.
But there's a whole another side of things now I've come to see
I understand the significant influence you have on the industry.
It's a huge influence that you go upon the industry
You have a major impact on the music industry.
But enough of me 'cause it's not what I came to say to you
I didn't come here just to talk about myself.
Not a day goes by where I don't take time to pray for you
I pray for you regularly.
And I'm sorry for what ya mom and dad they did to you
I'm sorry for the difficult upbringing you had with your parents.
But I can relate with you cause well see dude I've been there too
I understand your struggles as I've faced similar ones.
I know there's a lot of pain and hurt now that you been through
I recognize the tremendous pain and suffering you have experienced.
But never forget there's a real love God gave for you
Remember, there is a genuine love that God has for you.
Dear Slim I wrote you but ya still ain't calling
Despite writing to you again, I still haven't received a response.
Backstage at the VMA's someone gave you my song and
At the VMAs, someone gifted you with my song.
I'm kind of wondering what ya thought man
I'm curious what your reaction was.
When that guy walked up to you talked to ya and put it in your hands
When the individual approached you and gave you the song directly.
Maybe ya never listened to it or maybe ya lost it
It's possible that you didn't listen to it or misplaced it.
Or maybe ya heard it ya just got mad and then ya tossed it
Perhaps you listened to it, got angry, and threw it away.
Did he diss you back that's the question that I always get
People often ask if you responded negatively to my song.
I'm like well God forbid that ya might even have liked it
But who knows, maybe you actually enjoyed it.
I don't know but congratulations on your movie yo
I offer you congratulations on your successful movie.
And I heard ya last record well it's over ten million sold
I heard that your most recent album has sold over ten million copies.
But there's one thing that's really got me thinking bro
One thing has me contemplating.
Does a grammy mean anything if it's just got to cost ya soul
Is a Grammy award worth it if it comes at a significant cost to your well-being?
In case ya didn't know there's a love that will never go away
There is an unending love that exists regardless of circumstances.
You said you was going to hell but it don't have to be that way
You mentioned going to hell, but it doesn't have to be your reality.
See the bottom line of what I'm trying to say is
Ultimately, my message comes down to one point.
God puts back together the broken pieces that been thrown away
God can repair the shattered parts of ourselves that have been abandoned.
Even if everyone you know just up and goes away
Even if everyone in your life abandons you.
He'll still love you till the very day that ya old and gray
God's love remains steadfast throughout your entire life.
Too bad a lot of Christians all they do is hate on you
It's unfortunate that some Christians only express hate towards you.
Instead of dropping to they knees and taking time to pray for you
Rather than praying for you and your struggles.
And it's obvious that ya really love ya daughter dude
It's apparent that you genuinely care for your daughter.
And for that I gotta tell ya well I really got respect for you
I have high regards for you due to your love for your daughter.
So here it is Dear Slim Chapter Part 2
This is the second chapter of my correspondence to you.
From just another cat trying to make it just like you
I'm just another person trying to make it in this industry.
Dear Slim did you hear the junk that I'm going through
Have you heard about the negative attention I'm facing due to the song?
Kids sending me hate mail and telling me how I'm biting you
Some listeners are sending hate mail and accusing me of copying you.
Telling me how they gonna beat me and just kill me too
Threatening to cause me physical harm or even take my life.
But a lot of people they just seem to get the song confused
Many individuals are misunderstanding the intention of the song.
See what I say to you I know it might even sound funny
Some of what I say may seem humorous or ironic.
But I never came at you just to paint you as the enemy
I didn't create this song with the intention of demonizing you.
It wasn't about hating you or starting some controversy
The song wasn't intended to propagate hate or controversy.
It wasn't about blaming you or trying to make some money
The song didn't aim to place blame, nor did it attempt to profit.
I don't claim to know everything that you've experienced
I don't pretend to know every detail of your life's events.
Man I don't even know if you'll even be hearing this
I don't even know if you'll listen to this message.
But I said it once and I still hold to this
However, I stand by my previous statements.
Is that a life without Christ is still a life that is never fixed
Without finding Jesus, one's life remains broken and incomplete.
I'll tell ya this even if it's a hard pill to swallow
This may be difficult to hear, but I'll still express it.
Like it or not Slim you're gonna always be a role model
Whether you like it or not, people will look up to you as a model.
Do you know these kids we're the ones they always follow
Young people often look to musicians for inspiration and direction.
What we say and how we live gives them a better tomorrow
Musicians can strongly influence their audience's future with their words and actions.
I had my share of sorrow plus man I been rejected
I have faced my own fair share of pain and disappointment.
I've been chewed up spit out and plus disrespected
I've been treated poorly and disrespected.
But if I die today and I never sell another record
Even if I never achieve success again and my career ends today.
Jesus gave me more than I ever could've been expecting
Jesus provided me with more than anything I could have asked or hoped for.
I know life is hectic it can leave ya blown away
Life can be overwhelming and leave you feeling lost.
But check it bro cause we all just gonna die some day
But remember, we all will eventually pass away.
On that note well there's only one thing left to say
With that in mind, there is only one thing to express.
It's still one love one God and only one way
In the end, it all comes down to one love, one God, and one path to follow.
La la la la la (To whom it may concern)
This song is a message for anyone who resonates with it.
La la la la la (It's still to whom it may concern)
It remains a message for anyone who may need to hear it.
Contributed by Alex D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.