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.
I Used To
KJ-52 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to do a lot things that most dudes do
Like partying just to fit in with the cool crew
giving in drinking and acting like a fool too
i wanted to get the money like bookoo
so I could holler at the girls kind of like yoo hoo
But all they did was holla back like Who you?
All I did was wanna rap so I'm like who knew
I could take you way back to middle school too
I used to the dude who would kind of act coo coo
Fighting after school with these fools who I knew who
Was always in trouble breaking all the rules too
I spent a couple years behaving like a fool too
Shed a couple tears trying to make it through to
Find someone that cares but it was you who
(Now a days) you see I just won't do what they just want to
cause I just won't do that
(they think it's strange) that I just won't do what they just want to
cause I just won't do that
(they're amazed) that I just won't do what they just want to
cause I just won't do that
(cause I've changed) see I just won't do what they just want to
cause I just won't do that
I used to do my own thing
Live my own way now it was so strange
Nowadays I done seen it so change
I seen it so plain that you have so came
plus you took me from pain
And took me from hate now with all that you gave
And I was back in those days
I was acting so lame when I was acting those ways
see I was saying your name
but I said it in vain for that I'm so shamed
And yet you love me still same
kind of insane how you took the whole blame
now I was just a no name
had nothing no claim but then my soul changed
its all lost no gain
I've lost all claim this is all im gone say that its.
so wait I've gotta tell you what I do now
And I stay high but it aint from the brew now
same guy but I got a different view now
A changed life plus a whole different crew now
I can't lie cuz my whole life is new now
Got a changed mind on what I pursue now
Its straight wild and it's all cuz of you now
I don't do just what I used to do now
And it's all cuz you just came through now
And the walls that I had up you just blew down
And it's all cuz your love that I'm new now
I can call and ya come so true now
Took the pieces of my life that I threw down
my eyes beheld a new sight I saw you now
every chance on the mic I'm telling you now
it was Jesus the Christ you get it dude now
In the song "I Used To," KJ-52 reflects on his younger years, where he engaged in a lot of negative behaviors, such as partying to fit in with the "cool crowd," drinking, and acting foolishly. He also admitted to being involved in fights and breaking rules while in school. Despite his previous behavior, he has since made a change and no longer engages in those activities. He credits this transformation to his faith in God.
KJ-52 also acknowledges the transformation in his life, stating that he no longer lives to please others but rather lives for himself. He admits to being changed by the love of God, which has resulted in a new perspective on life, new friends, and a new reason to live.
Overall, the song is an honest reflection on KJ-52's life and a testimony of his faith. It's a reminder that it's never too late to make a change in one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Now let me tell you all the things that I used to
I'm going to tell you about my past
I used to do a lot things that most dudes do
I used to do what was popular
Like partying just to fit in with the cool crew
I used to party in order to fit in
giving in drinking and acting like a fool too
I would give in to drinking and act foolishly
i wanted to get the money like bookoo
I wanted to make a lot of money
so I could holler at the girls kind of like yoo hoo
I wanted to impress women
But all they did was holla back like Who you?
They didn't notice me or care
All I did was wanna rap so I'm like who knew
I never expected to become a rapper
I'd be where I'm at but that's what God do true?
God had other plans for me
I could take you way back to middle school too
My past goes all the way back to middle school
I used to the dude who would kind of act coo coo
I used to act crazy
Fighting after school with these fools who I knew who
I used to fight with other troublemakers after school
Was always in trouble breaking all the rules too
I was always in trouble for breaking rules
I spent a couple years behaving like a fool too
I wasted some time acting foolishly
Shed a couple tears trying to make it through to
I struggled and cried
Find someone that cares but it was you who
God was the one who cared
(Now a days) you see I just won't do what they just want to
I now refuse to do what others want me to do
cause I just won't do that
I won't do what I used to do
(they think it's strange) that I just won't do what they just want to
Others find it odd that I won't do what they do
(they're amazed) that I just won't do what they just want to
Others are surprised that I won't follow them
(cause I've changed) see I just won't do what they just want to
My change in behavior is due to my transformation
I used to do my own thing
I used to act on my own accord
Live my own way now it was so strange
I used to live differently
Nowadays I done seen it so change
Things have changed for me
I seen it so plain that you have so came
I clearly see that God came into my life
plus you took me from pain
God took away my pain
And took me from hate now with all that you gave
God saved me from hate and gave me blessings
And I was back in those days
I miss those days occasionally
I was acting so lame when I was acting those ways
I acted foolishly and hold shame for it
see I was saying your name
I was calling out to God
but I said it in vain for that I'm so shamed
I used to use God's name in vain and regret it
And yet you love me still same
God still loved me despite my wrongdoings
kind of insane how you took the whole blame
It's crazy that God took the blame for my mistakes
now I was just a no name
I was unknown before I found God
had nothing no claim but then my soul changed
My soul changed when I found God
its all lost no gain
Everything was lost, nothing to gain
I've lost all claim this is all im gone say that its.
I lost all my rights, and that's all there is to say
so wait I've gotta tell you what I do now
I need to tell you how I live now
And I stay high but it aint from the brew now
I no longer drink, but I remain spiritually elevated
same guy but I got a different view now
I'm still the same person, but with a new perspective
A changed life plus a whole different crew now
I live a new life with new people around me
I can't lie cuz my whole life is new now
I am a new person with a new lifestyle
Got a changed mind on what I pursue now
My goals and aspirations have changed
Its straight wild and it's all cuz of you now
It's amazing how much God has changed me
I don't do just what I used to do now
I no longer do what I used to do
And it's all cuz you just came through now
It's all because of God's intervention
And the walls that I had up you just blew down
God helped me break down my barriers
And it's all cuz your love that I'm new now
God's love transformed me into a new person
I can call and ya come so true now
God always comes when I call
Took the pieces of my life that I threw down
God restored my broken pieces
my eyes beheld a new sight I saw you now
I saw God in a new way
every chance on the mic I'm telling you now
Every time I perform, I talk about God
it was Jesus the Christ you get it dude now
It was Jesus Christ who changed me, do you understand?
Writer(s): SORRENTINO JONAH
Contributed by Madison P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MsWiccco
Wow I'm amazed beyond explaining... I can't explain with words how touching this video is... All I can say is AMAZING work, and that isn't near close to explain how increadible it is. God Bless you!!!
Jessica Martin
That was truly amazing! I actually thought that it was the actual music video for KJ52! :) You are very talented and should continue making videos like these! May God Bless You!
Apostolicprincess inGod
He brings good things out of bad situations:) When I was confused my mom reminded me that He went through so much for us, He was abused for us and I'm so glad that you learned about what He did for us, not everyone knows how amazing He is:)
Kendal White
Sooooo true! I wish everyone could say that☹
Sassie Carnes
You did a fantastic job with this !!! It gave me chills and touched my heart !
B Williams
I love KJ 52 but had never heard this song. I cried and cried. Thank you God for what you've done for us!!!
Hillary Hammond
Wow.. This song has a lot of meaning! It made me re-think about what God has done for us! And that we are the one's who are guilty!
ray321333
im gana show this to my youth group on friday, it was hard to watch but i know i needed to see how blessed i am and see what god did for me
jkce2010
Thank You Jesus, knowing that you could have called 10,000 angels to come down, at any moment you could have stopped this, but in order to give us a chance at eternal life with you, you allowed this. You bear my iniquities and are the advocate before the father, so that I may look clean..... My God, how awesome you are!!! This is the first time I have heard of KJ52, this was a great video, thanks for sharing your talent!!! May God continue to annoint you!
Leslie Leathem
Now that’s love. Thank you Jesus for doing this for me and for everyone who accepts your awesome grace. Because you have so much love that you would go through all that and die for a world that is so broken. I’m guilty for nailing Jesus to the cross and I thank him for forgiving me.