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.
Napoleon Dynamite
KJ-52 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I tried to grow a rat tail and my jeans were kind of tight
I used to have hair like Napoleon Dynamite
I did the running man and I dressed like Vanilla Ice
I used to just chill at the bus stop
Just doing whatever I feel like I wanna do, gosh
I used to listen hip hop
I used to ride my bike down a big hill
Fall off, sweet jumps and be like it kills
And used to get dissed by the girls
Because I didn't have any good skills
I used to have hair like Napoleon Dynamite
I used to watch eighteen like every night
I used to have hair like Napoleon Dynamite
When all my friends had a car, I still rode my bike
I was really good at tether ball
And tigers were pretty much my favorite animal
Brown suits are awesome, incredible
Quesadillas are really very edible
Vote for KJ, he's elect-able
Tina, eat your ham, it's not a vegetable
Rex Kwon Do is really very wonderful
And that's why I keep telling y'all
I used to have hair like Napoleon Dynamite
[Incomprehensible] said I couldn't rap 'cuz my skin was white
I used to have hair like Napoleon Dynamite
But since I got Jesus now I know it's gonna be alright
I used to have hair like Napoleon Dynamite
I tried to grow a rat tail and my jeans were kind of tight
I used to have hair like Napoleon Dynamite
The lyrics of "Napoleon Dynamite" by KJ-52 are reflective of his experiences growing up and how he used to be. The song is titled after the movie with the same title as the lyrics describe how KJ-52 used to have hair like the singer Napoleon Dynamite. He also used to wear tight jeans and tried to grow a rat tail while doing the running man and dressing like Vanilla Ice.
KJ-52 also mentions some of the activities he used to do like chilling at the bus stop, listening to hip hop, and riding his bike downhill. He also mentions how he used to get dissed by girls because he had no good skills. KJ-52 adds some humor to the song as he mentions things like eating tots, his love for tigers, quesadillas, brown suits, and the wonderfulness of Rex Kwon Do.
However, the song takes a turn towards the end where KJ-52, who was once told he couldn't rap because he was white, says that he has since found faith in Jesus Christ, and therefore even though he used to be like Napoleon Dynamite, it's all good now. Overall, the song is a playful yet insightful reflection on the rapper's past and how he found faith in Christ which gave him a new purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to have hair like Napoleon Dynamite
I used to have a similar hairstyle to the character Napoleon Dynamite from the movie of the same name.
I tried to grow a rat tail and my jeans were kind of tight
I attempted to grow the hairstyle known as a rat tail and wore jeans that were somewhat snug.
I did the running man and I dressed like Vanilla Ice
I imitated the dance move known as the running man and emulated the fashion style of the rapper Vanilla Ice.
I used to just chill at the bus stop
I would relax and hang out at the bus stop.
Just doing whatever I feel like I wanna do, gosh
I would engage in activities based on my desires and whims, using the word 'gosh' as an expression of surprise or annoyance.
I used to listen hip hop
I would frequently listen to the genre of music known as hip hop.
Asked my friend, 'Are you gonna eat all your tots?'
I inquired of my friend if they intended to consume all of their tater tots.
I used to ride my bike down a big hill
I would traverse a large hill while riding my bike.
Fall off, sweet jumps and be like it kills
I would tumble off of my bike after performing impressive jumps and reactively exclaim that it looked deadly.
And used to get dissed by the girls
Females would mock or belittle me.
Because I didn't have any good skills
I lacked proficiency or talent in certain areas, causing me to be ridiculed.
I used to watch eighteen like every night
I would routinely view the television series 'Eighteen' each evening.
When all my friends had a car, I still rode my bike
Even though my peers owned an automobile, I continued to use my bicycle for transportation.
I was really good at tether ball
I possessed a high level of skill in the game of tether ball.
And tigers were pretty much my favorite animal
Tigers were among my preferred species of animal.
Brown suits are awesome, incredible
I hold the view that brown suits are impressive and amazing.
Quesadillas are really very edible
I express that quesadillas are quite delicious and able to be enjoyed.
Vote for KJ, he's elect-able
I encourage individuals to vote for myself by stating that I am a viable candidate.
Tina, eat your ham, it's not a vegetable
I direct a female named Tina to consume her ham, clarifying that it is not classified as a vegetable.
Rex Kwon Do is really very wonderful
I hold the opinion that the martial art of Rex Kwon Do is genuinely impressive and enjoyable.
And that's why I keep telling y'all
This is why I continue to emphasize and convey these thoughts and messages to others.
[Incomprehensible] said I couldn't rap 'cuz my skin was white
An individual with indiscernible identity conveyed a belief that due to my Caucasian ethnic background, I was unable to perform the musical genre of rap.
But since I got Jesus now I know it's gonna be alright
After acquiring a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ, I am reassured that everything will ultimately work out satisfactorily.
Contributed by Eli V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.