KJ-52 (Jonah Sorrentino) is a Christian rapper from Tampa, in Florida. He w… Read Full Bio ↴KJ-52 (Jonah Sorrentino) is a Christian rapper from Tampa, in Florida. He was born on June 26, 1975. He's known for two songs addressed to another rapper, Eminem. The name stems from "KJ," which was an abbreviation of his old rap name (King J. Mac) and according to KJ, also stands for "knowledge and justification. "52" (pronounced "five-two") represents the miracle of the five loaves and two fish as told in the Bible. KJ-52 feels he is spreading the word of the Lord in much the same way Jesus shared the food in the story.
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.

Things I Like
KJ-52 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here's a few things that I like now
Making beats on my mpc
Picking up an underground CD or mix tape
Diggin through record crates
Goldin stay looking for the perfect break to sample and truncate
Raw raps on a raw track
Copping mad timberlands like the mall that you shop at
Combat fatigues a notebook full of rhyme schemes that I keep in my backpack

Anthem of a life rockin the mic
Spending a little time showing love to my wife
The way Christ loved us sacrificed his life
Bore them stripes restoring the life
Doing shows on the stage seeing souls getting saved
Hearing this being played in your escalade
As you roll through the hood sitting on blades
Cats gonna bug when they hear they mom say

(chorus)
I like the hands up keep ya hands up
Party people in the front I need ya hands up
And when ya hands up leave your hands up
See there's a lot of thing I like but only one thing I love
I like the hands up keep ya hands up
Party people in the front I need ya hands up
And when ya hands up leave your hands up
See there's a lot of thing I like but only one thing I love

I like Saturdays and just waking up late
I like things right away 'cause I don't like to wait
I like tasty cakes, and Philly cheese steaks
And the Tampa bay Bucs and Miami hurricanes (whuuuut...)
Now I like my shoes clean with a fresh pair of jeans
And some rice and some beans and a box of krispy kremes

I like Mt. Dew 'cause I like the caffeine
And the pistons and wolverines is my sports teams
I like the Double-Double at the In and Out Burger
But I don't like McDonalds they always mess up my order
I like my man Spongebob and Homestar Runner
I like flip flops and tank tops in the summer
I like to make goofy faces when I smile for the camera
I like to rock old school hip hop and mc hammer
I like Xbox clean socks I like Canada
But there's one thing I want and this is what I'm asking ya

(Repeat Chorus)

I love the way that God just takes a man
And then changes him gives him strength to stand
I love when the world says I ain't got a chance
See I'm loving that you're the one that tells me I can
I love the fact that you just loved me first
You erased my past and freed me from the curse
And even at the times when I just act my worse
I love that ya take me back that I don't deserve
I love every time I open your word
That I see in every line every chapter and verse
That your love made you die and that love that occurred
It left you crucified 'cause your love for the world
And I love how you just love me so much
I love how you provide just more than enough
And with the rhyme that I say now that I bust
See I like a lot of things but you're the one I love

(Repeat Chorus)

Overall Meaning

In KJ-52's song Things I Like, the artist lists out various things that he enjoys, but ultimately concludes that there is only one thing he truly loves. The first verse focuses on his love for music production and creating beats, as well as his passion for digging through record crates and finding the perfect sample to use. He also mentions his love for raw rap lyrics and combat fatigues, which further emphasizes his love for hip hop culture. However, he balances out his passion for music with his love for his wife and for Christ, acknowledging that their love and sacrifice is far more valuable than any material possession or professional success.

The second verse takes a more lighthearted tone, as KJ-52 lists out various things that he enjoys in his personal life, such as waking up late on Saturdays, eating Philly cheesesteaks and Krispy Kreme donuts, and rooting for his favorite sports teams. He also mentions his love for specific brands, such as Mt. Dew and In and Out Burger, but he notes his distaste for fast food giant McDonald's. He ends the verse by expressing his love for his faith and God, and how their love has transformed his life and given him hope.

Throughout the song, KJ-52 emphasizes the importance of love and how it is far more meaningful than any material possession or worldly pleasure. He acknowledges that there may be many things that he likes, but ultimately there is only one thing he truly loves, which is his faith in God and the love and salvation that comes with it.

Line by Line Meaning

Here's a few things that I like now
Starting off the song by listing a bunch of things that the singer enjoys

Making beats on my mpc
Creating music on a particular type of music production equipment

Picking up an underground CD or mix tape
Discovering up-and-coming music by purchasing CDs or mix tapes

Diggin through record crates
Searching for old or rare records in crates, often in music stores

Goldin stay looking for the perfect break to sample and truncate
Searching for the ideal segment of a song to sample and shorten for use in his own music

Raw raps on a raw track
Creating unpolished, honest music on a simple track

Copping mad timberlands like the mall that you shop at
Purchasing a lot of Timberland boots, just like what people would buy at a mall

Combat fatigues a notebook full of rhyme schemes that I keep in my backpack
Wearing military-style clothing and carrying a notebook full of rhymes, always ready to write music at any time

Anthem of a life rockin the mic
Creating music that describes and represents his life and experiences and performing it passionately on stage

Spending a little time showing love to my wife
Taking the time to appreciate and care for his spouse

The way Christ loved us sacrificed his life
Referencing the love and sacrifice of Jesus in Christianity

Bore them stripes restoring the life
Referring to the wounds that Jesus bore in his crucifixion to restore life to humanity

Doing shows on the stage seeing souls getting saved
Performing music on stage and witnessing people find salvation and hope through his music

Hearing this being played in your escalade
Imagining people listening to his music in a fancy car like an Escalade

As you roll through the hood sitting on blades
Visualizing someone cruising through the neighborhood while sitting in a car with large rims (blades)

Cats gonna bug when they hear they mom say
Anticipating that people will be surprised and excited to hear their mothers singing along to his music

I like the hands up keep ya hands up
Encouraging fans to put their hands up during his performances

Party people in the front I need ya hands up
Asking fans in the front row specifically to join in and raise their hands

And when ya hands up leave your hands up
Telling fans to continue leaving their hands raised throughout the performance

See there's a lot of thing I like but only one thing I love
Stating that while he likes many things, there is one thing that he loves the most

I like Saturdays and just waking up late
Enjoying the weekend and taking advantage of the opportunity to sleep in

I like things right away 'cause I don't like to wait
Preferring to get things done quickly rather than wait around

I like tasty cakes, and Philly cheese steaks
Liking certain foods, specifically Tastykakes and Philly cheesesteaks

And the Tampa bay Bucs and Miami hurricanes (whuuuut...)
Expressing support for certain sports teams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Hurricanes

Now I like my shoes clean with a fresh pair of jeans
Preferring to wear clean shoes and new jeans

And some rice and some beans and a box of krispy kremes
Enjoying a particular food combination involving rice, beans, and Krispy Kreme donuts

I like Mt. Dew 'cause I like the caffeine
Preferring to drink Mountain Dew because it contains caffeine

And the pistons and wolverines is my sports teams
Supporting the Detroit Pistons and University of Michigan Wolverines sports teams

I like the Double-Double at the In and Out Burger
Enjoying a specific type of burger from In-N-Out Burger called a Double-Double

But I don't like McDonalds they always mess up my order
Disliking McDonald's because his orders there are often incorrect

I like my man Spongebob and Homestar Runner
Enjoying particular television shows, SpongeBob SquarePants and Homestar Runner

I like flip flops and tank tops in the summer
Preferring to wear specific types of clothing during hot weather

I like to make goofy faces when I smile for the camera
Enjoying making silly expressions when posing for pictures

I like to rock old school hip hop and mc hammer
Preferring to listen to classic hip hop music and a particular artist, MC Hammer

I like Xbox clean socks I like Canada
Enjoying playing Xbox video games, clean socks, and the country of Canada

But there's one thing I want and this is what I'm asking ya
Transitioning to the last verse and expressing a desire that he is about to reveal

I love the way that God just takes a man
Expressing love and reverence for God and how He transforms lives

And then changes him gives him strength to stand
Appreciating how God changes and strengthens a person's character

I love when the world says I ain't got a chance
Feeling grateful for encouragement and support from God, even when the world is against him

See I'm loving that you're the one that tells me I can
Thankful that God provides him with the confidence and ability to succeed

I love the fact that you just loved me first
Acknowledging God's love and sacrifice for him

You erased my past and freed me from the curse
Recognizing that God has forgiven him and removed the weight of his sins and past mistakes

And even at the times when I just act my worse
Acknowledging his own imperfections and missteps

I love that ya take me back that I don't deserve
Grateful that God forgives and accepts him even when he doesn't deserve it

I love every time I open your word
Appreciating the Bible and the guidance and comfort it provides

That I see in every line every chapter and verse
Finding meaning and inspiration in every part of the Bible

That your love made you die and that love that occurred
Reflecting on the love that Jesus showed by sacrificing his life

It left you crucified 'cause your love for the world
Recognizing that Jesus's love for humanity led to his death on the cross

And I love how you just love me so much
Expressing gratitude for God's enduring love and care

I love how you provide just more than enough
Acknowledging that God provides for all of his needs and then some

And with the rhyme that I say now that I bust
Using his music as a way to express his appreciation for God and his faith

See I like a lot of things but you're the one I love
Closing the song by reiterating the idea that while he enjoys many things, his love for God is the most important

Contributed by Alex P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS