“History does not happen in a straight line…”

Neither does hip hop n… Read Full Bio ↴“History does not happen in a straight line…”

Neither does hip hop nor its prolific breakout rhymist/activist/author/voice of conscience Lecrae.

Never afraid to move the needle, few would argue that his much anticipated Columbia Records debut album (due out this summer) comes at a pivotal moment for the artist, as hip hop’s torrent now moves to him.

Surging or insurgent - depending on your point of view - he’s blessed with a visionary verbal arsenal and an abiding faith that’s piloted a unique career trajectory defying the typical hip hop storyline. ‘The system may not have planned for this,’ wrote Vibe about Lecrae, ‘but it’s definitely coming around.’ “More caught than taught,” is how the artist describes his incredible journey that includes two Grammys, a history-making #1 album with his masterful 2014 offering, Anomaly (topped multiple categories, including the Billboard 200 and is RIAA Gold certified), and a compelling live resume, most recently notching a headlining 2016 ‘Destination’ tour which Lecrae says was about “real unity, not pretend unity.” He continues to thoughtfully engage the culture, reeling off a NY Times Bestseller (last year’s riveting memoir ‘Unashamed’) and a breakthrough spoken word performance at the BET Hip Hop Awards last fall that had the twittersphere heralding his arrival as truth-telling firebrand. BET hailed it as an “epic poem,” of “necessary affirmations.”

Lecrae relishes his purpose-driven career arc as inspired ‘catalyzer’ - going “from artist to architect” on the new album, widening the close-knit comfort zone of Reach Records (the label he co-founded) by partnering with Columbia Records and expanding his creative outreach. “I sought influences and collaborators I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to work with,” he says. The patient growth process was born out of a “gumbo” of more than 50 songs, “some to just get off my chest,” he says - “I don’t know if they were all meant to be heard but I know they were meant to be written.”

One song that has already seen the light of day is the powerfully uplifting “Blessings,” (featuring Ty Dolla $ign) which iHeartRadio chose for their ‘On The Verge’ platform which connects breaking artists with new listeners. Lecrae cites a refreshed perspective throughout the making of the new album after surviving one of the most tumultuous years he’s experienced since his turbulent teens. Among the hardships was the passing of his longtime friend and collaborator DJ Official, some “painful personal” ramifications after the publication of the unvarnished‘Unashamed,’ trusting friendships that went south, andchronic social media sparring from those attacking Lecrae for his candid and heartfelt perspective in response to theheartbreaking social justice issues making headlines in 2016. “Some people felt that maybe I shouldn’t be articulating the pain when it comes to the structural and systemic issues that have created barriers and disparity in regard to race,” he says. “But I came out of it feeling more confident in making this album then at any other time in my life.”

With trusted friend and Grammy winning producer S1 serving as a key production contributor, Lecrae says it was healing for him to weave some of the more nuanced, complex themes of the new album and come out the other side. “It’s about giving hope to people that they can overcome the fear and the insecurity when things do fall apart,” he says. “The before and after of it all. It may get ugly in your life, but there’s a point of rediscovery where the fear can actually drive the faith and restore you. Sometimes you have to acknowledge where you are at before it can get better.”

Such authenticity has been the hallmark of his 7 studio albums and multiple mixtapes, now nearing the 2 million mark in sales, with the acclaimed artist winning a Billboard Music Award, multiple BET, Soul Train, and Dove awards and even an Honorary Doctorate of music to go along with his 2 Grammy wins. Past signature songs like the ultra-relatable “Church Clothes,” and the prophetic, multi-perspective of “Welcome To America” revealed a Lecrae exploring the plight of the disconnected in all of us. Critics have praised the sociological component of his work and his heightened sensitivity toward the disenfranchised.

On the upcoming album, Lecrae hints he’s still mindful of the outsider role that’s enabled him to work the edges of hip hop stardom, but also conscious of the world coming into his space, now. “I don’t fit in to any one category,” he says. “The BET performance showed I can compete on the highest level and excel at it. I’ve already proven I’m part of the hip hop narrative. On this album I’m taking liberties.”

Breathin' To Death
Lecrae Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's like I'm tired of life
Lord I'm wrong, why I can't get right?
And when it's dark, why it can't get light?
Why it can't be light?
It's so heavy, why my sin won't let me see the end?
Come get me!
Please come get me!
My thoughts, my mind, my ways all evil

I'm s'posed to be Your people, I'm s'posed to see Your sequel
I said I'd never leave You
But I'm so left, I ain't right
Lord, I'm sleeping with death
Man, I'm cheating with death
Am I deaf? It's like I don't hear You
I say that I'm a Christian, but it's like I don't fear You
I'm on a selfish island and I am nowhere near You
God, I really need You even though I don't appear to
I'm drinking out a broken cistern that could never hold water and I'm gonna get burned
Though I try, I never satisfy to quench this yearn
I hear You calling, but it's like a fight for me to just turn
Lord, I deserve to burn

I'm feeling schizophrenic
Maybe I ain't saved, 'cause I gotta get high just to block out all the pain
Seen death, seen hurt, seen a whole lot of things
But instead of running from it I'm running away from change
It's like I'm outside in the ice cold weather
The rain's coming down, I keep getting wetter
I know I'm getting sick and I could die any second
But still I refuse to let Your truths make me better
I'd rather eat flies and maggots instead of bread
And it's killing me slow, but I can't get it through my head
You were stabbed, You were murdered
And for me is why You bled
But I spit on your bloody face as if I never cared
Lord, how dare I compare my pain?
Your father turned his back
And You were left to hang
I don't know why You did it, that I can't explain
How can You love this sinner who's desecrated your name?
Lord, I deserve the flames

I know I tell lies
I know I do dirt
Apart from You, I'm nothing, but You can give me worth
I don't know if I know You
But still I know I should
I know these days are evil and only You are good
I've come to this conclusion that I would like to change
'cause all the world's money and fame cannot sustain
I know that I should turn but that's the hardest thing
Cause do I really feel that having Jesus is a gain?
The world is so tempting
Satan is a beast
He hypnotizes my eyes to say the least
But Jesus be my treasure! To know You is to live
And I am here dying, trying everything there is
All I need here is You
Help me turn 'way from sin
Lord, give me grace to turn away and the fear to not give in
I know that I'm not perfect but I could rest in Him
I know I don't deserve it but still I take your hand
Lord, let me take Your hand

Help me Lord before there's no time left
I ain't living I'm just breathing to death

Your ways are perfect and they lead me to rest
Mine are evil and they lead me to death

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lecrae's song "Breathin' To Death" focus on the inner turmoil of the singer, who is struggling with his faith and his sins. He feels overwhelmed by the weight of his own wickedness and his inability to turn away from his wrongdoings. He is haunted by the darkness that taints his thoughts and perceives himself as unworthy of redemption. The singer has a deep desire to change, to turn away from his sins and to follow God's path; however, he sees himself as weak and unable to overcome his temptations. He recognizes that the world is full of sin and that Satan is a powerful force that lures him away from God. In the end, the singer asks God for His help and guidance, acknowledging that only God's ways can lead him to a place of rest.

The lyrics of this song are powerful and emotive, and they express the struggle that many Christians face as they try to reconcile their faith with their human frailties. The singer's words are raw and honest, and they convey a sense of vulnerability that is both relatable and compelling. Lecrae is known for his socially conscious lyrics that challenge listeners to examine their own lives, and "Breathin' to Death" is no exception.

Line by Line Meaning

It's like I'm tired of life
Life feels exhausting

Lord I'm wrong, why I can't get right?
Feeling like a failure

And when it's dark, why it can't get light?
Feeling hopeless

Why it can't be light?
Hopelessness

It's so heavy, why my sin won't let me see the end?
Weight of guilt and shame

Come get me!
Asking for God's help

Please come get me!
Desperate plea for help

My thoughts, my mind, my ways all evil
Struggle with temptations and sinful desires

I'm s'posed to be Your people, I'm s'posed to see Your sequel
Feeling like a hypocrite

I said I'd never leave You
Promise to stay faithful

But I'm so left, I ain't right
Failed to keep the promise

Lord, I'm sleeping with death
Engaged in harmful behavior

Man, I'm cheating with death
Engaged in self-destructive behavior

Am I deaf? It's like I don't hear You
Feeling distant from God

I say that I'm a Christian, but it's like I don't fear You
Feeling hypocritical

I'm on a selfish island and I am nowhere near You
Selfishness and distance from God

God, I really need You even though I don't appear to
Desire for God's help

I'm drinking out a broken cistern that could never hold water and I'm gonna get burned
Pursuing empty and harmful pleasures

Though I try, I never satisfy to quench this yearn
Unfulfillable desires

I hear You calling, but it's like a fight for me to just turn
Struggle to follow God's guidance

Lord, I deserve to burn
Sense of guilt and unworthiness

I'm feeling schizophrenic
Feeling conflicted and confused

Maybe I ain't saved, 'cause I gotta get high just to block out all the pain
Feeling disconnected from God and using harmful coping mechanisms

Seen death, seen hurt, seen a whole lot of things
Experiencing trauma and pain

But instead of running from it I'm running away from change
Resisting growth and healing

It's like I'm outside in the ice cold weather
Feeling exposed and vulnerable

The rain's coming down, I keep getting wetter
Feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges

I know I'm getting sick and I could die any second
Awareness of mortality

But still I refuse to let Your truths make me better
Resisting God's guidance

I'd rather eat flies and maggots instead of bread
Preferring harmful pleasures over God's guidance

And it's killing me slow, but I can't get it through my head
Awareness of harmful behavior but struggling to change it

You were stabbed, You were murdered
Reflecting on Jesus' sacrifice

And for me is why You bled
Remembering the significance of Jesus' sacrifice

But I spit on your bloody face as if I never cared
Feeling guilty for not living up to Jesus' sacrifice

Lord, how dare I compare my pain?
Feeling unworthy of Jesus' sacrifice

Your father turned his back
Reflecting on Jesus' abandonment on the cross

And You were left to hang
Reflecting on Jesus' sacrifice

I don't know why You did it, that I can't explain
Questioning the meaning of Jesus' sacrifice

How can You love this sinner who's desecrated your name?
Feeling unworthy of God's love

I know I tell lies
Admitting to sinful behavior

I know I do dirt
Admitting to sinful behavior

Apart from You, I'm nothing, but You can give me worth
Acknowledging dependence on God

I don't know if I know You
Doubting faith

But still I know I should
Desire to have faith

I know these days are evil and only You are good
Desire for God's guidance in a broken world

I've come to this conclusion that I would like to change
Desire for personal growth

'cause all the world's money and fame cannot sustain
Awareness of the emptiness of material possessions

I know that I should turn but that's the hardest thing
Struggle to change harmful behavior

Cause do I really feel that having Jesus is a gain?
Doubting the value of faith

The world is so tempting
Challenges of living in a sinful world

Satan is a beast
Feeling oppressed by evil forces

He hypnotizes my eyes to say the least
Feeling entranced by worldly temptations

But Jesus be my treasure! To know You is to live
Value of faith in Jesus

And I am here dying, trying everything there is
Struggle to find fulfillment in harmful behavior

All I need here is You
Desire for God's guidance

Help me turn 'way from sin
Request for God's help in overcoming sinful behavior

Lord, give me grace to turn away and the fear to not give in
Desire for God's guidance

I know that I'm not perfect but I could rest in Him
Acknowledging imperfection and desire to find peace in God

I know I don't deserve it but still I take your hand
Grateful for God's love and guidance

Lord, let me take Your hand
Desire for God's guidance

Help me Lord before there's no time left
Desperate plea for God's help

I ain't living I'm just breathing to death
Feeling unfulfilled and lost

Your ways are perfect and they lead me to rest
Value of following God's guidance

Mine are evil and they lead me to death
Awareness of the harmfulness of sinful behavior

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Gabriel Alberto Azucena, Le Crae Devaughn Moore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Neo Dragon

3y↑5

Really felt this song. It's part of the reason I'm doing a two day fast. Pray for me that I can get closer to God through this show of my rededication. In Jesus's almighty name a pray, Amen.

Ash

5y↑6

It's like I'm outside in the ice cold weather, the rains coming down, I keep getting wetter, I know I'm getting sick and I could die any second, but still I refuse to let Your truths make me better.