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.”
Buttons
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No more final warning, I'm not holding back
I ain't going nowhere, let the roof cave in
'Bout to blow up something, here goes nothing
Watch me hit the cray button
Cray, cray, cray
Turn it all the way up
Got a double dose of bass
You'll love this so much
Get out of your head
Get out of your skull
If you ain't gettin' cray
Then you ain't got a pulse
A lunatic, a time bomb just got dropped
I get cray all day, it's my full time job
Wild like a wolfpack, howlin' at the moon
Attack, attack, you've been bitten by the wolf
I ain't going nowhere, let the roof cave in
'Bout to blow up something, here goes nothing
Watch me hit the cray button
Cray, cray, cray
Put your fives in the sky if you're feelin' alive
Throw ten up in the air 'cause you don't care
Cray Bans on, rock your cranium
3-2-1, Detonation
I wonder what happens if I hit the cray button?
I guarantee the whole place starts jumpin'
I wonder what happens if I hit the cray button? (Button)
I guarantee the whole place starts jumpin'
I wonder what happens if I hit the cray button? (Button)
I guarantee the whole place starts jumpin'
I wonder what happens if I hit the cray button? (Button)
I'm a do it!
Watch me hit the cray button
Wait, wait, wait, hold up let me do my thing
Hit they cray button I was like you rang?
Came in the party with a couple of friends
Hollerin 116, yeah we so unashamed
Everybody get cray like me,
I'm so cray it's on my ID
Everybody serious looking for deep material
Chill and turn up the stereo and dance like me
Please don't wreck the party
Came to have fun cus the week was hard and
Go nuts, turn up, insane
You ain't seen nothing we about to go cray
If it gets wild I'mma jump in the crowd
And show the whole front row that I know how to fly
You think we on ten? Boy you ain't seen nothing
3, 2, 1 Cray button
I-I hit the cray button
I-I hit hi-hi-hit hit hit
I-I hit the cray button
I-I hi-hit hit
I pledge allegiance to the U.S. Cray (cray),
U.S. Cray, U.S. Cray
I pledge allegiance to the U.S. Cray (cray),
U.S. Cray, U.S. Cray
The song "Buttons" by Lecrae is a love song addressing the issues faced in a romantic relationship. The lyrics speak about the struggles and challenges that the couple goes through, but also reveal the strength of their love and commitment, and their determination to work things out. Lecrae acknowledges his mistakes and apologizes, but he also makes it clear that his partner is not defined by her faults and that he won't push her buttons either. The chorus repeats the vow, "For better or for worse, I ain't goin' nowhere", emphasizing the message of unwavering commitment.
The lyrics of "Buttons" highlight the importance of mutual respect in a relationship, as well as the willingness to forgive and forget. The song's theme of working through hardships together, rather than giving up, sends a powerful message about the true meaning of love. It is a reminder that love is not always perfect and requires effort from both partners, but that it is worth fighting for in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
For better or for worse
No matter what happens, we're going to stick together
Make it work
We're going to work through any issues that come up
I ain't goin' nowhere
I'm not leaving you no matter what
Yeah, I messed up, but you hurt me, Blew it like it's yo' birthday
I made a mistake, but your response hurt me just as bad as if it was intentional
And you love it baby on Wednesday, but I make you sick on Thursday
Things can change quickly between us, and sometimes we get on each other's nerves
And I know I'm wrong and you shutin' down, and I touch down like "What now?"
When I realize I'm in the wrong and you've stopped talking to me, I try to make it right
Why we going through all this? Why things gotta be rough now?
I don't understand why we're having a hard time when we love each other so much
But, you had so many break-ups, you can't believe
You've been hurt in the past so much that it's hard for you to believe this relationship can work
You go and break my heart that I forgive and I ain't leave
Even when you hurt me, I forgive you and never leave you
Don't define you by your faults, ain't gon' push your buttons either
I'm not going to judge you based on your mistakes, and I won't deliberately try to make you upset
Everyday we startin' fresh, this is how it's s'posed to be
Each day is a new beginning for us, and this is how a healthy relationship should be
Never try to take advantage, you respect me as a man
You treat me with respect and never try to use me or take advantage of me
But every once 'a while you get to poppin' off and say stuff you shouldn't be sayin'
Sometimes you say things in the heat of the moment that you don't really mean or shouldn't say
But I'm witchu, I ain't playin', if it's thick or if it's thin
I'm committed to you and our relationship, no matter what challenges come our way
Both the times and your figure, girl, this is who I am
I accept everything about you, your past and your physical appearance, because I love everything about you
I love you baby, that's real talk, and this life we live is a real walk
I truly love you, and our relationship is not just a game, but a real journey we're on together
Tell your girlfriends that it's still on
Let your friends know that we're still together and going strong
I be makin' you mad, girl
Sometimes I do things that upset you
But you said you'll never leave me lonely
You promised to never leave me, even when things get difficult
So I had to put a ring up on it, 'cause our commitment ain't no game
I wanted to solidify our commitment to each other by getting married
Yeah we laugh, but we ain't playin', I'mma always be yo' mane
Even when we're joking around, I want you to know that I'm serious about our relationship and will always be there for you
And though we'll never break up, I hate it when we mad
Even though our commitment is strong, I still hate when we have arguments
But love it when we get to make up, no lines that I could make up
I love when we're able to make up after an argument, and nothing I could say would express how much I love you
To let you know how much I got you covered, girl
I want you to know that I will always have your back, no matter what
And I only be pushin' yo' buttons because I love you, girl
When I tease you or do things that upset you, it's only because I love you and want to make you happy
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DEREK MOUNT, JACOB OLD, JOSHUA OLDS, NATHAN CURRIN, RILEY FRIESEN, ROBERT OLDS, SOLOMON OLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind