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.”
Falling Down
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, I know you think you the one, homie
But can't nobody escape Gravity
Yes sir, it's about to go down
It's spiralin' to the ground, but I don't think it's gon' slow down
This fallen world is fallin', this building's 'bout to blow down
We just goin' in circles, we don't get another go 'round
A storm is comin', can't nobody's levees hold
It's heavy, bro, but I gotta let you know
It'll help you look beyond this world like a telescope
(It'd be easy) Yeah, stack your money in the air
'Til it's rainin' hund'eds all around your atmosphere
(It'd be easy) You can build a mansion sky high
'Til can't nobody see the roof when they drive by
But death'll hit you like a drive by
And to that stuff you acquired you gotta say "Bye, bye"
I ain't gon' lie, you might go down in history
Everything will go down eventually
Everything is falling (down)
[Chorus]
Everything is falling down, down, down
It's goin' down
It's goin' down
I see the sky fallin'
It's goin' down
And ain't no way to solve it
It's goin' down
I hear the Lord calling
It's goin' down, rather comin' down wit' it
Cold world, condition is sin, here is the illness
It's sickenin', affliction so erotic, sickness so hypnotic
Desirin' this virus even though we know it's toxic
Godless, hallowin' the gods that is counterfeit
We live from 'de party o' 'de dearly departed
The darkness is flowing from my nostrils
We're so psychotic, we still partyin' like we not sick
YOLO, homie, so pour another glass
Roll another one up, let's put on another mask
Another bundle o' cash, another shorty to bag
Same thing e'eryday, groundhog under grass
Man, turn the music up cuz I don't wanna hear the truth
'Bout the things I'm living fo is dead and I'm the living proof
Shoot, the sky's fallin', ain't no need to panic
Unless we party 'til it cracks, seeing Jesus standin'
Coming down
[Chorus]
You scared, I'm not
There's a time for everything
A time to be born and a time to die
There's a time when the world as we know it will end
When that is, I don't know
But it is goin' down
Listen, it's goin' down, down, down holla' "Mayday!"
Them fiends looking for candy and them dealers got that pay day
I seen them child soldiers; they was loading up some AK's
Ain't playin' Modern Warfare. Don't you know ain't a war fair?
Scales never even, but they be triple beamin'
They keep them fiends fienin', the Devil stay scheming
And dreamers steady dreamin', but ain't no hope here
Ain't no satisfaction in money, women, and clothes here
Oh yeah! Them Christians in Christian Audigier
Hey, can't some young men say the stuff we gotta say?
'Cause everything is fallen, it can happen any day
Your world come tumbling down and ain't no way to get away
You ain't never gon' say you ain't hear it from Lecrae
If I die before I wake I pray to the Lord your soul He'll take
All these drunken nights are empty like the bottles that we break
And you can't get high enough to escape
It's going down!
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "Falling Down" by Lecrae discuss the decline of society and the futility in pursuing material possessions. The title of the song represents the inevitability of the downfall of everything, including our own lives. The first verse emphasizes the inescapable nature of gravity, and how everything is eventually spiraling towards its end. Lecrae warns against the belief that accumulating wealth and status can protect us from this fate, emphasizing that death comes unexpectedly and cannot be avoided. The second verse discusses the destructive nature of sin and how it leads to sickness and darkness. The line "Godless, hallowin' the gods that are counterfeit" highlights the idolatry and lack of spiritual fulfillment in worldly pursuits. The final verse switches perspectives, discussing the dangerous realities of the world and the hopelessness that can result. Lecrae emphasizes the importance of recognizing the inevitability of destruction and turning to God before it's too late.
Overall, "Falling Down" is a strong critique of society's obsession with material wealth and the need for spiritual fulfillment. It is a powerful call to action to recognize the futility of worldly pursuits and turn towards God.
Line by Line Meaning
It's goin' down
This world and everything in it is spiraling towards destruction and chaos.
Hey, I know you think you the one, homie
You may feel invincible, but none of us are above the laws of nature and the eventual end of all things.
But can't nobody escape Gravity
We are all subject to the forces of nature and the inevitable decline of our world.
Yes sir, it's about to go down
The end is coming, and it will be a swift and sudden fall.
It's spiralin' to the ground, but I don't think it's gon' slow down
The trajectory towards destruction is unstoppable and unrelenting.
This fallen world is fallin', this building's 'bout to blow down
The decay of our world is accelerating, and everything is on the brink of collapse.
We just goin' in circles, we don't get another go 'round
We are stuck in a cycle of destruction and decay, with no chance to try again.
(It's goin' down) What happens when your life is leveled, bro?
When everything falls apart, what will you do?
A storm is comin', can't nobody's levees hold
There is a disaster on the horizon that no one can fully prepare for or withstand.
It's heavy, bro, but I gotta let you know
This news is difficult to hear, but it must be shared.
It'll help you look beyond this world like a telescope
This revelation can help you understand the bigger picture and appreciate what truly matters beyond this temporary world.
(It'd be easy) Yeah, stack your money in the air
It may seem like a good idea to pursue wealth and material possessions.
'Til it's rainin' hund'eds all around your atmosphere
Until you are surrounded by money and possessions, but it won't bring true satisfaction.
(It'd be easy) You can build a mansion sky high
It might seem like an easy way to achieve success or status by building lavish homes and possessions.
'Til can't nobody see the roof when they drive by
Until you've built something so grand that it no longer seems humanly possible, but these things won't provide lasting happiness or security.
But death'll hit you like a drive by
Death is an inevitable and sudden event that can quickly rob us of our possessions.
And to that stuff you acquired you gotta say "Bye, bye"
You can't take your possessions or achievements with you when you die.
I ain't gon' lie, you might go down in history
You may achieve great things, but eventually, everything and everyone will be forgotten.
Everything will go down eventually
The only true certainty is that everything in our world will eventually come to an end.
Everything is falling (down)
The degradation and destruction of our world and everything in it is accelerating and inevitable.
I see the sky fallin'
The end is coming soon, and it will be catastrophic.
And ain't no way to solve it
We cannot prevent or stop the inevitable end of our world.
I hear the Lord calling
In the midst of chaos and destruction, there is still hope and a higher power guiding us.
Rather comin' down wit' it
We are all going to experience the decline of our world together, and there is no escaping it.
Cold world, condition is sin, here is the illness
Our world is corrupt and broken, and the root of the problem is sin.
It's sickenin', affliction so erotic, sickness so hypnotic
The sinful nature of our world is seductive and alluring, drawing us in like a sickness.
Desirin' this virus even though we know it's toxic
We are drawn to sin, even though we know it is harmful and ultimately leads to destruction.
Godless, hallowin' the gods that is counterfeit
Our world has rejected God and instead worships false gods and idols.
We live from 'de party o' 'de dearly departed
Our world revolves around celebrating and glorifying those who have died, rather than focusing on the living and the future.
The darkness is flowing from my nostrils
The sin and darkness in our world are so pervasive that they seem to ooze out of all of us.
We're so psychotic, we still partyin' like we not sick
We are so consumed by sin and delusion that we continue to engage in destructive behaviors even though we know they are harmful.
YOLO, homie, so pour another glass
We live by the motto "you only live once," so we indulge in temporary pleasures and vices.
Roll another one up, let's put on another mask
We hide our true selves and indulge in fakery and illusion to escape the reality of our world.
Another bundle o' cash, another shorty to bag
We constantly pursue wealth, possessions, and temporary relationships to fill the void in our lives and escape reality.
Same thing e'eryday, groundhog under grass
We are stuck in a repetitive cycle, with no way to break free from our vices and sins.
Man, turn the music up cuz I don't wanna hear the truth
We try to drown out the reality of our world by indulging in worldly pleasures and distractions.
'Bout the things I'm living fo is dead and I'm the living proof
Our pursuits of wealth and temporary pleasures are hollow and meaningless, and only lead to emptiness and decay.
Shoot, the sky's fallin', ain't no need to panic
The end of our world is imminent, but there is no need to fear or panic.
Unless we party 'til it cracks, seeing Jesus standin'
If we continue to indulge in sin and distraction rather than preparing for the end of our world, we will be caught unprepared when it arrives.
You scared, I'm not
While many may fear the end of the world, Lecrae is not afraid.
There's a time for everything
There is a time for all things, including the end of our world.
A time to be born and a time to die
Events such as birth and death are natural parts of the cycle of life.
There's a time when the world as we know it will end
There is an inevitable end to our world as we know it.
When that is, I don't know
No one knows when the end of the world will come.
Listen, it's goin' down, down, down holla' "Mayday!"
The end is coming and we need to prepare for it.
Them fiends looking for candy and them dealers got that pay day
Drug addicts are looking for their next fix and drug dealers are cashing in on their addiction, contributing to the decay of our world.
I seen them child soldiers; they was loading up some AK's
The world's problems extend beyond just drug addiction and decay, with child soldiers and war contributing to the suffering and decay of our world.
Ain't playin' Modern Warfare. Don't you know ain't a war fair?
The reality of war is not as glamorous or fair as depicted in video games or media.
Scales never even, but they be triple beamin'
Drug dealers may achieve wealth, but they do so at the expense of the addicts they prey upon.
They keep them fiends fienin', the Devil stay scheming
Drug addiction is a tool of the Devil, using it to prey upon the vulnerable and contribute to the decay of our world.
And dreamers steady dreamin', but ain't no hope here
Many of us cling to false hopes and illusions rather than facing the reality of our world.
Ain't no satisfaction in money, women, and clothes here
We seek satisfaction and fulfillment in temporary pleasures and possessions, but they ultimately leave us empty and unfulfilled.
Oh yeah! Them Christians in Christian Audigier
Even those who claim to be followers of Christ can get distracted by the temporary pleasures and possessions of our world.
Hey, can't some young men say the stuff we gotta say?
Lecrae is calling on younger generations to speak up about the truth of our world.
'Cause everything is fallen, it can happen any day
The end of our world is imminent and could happen at any moment.
Your world come tumbling down and ain't no way to get away
When the end of our world arrives, there will be no escape or way to save ourselves.
You ain't never gon' say you ain't hear it from Lecrae
Lecrae is ensuring that his message of truth is heard and remembered by listeners.
If I die before I wake I pray to the Lord your soul He'll take
Lecrae is reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of placing our faith and trust in God.
All these drunken nights are empty like the bottles that we break
Temporary pleasures such as drinking only further contribute to the emptiness and decay of our world.
And you can't get high enough to escape
Even indulging in vices and distraction won't enable us to escape the reality of our world.
It's going down!
The end of our world is coming, and we need to be prepared for it.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alex Medina, Allen Swoope, Courtney Peebles, Elvin Shahbazian, Le Crae Devaughn Moore, William Lee Barefield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind