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.”
Gravity
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keeps pullin' me down
I pen songs for the perishin' and parishioners
Them hearers and them listeners, the home and the visitors
This is not a game, you can't tame or make it purty
They say the earth cursed, so our mouths stay dirty
There's mud on the track, a slug in ya' back
And you ain't got the power to make it through this parade
The workers can't keep the profit - everything here is vain
My job is oppressive, I strive for my blessings
The pastor so corrupt it's hard to ride with his message
Riches destroy the owners, the government think they own us
My onus is to keep the police from ridin' all up on us
Leavin' money to kids who spend it on getting' blitz
Say, what's the point of livin' to give it up in the end
Then again, all my sin has been pinned to the cross
I know I'm free forever from this land of the lost
[Chorus]
Yeah, every time I think I'm flying
I'm just falling
So close to touching the sky
But gravity keeps pulling me back down
But I can't stay here forever
I want to go, ooh one day!
I want to go
Somewhere where there's no gravity
Somebody told me there was no such thing as truth
I said, "If that's the case then why should I believe you?"
Murder, money, and mayhem, every place that I lay in
My problems follow suit, I'm tailor-made for this, ain't I?
It's deep. You wanna go deep? I'll take you deep
Reality is really just cheap
Yo' eyes wide open apparently, but you sleep
And everything you have in your hands you'll never keep
So why hold on, I flow on to go on, before long I float on
Eternal life is what I'm thinkin' I'mma bank my hope on
Believe me, easy is irrelevant
The devil want us burning for the hell of it
Elephants in the room say we can't talk about impending doom
Or we gospel rappin' or preaching people out of they shoes
It's cool, I'll be that dude. We glued to our depravity
Until somebody free us from this gravity. Fly!
[Chorus]
The song "Gravity" by Lecrae is a reflection of the struggles and challenges faced by individuals every day. Lecrae pens the song for the perishin' and parishioners, the home and the visitors. He talks about the harsh reality of life that we can't tame or make it pretty. Lecrae mentions that the earth is cursed, and as a result, our mouths stay dirty, which signifies the sinful nature of humans. The song mentions the struggles of everyday life, from police brutality, oppression, corruption, and the destructive nature of riches. The lyrics also touch on the concept of eternal life and how it can be achieved through belief in a higher power. Overall, the song's message is that despite the challenges life throws at us, we should strive to maintain our faith and hope for a better tomorrow.
One interesting fact about the song is that it features Taylor Hill, who sings the chorus of the song. The song was also nominated for a Dove Award for Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year in 2013. Another interesting fact is that the song was produced by Tyshane Thompson, who was only 19 years old at the time of production. The song's album, which shares the same title, "Gravity," also won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album in 2013. Lecrae has mentioned that he originally planned to release the album in 2011, but due to creative differences with his label, he had to delay the release until 2012.
Line by Line Meaning
It's gravity
The force of gravity is a metaphor for the struggles and hardships of life that weigh Lecrae down.
Keeps pullin' me down
Life's difficulties continue to impede Lecrae's ability to move forward and achieve his goals.
I pen songs for the perishin' and parishioners
Lecrae writes music for both those who are lost and those who believe in God.
Them hearers and them listeners, the home and the visitors
He reaches both his dedicated fans and new listeners, whether they are in his hometown or elsewhere.
This is not a game, you can't tame or make it purty
Life is not something that can be controlled or sugar-coated; it must be handled with seriousness and authenticity.
They say the earth cursed, so our mouths stay dirty
The biblical belief that the world is fallen and sinful affects the way people communicate and behave.
There's mud on the track, a slug in ya' back
The path to success is filled with obstacles, and people may be weighed down by the sins and struggles of their past.
Police done pulled you over wit' a gun in ya' lap
Lecrae references the issue of police brutality and violence against African-Americans, which adds another layer of adversity to life.
And you ain't got the power to make it through this parade
Despite the problems, people may feel powerless to change their circumstances.
The workers can't keep the profit - everything here is vain
The pursuit of wealth and success is ultimately futile, as earthly possessions and achievements are fleeting and meaningless.
My job is oppressive, I strive for my blessings
The daily grind can feel like a burden, but finding purpose and blessings can help Lecrae continue to push through.
The pastor so corrupt it's hard to ride with his message
Lecrae acknowledges the failings of religious leaders and institutions, which can make it difficult for people to find hope and guidance.
Riches destroy the owners, the government think they own us
Wealth can lead to corruption and loss of freedom, as the government and societal expectations control people's lives.
My onus is to keep the police from ridin' all up on us
Lecrae feels responsible for protecting himself and those around him from police brutality and other forms of violence and oppression.
Leavin' money to kids who spend it on getting' blitz
Lecrae questions the point of accumulating wealth, as it may not benefit future generations and could lead them astray.
Say, what's the point of livin' to give it up in the end
Without a deeper purpose or hope, the struggles and hardships of life can seem meaningless and not worth enduring.
Then again, all my sin has been pinned to the cross
Lecrae finds solace in his belief that his sins have been forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
I know I'm free forever from this land of the lost
Lecrae finds hope in his faith that he will one day be free from the struggles and hardships of life.
Somebody told me there was no such thing as truth
Lecrae addresses the issue of relativism and the belief that there is no objective truth or morality.
I said, 'If that's the case then why should I believe you?'
Lecrae questions the validity of those who deny truth and morality, as their statement contradicts itself.
Murder, money, and mayhem, every place that I lay in
Sin and evil are present everywhere Lecrae goes, making it difficult to escape them.
My problems follow suit, I'm tailor-made for this, ain't I?
Lecrae feels like his problems and struggles are inevitable and part of who he is as a person.
It's deep. You wanna go deep? I'll take you deep
Lecrae is willing to dive into complex and difficult topics, and encourages his listeners to do the same.
Reality is really just cheap
The shallowness and superficiality of the world can mask the deeper issues of life.
Yo' eyes wide open apparently, but you sleep
People may be aware of the problems in the world, but not truly awake or actively engaging with them.
And everything you have in your hands you'll never keep
Material possessions and earthly achievements are temporary and fleeting, and cannot be taken with us after death.
So why hold on, I flow on to go on, before long I float on
Lecrae seeks to find hope and purpose in the midst of struggles, and will continue to persevere despite the challenges.
Eternal life is what I'm thinkin' I'mma bank my hope on
Lecrae finds hope in his faith that there is life beyond this earthly existence, and that there is ultimate meaning and purpose in God.
Believe me, easy is irrelevant
Life is not necessarily easy or straightforward, and sometimes people must endure difficulties to find purpose and meaning.
The devil want us burning for the hell of it
Lecrae acknowledges the existence of evil and how it seeks to destroy and undermine humanity as a whole.
Elephants in the room say we can't talk about impending doom
There are major societal issues that cannot be ignored or glossed over, but are often avoided or silenced.
Or we gospel rappin' or preaching people out of they shoes
Lecrae recognizes that his religious beliefs are often at odds with the mainstream culture, but he believes in sharing his message anyways.
It's cool, I'll be that dude. We glued to our depravity
Lecrae accepts that his beliefs may be seen as controversial or unpopular, but he still believes in sharing his message and connecting with others.
Until somebody free us from this gravity. Fly!
Lecrae longs to be free from the struggles and hardships of life, and to find ultimate freedom and hope in his faith.
[Chorus]
The chorus reiterates the metaphor of gravity and the struggle to break free from it, while also expressing a desire for ultimate freedom beyond this earthly existence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Courtney Peebles, Le Crae Devaughn Moore, Ruperd Grier Currence
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind