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.”
Hang On
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look I don’t know a con named Wes, no
I’m tryin my best though
And I don’t know what all you went though
But look at everything we been through
Man, we got high together
Went to the mall, got fly together
Police came through tryna ask us questions
Tryna keep in touch, it got hard
Had a couple kids, I felt bad
Probably hurt or went off to school
But never know I was snortin that raw
Well I’m pain stabbed but not perfect
I know it feel like it ain’t worth it
But you love dog and that’s real talk
Don’t nobody wanna put you in the dirt man
I know it’s hard out here to get work
Got 2 strikes to feel worthless
But you was made for more than that drink and smoking
Tryna ask the streets for your purpose
You got your family here hurtin
My brothers callin me, worried
And me and yo daddy did the same thing
He both left us out here struggling
Heard they locked you up so I came through
Forget what you did and what you ain’t do
It’s times like this we play through
Got a word to the God that made you
Gotta hang on, hold strong
Trust in the truth to bring you home
I ain’t tryna sit here and preach to you
I’m tryna be the one you can lean on
[Verse:]
Hospital folks to the last walk
Let it be the past stops
Showed me that we was bout to head to drop
Pray to God he don’t get cast off
Head to the sky cuz I need some hope
Kin folk just got caught with dope
Partner just called said his baby sick
And this might be the end of my rope
Man it’s hard out here and I’m hurtin
Don’t need no choir girl flirtin
Don’t need no pastor tryna touch on kids telling me what I can’t, way to judge it
No fake cryin, a preacher lyin
Sayin God don’t love me if I don’t top
I need real him in a real season
Meet real faith and a real Jesus
I’m hanging on by a thread though
Crazy thoughts in my head, woa
Phoned my grandma on the payphone
Before I end up dead or on death row
Always do it, my friends know
What I got to pretend for
Free fallin, tryna hang on it
Anything I can get my hands on
In Lecrae's song Hang On, the rapper speaks to an old friend named Wes, admitting that he doesn't know everything that Wes has been through, but he is aware of the things that the two of them have faced together. He acknowledges that they have been high together, lied together, and gone to the mall together. However, he also mentions that they have both made mistakes, and that he knows Wes must be going through a hard time. Despite Wes' struggles, Lecrae tells him that he was made for more than just drinking and smoking and that he needs to hold on and trust the truth to bring him home.
Lecrae speaks about how it is hard out here to find work and how it can feel like he is worthless with two strikes against him. He also discusses how he is hurt and hanging on by a thread, while trying to keep his head above water. He mentions that he phoned his grandma on a payphone before he ends up dead and that he needs something to hold onto. Lecrae further clarifies that he is not trying to be preachy, but he wants to be the one that Wes can lean on in his darkest moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Look I don’t know a con named Wes, no
I may not know everything about you or your life struggles, but I'm still trying my best to understand and be there for you.
I’m tryin my best though
Despite not knowing everything, I'm putting in effort to be there for you.
And I don’t know what all you went though
I may not be fully aware of your past experiences and the emotions associated with them.
But look at everything we been through
Despite our differences, there are shared experiences that we have lived through together.
Man, we got high together
We used to partake in drug activities together.
Went to the mall, got fly together
We used to go shopping together and look our best.
Police came through tryna ask us questions
Law enforcement questioned us during our time together.
Me and you sat there and lied together
We both lied to the police in order to protect ourselves or each other.
Tryna keep in touch, it got hard
I've attempted to maintain contact with you, but it hasn't been easy.
Had a couple kids, I felt bad
I feel guilty for potentially not being there for my children and not setting a good example for them.
Probably hurt or went off to school
You may have gone through personal struggles or left to pursue higher education.
But never know I was snortin that raw
You may not have been aware that I was using drugs, particularly snorting cocaine.
Well I’m pain stabbed but not perfect
I have personal struggles and traumas, but I'm not infallible.
I know it feel like it ain’t worth it
I understand that life may seem pointless or overwhelming at times.
But you love dog and that’s real talk
You have people who care about you and love you, and that's a fact.
Don’t nobody wanna put you in the dirt man
No one wants to see you dead or in a bad situation.
I know it’s hard out here to get work
Finding employment can be a difficult and frustrating process.
Got 2 strikes to feel worthless
Having two prior criminal convictions makes you feel like a failure or worthless.
But you was made for more than that drink and smoking
You are capable of achieving more than just drinking and smoking, and you have potential for a better life.
Tryna ask the streets for your purpose
Turning to a life of crime or negative influences will not lead to true purpose or fulfillment in life.
You got your family here hurtin
Your family cares for you deeply and is worried about your well-being.
My brothers callin me, worried
My family is also concerned and reaching out to me for support and help.
And me and yo daddy did the same thing
Both you and I are following in our father's footsteps and struggling with similar issues.
He both left us out here struggling
Our fathers haven't necessarily been around to provide support or guidance, leaving us to face life's challenges alone.
Heard they locked you up so I came through
Upon learning of your incarceration, I made an effort to visit and be there for you.
Forget what you did and what you ain’t do
I'm putting aside any past mistakes or misdeeds that may have led to your arrest and just being there to support you in the present.
It’s times like this we play through
During difficult or tough moments, it's important to stick together and support each other.
Got a word to the God that made you
I believe in a higher power and will pray to that God for your safety and wellbeing.
Gotta hang on, hold strong
Hang in there and stay strong during this challenging time.
Trust in the truth to bring you home
Believe in the power of truth to set you free and return you home.
I ain’t tryna sit here and preach to you
I'm not attempting to lecture or be preachy in my support for you.
I’m tryna be the one you can lean on
I want to be there for you as someone who you can trust and rely on during difficult times.
Hospital folks to the last walk
Even when facing death, hospital staff and caretakers will be there for you.
Let it be the past stops
Let go of past mistakes and focus on moving forward towards a better future.
Showed me that we was bout to head to drop
The situation seemed dire and we were in danger of falling apart.
Pray to God he don’t get cast off
We pray that our struggles and hardships don't lead to us being abandoned or lost.
Head to the sky cuz I need some hope
I'm looking towards the heavens for guidance and support because I'm in need of hope.
Kin folk just got caught with dope
A family member recently got caught with drugs, leading to added stress and worry.
Partner just called said his baby sick
A friend reached out to me about their sick baby, creating more anxiety and concern.
And this might be the end of my rope
All of these hardships may push me to my limit and make me feel like I'm at my breaking point.
Man it’s hard out here and I’m hurtin
Life is challenging and painful, and it's weighing heavily on me.
Don’t need no choir girl flirtin
I don't need someone pretending to care for me or trying to manipulate me with false affection.
Don’t need no pastor tryna touch on kids telling me what I can’t, way to judge it
I don't need a religious leader who is preying on children or judging me inappropriately.
No fake cryin, a preacher lyin
I don't want someone shedding crocodile tears or using their position of power to be dishonest with me.
Sayin God don’t love me if I don’t top
I don't want someone preaching hate or trying to convince me that I'm unworthy of love or salvation.
I need real him in a real season
I need genuine faith and support from God and others during this difficult time.
Meet real faith and a real Jesus
I'm searching for true spirituality and an honest representation of Jesus.
I’m hanging on by a thread though
I'm barely holding on and struggling to maintain my composure.
Crazy thoughts in my head, woa
I'm experiencing overwhelming and irrational thoughts.
Phoned my grandma on the payphone
I reached out to my grandmother, who is a source of support and comfort.
Before I end up dead or on death row
I'm trying to turn my life around before it's too late and I end up dead or in prison for life.
Always do it, my friends know
I have a tendency to engage in self-destructive behaviors, and my friends are aware of this pattern.
What I got to pretend for
Why should I continue to pretend that everything is okay when it's clearly not?
Free fallin, tryna hang on it
I'm feeling like I'm falling apart, but I'm trying to hang on and stay strong.
Anything I can get my hands on
I'm trying to find anything to grasp onto in order to keep myself from completely falling apart.
Contributed by Penelope P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@reachrecords
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@434Saibot
I needed these tracks. I would go from saved to backslidden so many times. I'm tired of running from god. He is my fortune. From this day forward I will live for him. God is so good!!
@stevenp259
Keep ur head up! God will always be with you no matter what! Always remember God never gave up on you so never give up on yourself! Much Love
@QueenMe0625
So very relatable brother....let’s keep pushing through .... hang on hold strong
@ihkamjackson1
I can safely say this song alone has got me through my worst days and reminded me that God is still with and he will always be on my side. I am in college and have been away from my home church for a long time and this song. This god given music has helped me through so much and reminded me I'm not alone. Thank you
@AnomalyJM
"Don’t need no choir girl flirting,
Don’t need no pastor tryna touch on kids,
Telling me what I can't wear to church."
Couldn't have said it any better Lecrae.
@Mad07Hatter
God knows I need these songs sometimes. The truth is God's language
@b0rn1king
Hands down one of the best albums Lecrae put out.
@keithmoyo1366
Church clothes 1 might be the best.
@joshrodrigues113
This song is so raw and real. I love when Lecrae shares his testimonies with us