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.”
High
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cold for the winter
Keep it hot when the summer comes yeah
And it's all when the summer's done
But we all gotta represent him dawg cause the summers
done
Nope, we ain't slaves no more
We don't follow our sinful ways no more
Them days no more, them ways no more
Folks was looking at me like I'm crazy
Yep that's my name, that's the way God made me
Get your word out if you're a spiritual baby
And open up the book so you can roll in the day with me
Beyond belief!
Hey get your hands up high
Get 'em in the air try to touch that sky
Y'all know we gon' rep the most high
Yeah, we gon' rep the most high
Go ahead get low
Get ya hands down
Try to touch that floor
Y'all know that's the way that we roll
Yeah, that's the way that we roll
Hey I hope this works
There's more to life in Christ than just church
God made Adam by breathing into the dirt
Then we all sin and fallen into the curse but
You think you got it, to get it, you gotta live it dawg
You gotta read it, believe it, then go and get it dawg
Spit it how you live it
If you got it, you can give it
But I never seen a lazy boy grow
And I know a couple of 'em
Who be sayin'
That they love him
But they never really get out there and go
So back to the fact
That we out to relax
And say: hey, I'm saved
No need for me to act
Instead of growing in Christ
And learning to reenact
That lifestyle he lived
I'm like homey you seeing that?
Beyond belief!
Hey get your hands up high
Get 'em in the air try to touch that sky
Y'all know we gon' rep the most high
Yeah, we gon' rep the most high
Go ahead get low
Get ya hands down
Try to touch that floor
Y'all know that's the way that we roll
Yeah, that's the way that we roll
Go ahead
It's your birthday move to the left
It's your birthday move to the right
It's your birthday but you gotta grow some more so get
thirsty
Go ahead
It's your birthday move to the left
It's your birthday move to the right
It's your birthday but you gotta grow some more so get
thirsty
Beyond belief!
Hey get your hands up high
Get 'em in the air try to touch that sky
Y'all know we gon' rep the most high
Yeah, we gon' rep the most high
Go ahead get low
Get ya hands down
Try to touch that floor
Y'all know that's the way that we roll
Yeah, that's the way that we roll
Beyond belief!
Hey get your hands up high
Get 'em in the air try to touch that sky
Y'all know we gon' rep the most high
Yeah, we gon' rep the most high
Go ahead get low
Get ya hands down
Try to touch that floor
Y'all know that's the way that we roll
Yeah, that's the way that we roll
The song "High" by Lecrae featuring Suzy Rock is a rap song that talks about how Christians should live, behave, and represent themselves. The lyrics start with the declaration that despite the changing seasons or circumstances, they will continue to serve and represent their faith. They emphasize that they are no longer slaves to sin, and as believers, they have left their sinful ways behind. The song encourages believers to immerse themselves in the book of life and embrace Christ's teachings.
The chorus of the song is about celebrating God's greatness and raising hands high in worship to touch the sky. It is a display of praise and adoration for the One they represent. Furthermore, the song speaks of the importance of growth, not just in age but also in faith. It encourages listeners to thirst for more of God's teachings to enable them to exhibit Christ-like values continually.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we go with another one
Starting another song like many before
Cold for the winter
Chilling in the winter because of the cold weather
Keep it hot when the summer comes yeah
On fire during summer to stay active and energetic
And it's all when the summer's done
The energy lasts beyond just the summer season
But we all gotta represent him dawg cause the summers done
We represent God all year round even when summer is over
Nope, we ain't slaves no more
No longer slaves to sin and its ways
We don't follow our sinful ways no more
We have stopped following the path of sin and disobedience
You don't see us in the purple haze no more
We don't indulge in the lifestyle of drug use anymore
Them days no more, them ways no more
Those bad habits and behaviors are no longer part of our lives
Folks was looking at me like I'm crazy
People were judging me negatively for my beliefs
Yep that's my name, that's the way God made me
Embracing oneself as God made you, even if it draws criticism
Get your word out if you're a spiritual baby
If you are new to spiritual things, start learning and sharing God's word
And open up the book so you can roll in the day with me
Read and study the Bible to journey through life's ups and downs with God
Hey get your hands up high
Raising hands as a sign of worship and submission
Get 'em in the air try to touch that sky
Stretching towards the heavens to show reverence to God
Y'all know we gon' rep the most high
We will represent God and His ways
Go ahead get low
Bowing down in humility and prayer
Get ya hands down
Lowering hands as a sign of respect and submission
Try to touch that floor
Showing reverence and humility by bowing down to the ground
Hey I hope this works
Expressing hope that the message being shared is received and impactful
There's more to life in Christ than just church
Following Christ's teachings involves more than just attending church
God made Adam by breathing into the dirt
Recalling the creation story of Adam from Genesis
Then we all sin and fallen into the curse but
The fall of man into sin and brokenness
You think you got it, to get it, you gotta live it dawg
Believing is not enough, it should be applied in our daily lives
You gotta read it, believe it, then go and get it dawg
Reading, understanding, and taking action based on God's word
Spit it how you live it
Share your faith through your daily actions and life choices
If you got it, you can give it
If you receive the gift of God's grace, you can share it with others
But I never seen a lazy boy grow
Growth requires effort and hard work, just like a plant needing water and sunlight
And I know a couple of 'em
The lazy boys being referred to in the previous line
Who be sayin'
They claim to love God
That they love him
Showing love towards God
But they never really get out there and go
Their actions do not align with their words
So back to the fact
Returning to the main point being made
That we out to relax
We should find rest and comfort in God's presence
And say: hey, I'm saved
Certainty of salvation and being part of God's kingdom
No need for me to act
No need to pretend or act differently because of being saved
Instead of growing in Christ
Continuously developing a deeper relationship with God
And learning to reenact
Learning from Jesus' example and imitating his life
That lifestyle he lived
The way Jesus lived and taught us to live
I'm like homey you seeing that?
Are you understanding and following this message?
Go ahead
Encouragement to take action
It's your birthday move to the left
Using the metaphor of a birthday celebration to tell people to move past their current stage of faith
It's your birthday move to the right
Another metaphorical encouragement to move forward in their faith journey
It's your birthday but you gotta grow some more so get thirsty
The idea that there is always room for spiritual growth and thirst for more knowledge of God and his teachings
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, MUSIC SERVICES, INC.
Written by: JOHN HOSEA WILLIAMS, LE CRAE MOORE, AMISHO BARAKA LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Reach Records
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http://bit.ly/LecraeVEVO
I.M. Shirley Rongh
Pls edit, credit Sho Baraka, thx
Amanuel Nigus
"I don't need drug, got the Most High." my favorite line.
Danielle Funderburg
Yes!
👑Uniquely Authentic👑
Amen & Ahman exactly 💯👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Zac Tank
How is this song not more popular?!
LumaLuminous
The rise of atheism and Islam
👑Uniquely Authentic👑
I remember bangin' this one in dem woofers speakers back in the day when it first came out! It's still hot 🔥🔥🔥🎶🎵 ... 2:55 "He saved us from the beef on Passover by the way" 😉
Beyblade Burst Isaiah
Awesome great song
Danielle Funderburg
This gets me so hyped