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.”
Indwelling Sin
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The one you used to call your friend
I know you ain't forgot me?
Oh yeah you always get me caught in sin
Here you go with that again
You act like we ain't cool or sumthin
Talk and sip a brew or sumthin
Naw man I ain't trusting you
Ain't nothing but lust in you
Thanks be to God I obeyed the teaching I was entrusted to
Cause when you pass by you just want ya boy to backslide
Have me feeling sick like I'm coming down off a crack high
Man that's a flat lie
You act like I'm the bad guy
You know when me and you get together we have a grand time
Let's take it back. All the way to like the 6th grade
Last thing on your mind back in the day was trying to live saved
Remember house parties, kissing in the dark?
Man that was innocent fun come on
NOW don't start
See dawg I live by the Spirit so I don't gratify
All them old sinful desires that never satsify
Aye come on KILL THAT!
Look me in my face and tell me I'm a lie
You ain't feeling chasing women, getting drunk
And getting high, stacking money, staying fly
Living up the playas life, we was
Having fun now gone try to be religious guy
Aye Yo man first of all LOWER YOUR VOICE! Who you talkin' to?
Handcuffed in August '02 I got caught with you
Truck flipped over on 35 that was all from you
I'll mess around and lose my life man tryna walk in you
I'm standing on these stages and got these people believing me
What I look like trying ta gratify this disease in me
So Now I'm a disease? Man please. I got yo back dawg
I ain't saying drop the Jesus and be a rap star
All I'm saying is when it's you and me let's be real folk
We ain't gotta be selling drugs and tryna kill folk
Maybe just a lil
What? A lil this, a lil that, a lil BET late at night
That's like a lil crack, see you ain't gone lie to me
I see how you be tryna be
BET tonight becomes addiction to pornography
And that's in no way honoring the God who's ruling sovereignly
Man you know you miss them old days
Yeah you right possibly
But after that I sober up and think of Jesus holding up
His skin up on the cross for all them drunken nights I'm throwing up
Every thought of blowin up is captured in his flowing blood
I start thinking Philippians 4:8 when you showing up
You know I ain't gone quit right?
Yeah I know but I'm dead to you
And one day I'll be present with Jesus who died and bled from you
Colossians 1:15 that's the God that I trust in
The Father crushed Him
In doing so he has crushed sin
Lecrae's Indwelling Sin is a conversation between the rapper and his old sinful self, represented as a friend. The song highlights the internal struggle that Christians face in their journey towards righteousness. Lecrae portrays his old self as a temptation that is always lurking, trying to lure him back into a life of sin. He calls out this temptation, reminding it of his dedication to God and how he is no longer controlled by his sinful desires. He reflects on his past mistakes and the things that used to bring him temporary satisfaction, such as partying and chasing women. However, he reminds himself that these things are fleeting and not fulfilling in the long run. Instead, he chooses to follow a righteous path, with God as his only guide.
Throughout the song, Lecrae emphasizes the importance of keeping one's faith and avoiding the temptation to indulge in sinful behavior. He stands firm in his beliefs and trusts in God's plan for him, even though it may not be the easiest path to follow. The lyrics also convey the struggle of maintaining a righteous lifestyle in a world that glorifies sin and encourages indulgence.
Overall, Indwelling Sin is a reflection of the ongoing battle between good and evil, light and dark, that exists within every person. It is a reminder that even the most faithful individuals face temptations and must resist the urge to give in to their sinful desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Aye look what's good fam it's me again
The singer is addressing a familiar sinful temptation in their life.
The one you used to call your friend
The sinful temptation is personified as a former friend.
I know you ain't forgot me?
The singer acknowledges that the temptation is still present.
Oh yeah you always get me caught in sin
The artist recognizes that the temptation always leads to sin.
Here you go with that again
The artist is tired of the temptation's persistent presence.
You act like we ain't cool or sumthin
The singer is trying to distance themselves from the temptation.
Let's go smoke a Kool or sumthin
The temptation tries to trivialize their past bad behavior.
Naw man I ain't trusting you
The artist is determined to resist the temptation.
Ain't nothing but lust in you
The artist recognizes that the temptation is driven by lust.
Thanks be to God I obeyed the teaching I was entrusted to
The artist credits their faith for helping them resist the temptation.
Cause when you pass by you just want ya boy to backslide
The singer recognizes that the temptation is always trying to pull them back into bad behavior.
Have me feeling sick like I'm coming down off a crack high
The artist is repulsed by the temptation's influence.
Man that's a flat lie
The temptation denies that it is causing harm.
You act like I'm the bad guy
The temptation tries to make the singer feel guilty.
You know when me and you get together we have a grand time
The temptation tries to remind the singer of their past bad behavior.
Let's take it back. All the way to like the 6th grade
The temptation tries to romanticize their past.
Last thing on your mind back in the day was trying to live saved
The artist acknowledges that they were not always faithful to God.
Remember house parties, kissing in the dark?
The temptation reminisces about the singer's past bad behavior.
Man that was innocent fun come on
The temptation tries to make the singer think their past bad behavior was harmless.
NOW don't start
The artist is trying to end the conversation about their past.
See dawg I live by the Spirit so I don't gratify
The artist tries to explain that they have changed their ways.
All them old sinful desires that never satsify
The artist acknowledges that their past bad behavior was unsatisfying.
Aye come on KILL THAT!
The singer emphasizes their rejection of their old ways.
Look me in my face and tell me I'm a lie
The artist challenges the temptation's accusations.
You ain't feeling chasing women, getting drunk
The singer recognizes that the temptation is driven by worldly desires.
And getting high, stacking money, staying fly
The singer acknowledges that the temptation encourages worldly excess.
Living up the playas life, we was
The temptation tries to romanticize their past bad behavior.
Having fun now gone try to be religious guy
The temptation is trying to discourage the artist from their new values.
Aye Yo man first of all LOWER YOUR VOICE! Who you talkin' to?
The temptation is trying to regain control.
Handcuffed in August '02 I got caught with you
The singer is reflecting on a past mistake they made when influenced by the temptation.
Truck flipped over on 35 that was all from you
The singer associates the temptation with danger and harm.
I'll mess around and lose my life man tryna walk in you
The artist recognizes that following the temptation could lead them to harm.
I'm standing on these stages and got these people believing me
The artist is reflecting on their success as a musician.
What I look like trying ta gratify this disease in me
The artist recognizes that the temptation is a disease.
So Now I'm a disease? Man please. I got yo back dawg
The temptation tries to deny that it is harmful.
I ain't saying drop the Jesus and be a rap star
The artist acknowledges that their success does not require them to forsake their faith.
All I'm saying is when it's you and me let's be real folk
The temptation tries to normalize their presence in the singer's life.
We ain't gotta be selling drugs and tryna kill folk
The singer acknowledges that their past bad behavior was harmful.
Maybe just a lil
The temptation tries to persuade the singer to give in just a little bit.
What? A lil this, a lil that, a lil BET late at night
The temptation tries to trivialize its influence.
That's like a lil crack, see you ain't gone lie to me
The artist acknowledges that the temptation's influence can be addictive.
I see how you be tryna be
The singer recognizes the temptation's manipulative tactics.
BET tonight becomes addiction to pornography
The singer recognizes that the temptation can lead to harmful behavior.
And that's in no way honoring the God who's ruling sovereignly
The artist acknowledges that their new faith requires them to avoid harmful behavior.
Man you know you miss them old days
The temptation is trying to make the artist nostalgic for their past bad behavior.
Yeah you right possibly
The artist recognizes that they may have positive memories of their past.
But after that I sober up and think of Jesus holding up
The singer reminds themselves of their new values and faith.
His skin up on the cross for all them drunken nights I'm throwing up
The artist acknowledges that their past bad behavior was harmful.
Every thought of blowin up is captured in his flowing blood
The singer finds strength in their faith to resist harmful behavior.
I start thinking Philippians 4:8 when you showing up
The singer reassures themselves of their new values.
You know I ain't gone quit right?
The temptation persists.
Yeah I know but I'm dead to you
The artist is determined to resist temptation.
And one day I'll be present with Jesus who died and bled from you
The artist finds strength in their faith to resist temptation.
Colossians 1:15 that's the God that I trust in
The singer expresses their faith.
The Father crushed Him
The singer is referencing the crucifixion.
In doing so he has crushed sin
The artist is reflecting on the impact of faith on their life.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Devon Burroughs, Dion Burroughs, Le Crae Devaughn Moore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-xp2jq8vj4z
Aye look what's good fam it's me again
The one you used to call your friend
I know you ain't forgot me?
Oh yeah you always get me caught in sin
Here you go with that again
You act like we ain't cool or sumthin
Let's go smoke a Kool or sumthin
Talk and sip a brew or sumthin
Naw man I ain't trusting you
Ain't nothing but lust in you
Thanks be to God I obeyed the teaching I was entrusted to
Cause when you pass by you just want ya boy to backslide
Have me feeling sick like I'm coming down off a crack high
Man that's a flat lie
You act like I'm the bad guy
You know when me and you get together we have a grand time
Let's take it back. All the way to like the 6th grade
Last thing on your mind back in the day was trying to live saved
Remember house parties, kissing in the dark?
Man that was innocent fun come on
NOW don't start
See dawg I live by the Spirit so I don't gratify
All them old sinful desires that never satsify
Aye come on KILL THAT!
Look me in my face and tell me I'm a lie
You ain't feeling chasing women, getting drunk
And getting high, stacking money, staying fly
Living up the playas life, we was
Having fun now gone try to be religious guy
Aye Yo man first of all LOWER YOUR VOICE! Who you talkin' to?
Handcuffed in August '02 I got caught with you
Truck flipped over on 35 that was all from you
I'll mess around and lose my life man tryna walk in you
I'm standing on these stages and got these people believing me
What I look like trying ta gratify this disease in me
So Now I'm a disease? Man please. I got yo back dawg
I ain't saying drop the Jesus and be a rap star
All I'm saying is when it's you and me let's be real folk
We ain't gotta be selling drugs and tryna kill folk
Maybe just a lil
What? A lil this, a lil that, a lil BET late at night
That's like a lil crack, see you ain't gone lie to me
I see how you be tryna be
BET tonight becomes addiction to pornography
And that's in no way honoring the God who's ruling sovereignly
Man you know you miss them old days
Yeah you right possibly
But after that I sober up and think of Jesus holding up
His skin up on the cross for all them drunken nights I'm throwing up
Every thought of blowin up is captured in his flowing blood
I start thinking Philippians 4:8 when you showing up
You know I ain't gone quit right?
Yeah I know but I'm dead to you
And one day I'll be present with Jesus who died and bled from you
Colossians 1:15 that's the God that I trust in
The Father crushed Him
In doing so he has crushed sin
@GlendaleFlowers
Who's still bumping this I 2k23?!? ✌🏾💪🏾🙏🏾
@myppislimp
Man listening to this 10 years later is so eye opening
@GoatMeal365
One of top 5 Lecrae songs
@LivingStone4Christ
Wow I pray he makes more music like this old jam. This is gold
@Chirhopher
Yeah. This album was solid, and was timely for coming out of addiction. sDg
@jennifermilton6592
who listening in 2020? Lord knows I need to hear this one right now!!!
@ticktockcardiology524
me 2021
@ayeebruhh3346
2021 bro
@daniellefunderburg9277
2021
@babo5684
2022