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.”
Overdose
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's talk about my fillin', filled with tha Holy Ghost
And I ain't talkin' smoke, I'm talkin' fire
I'm tryna shock the world, before they cut my wires
I'm on that overdose, old me comatose
See him let me know cause if you did you probably seen a ghost
Fire in my bones, I'm spittin' flames
Boy that Word of God get at you like a Twitter name
But you don't hear me though, you used to different speakers
They speak death and they stories ain't at all the truth
They like to think they ballers, they just some foul shooters
I'm so real 100 percent authentic
I know how fake feel I dropped him off at the clinic
Told em he need rehabilitation "gone take him" get him clean
Met that Triune Light "what's that?" triple beam
Go on check him in, before they close the door
You got that Rehab, this is the overdose
I'm on that overdose, I'm on that overdose
I'm on that overdose, old me comatose
They think I'm churchy, they think ya boy lame
Yeah I live for Jesus, I'm unashamed
They talkin' reckless what you spectin' from the walkin' dead
You try to give em life, they want that death instead
But 1st John make it clear what they wanna hear
Hear go that overdose, go stick it in they ear
I got my prescription, it's all consuming
Eat His Flesh drink His Blood, Holy Communion
I know the Truth is hitting home like Barry Bonds
Yeah my God run the streets like a marathon
Yes! Imma believer Yes! I rep the Kingdom
They ask me where to find the Lord they ain't never seen Him
Homie God ain't got no longitude or latitude
He's on another level you can't put a ladder to
Aye gone check him in, before they close the door
You got that Rehab, this is the overdose
Gone check him in, before they close the door
You got that Rehab, this is the overdose
I'm on that overdose, I'm on that overdose
I'm on that overdose, old me comatose
In the first verse of Lecrae's song Overdose, he talks about feeling good and being filled with the Holy Ghost. He emphasizes that he is not talking about smoking, but rather the Holy Ghost, which is like fire within him. He says that he wants to shock the world with his message before someone cuts his wires. He uses the metaphor of being comatose to describe his old self, which is now gone due to his overdose on the Holy Ghost, and those who knew him before may think they've seen a ghost. He talks about being filled with the Word of God, which is more powerful than any social media platform, and the importance of daily injecting himself with the Truth to combat the false narratives he hears from others. He emphasizes that he is authentic and can recognize fakeness in others.
In the second verse, Lecrae admits that some people view him as "churchy" or lame because he lives for Jesus and is unashamed of it. He acknowledges the negativity from the "walking dead" who reject life and choose death instead. He reminds the listener that the Bible is clear on what people need to hear, and repeats the idea of injecting the overdose directly into their ears. He uses the metaphor of consuming Holy Communion to drive home the importance of consuming God's Word. He proclaims his faith in God, describes how people can find God, and emphasizes that God is beyond human comprehension. He encourages listeners to check themselves into rehab before the door closes and they miss out on receiving the overdose that will change their lives for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm feelin good, forget my feeling though
Although I may be feeling good, my focus is not on my temporary emotions.
Let's talk about my fillin', filled with tha Holy Ghost
Instead, let's talk about the permanent filling of the Holy Spirit that I have received.
And I ain't talkin' smoke, I'm talkin' fire
I am not referring to smoking or drugs, but to the intense passion and power of the Holy Spirit.
I'm tryna shock the world, before they cut my wires
I am attempting to make a significant impact on the world before my life is cut short.
I'm on that overdose, old me comatose
I have fully embraced the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving my old self in a state of unconsciousness.
See him let me know cause if you did you probably seen a ghost
If you have witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit working in me, it would be like seeing a ghost.
Fire in my bones, I'm spittin' flames
I am filled with an intense passion and fervor, leading me to speak with great conviction and power.
Boy that Word of God get at you like a Twitter name
The truth of the Word of God can impact and influence people's lives just as easily as a social media post.
Truth up in my veins, everyday I need it
The truth of God's Word is like life-giving blood flowing through my veins, and I need it daily to survive.
But you don't hear me though, you used to different speakers
Some people are not receptive to the truth I am speaking because they are accustomed to hearing false or misleading messages.
They speak death and they stories ain't at all the truth
Others may speak words that lead to destruction, telling stories that are not based on the truth of God's Word.
They like to think they ballers, they just some foul shooters
Some people may think they are doing well or successful, but in reality, they are just missing the mark completely.
I'm so real 100 percent authentic
I am completely authentic and genuine in my faith and my message.
I know how fake feel I dropped him off at the clinic
I can easily recognize those who are fake, and I am not afraid to distance myself from them.
Told em he need rehabilitation "gone take him" get him clean
I encouraged them to seek help and rehabilitation to become clean and free from their falsehoods.
Met that Triune Light "what's that?" triple beam
I have encountered the three-in-one Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and it has illumined my life in a way that is powerful and transformative.
Go on check him in, before they close the door
I am urging others to seek help and to begin their journey towards healing and recovery before it is too late.
You got that Rehab, this is the overdose
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can experience a complete and total transformation in our lives far beyond what any rehab program can accomplish.
They think I'm churchy, they think ya boy lame
Some people may perceive me as overly religious or uncool because of my faith.
Yeah I live for Jesus, I'm unashamed
I proudly and boldly live my life for Jesus, without any shame or fear of backlash from others.
They talkin' reckless what you spectin' from the walkin' dead
People who speak recklessly or carelessly are basically dead inside and therefore do not have a meaningful perspective.
You try to give em life, they want that death instead
Even when we try to share the truth and offer life to others, some people still reject it and choose death instead.
But 1st John make it clear what they wanna hear
The book of 1st John in the Bible clearly outlines what people should listen to and believe in, yet some still choose another path.
I got my prescription, it's all consuming
The truth of God's Word is like a prescription that I follow wholeheartedly and it shapes and influences every aspect of my life.
Eat His Flesh drink His Blood, Holy Communion
I participate in the sacrament of Holy Communion as a way to remember and honor the sacrifice of Jesus for my sins.
I know the Truth is hitting home like Barry Bonds
The truth of God's Word is resonating with me so deeply that it is as impactful as a home run by the famous baseball player Barry Bonds.
Yeah my God run the streets like a marathon
God is present and active in the world, moving through the streets and ongoing like a marathon runner.
Yes! Imma believer Yes! I rep the Kingdom
I proudly identify as a believer in Jesus Christ and represent His Kingdom here on earth.
They ask me where to find the Lord they ain't never seen Him
Some people may seek guidance from me about finding God, even if they have never personally encountered Him before.
Homie God ain't got no longitude or latitude
God cannot be found or defined by any physical location or measurement, as He exists beyond our understanding of space and time.
He's on another level you can't put a ladder to
God's existence and power transcend everything we can conceive, and we cannot hope to reach Him or understand Him fully.
Aye gone check him in, before they close the door
I am once again urging people to take action and seek help before it is too late.
You got that Rehab, this is the overdose
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can experience a complete and total transformation in our lives far beyond what any rehab program can accomplish.
I'm on that overdose, I'm on that overdose
I am fully committed to and immersed in the power of the Holy Spirit.
I'm on that overdose, old me comatose
My old self, who was not filled with the Holy Spirit, is now in a state of unconsciousness.
Contributed by James G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Reach Records
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Rex amillion
This is old. Had this album years ago. This is still one of my favorite crae songs.
Truth Prevailz
By far me and my brothers know this be by heart and get all of them unbelievers that are in the car the rolling eyes
John Sparks
Got the album before it was popular. It is fire! I had a problem, but now I am the counselor... " I got that rehab by the Holy spirit." 12 step and La Hacienda works!!!
Mike The Dancer
YES I AM A BELIEVER YES I REP THE KINDGOM 💯🙏🏾🙌🏾
Anthony Chikoti
I love the nostalgia! !!!
wooh! As for me, such songs never get old!!!
*XAVI*
I miss this Lecrae. Bold and passionate about the Gospel.
James White
Lol!! I met Lecrae... His testimony is no joke... This man of God is real...
dudewat212
Wow! Thanks for sharing this music !!!
Patrick Mutwiri
I love Rehab.