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.”
Rejects
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think they think they know me, I think they think they get it
Some holy water, crucifix 'n mix it with some lyrics
But this ain't that and that ain't rap, we're going in lock the front door if I ain't back
They feelin you, Crae, it's cool, I'm respected, but I won't be a slave to acceptance
I got my co-sign from the master, so maranatha
They like the flow, oh they go'n love the message
(For real?)
Don't wanna see, they opposing views
Say they married to the game but mayne they souls stay itchin'
She never hit the spot, I guess that's why they call her misses
My snap back fitted, the choir robe didn't
And I don't play church, partna, this is what I'm living
Hey Bun call from Texas, told me Crae, I get it,
You are no impostor, you spit it how you live it
Them inmates tellin me keep spittin 'n don't quit it
Cause when that music play they ain't worried about the sentence
25 to life boy the dead has risen, so tell Sing Sing, the king is coming back to get 'em.
I'm so reckless with my message I don't care tho, call me a weirdo, but I'm an heirloom
And if I say it, then I mean what I say, boy I live for the truth and I die for the way.
And when that inspiration hit me I write it, while try to fight it
If I'm thinking too hard, don't try it, they'll never buy it.
And if they don't buy it, they don't buy it, okay, I get it.
They want inherited wealth, so I'm giving them the business
You are not your momma, your daddy, whatever happened
You are not the product of all of yo life's misshappnins
That is just a lie that you tell yourself when it's tragic
But I believe in miracles, I don't believe in magic.
Made in His image, most of y'all don't hear me
Looking for identity in the things that you givin
The gift, not the giver mayne it's cold in the winter
When you face your life existence stop looking like you's a winner
That S class Mercedes, Bugatti, yeah that Bentley
Won't fit up in my coffin when I die, can't take em with me.
But still I let em tempt me, and show me what I'm worth
But none of then can solve my problems or my hurt.
Reject me
This is not the first time I'm far from just gettin my feet wet
And this is won't be the last time I tell the world about your love and they tell me I'm a reject
Yeah, they look at me like a reject
Go and treat me like a reject
Cause if it's how they treated the King, then for Christ sake
All I wanna be is a reject
In Lecrae's "Rejects," he expresses that he does not care about being accepted because he has already received validation from the master. He feels that people think they know him and that they understand his music because it is religious, but they do not truly understand the message he is trying to convey. He believes that people reject his music because most of them are interested in things that do not matter, such as material possessions and status symbols. However, he still writes and creates music because he feels it is his mission to spread positivity and truth.
The lyrics of "Rejects" are a reminder that it is important to stay true to oneself and create content that reflects that. Lecrae's lyrics discuss the challenges that come with creating music that might not be viewed as "cool" by mainstream society, but he urges others to remain steadfast in their beliefs and continue to create from an authentic place. He also highlights the fact that people are not solely defined by their circumstances or surroundings, and that it is possible to break free from the traps of society.
Line by Line Meaning
I think they think they know me, I think they think they get it
People think they understand me, but they really don't.
Some holy water, crucifix 'n mix it with some lyrics
Some people think that putting religious imagery and symbols in their lyrics makes for good music.
But this ain't that and that ain't rap, we're going in lock the front door if I ain't back
This is not religious music and if I don't come back, something went wrong.
They feelin you, Crae, it's cool, I'm respected, but I won't be a slave to acceptance
People like your music and it's great, but I won't compromise to please everyone.
I got my co-sign from the master, so maranatha
I don't need anyone else's approval, I have the support of God.
They like the flow, oh they go'n love the message
People enjoy the music, but they might not agree with the message.
(For real?)
Is that true?
Nah, I'm sure that they'll reject it, but that's what they supposed to do
I know that people will reject my message, but that's part of the process.
Don't wanna see, they opposing views
People don't want to hear opinions that challenge their own.
Say they married to the game but mayne they souls stay itchin'
People claim to be fully committed to music, but they still feel unsatisfied.
She never hit the spot, I guess that's why they call her misses
Music doesn't satisfy people's deeper desires or spiritual needs.
My snap back fitted, the choir robe didn't
I don't wear traditional religious clothing or follow conventional religious practices.
And I don't play church, partna, this is what I'm living
I don't go through the motions of religious practice, I live out my faith.
Hey Bun call from Texas, told me Crae, I get it,
My friend Bun from Texas understands where I'm coming from.
You are no impostor, you spit it how you live it
You're authentic and genuine in expressing your beliefs.
Them inmates tellin me keep spittin 'n don't quit it
People who are incarcerated find my music inspiring and motivational.
Cause when that music play they ain't worried about the sentence
When people listen to music, they are momentarily free from their problems or struggles.
25 to life boy the dead has risen, so tell Sing Sing, the king is coming back to get 'em.
Even people who are imprisoned for life can experience spiritual transformation and redemption.
I'm so reckless with my message I don't care tho, call me a weirdo, but I'm an heirloom
I don't care about people's judgment, I'm unique and valuable.
And if I say it, then I mean what I say, boy I live for the truth and I die for the way.
I stand by what I say and am willing to make sacrifices for what I believe in.
And when that inspiration hit me I write it, while try to fight it
I write music as soon as ideas come to me, even if it's inconvenient.
If I'm thinking too hard, don't try it, they'll never buy it.
If I overthink my music, people won't be receptive to it.
And if they don't buy it, they don't buy it, okay, I get it.
If people don't like my music, it's fine, I understand.
They want inherited wealth, so I'm giving them the business
People want superficial success, but I offer them something deeper and more meaningful.
You are not your momma, your daddy, whatever happened
Your past, parents, and upbringing don't define who you are.
You are not the product of all of yo life's misshappnins
Your struggles and setbacks don't determine your worth or destiny.
That is just a lie that you tell yourself when it's tragic
The belief that our past defines us is a harmful and untrue coping mechanism.
But I believe in miracles, I don't believe in magic.
I believe in a greater power and purpose that guides our lives, not random or mystical forces.
Made in His image, most of y'all don't hear me
We are all created in the image of God, but many people don't realize this.
Looking for identity in the things that you givin
People try to define themselves by their possessions or accomplishments.
The gift, not the giver mayne it's cold in the winter
People value the gift (material possessions) over the giver (God) and suffer as a result.
When you face your life existence stop looking like you's a winner
When you face reality, you realize that superficial success doesn't guarantee happiness or fulfillment.
That S class Mercedes, Bugatti, yeah that Bentley
Luxury cars, expensive items, and material possessions.
Won't fit up in my coffin when I die, can't take em with me.
Material possessions are temporary and meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
But still I let em tempt me, and show me what I'm worth
Even though I know material possessions are worthless, I'm still tempted by them and their fleeting sense of worth.
But none of then can solve my problems or my hurt.
Material possessions cannot heal or solve our inner struggles or pain.
This is not the first time I'm far from just gettin my feet wet
I'm not new to making music or expressing my beliefs.
And this is won't be the last time I tell the world about your love and they tell me I'm a reject
I will continue to share my belief in God's love, even if it means being rejected.
Yeah, they look at me like a reject
People look down on me or see me as an outsider.
Go and treat me like a reject
People treat me poorly or exclude me because of my beliefs.
Cause if it's how they treated the King, then for Christ sake
If Jesus was treated as an outcast or rebel, then I can handle rejection for my faith.
All I wanna be is a reject
I embrace being seen as different or unpopular because of my beliefs.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTON GRAY, JOHN HOSEA WILLIAMS, LE CRAE DEVAUGHN MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MyJg23
Thank you 🙏🏾 Father God in heaven for sending a powerful man of Christ into me and my family’s life through 🎶! Through a genre I never really connected with until now! This song spoke valine’s to my life “you are not your family”
Wow thanks Lecrae
@RadBunny2269
And it's still BANGIN!
@MidnightxNoble
I remember when I was 12, I listened to this but I didn’t believe in Jesus at the time but man now I do. I’m 18 now and I’m so happy I believe now! I’m so thankful for lecrae
@jakegreen567
I'm 17 I started with nf and slowly got to lecrae when I was about 15 but before that I listened to sevin one of the best Christian rappers in my opinion
@MidnightxNoble
Jake Green dope bro
@FSUOSU25
Good to see the young teens into Christ. Shows how powerful this music is.
@networksimply6432
Amen! 🙏🏾
@MichaelCobbs
This song is fantastic.
@victoriavernon2002
l really like this song
@thewelcomemat7094
That line about the inmates gets me every time. Sing Sing the King's coming soon ya'll!