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.”
Set Me Free
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just wanna praise Ya (whoa, whoa, whoa)
I just wanna praise Ya
Shackles on my feet, yeah
They won't let me be
Won't you set me free?
Break this hold on me
Oh, they won't let me be
Won't you set me free
Break this hold on me
Break this hold on me
Let me go (let me go)
Let me go
I been going through so much
I swear these people at my throat
That's on me
That's on mamas (that's on mamas)
On my mama
I can't take no more
So miss me with that drama
Get your commas, get your racks straight
Get your facts straight
Hold me down, I rise up on 'em like the tax rate, huh (I do)
Keep my path straight
Never lack faith
God been working, they gon' have to hold me back, man
Ay, tell 'em (tell 'em, tell 'em)
You can pick a side if you wanna (wanna)
You already know who I roll with (roll with)
You don't want no problems with me (with me)
Get these shackles off of my feet
Shackles on my feet, yeah
They won't let me be
Won't you set me free
Break this hold on me
Break this hold on me
I got them shackles off my feet, yeah, yeah
Can't put me back up in them streets, yeah, yeah
I couldn't move but now I'm free yeah, yeah
I got them shackles off my feet yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Down for me
Down for me
People left me, You was round for me
Round for me
All the bitterness and anger, had to let it go
People talking down on me
I guess that's how it go
Let 'em know
That's on me, yeah
Shackles on my feet
You broke the hold and now I'm free, yeah
Even in the darkest times
You kept Your light on me, yeah
Got the memo, read the message
Found my purpose, found my method
Only L I took was lessons, tell 'em
You can pick a side if you wanna (wanna)
You already know who I roll with (roll with)
You don't want no problems with me (with me)
Get these shackles off of my feet
Shackles on my feet, yeah
They won't let me be
Won't you set me free?
Break this hold on me
Break this hold on me
I got them shackles off my feet yeah, yeah
Can't put me back up in them streets yeah, yeah
I couldn't move but now I'm free yeah, yeah
I got them shackles off my feet yeah, yeah
I got them shackles off my feet yeah, yeah
Can't put me back up in them streets yeah, yeah
I couldn't move but now I'm free yeah, yeah
I got them shackles off my feet yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
In "Set Me Free," Lecrae and YK Osiris express their desire to be released from the constraints that have been holding them back so that they can praise God and move forward with their lives. In the first verse, they ask for the shackles to be taken off their feet so that they can dance and praise God. They repeat this chorus several times throughout the song. In the following verse, they describe the feeling of being held down by the struggles of life and the people who are trying to keep them from succeeding. They call out for God to help them break free from those chains.
The second verse makes it clear that YK Osiris and Lecrae are specifically talking about the struggles they faced in their personal lives. They mention feeling surrounded by negativity and drama, but they are focusing on their faith in God to pull them through. They speak about the importance of staying on the right path, not losing faith, and continuing to work towards their goals. The final verse is the most explicit in its praise of God. They talk about the way that God has lifted them up and helped them to find their way forward. They acknowledge that they have had to learn some tough lessons along the way, but that they are grateful for the way that it has all led them to what they see as their purpose in life.
Overall, "Set Me Free" is a song that is deeply rooted in the Christian faith, but it also speaks to the way that people from all backgrounds can feel weighed down by the struggles of life. The message of the song is that we can all find our way forward if we are willing to ask for help, work hard, and have faith in something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I want to be set free from the shackles that are holding me down so that I can dance and praise God.
I just wanna praise Ya (whoa, whoa, whoa)
My only desire is to praise and worship God.
Shackles on my feet, yeah
They won't let me be
Won't you set me free?
Break this hold on me
I am trapped and held back by the shackles on my feet and I am asking God to set me free and break the hold that they have on me.
Let me go (let me go)
Let me go
I been going through so much
I swear these people at my throat
That's on me
That's on mamas (that's on mamas)
On my mama
I can't take no more
So miss me with that drama
I am pleading with God to release me from the struggles that I am facing, including the negative people in my life, and I can't deal with any more drama.
Get your commas, get your racks straight
Get your facts straight
Hold me down, I rise up on 'em like the tax rate, huh (I do)
Keep my path straight
Never lack faith
God been working, they gon' have to hold me back, man
I am focused on getting my life together financially and making sure that my facts are straight. I have faith in God and won't let anyone hold me back from rising to success.
You can pick a side if you wanna (wanna)
You already know who I roll with (roll with)
You don't want no problems with me (with me)
Get these shackles off of my feet
I am confident in my faith and the people that I roll with, so anyone who wants to pick a fight should think twice. I am still asking for God to free me from the shackles that are holding me back.
I got them shackles off my feet, yeah, yeah
Can't put me back up in them streets, yeah, yeah
I couldn't move but now I'm free yeah, yeah
I got them shackles off my feet yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I have been released from the shackles that were once holding me back and I am now free to move forward. I am grateful for this newfound freedom.
Down for me
People left me, You was round for me
Round for me
All the bitterness and anger, had to let it go
People talking down on me
I guess that's how it go
Let 'em know
That's on me, yeah
Even when people left me, God was always there for me and supported me. I had to let go of bitterness and anger and let people talk down on me. I take responsibility for my actions and behavior.
You broke the hold and now I'm free, yeah
Even in the darkest times
You kept Your light on me, yeah
God has broken the hold that was once holding me back and now I am free. Even in the darkest times, God kept a light shining on me and pulled me through.
Got the memo, read the message
Found my purpose, found my method
Only L I took was lessons, tell 'em
I have received a message from God and have found my purpose and way forward. I have learned from my mistakes and consider them valuable lessons that I can share with others.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher Hulvey, Erica Campbell, Gabriel Azucena, JRaul Garcia, Le Crae Moore, Osiris Williams, Torey Harris, Trecina Campbell, Warryn Campbell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@A_StoneWall
Pray for me. The shackles of lust are on me and I want to be broken free of them. I believe God can do this for me.
@guitardude3605
A StoneWalls Perspective I fight this struggle as well brother. God is for us! Keep fighting the good fight. You can do ALL things through Christ! Know no matter where you are, that God loves you so much. He’s with you in this battle, and He WILL set you free! Praise Him!!!!
@ericy8290
Dead to sin and alive in Him! When you are dead, you don’t respond to anything. Be this way towards temptation to sin! Face the Lord and seek Him, for He will manifest himself in you. His blood is ENOUGH to break the chains; you don’t need anything else. I proclaim the blood of Jesus over you and your life and your body. AMEN 🙏
@blessedone6958
I understand what you're going through my brother I struggle with the same thing as will
@BethelMakoni
Amen🙏
@nathanaddai9995
Bro I relate. Gods on our side, we're more than conquerers in Christ. Stay equipped with the Word and let's keep fighting man! 💪🏾
@shai6758
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Psalm 23:5
We are VICTORIOUS in Christ Jesus,our Lord!!🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
@that_agape
I was thinking of this scripture while I watched too! 👏✝️🔥
@judycaldwell2582
Amen❤️
@juliansweet1410
This kids 14 and Osiris is his inspiration https://youtu.be/FRFjD0nZfIk