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.”
Souled out
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man I consider my life nuthin'
If I could just finish the race
And complete the job the
Lord Jesus gave me
I live to tell the world his message
Romans 1:16 "I'm not Ashamed"
I Ain't Ashamed
We souled out
Seeking God's face till we fold out
You want it, we got it
We ain't tryin' to hold out
Break me, shake me, mold me
I'd rather die like Christ
Than live unholy
1 - 1 - 6 a band of misfits
Who get sick at the
State of the world
So we hit strips and spit
Christ Jesus, who scooped us out of the dirt and cleaned us
We were slave to sinful ways but Christ freed us
Believe us
Because of the bible that supersedes us
Not due to intellectual thesis
They say we believe in a fools faith cause kids can grasp it
And salvation is granted, to those who ask it
But even if you don't know systematic theology
Or eschatology
You know Jesus is who you oughta seek
We ought to be
Sowing seeds and seeking truth
Disciplin' groups of young soldiers and reaping fruit
Aw yeah
This a part of our lifestyle
Might sound good on wax
But we livin' it right now
I wish you would catch me on tapes and CD's
But never see me in the streets in 3-D
B, Please
We ain't come here to appease
We came to spit these spiritual soliloquies
While killers squeeze triggers and hammers clap
I'm a shove on my bullet truth vest
And hammer back like that
We souled out
Seeking God's face till we fold out
You want it, we got it
We ain't tryin' to hold out
Break me, shake me, mold me
I'd rather die like Christ
Than live unholy
We souled out
Seeking God's face till we fold out
You want it, we got it
We ain't tryin' to hold out
Break me, shake me, mold me
I'd rather die like Christ
Than live unholy
Man I do this for the, Way, the truth the life,
Jesus Christ
Until my soul take flight
The worlds the same
Everyone want to cop a chain,
Cop a dame, cop 22's on the range
Want to cop big fortune and fame
And they claiming they the reason that the cops get trained
Stop the game
I came here to drop a name
Jesus
The same one that blocked the pain
How many thugs you know hard enough to stop the flames
It's like standing on the tracks tyrin to block a train
You got the game
Messed up stop and change
Mind trapped all wrapped up in locks a chains
The same God you pray to before you sleep at night
The same God you disrespect when you creep at night
Seek the light
Ain't no trin' to plead for life
Talkin' bout' I sorry God
He like Leave my sight
The key to life
Is none other than Jesus Christ
If you a slave to your ways
Be free tonight
We souled out
Seeking God's face till we fold out
You want it, we got it
We ain't tryin' to hold out
Break me, shake me, mold me
I'd rather die like Christ
Than live unholy
We souled out
Seeking God's face till we fold out
You want it, we got it
We ain't tryin' to hold out
Break me, shake me, mold me
I'd rather die like Christ
Than live unholy
I spit these bars
Not to get no chicks in cars
Not for spinners on the wheels of expensive cars
Man I do this for the folk who like to lift they arms
Pray to God who gave us life so He can give us ours
Man I do this for the blocks in tha Hood
The rocks in tha hood
Jesus Christ, Cornerstone, gettin' props in the hood
Folks think we crazed and delirious
Cilqued up 40 deep all saved, all serious (Yeah)
And if you curious we got some proof man
We got some answers we got some truth man
Tellin' folks that God is wathchin' you man
Romans 10:9 is all you got to do man
We souled out
Seeking God's face till we fold out
You want it, we got it
We ain't tryin' to hold out
Break me, shake me, mold me
I'd rather die like Christ
Than live unholy
We souled out
Seeking God's face till we fold out
You want it, we got it
We ain't tryin' to hold out
Break me, shake me, mold me
I'd rather die like Christ
Than live unholy
The song "Souled Out" by Lecrae is a declaration of faith and commitment to God. The song starts with Lecrae talking about how he considers his life nothing, and that he wants to complete the job that the Lord gave him, which is to tell the world about his message. He then goes on to talk about his belief in Jesus Christ, and his willingness to die like Christ, rather than living unholy.
Lecrae then talks about being a part of a group of misfits who get sick at the state of the world, and how they seek God's face until they fold out. He talks about the importance of sowing seeds and seeking truth, disciplining groups of young soldiers, and reaping fruit. Lecrae then talks about how he does this for Jesus Christ, until his soul takes flight.
The song then delves into the struggles of the world, with people wanting to cop a chain, a dame, 22's on a range and big fortune and fame. Lecrae talks about how people need to seek the light, and not plead for life, or disrespect God when they creep at night. He concludes by saying that he spits these bars, not for getting chicks in cars, but for the people who like to lift their arms, pray to God, and give them life.
Overall, the song is a powerful affirmation of faith, commitment, and dedication to Jesus Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Man I consider my life nuthin'
My life is meaningless without completing the task Jesus gave me.
If I could just finish the race
My purpose in life is to complete the job that Jesus gave me, even if it means facing difficulty.
And complete the job the Lord Jesus gave me
My entire existence is devoted to sharing Jesus' message with the world.
I live to tell the world his message
I am not ashamed of the gospel, as stated in Romans 1:16.
Romans 1:16 "I'm not Ashamed"
My faith in Jesus is the driving force of my life and I am proud to proclaim it.
We souled out
Our mission is to seek God's face with all our hearts and souls.
Seeking God's face till we fold out
We will never stop pursuing God and sharing his message until the end of our lives.
You want it, we got it
We are eager to share the good news of Jesus with anyone who is interested.
We ain't tryin' to hold out
We are not keeping anything back about Jesus' message, even the tough parts.
Break me, shake me, mold me
I would rather die following in Christ's footsteps than live a life of sinfulness.
I'd rather die like Christ
116 is a group of people who are not content with the current state of the world and want to bring about positive change.
1 - 1 - 6 a band of misfits
We are a group of people who are distrubed by the state of the world and want to bring about positive change.
Who get sick at the State of the world
We are striving to be like Jesus in every way and are grateful for the salvation he has given us.
So we hit strips and spit Christ Jesus, who scooped us out of the dirt and cleaned us
Jesus has freed us from our sinful ways and we will always be grateful to him for that.
We were slave to sinful ways but Christ freed us
Our belief in Jesus is founded on the Bible and not on human intellect or ideas.
Believe us
Jesus' message is accessible to people of all ages and levels of education.
Because of the bible that supersedes us
Salvation is granted to those who ask for it, regardless of their education or understanding of theological concepts.
Not due to intellectual thesis
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Seeking truth and sharing it with others is our priority.
You know Jesus is who you oughta seek
We are called to share Jesus message, disciple young believers and be a positive influence for God's kingdom.
We ought to be Sowing seeds and seeking truth
Sharing Jesus' message through our music and our lifestyle is more important than material wealth.
Disciplin' groups of young soldiers and reaping fruit
Our faith is not just a performance, it is a lifestyle that we live out every day.
Aw yeah This a part of our lifestyle
Our faith results in a changed life and a desire to be a positive influence in the communities we are in.
Might sound good on wax But we livin' it right now
It is important to live out our faith, not just talk about it.
I wish you would catch me on tapes and CD's
We are seeking to be genuine, not performative.
But never see me in the streets in 3-D B, Please
Our faith is not just a performance, it is a lifestyle that we live out every day.
We ain't come here to appease
We are not interested in being accepted by the world or compromising our beliefs to fit in.
We came to spit these spiritual soliloquies
Our message is to be a light in the darkness.
While killers squeeze triggers and hammers clap
We will stand firm in our faith, no matter what challenges come our way.
I'm a shove on my bullet proof vest And hammer back like that
We are called to live out the principles Jesus taught us and defend our faith when necessary.
Man I do this for the, Way, the truth the life, Jesus Christ
Our faith in Jesus Christ is our motivation for sharing his message with the world.
Until my soul take flight
We will continue to share Jesus' message with the world until our dying breath.
The worlds the same Everyone want to cop a chain, Cop a dame, cop 22's on the range
The world is focused on material gains, but as Jesus followers our focus is on sharing the gospel and being a light in the world.
Want to cop big fortune and fame And they claiming they the reason that the cops get trained Stop the game
We are not interested in material wealth or fame, our focus is on sharing Jesus's message and being a positive influence in our communities.
I came here to drop a name Jesus
Our message is grounded in Jesus' teachings and we aim to share his message with the world.
The same one that blocked the pain
Jesus has the power to heal us and block out pain and suffering in our lives.
How many thugs you know hard enough to stop the flames
Jesus has the power to change even the hardest of hearts and transform them for the better.
It's like standing on the tracks tyrin to block a train
Jesus has the power to change even the hardest of hearts and transform them for the better.
You got the game Messed up stop and change
Our lives should be focused on seeking Jesus and living out his message, not on material wealth or fame.
Mind trapped all wrapped up in locks a chains
Our focus should be on following Jesus and living out his message, not on worldly possessions or fame.
The same God you pray to before you sleep at night
As Christians, we worship the same God before whom we pray for guidance and peace.
The same God you disrespect when you creep at night
Christians are called to live out their faith in every aspect of their lives, not just when it is convenient.
Seek the light
We should all strive to follow Jesus' example and be a light in the world.
Ain't no tryin' to plead for life
We cannot bargain with God for salvation, it is a gift offered to us through Jesus Christ.
Talkin' bout' I sorry God He like Leave my sight
God desires that we live out our faith and strive to constantly become better human beings, not just apologize when we have done wrong.
The key to life Is none other than Jesus Christ
Our lives should be focused on Jesus as he is the key to eternal life and salvation.
If you a slave to your ways Be free tonight
Jesus has the power to transform our lives and break us free from our ways of sinfulness. All we have to do is ask.
I spit these bars Not to get no chicks in cars
Our message and mission is not to gain fame or material wealth, it is to share Jesus' message with the world.
Not for spinners on the wheels of expensive cars
Our focus is on following Jesus and being a positive influence in the world, not on material possessions or fame.
Man I do this for the folk who like to lift they arms
Our message is designed to encourage people and bring them together in faith.
Pray to God who gave us life so He can give us ours
We are grateful for the life God has given us and we believe that through Jesus we can have eternal life.
Man I do this for the blocks in tha Hood
We are focused on being a positive influence for God's kingdom, even in the toughest of places.
The rocks in tha hood Jesus Christ, Cornerstone, gettin' props in the hood
Our faith in Jesus is the foundation of our lives and a positive influence for communities everywhere.
Folks think we crazed and delirious
We are often criticized for our faith and mission to share Jesus' message.
Cilqued up 40 deep all saved, all serious (Yeah)
We are committed to living out our faith, no matter what challenges come our way. We are serious about our faith and mission to share Jesus' message.
And if you curious we got some proof man
Our faith in Jesus is rooted in the Bible and we have experiences that validate its message.
We got some answers we got some truth man
Our mission is to share Jesus' message and the truth that can be found in it with everyone who will listen.
Tellin' folks that God is wathchin' you man
God is present in every aspect of our lives and we must always be mindful of that.
Romans 10:9 is all you got to do man
Belief in Jesus Christ as our savior and confession of that belief is the key to a life of salvation.
Contributed by Blake P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@reachrecords
Never miss a beat! Subscribe to Lecrae's channel for the latest tracks! 💯
http://bit.ly/LecraeVEVO
@Mike-ss9uv
Disneyland to visalia
@HenryJohnsonCenter
This is one of the songs that changed my life... it's still Lecrae's best song in my opinion. 💯
@selfdiscovery.7052
True! I say the same. Well. I love them all 🤷🏽♀️
@lkg2106
go hard is pretty good too
@selfdiscovery.7052
This is where my life changed for the better. Thanks Lecrea man. You been the big homie. My best friend who has kept keeping me soul'd out. Now my whole house listen to you this many years later.....10 toes dude. Been riding all the way till now. EVERY ALBUM. Even bought a case, had a neighborhood party for the kids and sent the kids home with Church Clothes for their family. This brought back so many great memories. I lost my CD in a military move a while back. You tube for the win again! The growth you brought to the industry is incredible. Im so glad all the OG's still putting out hits too.
@selfdiscovery.7052
Wow! This is bringing me back to my purpose. I needed to hear this album🙏. I can't say thank you enough for not giving up. It brought not only me but so many along with you. We all going thru together. EVOLVING. Now being RESTORED. Chills...
@greatestever5775
I miss this Lecrae ☹
@htownpreacher777
Me too.
@annuitcptis1447
@@htownpreacher777 he’s back lol. He left Columbia. He got back right.