“History does not happen in a straight line…”

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.”

Special
Lecrae Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She made me wanna get down on a knee
Yeah,
She made me wanna share everything I own,
How does it feel?

I was praying for a ten,
But I found the one,
And no girl compares to my virtuous love,

Cause what we got is truly something special,
Truly something special,
Truly something special,
Truly something special,
Yeah

Listen, What's up my lady love?
My mamasita,
I know you know me,
But let's get to know each other deeper,
Cupid, you can keep em,
I don't believe em,
This kinda love we got is real,
This ain't no Mona Lisa,
No painted picture, No fairytale,
A lot of blood, sweat, and tears,
Yeah we know it well,
And I never kiss and tell, put our business in the streets,
It ain't nobodys business what we do between the sheets,
And I respect you too much,
Don't see you as my equal,
I see you as myself,
Me and you we the same people,
The way you let me lead you,
That's why I need you,
And when I'm on the road I miss you wanna see you,
You not perfect, you not perfect but you work it girl,
And you don't need a job unless you feel like workin girl,
Ain't worried bout your past I'm focused on our future lady,
But when I see us looking good... I see you baby

I was praying for a ten,
But I found the one,
And no girl compares to my virtuous love,
Cause what we got is truly something special,
Truly something special,
Truly something special,
Truly something special,
Yeah

Yeah
Don't need a prenup,
It's you I love and not the money,
Know all my passwords but you don't need them things you trust me,
They think we crazy,
Head over heels,
I love your mind more than the way you dress head over heels,
Now I don't lace you in Gucci, Louis Vuitton, or Birkin,
But I give you the time and attention, faithfullness and it's workin,
But when you get upset and bother me I'm here to stay,
Can't wait to date you when you sixty and your hair is gray,
We ain't them, I ain't him, You ain't her,
But we the best we'll ever be minus me first,
Till they bury me you'll always be my lady,
And leavin you's like leavin myself,
It's crazy

I was praying for a ten,
But I found the one,
And no girl compares to my virtuous love,
Cause what we got is truly something special,
Truly something special,
Truly something special,
Truly something special,
Yeah

I was praying for a ten,
But I found the one,
And no girl compares to my virtuous love,
Cause what we got is truly something special,
Truly something special,
Truly something special,

Truly something special,
Yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Special" by Lecrae featuring Lester L2 Shaw is a love song that expresses the artist's deep, genuine love for his partner. Shaw compares his partner to a perfect 10 and expresses that he found the one who is truly special in his life. The lyrics convey that the relationship is not superficial, but rather built on a foundation of respect, trust, and loyalty.

In the second verse, Shaw emphasizes the deep connection he has with his partner and how they are committed to making the relationship work. The artist also mentions that their love is based on mutual understanding and admiration, and that the love they have for each other is real and not just a fairytale. Furthermore, Shaw says that he cherishes his partner and sees her as a reflection of himself, someone he respects and trusts deeply.

Overall, "Special" is a heartwarming love song that celebrates a deep and genuine connection between two people. The lyrics emphasize the importance of trust, respect, and loyalty in a relationship and the need to build a strong foundation.

Line by Line Meaning

She made me wanna get down on a knee
Her presence is so special to me that I'm willing to propose to her.

Yeah,
Confirmation of the singer's affirmative sentiment.

She made me wanna share everything I own,
I feel compelled to share my life with her because she's that important to me.

How does it feel?
The singer is curious about how his special lady feels about him.

I was praying for a ten,
The singer was looking for a perfect match.

But I found the one,
The singer found his perfect match in his special lady.

And no girl compares to my virtuous love,
There is no other girl who compares to his love for his special lady.

Cause what we got is truly something special,
The singer and his special lady have something unique that sets them apart from others.

Truly something special,
The singer emphasizes how special their relationship is to him.

Listen, What's up my lady love?
The singer addresses his special lady in a playful, affectionate way.

My mamasita,
The singer is using a term of endearment for his special lady.

I know you know me,
The singer assumes that his special lady knows him well.

But let's get to know each other deeper,
The singer wants to deepen their connection by learning more about each other.

Cupid, you can keep em,
The singer doesn't need anyone else because he has his special lady.

I don't believe em,
The singer is not interested in other women.

This kinda love we got is real,
The singer believes that his love for his special lady is genuine and authentic.

This ain't no Mona Lisa,
The singer is emphasizing that their love is not just a pretty picture, but something more substantial.

No painted picture, No fairytale,
The singer believes that their love is not fictional, but grounded in reality.

A lot of blood, sweat, and tears,
Their relationship has had its challenges and has required hard work and dedication.

Yeah we know it well,
The singer and his special lady are familiar with the challenges they faced and how they've grown from it.

And I never kiss and tell, put our business in the streets,
The singer doesn't share his intimate moments with anyone else but his special lady.

It ain't nobodys business what we do between the sheets,
The singer believes that their intimate life should stay private and secret.

And I respect you too much,
The singer has a deep level of respect for his special lady.

Don't see you as my equal,
The singer sees his special lady as someone he is meant to protect.

I see you as myself,
The singer sees his special lady as a reflection of himself, someone he loves deeply.

Me and you we the same people,
The singer and his special lady have a deep connection and are on the same page when it comes to life values and beliefs.

The way you let me lead you,
The singer takes a leadership role in the relationship, and his special lady respects that.

That's why I need you,
The singer needs his special lady's support and trust.

And when I'm on the road I miss you wanna see you,
The singer misses his special lady when he's on the road and looks forward to seeing her.

You not perfect, you not perfect but you work it girl,
The singer accepts his special lady's imperfections and appreciates how she makes an effort to become a better person.

And you don't need a job unless you feel like workin girl,
The singer doesn't want his special lady to work if she doesn't want to because he's happy to support her.

Ain't worried bout your past I'm focused on our future lady,
The singer isn't concerned about his special lady's past and is focused on building a great future with her.

But when I see us looking good... I see you baby
When the singer sees their relationship going well, he sees his special lady as his partner and backbone.

Yeah
Confirmation of the singer's affirmative sentiment.

Don't need a prenup,
The singer trusts his special lady and doesn't believe that there's a need for a prenuptial agreement.

It's you I love and not the money,
The singer loves his special lady for who she is and not for her wealth or possessions.

Know all my passwords but you don't need them things you trust me,
The singer has a deep level of trust with his special lady, and he doesn't need to hide anything from her.

They think we crazy,
Their relationship might seem unusual to other people.

Head over heels,
The singer is deeply in love with his special lady.

I love your mind more than the way you dress head over heels,
The singer is more interested in his special lady's personality and intellectual ability rather than her physical appearance.

Now I don't lace you in Gucci, Louis Vuitton, or Birkin,
The singer isn't interested in buying his special lady fancy, expensive gifts to prove his love.

But I give you the time and attention, faithfullness and it's workin,
The singer invests his time and energy into his relationship with his special lady and sees it paying off.

But when you get upset and bother me I'm here to stay,
The singer is committed to staying in the relationship through the good and bad times.

Can't wait to date you when you sixty and your hair is gray,
The singer wants to stay committed to his special lady for the rest of their lives.

We ain't them, I ain't him, You ain't her,
Their relationship is unique to them, and they don't compare themselves to others.

But we the best we'll ever be minus me first,
The singer and his special lady are the best they can be when they put each other before anything else.

Till they bury me you'll always be my lady,
The singer is committed to his special lady for the rest of his life.

And leavin you's like leavin myself,
The singer sees himself so close to his special lady that leaving her is like leaving a part of himself behind.

It's crazy
The intensity of his affection and commitment is astonishing.

Truly something special,
The singer emphasizes how special their relationship is to him.

Yeah
Confirmation of the singer's affirmative sentiment.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chris Bradshaw, Derrick Okoth Omondi, Le Crae Devaughn Moore, Michael Jefferson, Sassieon Jermine Hill, Torrance Anton Esmond

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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