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.”
The Drop
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These folks gotta hear my message
You put that beat on, I beat on this track to relieve my stressin’
I see more trials than Cochran, while TV tryna’ box me
Them magazines ain't on my page, but ain’t none of that gon’ stop me
Keep the fame and acclaim, I won’t be a slave for a chain
And why stay the same for the change, let’s talk ‘bout change for a change
Mundane, killa’ bang, sell cane for the gain, pump vanity in your veins
‘Cause they know I ain't playing, got my faith on display
And I got some ridas behind me, and they mean what they saying
Knock, knock. Open up. We at yo’ door. Hope you prepared now
And I think it's clear now, potna’ we here now
And don't plan on goin’ no where, consider yo’self infested
And these strings all up in yo’ veins, consider yo’self infected
And what we say we live out, ‘fo we give in we give out
And when we die we come back, tell Death he’ll never win out
They ain't never stop us, pop us, drop us, watch us pop right back up
And we never gone die, that’s why we ride & rise like Pac got back up
Go’n back up, call back up, everybody go home, just pack up
We plugged into the Highest power, that why we ain't gotta act tough
No poker faces, just smokin’ aces, my house is full
My temple is a dwelling place, my Master’s masterful
You just full of yo’self, you just food on the shelf
Eaten for breakfast, talkin’ reckless ,boy I know the chef
You don’t want he’s cookin’, it’s not easy to stomach
And your words will be eaten, folks’ll be readin’ yo’ vomit
The recipe for disaster asks for blasphemy
And as for me, ask for me, I give you gravity
The first verse of Lecrae's song The Drop is all about him using the power of music to help him cope with the stresses of life. He talks about how his music is a powerful tool for sharing his message with his listeners, and how he uses the beat of the track to help him relieve his stress. Despite facing many challenges, Lecrae is determined to persevere and stay true to his values. He refuses to be controlled by fame or material possessions, and he believes that true change comes from within.
In the second verse, Lecrae compares himself to Tupac Shakur, who famously came back from being shot multiple times. He asserts that his faith is what keeps him going, and that he will never give up or be defeated by his enemies. He also addresses those who doubt him, saying that they hope he fails, but he knows that he will come out on top. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's beliefs and living them out every day. Lecrae also warns those who are living for personal gain that they are headed for destruction, and that their words will eventually catch up with them.
Overall, The Drop is a powerful song about determination, faith, and living one's values. Lecrae uses his music to share a message of hope and encouragement to his listeners, reminding them to stay true to themselves and never give up.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn the music up inside my session
I need the music to be louder while I'm working on my craft.
These folks gotta hear my message
I have something important to say that needs to be heard.
You put that beat on, I beat on this track to relieve my stressin'
I use music as a way to cope with my stress and emotions.
I see more trials than Cochran, while TV tryna' box me
I face many challenges and obstacles while the media tries to pigeonhole me.
Them magazines ain't on my page, but ain't none of that gon' stop me
The mainstream media doesn't understand or represent me, but I won't let that hinder my success.
Keep the fame and acclaim, I won't be a slave for a chain
I won't compromise my values or freedom for fame and material possessions.
And why stay the same for the change, let's talk 'bout change for a change
Instead of conforming to fit in, let's focus on making progress and positive changes.
Mundane, killa' bang, sell cane for the gain, pump vanity in your veins
Living a boring, dangerous, and immoral lifestyle solely for personal gain and attention.
No, they hopin' I quit, 'fact they hopin' I die, no, they hopin' I'm plain insane
People wish for my downfall and doubt my sanity because of my message and beliefs.
'Cause they know I ain't playing, got my faith on display
I am serious about my beliefs and convictions and strive to live by them every day.
And I got some ridas behind me, and they mean what they saying
I have loyal supporters who stand by what they believe in and will back me up.
Knock, knock. Open up. We at yo' door. Hope you prepared now
I am coming strong and unapologetic, and my opponents should be ready for me.
And I think it's clear now, potna' we here now
I am confident that my message is being heard and understood by my fans and supporters.
And don't plan on goin' no where, consider yo'self infested
I am here to stay and make an impact, and others should recognize and respect that fact.
And these strings all up in yo' veins, consider yo'self infected
My words and music are powerful and will affect those who listen to them deeply.
And what we say we live out, 'fo we give in we give out
We practice what we preach, and we don't give up before reaching our goals.
And when we die we come back, tell Death he'll never win out
We believe in life after death and the eternity of our message, even after we're gone.
They ain't never stop us, pop us, drop us, watch us pop right back up
We are resilient and won't be silenced or defeated by our opponents.
And we never gone die, that's why we ride & rise like Pac got back up
Our message and impact will live on even after we pass away, just like Tupac Shakur's music and influence.
Go'n back up, call back up, everybody go home, just pack up
We have enough support and power to overcome any obstacle or opposition, and our opponents should give up and go home.
We plugged into the Highest power, that why we ain't gotta act tough
We believe in a higher power, and that gives us strength and humility.
No poker faces, just smokin' aces, my house is full
We are honest and open about our beliefs and message, and our supporters are numerous and dedicated.
My temple is a dwelling place, my Master's masterful
My body and mind are sacred and valuable, and I recognize and respect the ultimate authority of a higher power.
You just full of yo'self, you just food on the shelf
You are arrogant and self-centered, and eventually, you will be forgotten and irrelevant.
Eaten for breakfast, talkin' reckless, boy I know the chef
Your disrespectful words and actions will catch up to you, and you will face the consequences.
You don't want he's cookin', it's not easy to stomach
You aren't prepared or willing to handle the consequences of your negative behavior and decisions.
And your words will be eaten, folks'll be readin' yo' vomit
Your negative words and actions will come back to haunt you, and you'll have to face the public's criticism and judgment.
The recipe for disaster asks for blasphemy
The path of immoral and destructive behavior involves rejecting a higher power and moral principles.
And as for me, ask for me, I give you gravity
As for me, I offer a message of weight and importance that should be taken seriously and respected.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WILLIAM GRIGAHCINE, MARTIN BRESSO, THOMAS WESLEY PENTZ, FREDDIE ROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind