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.”
Timepiece
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't nobody watchin' me
I heard about the man in the sky
But he prolly fell asleep
And you say Audemars
Audemars, Audemars
But still don't know the time
That the Son comes down from the stars
Lights off
Ain't nobody watchin' me
I heard about the man in the sky
But he prolly fell asleep
And you say Audemars
Audemars, Audemars
But still don't know the time
That the Son comes down from the stars
They say that
Time waits for no man
Nah, they probly lyin'
'Cause time waits on me like a servant all of the time
But, uh
I know some people who actually servin' time
Committed to this grind
Or just committed some crimes
Some times
I wish I had some more time to think
And all the time in the world is all the time I need
And I know eternity's callin'
But my mind
Too busy racin' to pay any mind
Spent a whole lot of money on a watch
Ironic cuz I got it
But I hardly sit and watch
The time tick by
I spend time tryna buy it to own time
I never thought that I was only
Wastin' my own time
Who holds time?
They say he'll be coming in no time
Pray I pay attention cause I'm giving him no time
When lights off is anybody watchin' me
Heard the man above
Never slumber never sleep
Lights off
Ain't nobody watchin' me
I heard about the man in the sky
But he prolly fell asleep
And you say Audemars
Audemars, Audemars
But still don't know the time
That the Son comes down from the stars
On the corners in the alleys
I see conans and cowards
Scared to question their existence
Like ain't no final hour
Can we blame the sins of a reverend for all our irreverence
Does my time spent on earth qualify me for heaven
Did we tick him off by wastin' all of these ticks on this clock
Or is he graciously givin' me time to give him my heart
I'm sure it's the latter
Sure that it matters
And I believe
I've been given all this time
So I can try and redeem it
Or make the most of this stop watch that I'm racin'
You stop and watch you ain't racing
You erasing yo minutes
You can't replace 'em
At the end of yo days
When eternity's in yo face
You had one life to offer up in his service or lay to waste
So my Rollie's tellin' me to roll out
Make investments with my time
While I'm tryna hold out, hold out
And fame money success
Be competing for my investments
But I can't take 'em with me
When it's time for me to exit
Turn the
Lights off
Ain't nobody watchin' me
I heard about the man in the sky
But he prolly fell asleep
And you say Audemars
Audemars, Audemars
But still don't know the time
That the Son comes down from the stars
Lights off
Ain't nobody watchin' me
I heard about the man in the sky
But he prolly fell asleep
And you say Audemars
Audemars, Audemars
But still don't know what time
That the Son comes down from the stars
In "Timepiece", Lecrae contemplates how time is being used and if it's being used wisely. He starts off by questioning if anyone is watching him when the lights are off, referring to how we tend to act differently when we think no one is watching us. He also references a watch brand, Audemars, and how people can wear expensive watches but still not know when the Son will come down from the stars. Lecrae then reflects on the idea that time waits on him like a servant but knows people who are serving time in jail. He wishes he had more time to think and acknowledges that eternity is calling, but his mind is too busy racing to pay it any mind. He ends the song by acknowledging that time is a valuable resource that should be invested wisely, and he can't take fame, money, or success with him when it's time for him to exit.
Through the lyrics of "Timepiece", Lecrae brings attention to how we use our time and emphasizes the importance of investing it wisely. He uses the analogy of a watch to symbolize the preciousness of time and highlights how easily it can be wasted or lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Lights off
Feeling alone and unobserved
Ain't nobody watchin' me
Not being observed by anyone
I heard about the man in the sky
Aware of the existence of God
But he prolly fell asleep
Doubting that God is actively involved in one's life
And you say Audemars
Materialistic desires arising in one's mind
Audemars, Audemars
Repeating the desire for a luxury watch
But still don't know the time
Not knowing the importance of time in life
That the Son comes down from the stars
Unaware of the importance of Jesus' second coming
Nah, they probly lyin'
Rejecting the notion that time waits for no one
'Cause time waits on me like a servant all of the time
Feeling like one has control over time
I know some people who actually servin' time
Having acquaintances who are in jail
Committed to this grind
Focusing on one's work or career
Or just committed some crimes
Having a criminal background
Some times
Occasionally
I wish I had some more time to think
Desiring more time for self-reflection
And all the time in the world is all the time I need
Believing that one has enough time to accomplish everything
And I know eternity's callin'
Being aware of the concept of eternal life
But my mind
One's thoughts and mental state
Too busy racin' to pay any mind
Being too preoccupied to focus on spiritual matters
Spent a whole lot of money on a watch
Investing a significant amount of money in material possessions
Ironic cuz I got it
Contradicting earlier desires for the watch
But I hardly sit and watch
Not using the watch as intended
The time tick by
Seconds passing by on the watch
I spend time tryna buy it to own time
Attempting to purchase more time through material possessions
I never thought that I was only
Not realizing one's true purpose
Wastin' my own time
Wasting time with meaningless pursuits
Who holds time?
Questioning who controls time
They say he'll be coming in no time
Referring to the second coming of Jesus
Pray I pay attention cause I'm giving him no time
Asking for help in focusing on spiritual matters
On the corners in the alleys
Referring to the presence of poverty and crime in society
I see conans and cowards
Encountering brave and cowardly individuals
Scared to question their existence
Being afraid to wonder about the meaning of life
Like ain't no final hour
Denying the reality of death and judgment
Can we blame the sins of a reverend for all our irreverence
Questioning the responsibility of religious leaders for society's lack of faith
Does my time spent on earth qualify me for heaven
Wondering if one's actions on earth determine their eternal fate
Did we tick him off by wastin' all of these ticks on this clock
Questioning whether God is angry at humanity for wasting time
Or is he graciously givin' me time to give him my heart
Considering the possibility that God is merciful and patient
So I can try and redeem it
Striving to make up for past mistakes
Or make the most of this stop watch that I'm racin'
Making the most of the time that one has left on earth
You stop and watch you ain't racing
Encouraging the listener to focus on their own path instead of comparing themselves to others
You erasing yo minutes
Wasting time by being indecisive or unproductive
You can't replace 'em
Unable to reclaim lost time
At the end of yo days
When one reaches the end of their life
When eternity's in yo face
Being confronted with the reality of the afterlife
You had one life to offer up in his service or lay to waste
One's life can either be spent on serving God or wasted on meaningless pursuits
So my Rollie's tellin' me to roll out
Realizing that material possessions are not the key to happiness
Make investments with my time
Investing time in meaningful pursuits and relationships
While I'm tryna hold out, hold out
Struggling to resist the temptations of materialism and worldly success
And fame money success
The things that the world often values highly
Be competing for my investments
Feeling pulled in different directions by competing desires
But I can't take 'em with me
Knowing that material possessions are temporary
When it's time for me to exit
At the end of one's life
But still don't know what time
Remaining ignorant of the importance of eternal matters
That the Son comes down from the stars
Once again referring to Jesus' second coming
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Le Crae Devaughn Moore, Mashell Leroy, Serge Gustave
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jo Sherman
+Jesus Feliciano
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1,8-9)
"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.." (Proverbs 24,16)
Its always good to be ashamed of the sins we have done. We are all siners and God knows that.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.." (Romans 3,23-24)
Confess your sins with all your heart so you have forgiveness! Beside this just be ready to get transformed and educated by the Lord.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12,2)
Thats not easy. This is a fight an it endures our hole life. But we can also know that Jesus already had done everythig that is needed for our salvation. If God repeats things in the bible it has to be very important for him that we know that and keep it in mind. Look at Psalms 136.
"For His mercy endures forever."
This is repeated 26 times in a row, just in psalms 136. And you can find it in many other passages. Think about it.
His mercy upon you endures also forever and nothing can pluck you out of his mighty hands.
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10,28-29)
Reach Records
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http://bit.ly/LecraeVEVO
EH
Reach Records This shit is pure fire.
DaLastShot
Anomaly is probably one of the best albums Lecrae has dropped. It's underrated. The lyrics and the beats are awesome!
JazzMight
this song is actually really deep if you listen to it.
Grady Lucas
God is always watching.
Self Discovery.
Most of his songs.
J Rocha
I love it, makes me think about how I’m spending the time I have for sure. Never kno when it will be up
AKsDan777
@J Rocha God bless you brotha love from Australia
C O O P E R
You know music good when your skin feels weird.
Isaac Laureano
goosebumps