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.”
Walk With Me
Lecrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Teach me the way, night and day
Oh, I'm under pressure, man, I'm under pressure
Been tryna walk it out I keep ended up a stretcha'
Problems in life'll stretch ya', ain't got it all together
They say the change comin', but it's feelin' like forever
Some screws, but it's these three nails that keep me drivin'
If God ain't with me, I know that I'm gon' fail
And ain't a wish in the well that can wish ya' boy well
Cells eaten by cancer got me lookin' for answers
Doctors say my daughter won't grow up to be a dancer
Just walked out that funeral, I'm right back in my cubicle
Lord, I'm ready for heaven; I'm just waitin' on the cue to go
Feel like givin' up and just blamin' it on my daddy
He never meant to have me, and problems keep comin' at me
I wanna walk with Jesus, but my legs too heavy
I'm hopin' prayer works 'cause the walls can't hear me
Come on!
So I drop to my knees and I scream with my might
I'm know that these walls can't hear me
I say, "Lord, please won't you hear my cry?"
I know that these walls can't hear me
Maybe if I plead and I sing out loud
I know that these walls can't hear me
Jesus come walk, come walk with me now
'Cause I know that these walls can't hear me
Oh, D Wade died first, now my Uncle Skip gone
Then I lost my grandpa, and that's when it hit home
That people keep leavin' me, this world keep deceiving me
They sellin' me false hope, and I keep believing it
Come on!
I promise I think I'm going insane
Come on!
And gravity pullin' me down the drain
Come on!
My boys in Afghanistan goin' crazy
Staring at them pictures of they babies
Bullets flyin' everywhere, prayin' they gon' make it home
Lord, give 'em Hope. Without it, what else they bankin' on?
Everything is fallin' all around me, put yo' arms around me
Sinkin' in my sorrows got me drowning
Tempted to empty bottles and throw 'em off in wind
Devils lurkin' 'round the corner, just waitin' for me to sin
I pray that you sustain me and keep me from givin' in
Ain't gotta get me out; just get through to the end!
Lord Jesus, come on!
See I need some healing
'Cause I'm losing feeling
Lord won't you please hear my cry, yeah
Let your love rain from the sky
The song "Walk With Me" by Lecrae is a raw and emotional piece that expresses the vulnerability and despair of the artist. The song depicts the struggles and challenges of life and how it can weaken one's spirit. Lecrae begs for guidance and support from God, who he believes is the only one that can help him through the darkest moments of his life. He feels like he is under pressure and has been trying to find a way out of his problems. But he keeps ending up "a stretcher" and unable to cope.
The lyrics of the song are quite intense and paint a picture of the different struggles experienced by the artist. He talks about the uncertainty of life and how things can change in a split second. The death of his loved ones, the sickness of his daughter, and the despair of his friends in Afghanistan, all add up to his frustration. Lecrae goes down on his knees, screaming and pleading for help, letting the walls around him know he needs support.
The song is an inspirational piece that highlights the need for faith and hope in tough situations. Lecrae uses music as a way to connect with God and express his emotions. The song encourages listeners to hold on to their faith and not give up hope, even when things get tough.
Line by Line Meaning
I get a little weak sometimes
Sometimes I feel like I can't handle everything
Teach me the way, night and day
Show me the right path to follow all the time
Oh, I'm under pressure, man, I'm under pressure
I am feeling stressed and overwhelmed
Been tryna walk it out I keep ended up a stretcha'
I have been trying to manage my problems but they keep overwhelming me
Problems in life'll stretch ya', ain't got it all together
Life's difficulties can be extremely taxing and I don't have all the answers
They say the change comin', but it's feelin' like forever
People say things will get better, but it feels like it's taking too long
Oh, I'm on mission, they probably think missin'
I have a mission in life that others might not understand
Some screws, but it's these three nails that keep me drivin'
I may have some flaws, but my faith is what keeps me going
If God ain't with me, I know that I'm gon' fail
Without God, I can't make it through life's difficulties
And ain't a wish in the well that can wish ya' boy well
No one else's well wishes can help me like God can
Cells eaten by cancer got me lookin' for answers
Watching someone I love suffer from cancer has me questioning everything
Doctors say my daughter won't grow up to be a dancer
The medical news about my daughter is heartbreaking
Just walked out that funeral, I'm right back in my cubicle
After attending a funeral, I have to go right back to work and pretend everything is okay
Lord, I'm ready for heaven; I'm just waitin' on the cue to go
I'm ready to leave this difficult world and be with God
Feel like givin' up and just blamin' it on my daddy
Sometimes I feel like giving up and blaming my problems on my father
He never meant to have me, and problems keep comin' at me
Sometimes I feel unwanted and like my problems are never-ending
I wanna walk with Jesus, but my legs too heavy
I want to have a close relationship with Jesus, but it's hard for me to do so
I'm hopin' prayer works 'cause the walls can't hear me
I hope that prayer can help me because it sometimes feels like nobody is listening
So I drop to my knees and I scream with my might
I pray with all my strength and passion
Maybe if I plead and I sing out loud
Maybe if I beg and sing with all my heart
Jesus come walk, come walk with me now
I need Jesus to help me and be with me right now
'Cause I know that these walls can't hear me
I know that my prayers are heard by God, not the walls
Oh, D Wade died first, now my Uncle Skip gone
I have recently lost people I care about
Then I lost my grandpa, and that's when it hit home
The loss of my grandpa made me realize how much I need help
That people keep leavin' me, this world keep deceiving me
I feel alone and like the world is lying to me
They sellin' me false hope, and I keep believing it
I keep falling for things that are not true or realistic
I promise I think I'm going insane
I feel like I might be losing my mind
And gravity pullin' me down the drain
I feel like life keeps dragging me down
My boys in Afghanistan goin' crazy
My friends who are serving in Afghanistan are struggling
Staring at them pictures of they babies
They find comfort in looking at pictures of their children
Bullets flyin' everywhere, prayin' they gon' make it home
They are in danger and need my prayers
Lord, give 'em Hope. Without it, what else they bankin' on?
I hope God can give them hope to get through their struggles
Everything is fallin' all around me, put yo' arms around me
I feel like everything is falling apart and I need God's comfort
Sinkin' in my sorrows got me drowning
My sadness is overwhelming me
Tempted to empty bottles and throw 'em off in wind
I am tempted to turn to alcohol to numb my pain
Devils lurkin' 'round the corner, just waitin' for me to sin
I feel like I am being targeted by negative influences
I pray that you sustain me and keep me from givin' in
I ask God to help me to resist temptation
Ain't gotta get me out; just get through to the end!
I don't need to be rescued, I just need to persevere
See I need some healing
I am in need of healing
'Cause I'm losing feeling
I am starting to feel numb and hopeless
Lord won't you please hear my cry, yeah
I ask God to listen to my prayers
Let your love rain from the sky
I ask God to shower me with love and hope
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAY A. KING, DEXTER MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind