The trio had unprecedented success with their Word/Warner Bros debut, "The Fault Is History". Their first radio single, “All Around The World,” shot straight to the top of the charts, while “True Love Waits” was simultaneously the most added on the CHR and AC formats. In addition, the project garnered two GMA Dove Awards, with five total nominations, and the group received extensive features on CNN Headline News, E!, Billboard, The WB, and a slot on Sessions@AOL.
But even with the tremendous amount of buzz and overwhelming fanfare, record label red tape soon wrapped itself around the burgeoning band, putting an extreme delay on what would’ve been Souljahz sophomore CD.
“Basically we were about to begin our new record after being gone on tour for at least a year and a half on that first record, but the entire staff of our label flipped upside down,” Je’kob recalls of the incredibly trying time. “When it came time to talk with the new cats, they had a different thought process on where our sound needed to go and there ended up being a lot of problems. We basically had our second record shelved entirely and spent the next several years trying to get out of our contract.”
Despite the lack of a new CD, the band took trips to Iraq in 2005 and 2006 to entertain troops, though back home in America, their lawyers and a constantly switching staff of label executives were waging war of their own. Eventually the group was allowed to exit its deal, but at the expense of leaving the SoulJahz moniker in the label’s hands.
“As all of this went down, we literally retreated to Hawaii for a time because we have family out there, which were the bonds that helped keep us going,” Je’kob contends. “But it actually all turned out to be a very good thing because we recharged our batteries and the break helped give us a fresh perspective and new start. SoulJahz has a certain amount of recognition as a brand, but The Washington Projects is a name that’s even closer to our hearts because no one can ever take it away from us!”
“We can’t complain about the name change, or even about the unfortunate events that took place with our previous label. We had a great two years being blessed enough to see the world and spread God’s Message of Hope, Love, Peace & Happiness while touring a great record,” explains Rachael. “Music is our gift and though we had to make some hard decisions in leaving (Souljahz) behind, The Washington Projects represent the same mission. Our hearts are in reaching the lost with a message of hope, and no matter what the name, it is what my brother and I were born to do.”
With the battle flames dying down, The Washington Projects hit the studio for its debut in this format Commanders of the Resistance, an enthralling soundtrack of hope covering just as many relevant themes as it does sonic spectrum. Both videos released to support the record quickly jumped to #1 on the Gospel Music Channel. The group toured extensively including an overseas tour of Europe supporting the troops alongside groups like The Nappy Roots and more..
It’s 2009 and The Washington Projects are back with an album that is sure to change the way you hear Hip-Hop & R&B. The 11 song album entitled “Light Up The Dark” encompasses the true heart of the groups vision and goal. With the smash hits like “My Dream”, “Light Up The Dark”, “You Are Beautiful”, “Work” & “Justus”, this album is bound to keep The Washington Projects name on the lips of many listeners to come.
-Read more @:
http://www.washingtonprojects.com/bio.html The Washington Projects Official Bio
CCM magazine's article about Washington Projects return
ALPHA
Souljahz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you hear
Angelic voices fill the halls
Emotions bouncing off the walls
As the tears hit the ground you feel
You feel strange
Overcome by deception and pain
dont you see if you look to the three trinity
Vs.2
Everywhere I look around me, they surround me
underwater flows tryin' to drown me, What?
Bringin on the evil...wanna clown get cut
Let the Holy Word be my sword..give me more
What you hangin around here stalkin me for?
I be the souljah and life be the war
Christ be the teacher and life be the test
Satan be the bullet...got the bullet proof vest
And you don't know His name, oh what a shame
sold your soul for the fame, now your king for a day
Cry when i pray and every single tear filled with the lost generation
of peers...weed headed regrettin' what you done done
Gettin drunk, throwin up, yeah thats fun
How you gonna explain tha to your son?
Long live the King and His Kingdom come
Vs.3
I look around me
See the world trippin, dippin ,and divin
I find myself slippin
Father forgive us for the sins that we be commitin
the evil that lies within lust, greed, hate
Sexually and spiritually fallin in the grave that we diggin for ourselves
different times, different ways, different phases of life
Strife, cut with a sharp knife
Lyrical incisions, yo, spirtual decisions..what?
A revolutions comin but you neva wanna listen...
What you think its a game?
Rappin 'bout money, sex, and fame
Caught up in these wordly ways
Frontin cause you bought an iced out Roley with a diamond in it
Yo, we all know it
Cause in every photograph you neva hesitate to show it,
And when you writin your rhymes you neva hesitate to flow it
Demonstratin lyrics full of pain
Need to change
Elevate the level of your brain
~Revolution~
The song "Alpha" by Souljahz is a powerful piece that highlights the chaos and strife of the world, while also pointing towards a path of salvation and redemption. The song reflects on the human condition, depicting the pain and sadness that surrounds us all. The opening lyrics set the tone for the rest of the song as it speaks of "angelic voices fill[ing] the halls," conveying a sense of spiritual resonance that penetrates the heart. It goes on to talk about the emotional turmoil that one can feel amidst the chaos, and asks the listener to look towards the "three trinity" for guidance and hope.
The second verse of the song is a fierce call to arms, as the singer speaks of "underwater flows tryin' to drown me" and "evil" that aims to consume them. The lyrics represent the constant battle between good and evil, and the singer speaks of how he has armed himself with the "Holy Word," ready to fight back against the darkness. The song also shows the destructive nature of fame, as it talks about how people sell their souls to achieve it. The lyrics end with a call for change, urging people to "elevate the level of your brain" and embrace a new "revolution."
Overall, "Alpha" speaks to the timeless struggle between good and evil, and the need for spiritual awakening in a world that often loses sight of its purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you hear
Are you aware
Angelic voices fill the halls
Divine beings speak and sing within this place
Emotions bouncing off the walls
Strong feelings reverberate around the area
As the tears hit the ground you feel
When crying, the sensation can be overwhelming
You feel strange
The experience is unfamiliar
Overcome by deception and pain
Tricked and hurt
dont you see if you look to the three trinity
Recognize the power of the Christian godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
there's so much more you can be.
There are other possibilities for your life.
Everywhere I look around me, they surround me
Evil influences are abundant.
underwater flows tryin' to drown me, What?
There is a sense of suffocation.
Bringin on the evil...wanna clown get cut
Perpetrating only invites destruction
Let the Holy Word be my sword..give me more
Scripture is a weapon that can be used for good
What you hangin around here stalkin me for?
Why are you following me?
I be the souljah and life be the war
I am a soldier in the battle of life.
Christ be the teacher and life be the test
Jesus is an educator, life challenges us.
Satan be the bullet...got the bullet proof vest
The devil is a weapon, but we have protection against it
And you don't know His name, oh what a shame
It is regrettable that you are ignorant of God's identity
sold your soul for the fame, now your king for a day
Trading values for popularity grants only temporary power
Cry when i pray and every single tear filled with the lost generation
During my supplications, my tears are shed for misguided youth.
of peers...weed headed regrettin' what you done done
Those with similar experiences of overindulging feel remorse.
Gettin drunk, throwin up, yeah thats fun
Intoxication and throwing up are not enjoyable.
How you gonna explain tha to your son?
How will you justify these actions to your child?
Long live the King and His Kingdom come
God and His realm are eternal.
I look around me
Observing my surroundings
See the world trippin, dippin ,and divin
Perceiving a culture that frequently experiments with drugs and alternate states of consciousness.
I find myself slippin
Encountering temptation
Father forgive us for the sins that we be commitin
Asking for divine forgiveness for our transgressions.
the evil that lies within lust, greed, hate
The sinful impulses of lust, greed and hate instigate wrongdoing.
Sexually and spiritually fallin in the grave that we diggin for ourselves
Both physical and spiritual death result from losing sight of the righteous path
different times, different ways, different phases of life
People experience multiple stages of existence via distinct pathways.
Strife, cut with a sharp knife
Conflict is painful.
Lyrical incisions, yo, spirtual decisions..what?
Poetic language leads to soulful choices
A revolutions comin but you neva wanna listen...
A movement is imminent but some are not receptive to it.
What you think its a game?
Do you take this seriously?
Rappin 'bout money, sex, and fame
Musicians frequently extol and boast about wealth, sexual conquests, and status.
Caught up in these wordly ways
Being ensnared in materialistic, shallow values
Frontin cause you bought an iced out Roley with a diamond in it
Making false claims because of owning an expensive watch embedded with a jewel.
Yo, we all know it
Everyone is aware of the ruse.
Cause in every photograph you neva hesitate to show it,
You flaunt your expensive possessions and affluent lifestyle in photographs
And when you writin your rhymes you neva hesitate to flow it
The verses you compose remunerate your acquired riches
Demonstratin lyrics full of pain
Producing songs that express misery
Need to change
It's essential to transform one's ways
Elevate the level of your brain
Enhance one's cognitive abilities
~Revolution~
A call to rise up and bring about profound change.
Contributed by Ava D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AsiaBossLady
I've been looking for this song for years!!!!! 💯💜💜💜
@Future4Prez
2020! Still bangs!
@souljahzofficial
🙏
@lostempnoredlights7162
Wow I been looking for this forever.. I used to listen to this heavy on my disc player! Wow. Wish I had a verse on here lol. 😲 I can't believe I found this
@mztoyaification
omg! i havnt herd this song since like 8th grade..but almost remember it word for word!
@omary01
i remember watchng them perform at this church i use to go to it was crazy i was younger and i treated them like thay were superstars wanted autograph and all
@koragus1
Needed this song back. The debut joints were my jams...miss this. Thanks for the post!
@souljahzofficial
Check this out
@TheBigOxUchia
That's before it's time.
@Wolvenreign
Heh, these guys are my cousins. I lived with them when I was 13.