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
Poor Man
Souljahz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't trust me, you'd rather die
Then to take my hand, lead me from this land
Of destruction and poverty, why don't you understand?
You don't see me, look into my soul
Can't believe me, I have nothing to show
But my legs and my arms and my feet and my ears
I am the poor man on the street and to the rich man
I'm a sinner, I'm a beggar and I'm a freak
Everyday you all just pass me by, can't you see me?
Please don't deny that I'm alive
Aye, yo, I roam all day and night alone
This cold pavement is my home away from home
Where I spend it, don't matter none
'Cause I'm left stranded but not the only one
'Cause there's a whole community of them
And me's that you stare at like we are the enemy and I swear
I don't mean no harm, I just wanna walk with ya
Don't mean no harm, I just wanna talk with ya
Tell me your name, I'll tell you mine
How you doin' today sir, I'm doin' fine
Now tell me, how that seem so hard
Easy to forget about me, when you forgot about God
So now I lay me down to sleep
I pray, dear God my soul You keep
And if I die before I wake
I pray, dear Lord my soul You take, You take
I am the poor man on the street and to the rich man
I'm a sinner, I'm a beggar and I'm a freak
Everyday you all just pass me by, can't you see me?
Please don't deny that I'm alive
Listen, it's a hard road and it's a hard game
To live the life of the man that has no name
And you point your fingers and laugh
Did you ever think where this man takes a bath?
Did you ever think when you called him a slob?
That it might be you in a year with no job
Yeah, he was livin' day to day a normal life just like yours
A job, house and a normal wife, just like yours
But never did he think or comprehend what was ahead
His stock dropped to zero, now he's better off dead
Then goes the house, back accounts and the Benz
Just when he needed 'em them the most, there goes his friends
Suicidal thoughts as the countdown begins
Puts the nine to his head it all comes to an end
About to pull the trigger as he takes his last breath
He remembers when he dies his kids inherit his debt
There's nothin' left, nowhere to run,
Puts down the gun, puts out his hand
Begs you for a dollar and you deny him again
Look him in the eye and deny him again, his name is poor man
You say you love God, but God says feed him and He'll feed me
So why deny me of the very thing I need
Don't want your money, no, at least have the decency
To look me in the eyes and not deny that I'm alive
He is the poor man on the street and to the rich man
He's a sinner, he's a beggar and he's a freak
Everyday you all just pass him by, can't you see him?
Please don't deny that he's alive
Please don't deny that he's alive
Please don't deny that he's alive
Please don't deny that he's alive
Please don't deny that he's alive
Souljahz's song "Poor Man" talks about the struggles of the homeless and poverty-stricken people in society. The lyrics bring to light the fact that they are not just beggars or freaks but human beings like everyone else. The song challenges society to take a closer look at these individuals rather than quickly passing them by. The lyrics in the song are an appeal to those in more privileged positions to lend a helping hand and recognize the humanity in the poor.
Through the use of rhetorical questions and vivid imagery, Souljahz is able to capture the essence of the poor man’s daily struggles. The lines “And if I die before I wake, I pray, dear Lord my soul You take” speaks to the desperation of someone who has lost all hope for a better life. The verse “Listen, it's a hard road, and it's a hard game, to live the life of a man that has no name, and you point your fingers and laugh" highlights the struggle that comes with losing one's sense of identity and sense of belonging.
Overall, "Poor Man" is a cry to society to be more compassionate and show empathy towards people who are struggling in life. It is a reminder that we are all human beings who deserve to be seen and recognized for who we are, regardless of our financial status.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't know me, look into my eyes
I am asking you to see me for who I am, to see the struggles I have hidden in my eyes.
You don't trust me, you'd rather die
You place no trust in me and it is as if you would rather die than offer me a hand of kindness.
Then to take my hand, lead me from this land
If only you would take my hand and lead me away from poverty and destruction, away from the harshness of this land.
Of destruction and poverty, why don't you understand?
I cannot fathom why you cannot see the immense destruction and poverty faced by those like me.
You don't see me, look into my soul
Please see beyond my physical appearance and look into my soul. It is there that the true person lies.
Can't believe me, I have nothing to show
I have nothing to show you materially, but that does not make me any less of a person.
But my legs and my arms and my feet and my ears
All I have are my legs, arms, feet, and ears. These are the only things you can see, but they do not define me.
And my eyes and my hands, can't you see, I'm a man?
Please do not see me as something lesser because of my situation. I am a man just like you, with eyes and hands and a beating heart.
I am the poor man on the street and to the rich man
I am the poor man that is often ignored and shunned by those who are wealthy.
I'm a sinner, I'm a beggar and I'm a freak
To those who see me, I am seen as a sinner, a beggar, and a freak.
Everyday you all just pass me by, can't you see me?
Every day you all just ignore me as you pass by on the street. Why can't you see me?
Please don't deny that I'm alive
I am a living, breathing person and I deserve to be acknowledged and respected.
Aye, yo, I roam all day and night alone
I am alone and I wander the streets, day and night.
This cold pavement is my home away from home
The cold pavement is where I lay my head at night, it is the only place that is familiar.
Where I spend it, don't matter none
It does not matter where I spend my time, as each day is a struggle to survive.
'Cause I'm left stranded but not the only one
I am not the only one struggling, there are others like me that have been left stranded.
'Cause there's a whole community of them
There is a whole community of people like me who are struggling to survive.
And me's that you stare at like we are the enemy and I swear
I don't mean no harm, I just wish to walk and talk with you.
Tell me your name, I'll tell you mine
Please, let us recognize each other as human beings by introducing ourselves.
How you doin' today sir, I'm doin' fine
I am just like you, I have good and bad days, but today I am doing just fine.
Now tell me, how that seem so hard
Why is it so difficult for us to treat each other with respect and kindness?
Easy to forget about me, when you forgot about God
It is easy for you to forget about me, just as you may forget about God.
So now I lay me down to sleep
At the end of the day, I lay down to sleep.
I pray, dear God my soul You keep
I pray to God to keep my soul safe.
And if I die before I wake
If I do not wake up from my sleep, let me know that I have passed on.
I pray, dear Lord my soul You take, You take
Please take my soul, dear Lord, to a better place where there is no more suffering.
Listen, it's a hard road and it's a hard game
Life is a difficult road and it is not an easy game to play.
To live the life of the man that has no name
For those of us who have nothing, life can be especially difficult.
And you point your fingers and laugh
Those who have more may point their fingers and laugh at those of us who have less.
Did you ever think where this man takes a bath?
Have you ever thought about the struggles that I face just to maintain my basic hygiene?
Did you ever think when you called him a slob?
When you call me a slob, have you ever thought about why I may appear unkempt?
That it might be you in a year with no job
You may be just like me in a year from now, struggling with no job and no financial security.
Yeah, he was livin' day to day a normal life just like yours
At one point in time, I was living a normal life just like you.
A job, house and a normal wife, just like yours
I had a house, a job, and a family just like you, but life can change in an instant.
But never did he think or comprehend what was ahead
I never imagined that I would end up living on the streets with nothing.
His stock dropped to zero, now he's better off dead
Now, I have nothing and it seems like death may be a better option.
Then goes the house, back accounts and the Benz
I lost everything including my home, my bank accounts, and my car.
Just when he needed 'em them the most, there goes his friends
To make matters worse, when I needed my friends the most, they abandoned me.
Suicidal thoughts as the countdown begins
As I struggle to survive, suicidal thoughts start creeping in.
Puts the nine to his head it all comes to an end
I may end up resorting to taking my own life as a way out.
About to pull the trigger as he takes his last breath
As I take my last breath, I may have the gun to my head.
He remembers when he dies his kids inherit his debt
My children will inherit my debt when I die. This is a thought that haunts me every day.
There's nothin' left, nowhere to run
When there seems to be nothing left, nowhere to run, and no one to turn to, what is there left to do?
Puts down the gun, puts out his hand
I must put down the gun and reach out for help.
Begs you for a dollar and you deny him again
When I ask for help and you deny me even a dollar, it feels like a crushing blow.
Look him in the eye and deny him again, his name is poor man
When you deny me help and you look me in the eye, just remember that I am the poor man on the street.
You say you love God, but God says feed him and He'll feed me
If you claim to love God, then you must remember that He has called upon you to feed the poor.
So why deny me of the very thing I need
If God has called upon you to feed me, then why do you deny me the very thing I need to survive?
Don't want your money, no, at least have the decency
I do not want your money, but please have the decency to acknowledge me and show me some kindness.
To look me in the eyes and not deny that I'm alive
All I ask is that you look me in the eye and acknowledge that I am a living, breathing person.
Please don't deny that he's alive
I am alive, do not deny me the basic respect and acknowledgment that I deserve.
Please don't deny that he's alive
Please do not deny that I am a real person with real struggles.
Please don't deny that he's alive
I am not just a faceless person on the street, please do not deny my existence.
Please don't deny that he's alive
I am alive and I deserve to be treated as such.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSHUA WASHINGTON, JACOB WASHINGTON, RACHAEL WASHINGTON, ANTHONY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind