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
Reflection
Souljahz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Want You to see Your reflection in my face
The brilliance of Your smile let's me know
That You care for me, always there for me
And You'll never let me go
Every minute of my time, every hour of my life
Every second of everyday, I will praise Your holy name, yeah
I wanna smile, I wanna laugh, I wanna cry
I wanna make it through the day
'Cause there's no stoppin' me when You're by my side
Oh Lord, want You to see Your reflection in my face
I can see the hourglass of time fadin' away
With no excuses for my shame
In a world that measures our success
By where we're at but not how we got there
I think we're sinking deeper everyday
If I had a dime for every tabloid mocking His return
I would be a millionaire, oh, and still they'd never learn
Use this fool to shame the wise
Remove the pride that blinds their eyes
Be my sail so I can drift way, oh Lord
I wanna smile, I wanna laugh, I wanna cry
I wanna make it through the day
'Cause there's no stopping me when You're by my side
Oh Lord, want You to see Your reflection in my face
Oh Lord, want You to see Your reflection in my face
I wanna smile, I wanna laugh, I wanna cry
I wanna make it through the day
'Cause there's no stopping me when You're by my side
Oh Lord, want You to see Your reflection in my face
I wanna smile, I wanna laugh, I wanna cry
I wanna feel You in my face
'Cause there's no stopping me when You're by my side
Oh Lord, want You to see Your reflection in my face
Want You to see Your reflection in my face
The lyrics of Souljahz's song "Reflection" express the singer's desire to have a close relationship with God. The singer wants to smile, laugh, and cry, and wants God to see his reflection in the singer's face. The brilliance of God's smile lets the singer know that God cares for him, and will never let him go. The song acknowledges that time is fleeting, and success is measured by society in a way that does not value morality or the journey taken to get there. However, the singer wants God to guide him through life and help him to rid himself of pride and shame, in order to be worthy of God's reflection on his face.
The song can be interpreted as a prayer for help and guidance from God, as well as an acknowledgement of the challenges of life. The line, "there's no stopping me when You're by my side," suggests that the singer finds comfort and strength in God's presence, and that God is a constant source of support and encouragement for the singer. The song also touches on the themes of time, mortality, and the nature of success, emphasizing the importance of humility and a strong moral compass.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna smile, I wanna laugh, I wanna cry
Expressing the desire to have a range of emotions, whether it is happiness or sadness.
Want You to see Your reflection in my face
Aspires to reflect God's image and live according to his will.
The brilliance of Your smile let's me know
The radiance of God's smile reveals his care and support for the person.
That You care for me, always there for me
Believes that God is always present and looking out for the individual.
And You'll never let me go
Convinced that God will always have a stronghold on the person's life.
Every minute of my time, every hour of my life
Committed to dedicating moments of time and energy to God.
Every second of everyday, I will praise Your holy name, yeah
Determines to give continual praise and thanksgiving to God without faltering.
I wanna make it through the day
Strives to persevere through daily challenges with God's help.
'Cause there's no stoppin' me when You're by my side
Feels empowered and unstoppable when God is present and guiding the way.
I can see the hourglass of time fadin' away
Perceives time as fleeting and passing quickly before their eyes.
With no excuses for my shame
Recognizes their mistakes and mentalilty with no justification for past wrongdoings.
In a world that measures our success
Refers to society's focus on external achievements rather than inner growth or meaningful connections.
By where we're at but not how we got there
Ignores the journey and struggles it took to reach one's place of success.
I think we're sinking deeper everyday
Feels that society is declining or worsening morally and ethically with time.
If I had a dime for every tabloid mocking His return
Comments on how popular media and gossip can disrespect or belittle God's existence or return to earth.
I would be a millionaire, oh, and still they'd never learn
Even if one could accumulate wealth based on the disrespect of God, those individuals would never learn the error in their ways.
Use this fool to shame the wise
The individual wants to be used by God to show a bigger, better picture and potentially shame wise individuals who do not believe.
Remove the pride that blinds their eyes
Asks God to humble those who are unable to see his existence or role in their lives.
Be my sail so I can drift way, oh Lord
Asks God to guide them in the direction they need to go and assist them in navigating life's waters.
I wanna feel You in my face
Desires to feel the presence of God at all times and in all places.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACOB WASHINGTON, JACOB ERNEST WASHINGTON, JOSHUA WASHINGTON, JOSHUA JOEL WASHINGTON, RACHAEL WASHINGTON, RACHAEL ROSE WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind