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
The Anthem
Souljahz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inner soul and beliefs through 4 A dat's
Or should I say 32 tracks of inner artifacts
From the heart the pressure just might arrest my cardiac
And perhaps it snaps some back if I don't cut it some slack
Release the spirit that be spittin' these lyrics, you can't react
There is no come back for those who come wack
Now what? You wanna battle me? It's ain't what it seems
You ain't up against the odds of me
You up against the odds of the Most High
Supreme Being
You took a turn for the worst and got cursed
You mess with a child of Jah
You deal with God first
'Round the earth and sea
Never fake or underestimate the power of the enemy
'Cause just when you think you got the devil out your vicinity
He snipes you from the roof and takes you out like he did Kennedy
And splatter your dreams all over the wall, laugh as you fall
Cut you off in the knees and make it hard to stand tall
And in the midst of it all, he got the gall to say no hope
So to cope you call a psychic and review your horoscope
You know what I call a horoscope? Exactly what it means
A scope into the horror of reality's bad dreams
They make it out to be
What it doesn't seem
Just to change it back to way it is
Nothing' but lies, kid
Where all my real live Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where all my hip hop Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where my true Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where you at?
(Right here)
Where you at?
(Right here)
Now just throw your hands way up in the air
And wave 'em all around like you just don't care
And if you're here to get down
Lemme hear ya say, aw, yeah
(Aw, yeah)
You be feelin' it deep in your soul
Tryna' deny that yo peachy world done lost control
We live and die in the dust that we came from
No matter where everybody sing the same song
We all brothers and when you hear the missiles soar
You hit the floor like war, war, still can't find out what it's good for
Absolutely nothin', we killin' like we cannibals
Runnin' over somethin'
You life's a never ending story, runnin' from the nothin'
Don't say I didn't warm you when you see it comin'
Hell fire, brimstone, takin' you home
Came from dust, went to flesh tone and now you gone
Back to dust so in God we trust, get on the bus
Before you leave here, you never know when your time is up
Like the night your clock strikes 12, you lost your shoe
Or the carriage took your shirt to hell, what you gon' do now?
Where all my real live Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where all my hip hop Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where my true Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where you at?
(Right here)
Where you at?
(Right here)
Now just throw your hands way up in the air
And wave 'em all around like you just don't care
And if you're here to get down
Lemme hear ya say, aw, yeah
(Aw, yeah)
Walked in the door, I asked you before
What you here for? And you shook to the core
Walked on the floor like it was a chore
And then you asked, Lord can you bless me times 4?
Na, na, na, I can't handle it
If your gonna rock, man, please bring in the gentle
Can tell by your sentiment that you weren't even feelin' it
But then, oh but I didn't it
1, 2, look out for my crew
'Cause we be rockin like and nobody knew
From our heads to our shoes, gotta keep it true
Gotta keep it righteous to Him our praise is due
To the ticktock, Souljahz don't stop
'Cause we, 'cause we bring that real hip hop
And we got the stuff to make ya head nod
And make ya, make ya body rock
Where all my real live Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where all my hip hop Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where my true Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where you at?
(Right here)
Where you at?
(Right here)
Just throw your hands way up in the air
And wave 'em all around like you just don't care
And if you're here to get down
Lemme hear ya say, aw, yeah
(Aw yeah)
Where all my real live Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where all my hip hop Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where my true Souljahz at?
(Right here)
Where you at?
(Right here)
Where you at?
(Right here)
Now just throw your hands way up in the air
And wave 'em all around like you just, around like you just don't care
And if you're here to get down
Lemme hear ya say Aw, yeah
(Aw, yeah)
The lyrics to "The Anthem" by Souljahz are an expression of the true meaning and essence of real hip hop and rap music. The first line of the song sets the tone for this definition, which is an inner soul and belief through 4 A dat's or 32 tracks of inner artifacts, all stemming from the heart. The lyrics go on to mention that the pressure of expressing these thoughts and ideas may just arrest the cardiac of the artist. Souljahz also emphasize that those who come wack should not expect to be able to come back to the music scene since there will be no room for them. The group suggests sticking to the Holy book instead of indulging in the art of battling.
Furthermore, the lyrics suggest that we should never underestimate the power of the enemy, especially since they have the ability to catch us off guard while we are in our vulnerable moments. The song also questions our existence and what we are here for, encouraging us to be careful of what we do since every action we take will determine our fate. The song ends with the group calling all hip hop and true Souljahz to throw their hands in the air and get down to the beat.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Anthem" are a call to action for individuals to live life with intention, purpose, and a deep understanding of who they are and what they stand for. It is a reminder that there is a Higher Power watching over our every move, and that our actions and decisions have consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
I'ma start with the definition of real hip hop and true raps expression
I'm going to begin by explaining what true hip hop and authentic expressions in rap music truly mean.
Inner soul and beliefs through 4 A dat's
My authentic expression in my lyrics comes from my innermost soul and beliefs. It's the essence of who I am and what I believe.
Or should I say 32 tracks of inner artifacts
To express myself fully, I've produced 32 tracks that are like inner artifacts. Each track represents a different part of my personality and experiences.
From the heart the pressure just might arrest my cardiac
The pressure of putting my heart and soul into my music might give me a heart attack, but I put it all out there anyway.
And perhaps it snaps some back if I don't cut it some slack
If I don't hold back in my lyrics, it might offend some people, but I'm willing to take that risk.
Release the spirit that be spittin' these lyrics, you can't react
When I release my inner spirit through my rapping, it can't be stopped or altered by anyone's reaction.
There is no come back for those who come wack
If you come with weak rhymes, you won't be able to redeem yourself after the fact.
Leave you shook with a hook from the Holy book for combat
If you mess with me, I'll leave you stunned with a verse from the Holy book for a spiritual fight.
You took a turn for the worst and got cursed
If you went down the wrong path and got in trouble with God, you're cursed.
You mess with a child of Jah
If you mess with me, you're messing with a child of God.
You deal with God first
You'll have to deal with God before you can deal with me.
'Round the earth and sea
My message and music are for everyone around the world, no matter where they are.
Never fake or underestimate the power of the enemy
Don't ever pretend or take lightly the power of evil that can try to steer you away from the right path.
'Cause just when you think you got the devil out your vicinity
When you think you've escaped the influence of evil, it can sneak back up on you.
He snipes you from the roof and takes you out like he did Kennedy
Evil can strike you down unexpectedly like Kennedy was assassinated.
And splatter your dreams all over the wall, laugh as you fall
The devil can shatter your dreams and laugh as you fall to your lowest point.
Cut you off in the knees and make it hard to stand tall
Evil can break you down and make it difficult for you to regain your confidence.
And in the midst of it all, he got the gall to say no hope
The devil will make you feel hopeless and defeated in the worst moments.
So to cope you call a psychic and review your horoscope
When people feel lost, they may try to find guidance through unproven methods like calling a psychic or reading their horoscope.
You know what I call a horoscope? Exactly what it means
I call a horoscope exactly what it means - a look into the horror of reality's bad dreams.
They make it out to be
Horoscopes and psychic predictions make it seem like they have the answers to life's biggest questions.
What it doesn't seem
But in reality, they're not as accurate or reliable as they claim to be.
Just to change it back to way it is
They create a false reality that they can quickly change back to the way things truly are.
Nothing' but lies, kid
In the end, their predictions and guidance are nothing but lies.
Where all my real live Souljahz at?
Where are all the authentic and true-to-themselves fans of my music?
(Right here)
They're all right here.
Now just throw your hands way up in the air
Let's all celebrate our love for true hip hop and authentic expression by raising our hands in the air.
And wave 'em all around like you just don't care
Let's just have fun and show off our energy and passion for the music.
And if you're here to get down
If you're here to enjoy the music and vibe with us,
Lemme hear ya say, aw, yeah
Say 'Aw yeah' to show us your enthusiasm.
You be feelin' it deep in your soul
When you truly resonate with the music and message, you'll feel it in your soul.
Tryna' deny that yo peachy world done lost control
Some people try to deny that the world is in chaos and falling apart.
We live and die in the dust that we came from
We all come from dust and will return to dust when we die.
No matter where everybody sing the same song
Despite our differences, we all share the same human experience and emotions.
You hit the floor like war, war, still can't find out what it's good for
When you hear the sound of war, you're brought down to the ground, and it's hard to see what good can come out of it.
Absolutely nothin', we killin' like we cannibals
We are killing each other for absolutely no reason, as if we were cannibals.
Runnin' over somethin'
We are running over and killing anything that is in our way.
Your life's a never ending story, runnin' from the nothin'
We are constantly running from the fact that our lives are fleeting and temporary.
Don't say I didn't warm you when you see it comin'
I warned you about the consequences of your actions and decisions.
Hell fire, brimstone, takin' you home
When you die, you either go to heaven or hell - the choice is yours.
Came from dust, went to flesh tone and now you gone
We came from dust, became living beings, and then we die and return to dust again.
Back to dust so in God we trust, get on the bus
When we die, we return to dust and we put our trust in God. It's time to accept our fate and move on.
Before you leave here, you never know when your time is up
We never know when we will die, so we should always be prepared for our time to come.
Like the night your clock strikes 12, you lost your shoe
Like in the Cinderella story, when time runs out, you lose something important to you.
Or the carriage took your shirt to hell, what you gon' do now?
If something goes wrong in your life, you have to figure out how to get back on track.
Walked in the door, I asked you before
When you entered my space, I asked you something.
What you here for? And you shook to the core
I asked you what you want and it shook you to your very core.
Walked on the floor like it was a chore
You walked on my floor because you felt like you had to, not because you wanted to.
And then you asked, Lord can you bless me times 4?
Then you asked God to give you even more blessings than before.
Na, na, na, I can't handle it
Sorry, I can't fulfill your request.
If your gonna rock, man, please bring in the gentle
If you're going to challenge me, please do it in a respectful and kind way.
Can tell by your sentiment that you weren't even feelin' it
I can tell by your attitude that you're not even passionate about what you're doing.
But then, oh but I didn't it
But even with all of that, I still did it and succeeded.
1, 2, look out for my crew
Watch out for my friends and team.
'Cause we be rockin like and nobody knew
We're rocking like no one has ever seen before.
From our heads to our shoes, gotta keep it true
We keep it real all the way from our heads to our shoes.
Gotta keep it righteous to Him our praise is due
We have to keep it righteous, with our praise due to God.
To the ticktock, Souljahz don't stop
We keep going, following the rhythm of the clock.
'Cause we, 'cause we bring that real hip hop
We bring the true essence of hip hop to the table.
And we got the stuff to make ya head nod
Our music and beats will make you nod your head in rhythm.
And make ya, make ya body rock
Our music will also make your body move and dance.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 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