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
Vejea Speaks on Poverty
Souljahz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And so begins my history, but you curse me for his creativity
thus my nativity is a scene of injustice,
just us created in his image,
best wishes for faded color lines
debated these lives of mine
a fate chased by prejudice
Freedom, a story, a race then edited by race
about to be Erased by the colors of hate
so i await
Dreaming like Martin i awoke to the strokes of Gods brush on my flesh
and realized that we are still blessed
as we all are stand tall and we cannot fall
take baby steps
crept into equality swept away past follies of yesterdays
and pay attention to tomorrows
to rectify coming sorrows of these borrowed souls
and we were meant to love one another as sister and brother under the sun
and we were meant to eat at the table of brotherhood
sisterhood, your hood, my hood,
the good of a people created equal are in their souls within
and not in the hues God will choose to paint their skins.
Souljahz's song "Vejea Speaks on Poverty" is a commentary on the deep-rooted issue of racism and poverty that exists in today's society. The lyrics of the song delve into the struggles that people of color face in a world dominated by the White race.
The song begins by stating that God created everyone with different hues of melanin that color their skin. However, instead of embracing the diversity, the White race curses those created in God's image for their creativity. The injustice that it creates is seen when people are judged based on the color of their skin rather than their inborn qualities. The song laments that everyone is still running even after gaining freedom from slavery, as the legacy of prejudice still exists in society.
The singer dreams of a world where everyone stands tall and does not fall, taking one baby step at a time and striving towards equality. The song calls for paying attention to the future and rectifying the coming sorrows of these borrowed souls. The chorus reinforces the idea that all people are created equal, and their worth lies within their souls, not in the color of their skin.
Line by Line Meaning
God's pen paints my limbs and skin with melanin
As God creates me, my skin color is determined by His will.
And so begins my history, but you curse me for his creativity
Despite God's decision, people judge and criticize me based on my skin color.
thus my nativity is a scene of injustice,
Because of others' prejudice, my birth and existence are sources of unfairness.
just us created in his image,
Despite our physical differences, we are all made in God's likeness.
best wishes for faded color lines
It is hoped that someday, racial divides will be eradicated.
debated these lives of mine
There is constant discussion and disagreement about the experiences and validity of people with different skin colors.
a fate chased by prejudice
People are judged unfairly and have limited opportunities because of others' biased beliefs.
Freedom, a story, a race then edited by race
The narrative of freedom is tainted and distorted by racial bias and discrimination.
Race and we are still running
The issue of race is an ongoing and exhausting struggle.
about to be Erased by the colors of hate
The possibility of hate and racism destroying progress towards equality is imminent.
so i await
Despite the challenges, the singer still holds onto hope for a better future.
Dreaming like Martin i awoke to the strokes of Gods brush on my flesh
The artist has a vision of a world where people are judged by their character, not their skin color.
and realized that we are still blessed
Despite the struggles and injustices, the singer sees the blessings in life.
as we all are stand tall and we cannot fall
Standing together and not giving in to discrimination is the key to progress.
take baby steps
Progress towards equality may be slow, but it is still progress.
crept into equality swept away past follies of yesterdays
By working towards equality, we can leave behind the mistakes of the past and move forward.
and pay attention to tomorrows
It is important to focus on the future and what we can do to make the world a better place.
to rectify coming sorrows of these borrowed souls
We must work to prevent future pain and sorrow for those who have been marginalized.
and we were meant to love one another as sister and brother under the sun
We are all meant to be united and love each other, regardless of our differences.
and we were meant to eat at the table of brotherhood
We are all meant to be equal and share in the same opportunities and rights.
sisterhood, your hood, my hood,
We must extend this unity and equality to all communities and neighborhoods.
the good of a people created equal are in their souls within
Our true goodness as individuals and as a society comes from within, not from external factors like skin color.
and not in the hues God will choose to paint their skins.
Our worth and value cannot be determined by something as superficial as our skin color, which is beyond our control.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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