Since its inception, the CM has chosen to define themselves as the Christian or holy division of hip hop culture as opposed to the hip hop or rap division of Christian culture. Within the genre of rap music, there are various subgenres such as gangsta rap, Conscious rap, old school rap, crunk, and reggaeton, but all of it falls under the rubric of rap and, by extension, hip hop. In choosing to define their music as simply being another subgenre - i.e., the Christian rap subgenre - of hip hop culture, the CM attempts to "keep it real" in order to maintain the validity needed to influence members of hip hop culture who may or may not be Christians. In their 2003 release, Holy Culture, The CM stated their reasoning is based on a passage from the Bible, St. John 17:15-19 in which Jesus is reported to have said to God:
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
As the word sanctified means "to set apart", the interpretation maintained by the CM is that they are instructed by Jesus to remain a part of hip hop culture while being set apart from the majority of the followers of hip hop culture in order to influence it from within to conform to the mores and moral code preached by the followers of mainstream Christianity. The acceptance of this interpretation has been mixed, however. Despite their claim to be a part of hip hop culture, the CM has slowly found more acceptance, though not total acceptance, in the Christian community than in the secular hip hop community as the majority of their concerts are held at churches or church-sponsored events as opposed to secular venues. In 2006, the CM received a Grammy nomination for “Best Rock Gospel Album,” as opposed to any of the traditional hip hop or rap categories. Additionally, the CM has generally only been recognized at Christian and Gospel awards shows such as the Dove Awards or Stellar Awards as opposed to hip hop-only award shows such as the Source Awards or the Vibe Awards.
Live It
The Cross Movement Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life is hard enough wit people dyin round here everyday
You dont want to die, but you know you gonna do it any way
But there's another life after this one that's given if you wanna
Live it, live it, live it, live it, live it, live it, live it, live it
Struggle will make a man do what he wouldnt do naturally
But there's a natural struggle inside that'll bring catastrophe
Get it. get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it
(Tonic)
If you're livin choose life, if you're driven choose right
Yo, you'll never find light, if you're walkin by sight, feel me?
It's a faith walk, cut the small talk
Even Superman gotta take his cape off
When he's touched by the immaculate Emmanuel
Who looks to put you back in style like Gel
But you dont want style
You wanna live the never-ending life of a super Ghetto Star Child
But dont we all wanna fluant it?
Dont it feel good to have people up on it
But it aint all false, it aint all fruad
Aint the way that leads down to destruction real broad
Or was it just hype, is truth optional
Is God just another all day pop-cycle
A sucker wit alot of profound speech
Without enough skill to make it mean something in the streets
Can the baller just take it or leave it
Can the huney, say "YO, Im tellin you he dont mean it"
Wll that's life dillemma, everybody gotta admit it
But when you choose you're locked in it to live it
(Bridge)
What you do in this life is gonna matter
So take time get it right baby
(Chorus)
(Tonic)
I pray I got the right rhyme
To stop any more posion comin through your pipeline
Something to restore you to your right mind
Im tryin to put Jesus on the mainline
You circled the Ave like a vulture
Studied the science of street horticulture
Got a green thumb, when it comes to makin
Fillable, smokable, cirgar paper mache-type sculptures
In the bing you know how to hand the C.O.
When you get out, how to run game on your P.O.
When the blocks hot, how to call a T.O.
But you need to a know a story, similar to Morpheus and Neo
But aint no time to play tricks in the Matrix
Real life cost more then your matinee flicks
Neo died, came back wit all power in their message
But its a movie, and you dont have to accept it
But when the Truth comes back on the day of the blessed
Every knee gon bow and every tongue confess it
And when we bounce you can only take what you came wit
In heaven all that bling round your neck is just pavement
Streets of gold dont let dubs roll on em
Why would I need a Bentley, when Ima fly Whoadie
Besides, this aint Dolomite meets the Devine
What you thought, it was Superfly meets the Sublime
And nah, heaven aint got no ghetto, no stiletto
If Im lyin call me the son of Jepetto
Bit if Im sayin what the truth says and you get it
God is lockin men down to eternally live it
(Bridge)
(Chorus)
The Cross Movement's "Live It" is a poignant and thought-provoking reflection on the fragility of life and the importance of embracing a higher purpose. The chorus reflects on the everyday reality of death and the inevitability of our own mortality. It acknowledges that while we may not want to die, our time on earth is limited, and we have the choice to either live our lives for ourselves or to embrace the promise of eternal life. The song juxtaposes the challenges of life in the ghetto with the possibility of spiritual redemption and the hope of living a life that reflects our commitment to a higher calling.
The verses reflect on the struggle of living in adverse conditions and the decision to choose between the path of destruction or the path to eternal life. Tonic reflects on the importance of faith and the need to cut through the noise of life to find meaning and purpose. He acknowledges that while many people are caught up in the hype of the moment, those who are willing to embrace the truth will be rewarded with a life that extends beyond the here and now. "Live It" is a call to action, reminding us that the choices we make in life matter and that we should be intentional about living our lives with purpose and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Life is hard enough wit people dyin round here everyday
The constant loss of life is difficult to handle
You dont want to die, but you know you gonna do it any way
The inevitability of death weighs on everyone
But there's another life after this one that's given if you wanna
There is an opportunity for everlasting life
Live it, live it, live it, live it, live it, live it, live it, live it
Make the most of that opportunity
Struggle will make a man do what he wouldnt do naturally
Hardship can lead to actions out of character
But there's a natural struggle inside that'll bring catastrophe
If left unchecked, internal conflicts can cause chaos
But there's a cure, but only for those that are wit it, you better come
There is a solution, but one must be willing to seek it out
Get it. get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it
Actively pursue that solution
If you're livin choose life, if you're driven choose right
Make choices that align with eternal life
It's a faith walk, cut the small talk
Believe and act accordingly
But you dont want style
Worldly possessions do not matter in the afterlife
You wanna live the never-ending life of a super Ghetto Star Child
Eternal life is what truly matters
Everybody gotta admit it
Everyone must come to terms with the importance of this decision
So take time get it right baby
Make the right choice and do not rush
I pray I got the right rhyme
The artist hopes his message is effective
Something to restore you to your right mind
A message to bring clarity and guidance
Im tryin to put Jesus on the mainline
The artist is sharing the Gospel message
But aint no time to play tricks in the Matrix
Life is serious and choices have consequences
Real life cost more then your matinee flicks
Life is more valuable than entertainment
Every knee gon bow and every tongue confess it
Everyone will acknowledge the truth eventually
Streets of gold dont let dubs roll on em
Material wealth is irrelevant in heaven
God is lockin men down to eternally live it
God is offering eternal life to those who choose to accept it
Contributed by Elliot J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shawn Mayhall Sr.
on Name Up
Who is the first artist on this track ????