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.
Start Somethin'
The Cross Movement Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Word up
Start something, get your heart pumpin'
Yeah, start jumpin' around if you're under the ground
I know you're down with this thunderous sound
C'mon, stand up. Get your hands up.
Word up
Start something.
Why? The world needs what you have
Back to the lab 'til you master your craft. This is it.
Phanatik:
I'm out to destroy this track, ya boy is back
Who would think gospel tactics would employ rap
But since I know heads will enjoy that
I'll rock it 'til the wheels fall off like a Benz or Jag
See, if I never get dough like, "Whoa!"
It's cool just to know I never sold my soul
My goal is to get souls, not to go gold
And get answers to shorty before she's dancing go-go
And to talk to boy before they call the po-po
Or he ends up in the morgue with a tag on his toe
See, if they can talk about cash and trash in their raps
Then we can talk about snatching cats out of traps!
That's set for your soul, let's see it and roll
'Til we end up in our heavenly home
Who cares about how much or whether we've blown
It's not man but by God that's best to be known
C'mon, stand up. Get your hands up.
Word up
Start something, get your heart pumpin'
Yeah, start jumpin' around, if you're under the ground
I know you're down with this thunderous sound
C'mon, stand up. Get your hands up.
Word up
Start jumpin', get your heart pumpin'
Start something.
Why? The world needs what you have
Back to the lab 'til you master your craft. This is it.
Phanatik:
It's time to strike up the band, rise up and stand
And draw lines in the stands of time
We stand behind what we believe in following God
Whole squad ready to die like Stephen
Whether put to death or put to test
Beef with God? Better put it to rest!
What we kick will leave an imprint like a foot to the chest
With truth that'll shoot through your bullet proof vest
Watch out He's venting-no! He's vintage, like aged wine
A sage with rhyme sentence
But since man at his core is mad hard to reach
We know the Lord is using more than just parts of speech
Paragraphs paired up to smash
He'll bring the heat open up air ducts and shafts
Who can last in the smoldering heat?
When He throws the cold shoulder at His judgement seat?
Huh? The very breath that we breathe and every gift we receive
Is in the palm of His hand with no tricks up His sleeve
Isn't that a relief? So sit back in your seat
Kick up your feet take it in and take it back to the streets
C'mon, stand up. Get your hands up.
Word up
Start something, get your heart pumpin'
Yeah, start jumpin' around, if you're under the ground
I know you're down with this thunderous sound
C'mon, stand up. Get your hands up.
Word up
Start jumpin', get your heart pumpin'
Start something.
Why? The world needs what you have
Back to the lab 'til you master your craft. This is it.
Phanatik:
I'm in the eye of the storm, high above norm
Before the Most High when I perform
An audience of One watching
One chair, one stare hoping He's still there when I'm done rockin'
And if He's there then I hope that He's pleased with me
This is not done easily, I cook mics, but the rhyme books that I write
Changed since the Father's aim is to see Jesus Christ look-a-likes
So the more like the Son that Phanatik becomes
That's less laps around the track that I have to run
New character sprung, old habits get shunned
Now we're having some fun, too bad 'cause now the tracks' done!
The song "Start Somethin'" by The Cross Movement encourages listeners to take a stand and make a difference in the world. The lyrics urge people to get up, get their hands in the air, and start jumping around to the "thunderous sound" of the music. The song talks about the power of rap and gospel tactics to reach people, and encourages listeners to use their talents to spread the message of God's love. Phanatik raps about the importance of using rap to talk about real issues and to help young people before it's too late. He also talks about the power of the Lord to change lives and the importance of living a life that pleases Him.
Overall, "Start Somethin'" is a high-energy rap song with a positive message. It urges listeners to use their talents to make a positive impact in the world and to spread the message of God's love.
Line by Line Meaning
C'mon, stand up. Get your hands up.
Encouraging listeners to rise up and take action
Word up
Acknowledging agreement with previous statement
Start something, get your heart pumpin'
Take initiative and get excited
Yeah, start jumpin' around if you're under the ground
Encouraging excitement, even for those who feel low
I know you're down with this thunderous sound
Believes listeners will enjoy the music
Why? The world needs what you have
Urging listeners to use their gifts for a greater purpose
Back to the lab 'til you master your craft. This is it.
Encouraging dedication to improve and perfect one's talents
I'm out to destroy this track, ya boy is back
Excited to perform and bring energy to the music
But since I know heads will enjoy that
Believes audience will appreciate the music and message
My goal is to get souls, not to go gold
Focus is on spreading the gospel, not making money
If they can talk about cash and trash in their raps
Challenges other rappers' content and encourages a better message
That's set for your soul, let's see it and roll
Encouraging listeners to embrace the gospel message and live it out
It's time to strike up the band, rise up and stand
Motivating listeners to take a stand for their beliefs
With truth that'll shoot through your bullet proof vest
Confident in the power of the gospel to overcome any obstacle
Watch out He's venting-no! He's vintage, like aged wine
Describing God's power as timeless and classic
We know the Lord is using more than just parts of speech
Acknowledging that God works in mysterious ways
Who can last in the smoldering heat?
Asking listeners if they can handle judgement from God
The very breath that we breathe and every gift we receive
Grateful for the blessings that God gives every day
So sit back in your seat, kick up your feet
Encouraging listeners to relax and reflect on the message
I'm in the eye of the storm, high above norm
Describing himself as focused and determined
With One chair, one stare hoping He's still there when I'm done rockin'
Acknowledging God as the ultimate judge
This is not done easily, I cook mics
Acknowledging the hard work and dedication required to produce quality music
Changed since the Father's aim is to see Jesus Christ look-a-likes
Emphasizing the importance of living a Christ-like life
So the more like the Son that Phanatik becomes
Recognizing personal need for improvement and growth
Now we're having some fun, too bad 'cause now the tracks' done!
Enjoying the music and message, but acknowledging the song is ending.
Contributed by Eliana G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shawn Mayhall Sr.
on Name Up
Who is the first artist on this track ????