For starters, the troupe performed alongside the lauded (and diverse) likes of No Doubt, Nelly, Counting Crows, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Garbage, Boyz II Men and Erykah Badu (to name a few) on a cross country tour in support of its major label debut The Fault Is History. That project also set a streak of precedents, making SoulJahz the first new hip-hop/funk/soul act in history to write, produce, executive produce and co-engineer a major label album, not to mention group member Rachael becoming the youngest composer/producer/songwriter in the history of Warner Brothers Records (she was 17, beating out Prince at 19). Extensive features followed on CNN Headline News, E!, Billboard, The WB, plus a slot on Sessions@AOL beside Christina Aguilera, 50 Cent, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Red Hot Chili Peppers. 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 its 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,” Jekob 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,” Jekob 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 that one away from us!”
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 spectrums. The album had rave reviews not to mention both singles they filmed videos for took the 1 spots for 2 straight weeks on GMC, one of the biggest inspirational video channels in the world.
After touring extensively both in the states and abroad, with groups ranging from The Nappy Roots & Relient K, to Third Day & Toby Mac , they head back to the studio to lay down what they say will be one of the best inspirational records EVER! The sky is the limit for this duo, and if anyone can do it .... they can. Light Up The Dark Souljahz -
Work
The Washington Projects Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Iʼll do it my way
Ainʼt gonna take no more mess
I donʼt care what they think
Cause I ainʼt gonna take no more
Iʼm ready to go
Let me tell you something,
if you want to be taken seriously
because you canʼt do nothing if you donʼt make a move
Thereʼs work to do
So do you
work
And you wonʼt stop, cause you canʼt stop
Make it work now girl you better do your thing
Bring what no one else can bring
Make em say, she got it
Keep on dreaming and believing in your calling
Show the world what you can do
Iʼm telling you just make a move
Thereʼs work to do
So do you
Work
If you wanna get that weight off
Work
When you find out youʼve been laid off
Work
If you wanna be your own boss
Work
Oh you gotta work
Work
If you wanna get that weight off
Work
When you find out youʼve been laid off
Work
If you wanna be your own boss
Work
Oh you gotta work
I run the west
Simply cause I rhyme the best
Pay me to get on the stage
Pay me just to flex my chest
Jokin man I ainʼt got guns,
they know that I got the skills.
Everything I do has got something to do with mass appeal.
Make the party scream and shout
But that ainʼt all that I do,
tell 'em bout the God that gives me grace the one that gives me fuel
He is resting in my heart
So when I get off the stage
ladies be like whatʼs your name? I be like, no way jose
Cause my wife is super fine
Go get yours work hard for mine
Like a straight miner you stay focused,
diamonds what youʼll find.
Shinning like a diamond man.
See Iʼm moving to the top cause I know just how to work
and once I start I canʼt be stopped
Like the energizer bunny, you laugh cause you think Iʼm funny.
But Iʼm trying to get sponsored by energizer make more money
But thatʼs not what lifeʼs about
Fight against them idol thoughts
When you leave the world you leave alone and not with what you bought
Now know why you work
Work
If you wanna get that weight off
Work
When you find out youʼve been laid off
Work
If you wanna be your own boss
Work
Oh you gotta work
Work
If you wanna get that weight off
Work
When you find out youʼve been laid off
Work
If you wanna be your own boss
Work
Oh you gotta work
This ainʼt no test just want you to do your best
Show the world what you can do,
keep it real give em the truth, make em move
I know thereʼs something hidden up your sleeve
and I gotta make you believe in you
So donʼt stop that dreaming
Donʼt you donʼt stop that dreaming
Donʼt stop, donʼt stop gonna break right through them road blocks
Call me lava, dude Iʼm so hot
Feel like A.I how I robot
When I grab the mic a sure shot,
Iʼma take you to the topʼs top
Iʼma live la vida loca
You want to invest call my broker, now work.
Work
If you wanna get that weight off
Work
When you find out youʼve been laid off
Work
If you wanna be your own boss
Work
Oh you gotta work
Work
If you wanna get that weight off
Work
When you find out youʼve been laid off
Work
If you wanna be your own boss
Work
Oh you gotta workWork
If you wanna get that weight off
Work
When you find out youʼve been laid off
Work
If you wanna be your own boss
Work
Oh you gotta work
Work
If you wanna get that weight off
Work
When you find out youʼve been laid off
Work
If you wanna be your own boss
Work
Oh you gotta work
The song "Work" by The Washington Projects encourages listeners to be proactive and take control of their lives, rather than waiting for things to happen to them. The song opens with the proclamation that the year is going to be different, and the singer is going to do things their own way. The lyrics stress the importance of working hard and making things happen, as the only way to achieve success is to keep moving forward and striving towards one's goals.
Throughout the song, the lyrics also mention the importance of believing in oneself and not letting others' opinions hold one back. The song encourages listeners to bring their unique skills and talents to the table and make their mark on the world. The second verse features a rapper who talks about his own success and how hard work and focus allowed him to achieve his goals. The overall message of the song is one of empowerment and determination.
Overall, "Work" is a motivational song that encourages listeners to believe in themselves and work hard to achieve their goals. The song emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's life and not waiting for success to come to them.
Line by Line Meaning
So you say this years gonna be different, Iʼll do it my way
Starting off the year with determination and a new attitude to take control of my life.
Ainʼt gonna take no more mess, I donʼt care what they think
No more listening to others opinions or tolerating negative situations any longer. It's time to make a change.
Cause I ainʼt gonna take no more, Iʼm ready to go
Ready to move forward and make things happen.
Let me tell you something, if you want to be taken seriously you need to get up and make it happen, because you canʼt do nothing if you donʼt make a move
Taking action is necessary to be taken seriously and make progress. Sitting back and doing nothing will get you nowhere.
Thereʼs work to do, So do you
There's work to be done, and it's up to you to do it.
Work, And you wonʼt stop, cause you canʼt stop
Be relentless and determined to succeed, never give up.
Make it work now girl you better do your thing, Bring what no one else can bring, Make em say, she got it
Put in the effort to make things happen, show your unique skills and abilities, and make others take notice of your success.
Keep on dreaming and believing in your calling, Show the world what you can do, Iʼm telling you just make a move
Continue to believe in yourself and your goals, showcase your talents to the world, and take action to make your dreams a reality.
If you wanna get that weight off, When you find out youʼve been laid off, If you wanna be your own boss, Oh you gotta work
Whether it's losing weight, being laid off and needing to find a new job, or starting a business, hard work is required to achieve your desired outcomes.
I run the west, Simply cause I rhyme the best, Pay me to get on the stage, Pay me just to flex my chest
Being successful in the music industry due to talent and hard work, resulting in getting paid to perform and show off skills.
Jokin man I ainʼt got guns, they know that I got the skills. Everything I do has got something to do with mass appeal.
Having talent and skill over weapons or negativity, ensures that everything put out has broad public appeal.
Make the party scream and shout, But that ainʼt all that I do, tell 'em bout the God that gives me grace the one that gives me fuel
While entertaining others at events, also sharing and testifying to the power of God.
He is resting in my heart, So when I get off the stage, ladies be like whatʼs your name? I be like, no way jose
Having a pure heart and mind because of God, even when receiving attention from others, which is not the priority in life.
Cause my wife is super fine, Go get yours work hard for mine, Like a straight miner you stay focused, diamonds what youʼll find.
Being committed to your spouse and working hard for their well-being, like a miner, staying focused on the end goal of success.
See Iʼm moving to the top cause I know just how to work and once I start I canʼt be stopped, Like the energizer bunny, you laugh cause you think Iʼm funny. But Iʼm trying to get sponsored by energizer make more money
The determination to succeed and work tirelessly to achieve goals, believing in oneself, even if others find it funny. Looking for sponsorship opportunities to make more money.
But thatʼs not what lifeʼs about, Fight against them idol thoughts, When you leave the world you leave alone and not with what you bought
Money and superficial things are not the main focus in life, it's important to fight against being consumed by materialism because we leave the world alone not with possessions.
This ainʼt no test just want you to do your best, Show the world what you can do, keep it real give em the truth, make em move
Encouraging others to do their best and showcase what they can do while being genuine as well as motivating others in the process.
I know thereʼs something hidden up your sleeve and I gotta make you believe in you, So donʼt stop that dreaming, Donʼt you donʼt stop that dreaming, Donʼt stop, donʼt stop gonna break right through them road blocks
Believing in oneself and having something special to offer, which must be showcased to the world, never giving up on dreams, and breaking through barriers to get there.
Call me lava, dude Iʼm so hot, Feel like A.I how I robot, When I grab the mic a sure shot, Iʼma take you to the topʼs top, Iʼma live la vida loca
Being successful and talented, comparable to a hot volcano, while having an unmatched skill like A.I. When performing, guarantee a successful outcome and taking people to the height of success.
Contributed by Anthony N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jra5899
Love this song good job