Lecrae - Misconceptions 4 Lyrics
Lyrics
Intro: nobigdyl.
Kel "Kelby on the track (Wait a minute)
(Dyllie) Uh-huh
Verse 1: nobigdyl.
You know them Christians is all bigots (You know I ain't lyin')
Want riches, burn bridges, build walls, tall fences (All of 'em)
All critics, quick to call y'all wicked (True)
But when it come to the poor, then it be all crick "
I'm at Chick-Fil-A wit' a single gay and we singin' 'Crae (Phew)
Finna pray, switch it to Kendrick and then the chicken came
Renegade, not 'cause it's the quickest way to get the fame
Penetrate, heart of stone and then I rode the livin' way
De-converted, you just tell 'em, "Read the Word"
Probably should bandage up the wound that you see bleedin' first
Meet them where they speakin', do not lead with "you a heathen" first (No)
Be the person that they need so they can see that Jesus works (What that mean?)
If he can make lion out a liar, Magic City a choir (Choir)
Transform you too if you feeling a little shyer (Shyer)
Question, did you think you too messy for the Messiah? (Messy)
Misconception is that your mess could disqualify ya (True)
Do not follow me, we follow the One who part the seas
I can't follow party or politicians, so pardon me (Pardon me)
Foot up on they neck 'cause they never let Eric Garner breathe
I know they confused, they thought believers could not agree
Verse 2: Jon Keith
My comment section Normandy Beach, it's lead in they speech
Don't Stevie Wonder why y'all got so bold on them keys
I'm off of the leash, my church clothes is all-white tees
And off-white jeans, don't play with me, that's all I need, boy
Look, I got confessions
I spoke with Yeshua about the Jesus that you mention (What, what, what, what, what, what, what? Brrt)
He looked me in my face and told me that He never met him (Nah, nah)
So boy, I need apologies and then some (Right now)
Then add another zero, Messiah only wanna come free, though (Free)
I am not your savior or your hero
A dummy told me Jesus wasn't friends with the people (Dummy sounds stupid)
I said, "You might D-E-A-F, how you feel?"
Y'all so uptight, you know that some of us from the cut, right?
He still let me drink from His cup, aight? (Yeah)
I hope I get you mad, 'cause it's better to be pissed off than pissed on
I know it firsthand, it's been rainin' on Black lives (Ah, yeah)
Verse 3: A.I. The Anomaly
Like you, I was on the east side too (What?)
Knew a couple shooters hands high wit' a Ruger
Get foolish, never know what a fool might do (Is you done? Nah)
I was in the dark, no truth
Grippin' for a limit, but I hang by the noose
Look at me, I don't look nothin' at all like you
Church full of hypocrites, they all like you
Well, love what I found when I found that truth (Truth)
Love gave it all, so it's all I do
Who are you tellin' me what's love gon' do?
Love ain't never make my daddy come through (True)
And love ain't never help my mama get a roof over her head
So tell me, what a God 'gon do? Listen
Block or the church, pick a temple to run to
Each side lookin' for the Rock of Gibraltar
Standin' at the cliff, either fly or you falter
I choose life in the palm of Jehovah
Interlude: Lecrae
Ha, yeah
You know, look
Verse 4: Lecrae
I don't even know why I'm rappin', they never listen (Nah)
They like, "Ain't that what's-his-name who be gospel-rappin', that Christian?" (Oh, yeah)
I'm standin' on a raft in an ocean wavin' a flame
Like, "Look at me, I'm friends with Kendrick, I'm not a lame" (Wow)
Look, truthfully, they'll never let us get in
The major misconception is that we supposed to fit in
And we got Indie Tribe, we got Holy Smoke, trust the Holy Ghost (Yeah)
You don't need the industry to know you if you know you dope (Woo)
Look, before the music, I was ridin' 'round in my mother's whip (Skrrt)
Now the Tesla doors rise up like the mothership (Woah)
Mind of a militant abolitionist citizen (Mm, mm)
Literate as an immigrant, teachin' people the infinite (Mm, let's go)
Yeshua, yes, I'm serious, just in case you was curious (Woo, mm)
My wife half saint, half City Girl (On period)
Don't need a reformation, my people was never Catholic (Nah)
Head above the water, my mama couldn't be Baptist (Woo)
They don't even make a category for my allegory
Raised all of your kids, so now I'm comin' for all my alimony (I want a check)
Married to the streets, but they don't recognize the matrimony (Dang)
Missionary since the honeymoon, you know it's mandatory (Haha)
116 on my flesh, I bleed different (Yeah)
My kids raised on CHH, I breed different (Different)
It's Vincent Bantu on my shelf, I read different (Woo)
I drink the blood, then eat the flesh, my greed different (Uh)
Video
Lecrae - Misconceptions 4 (Official Audio) ft. nobigdyl., Jon Keith, A.I. The Anomaly
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on November 4, 2022, Lecrae's "Misconceptions 4" features collaborators nobigdyl., Jon Keith, and A.I. The Anomaly, offering a multi-faceted exploration of common misunderstandings surrounding Christian faith, identity, and authenticity. The track serves as a powerful rebuttal to stereotypes, delivered through raw, personal narratives and sharp social commentary, characteristic of the artists within the Christian Hip-Hop space and beyond. It tackles the gap between external perceptions of believers and the complex reality of living out faith in a messy world, while also addressing internal challenges within religious communities.
nobigdyl. opens the song by directly confronting the caricature of Christians as bigoted, materialistic, judgmental, and indifferent to the poor. He challenges this notion with a personal anecdote of shared humanity and acceptance, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are. His verse highlights a key message: authentic faith prioritizes healing wounds and demonstrating Jesus' work through actions, rather than leading with condemnation. He dispels the misconception that one's struggles or "mess" disqualify them from grace, asserting that transformation is possible for anyone. He also touches on the tension of navigating faith while remaining engaged with social justice issues, referencing the death of Eric Garner and noting the confusion it causes when believers defy expectations of political or social conformity.
Jon Keith follows, employing vivid imagery to describe the often-hostile online reactions faced by those in the public eye. His verse critiques superficial or rigid forms of faith, contrasting them with a more authentic relationship with Yeshua. He provocatively challenges the notion of a distant or unfamiliar "Jesus" that some profess, suggesting it's a version Christ wouldn't recognize. Keith's lines convey a sense of liberation from needing external validation or adhering to strict religious dress codes, emphasizing acceptance despite imperfections. He connects his personal experience of being accepted with the broader suffering faced by marginalized communities, particularly referencing the ongoing struggles highlighted by the phrase "rainin' on Black lives." His delivery carries a defiant energy, preferring honest confrontation over passive acceptance of mistreatment.
A.I. The Anomaly provides a deeply personal and poignant perspective, recounting her past struggles with darkness and despair. She speaks frankly about encountering hypocrisy within the church and the disillusionment that can arise when faith is presented without acknowledging real-world pain. Her verse powerfully questions what "love" or "God" can offer in the face of abandonment and systemic hardship, using her own family's struggles as examples. Despite this honest questioning, she ultimately asserts her choice for life and finds her anchor in Jehovah, presenting faith not as an easy answer to suffering, but as a deliberate decision to trust and find refuge amidst the struggle, standing at a precipice and choosing to persevere.
Lecrae concludes the track, reflecting on being labeled and misunderstood within both religious and mainstream contexts. He dismisses the idea that believers must conform to external expectations or seek validation from the industry. His verse celebrates independence and authenticity, highlighting personal growth and a commitment to social awareness. Lecrae proudly defines his unique identity, shaped by faith and experiences that defy traditional religious or cultural categories. He references specific influences and aspects of his life, painting a picture of a dynamic faith that is rooted in conviction, engaged with culture, and focused on transformation, challenging misconceptions about what a Christian artist, husband, or advocate should be. Collectively, "Misconceptions 4" offers a raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful look at faith in the 21st century, encouraging listeners to look beyond stereotypes and engage with the genuine, transformative power described by the artists.