Steven Malcolm - Monster Lyrics
Lyrics
Enter the building and they better get down
Whole room stop when the man come through
Feel like I'm it now
No clown but I do eat my ops like grits now
Mask off, I'm the future
Can't see the heart so they judge my insta
Chat bout man n collab
Chill dat for the boogie man come and get ya
Grim hat, one glove, kick wit stick back
Wide is the road don't pick dat
Crooked my ways until He came
Seen a ghetto youth n fix dat
Kill my flesh, look under my bed
Then see the demons they come for my head
Lying awake while they lying and waiting to
Devour the kid and so they
There's a monster living underneath
If I said there wasn't I'd be lying through my teeth
So will I finally find me and find the real me
Will I finally find me and set the monster free
There's a monster living underneath
If I said there wasn't I'd be lying through my teeth
So will I finally find me and find the real me
Will I finally find me and set the monster free
Call me the villain, call me the monster
But look who the one's throwing the stones
Tryna off ya
Sticks n stones break my bones but it will cost ya
They can't cancel what God planned when He's called ya
Don't try to lie to me
What be inside be haunting and wicked
Daily I pry to
Peel back the layers
It took me a minute
Faithful I battle
Sword on my side
I'm ready to drill it
There's a monster living underneath
If I said there wasn't I'd be lying through my teeth
So will I finally find me and find the real me
Will I finally find me and set the monster free
There's a monster living underneath
If I said there wasn't I'd be lying through my teeth
So will I finally find me and find the real me
Will I finally find me and set the monster free
Video
Steven Malcolm "Monster" ft. LZ7 (Official Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Steven Malcolm’s "Monster," released on May 19, 2023, as a standalone single, plunges listeners into the raw, often unsettling, yet ultimately redemptive journey of confronting one’s inner struggles and past identity through the lens of faith. Far from a superficial anthem, the song serves as a profound, personal testimony, laying bare the artist's battle with his "old self" and the transformative power of divine intervention. It's a candid exploration of the Christian walk, where conversion is a starting point, not the finish line, and the struggle with sin is a daily reality, yet one faced with unwavering hope.
The track immediately establishes a sense of newfound presence and confidence, declaring a changed individual who has overcome past adversaries. This isn't mere bravado; it’s a declaration of spiritual victory, a testament to God's work in empowering a believer to stand firm against whatever once held them captive. Malcolm then quickly shifts to the tension between outward perception and inner truth. He speaks of revealing his true self, stripping off the "mask," acknowledging that while others might judge based on surface-level appearances or social media, a deeper, spiritual reality is at play. This mirrors the biblical truth that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7), and underscores the believer’s call to authenticity rather than people-pleasing.
The narrative takes a deeply personal turn, recounting a dramatic conversion experience. Malcolm vividly describes his past, acknowledging his "crooked ways" before a divine intervention "fixed" him, a "ghetto youth." This powerful imagery resonates with the countless testimonies of those rescued from lives of despair and brokenness, aligning with verses like Titus 3:3-7, which speaks of being saved "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy." He explicitly points to the "wide road," echoing Jesus' warning in Matthew 7:13-14 about the path that leads to destruction, affirming his conscious choice for the narrow, more challenging, but life-giving way. This choice, however, doesn't erase the internal battle. He bravely confronts the lurking evil, the "demons" that seek to "devour the kid," a clear depiction of spiritual warfare that every believer faces, as warned in 1 Peter 5:8, where the adversary prowls "like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
The heart of the song resides in its captivating chorus, where Malcolm confesses, "There's a monster living underneath / If I said there wasn't I'd be lying through my teeth." This "monster" isn't a literal creature but a powerful metaphor for the sinful nature, the "flesh" that Paul so eloquently describes in Romans 7 as warring against the spirit. It’s the old self, the inherent human propensity towards sin, which even after salvation, continues to contend for dominance. The profound question, "Will I finally find me and find the real me / Will I finally find me and set the monster free," isn't about unleashing wickedness, but rather about the arduous, lifelong process of sanctification. It signifies the journey of acknowledging the deep-seated brokenness, confessing it, and through Christ, breaking free from its control, thus finding true identity and liberty in Him, aligning with Romans 6:6-7, which speaks of crucifying the old man so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin. "Setting the monster free" becomes an act of courageous transparency and surrender, allowing the light of God's truth to penetrate the deepest shadows within, rather than trying to suppress or deny them, which only gives them more power.
Malcolm further strengthens this message by addressing external criticism. He challenges those who would "call me the villain, call me the monster" while simultaneously "throwing the stones," a direct allusion to Jesus' challenge in John 8:7. He stands firm, proclaiming that human judgment and attempts to "cancel" him are powerless against God's divine plan and calling. This powerful declaration serves as an anchor for anyone navigating criticism or opposition, reminding them that "the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29). The song culminates in a resolute commitment to the ongoing fight against inner darkness. He speaks of the "haunting and wicked" nature within, acknowledging the daily discipline required to "peel back the layers." This is the essence of daily dying to self (Luke 9:23) and taking up one's cross. With "sword on my side," a clear reference to the Word of God as the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), Malcolm expresses readiness for the continuous spiritual battle, demonstrating a profound understanding that faith is an active, persistent engagement with both internal struggles and divine truth. "Monster" is thus a stirring anthem of honest self-reflection, spiritual warfare, and unwavering hope in God's power to transform, offering encouragement to anyone navigating the complexities of their faith journey.