The Cross Movement - Start Somethin' Lyrics
Lyrics
Chorus
C'mon stand up, get your hands up, Word up
Start somethin, get your heart pumpin
Yeah start jumpin around, if you're under the ground
I know you're down wit this thunderous sound
C'mon stand up, get your hands up, Word up
Start somethin, get your heart pumpin
Start somethin, 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 head will enjoy that
I'll rock til the wheels fall off like a benz or jag
See, if I never get dough like "Whoa"
It's cool jus to know I never sold my soul
My goal is to get souls, not to go gold
And get answers to shortys before she's dancin go-go
And to talk to boy before they call the po-po
Or he ends up in the morgue wit a tag on his toe
See, if they can talk about cash and trash in their raps
Then we can talk about snatchin cats out of traps!
That's set for your soul, let's see it roll
Til we end up in our heavenly home
Who cares about how much or whether we've blwon
Its not man but by God that's best to be known
Chorus
Phanatik
It's time to strike up the band, rise up and stand
And draw lines in the stand of time, we stand behind
What we believe in followin God, who squad read to die like Stephen
Whether put to death or put to test, beef wit God? Better put it to rest
What we kick will leave an imprint like a foot to the chest
Wit truth that'll shoot through your bullet proof vest
Watch out He's ventin... no! He's vintage
Like aged wine a sage wit rhyme sentence
But since man at his core is mad hard to reach
We know the Lord is usin more than jus parts of speech
Paragraphs paird up to smash
He'll bring the heat open up air ducts and shefts
Who can last in the smolderin heat?
When He throws the cold shoulder at His judgement seat?
Huh? The very breath that we breath and every gift we recieve
Is in the palm of His hand wit 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
Chorus
Phanatik
I'm in the eye of the storm, high above norm
Before the Most High when I perform
An audience of One watchin, One chair, one stair hopin
He's still there when I'm done watchin
And if He's there then I hope that He's pleased wit me
This is not done easily, I cook mics, but the rhyme books I write
Changed since the Father wants to see Jesus Christ look-a-likes
So the more like the Son, the Phanatik becomes
That's less laps around the track that I have to run
New character sprung, old habits get hunged
Now we're havin some fun, too band cause now the tracks done
Video
Start Somethin'
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on January 1, 2003, as part of their compelling album *Holy Culture*, The Cross Movement's "Start Somethin'" explodes with an urgent call to action, resonating far beyond a mere musical track. This song isn't just an anthem; it’s a spiritual manifesto, a clarion cry designed to stir believers from complacency and ignite a passionate pursuit of God's purpose in their lives. The group's central message is clear: the world is in desperate need of the transformative truth of the Gospel, and Christians are divinely equipped to deliver it. It's an invitation to awaken, to engage, and to contribute actively to the spiritual landscape, encouraging an ongoing dedication to honing one's spiritual "craft" in service to the Kingdom.
The powerful chorus immediately sets the tone, urging individuals to "C'mon stand up, get your hands up, Word up / Start somethin, get your heart pumpin." This isn't about passive observance but an active, physical, and spiritual response. The imagery of jumping around, even if "under the ground," suggests a resurrection of stagnant faith, a revival of spirit akin to Ezekiel's valley of dry bones coming to life (Ezekiel 37). The "thunderous sound" is undeniably the potent, life-giving truth of God's Word, designed to penetrate hearts and inspire movement. Phanatik then grounds this call in a profound mission: "Start somethin, why? The world needs what you have / Back to the lab til you master your craft." This emphasizes the critical need for believers to not only possess truth but to master its articulation and application, preparing to give an answer for the hope they have with gentleness and respect, as encouraged in 1 Peter 3:15.
Phanatik's first verse solidifies the group's unwavering commitment to their divine calling, declaring, "My goal is to get souls, not to go gold." This transparent declaration rejects worldly accolades for eternal rewards, echoing the wisdom found in Matthew 16:26, which questions the value of gaining the whole world at the expense of one's soul. He courageously confronts societal decay, stating his mission is to "get answers to shortys before she's dancin go-go / And to talk to boy before they call the po-po / Or he ends up in the morgue wit a tag on his toe." This poignant honesty highlights the urgent need for spiritual intervention in the lives of youth, acting as a preventative measure against destructive paths and offering a redemptive narrative before it's too late. It’s a bold assertion that if secular artists can discuss fleeting pleasures, then believers can and must speak of salvation, of "snatchin cats out of traps" and leading them toward their "heavenly home," aligning with Colossians 1:13's message of deliverance from darkness. The ultimate recognition, he reminds us, is "not man but by God that's best to be known," placing God's glory above all human praise, a sentiment reverberating from Psalm 115:1.
The intensity builds in the second verse as Phanatik calls for believers to "rise up and stand / And draw lines in the sand of time, we stand behind / What we believe in." This evokes the decisive declaration of Joshua 24:15, urging an unwavering commitment to serve the Lord. The reference to God's "squad read to die like Stephen" powerfully illustrates the ultimate dedication of faith, recalling the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 7 and the readiness to endure hardship, even death, for the Gospel. The lyrics boldly assert the power of God's truth, proclaiming that "What we kick will leave an imprint like a foot to the chest / Wit truth that'll shoot through your bullet proof vest." This imagery vividly portrays the piercing, transformative power of God's Word, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), capable of penetrating even the most hardened hearts and deceptive defenses. He then marvels at God's eternal nature ("He's vintage / Like aged wine a sage wit rhyme sentence") while acknowledging the deep-seated human resistance to divine truth, recognizing that "the Lord is usin more than jus parts of speech." This suggests God's multi-faceted ways of reaching humanity, often through circumstances and divine intervention, not just words, to fulfill His purpose as described in Isaiah 55:11. The verse concludes with a sobering reminder of God's ultimate judgment, asking, "Who can last in the smolderin heat? / When He throws the cold shoulder at His judgement seat?" This underscores the gravity of accountability before a sovereign God who holds every breath and every gift in His hand (Acts 17:25), offering "relief" in His benevolence, but also a call to take this truth "back to the streets" in active discipleship (James 1:22).
In the final verse, Phanatik offers a deeply personal reflection on his ministry, revealing his desire to perform "Before the Most High when I perform / An audience of One." This intimate dedication aligns with Galatians 1:10, prioritizing God's approval above all human applause. His aspiration is to be pleasing to God, hoping "He's still there when I'm done watchin / And if He's there then I hope that He's pleased wit me," reflecting the core desire of every faithful servant (Hebrews 11:6). The transformation of his craft is evident as he shares that his "rhyme books I write / Changed since the Father wants to see Jesus Christ look-a-likes." This signifies a powerful shift from self-expression to embodying Christ's character, aligning with Romans 8:29's call to be conformed to the image of His Son. This pursuit of Christ-likeness becomes a liberating force: "the more like the Son, the Phanatik becomes / That's less laps around the track that I have to run," indicating a decreasing struggle with sin as the new character springs forth and old habits are put off (Colossians 3:9-10). The song concludes with a joyful acknowledgment of this spiritual renewal, even as the track ends, leaving a lasting impression of purpose, passion, and profound faith. "Start Somethin'" is an enduring anthem, a spiritual jolt that continues to challenge and inspire believers to live out their faith boldly, impacting the world for Christ.