I misspelled sequel on purpose. Just to catch your eye. (smile)
I posted this video some time ago, but some said they could not get it to show up. Leave me comments if it still doesn't work. I'll re upload it....
The outro will be a summary of the album's motive. As I'm finishing this project, I'm learning that the problem never compares to the solution. I can see myself NOT struggling with the same issues that I've dealt with in this album. I can see myself looking at the album cover 5 years from now, thanking God for His faithfulness and listening to it as a reminder of my past pain. See, I need this pain. It's the only thing that keeps me connected to my past. And surely, old things are passing away...according to the scripture, they have passed away.... and all things are becoming new. But, never forget the day you gave up on God. The day you heard His voice and ignored Him. The day you broke every commandment simultaneously. We are truly nothing without the blood of Jesus Christ. So, as I continue to let this album WRITE Me, I am grateful that these proclivities (as Pastor Gray would call it) are not the end of me. As I looked in my Bible this morning, I was reminded of the surety of Romans 8:38-39. Nothing can separate me from Your Love, God. Thank Jesus for including me, shortcomings and all, in His infinite plan of salvation.
When we were younger, we thought less, we imagined more. Our boundaries were undefined. The very sky wasn't even the limit. Then came life, then came pride. Now we know too much. Too much about our mistakes. Too much about other people's mistakes. Too much about anger. Too much about religion. So, today, the sun shines differently. Imagine it setting in the east and not the west. Imagine the red light becoming the green light. No, imagine the red light turning into a..... strobe light, LOI.
(Laughing on the Inside)
I'd say, we face the truth. We've all fallen short of the Glory of God. None deserve it. Honesty is that first step to getting your imagination back. Something I'm still learning as the days get shorter. Sharing with the world is not an easy thing. They may never listen. They may never care. But, it's quite cool to wear the world loosely. :)
I was supposed to minster at Judah Community Christian Center tonight, but been in dire need of rest. Weak in my body, throat hurting, etc. Needed to chill. Thanks to Cordale Glass for the prayers and DJ Goldfingaz for spinning the single at the event. Thanks Crissy for giving me time to chill in my imagination tonight. Thanks Will for joining me in the journey. We created, storyboarded, shot and edited a full video tonight. All because it was in our heads. No Hype Williams budget. Well, no budget at all. LOI. Just your Iphone (4) and my Macbook (Pro).
Oh, and thank You God for the creativity and rest.
He was in a relationship synonymous with the course of the sun. It arose in the midst of his darkest times in life. As a sinner, he was without God, without love and without understanding. As the sun rose, birds began to sing, the scenery began to change. He met her at a Christian summer camp. She was instrumental in his heart change. He dedicated his life to Christ and they began their happy place. Flowers bloomed. High noon marked the peak of their relationship. Though the summer ended, they did their best to keep their love strong as they parted ways- he went back to Ohio. She went back to California. It's mid afternoon now in the scheme of things, and these love birds are seemingly inseparable. But, every day must turn to evening, must turn to night. As the relationship went on, and as the sun began to set, they were no longer blinded by the infatuation stage. Now, infidelity crept in along with the frustrations it brings. Soon enough, the night fell and he was left with the stress and struggle of dealing with his and her emotions. They both needed Jesus, more of Him. The Son that never sets. Taelor expresses in this melancholy dissertation the reality of it all. He is speaking to her. Telling her that what they experienced was but a temporary gift. They put stock into that gift, but not into the giver. Now, he is left wanting the Giver. While she was left wanting His attributes.
Aunt Vickie, I love you, Pilar, N'Dia, Beanie, Keren, Aaron Ab...
Yall on my heart....
(then I give shouts out to all my fam and closest friends, including my cat-literal cat- Nino and my dog-literal dog- Jonah)
The verse goes like this:
Ayo, the end is better than the beginning/
The finish line full of relief,
For some it can be full of defeat, if they ain't win it/
Join me in my race, set ready go, chase/ The prize got my eyes aligned wit my face/
So go get it, puma dassler's laced/ Graced with a mind to pace til' gravity waits...
Now, I can skip the ground breaking/ I don't have to relate much as I have to relay,
Cause' this a relay y'all...
And Im a stallion, not a cheapskate/ YO, My talent not a keepsake/
I gotta pass the baton in this relay/
Yo, remember the latter is better than the former/
I told that to my father when my auntie was a goner/
He had gone through it for years/ a conduit for tears/ that she cried... and he sighed/
Man, I said it before, I'll say it again/ The beginning was a nightmare, I dream for the end/
I struggled with lust to the highest degree/ And my emotions had me higher than speed/
Needing to slow down/ created a ghost town/ with women as visitors, a/ prisoner I became/
To sinister mind games/ that I played/ Played a part of the start of my ministry/
And it's a part of me that.... fuels my artistry, but.... pulls my energy/ I can see my enemy/
Whatever, so what/ This just a movie, I gotta wait till' the credits go up/
Liz's father went to sleep, but he never woke up...
Now the opening scene be the day you found me/
And Imma keep my eyes fixed on that grand finale/
Chillin in Your thoughts as I follow Your character/
Lovin' Your law of Love and all the parameters/
No stallin' for the camera/ You're the only Star/ The Almighty Alpha, Conclusion of it all.
PEACE.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 I Jeremiah 29:11
And there it is. When I made the beat almost 6 years ago, I had no clue what it would become. It was a musical monologue. It was a journal entry of pure melody, no specific words. Memories were unlocked in that track and it was calling for more memories. So, I titled the beat, "Gray's Conclusion". It was simply my way of saying, I don't know how this will end. But it will end. 2010 had it's share of endings. Rest In Peace, Brother Terry Thomas, Aunt Bridgette, Leola Wilson, Elizabeth White, Mavrille's father. Some people ended their quest for the Lord and found Him; others ended their quest for the Lord and left Him. I'm so tired of my struggles. I hate my sin. But, the end will come. Soon enough.
Canaan: thanks for your help with this, guy. We had to go through a lot to write this song.
The rest is His Story.
Thanks Nino:
You also provides the "purrrrfect" inspiration when the studio get's overwhelming.
And thank YOU for reading this and watching this process. I hope this is blessing you like it is me. Watch until the end for a snippet of the actual song in it's development.
Christon Gray I Attributes I Even With Evil With Me. feat. Canaan Miller
Some songs just hit you. This is one of them. Thanks for the help, Canaan.
If for no one else, we wrote this for each other.
Here it goes, verse 1:
I can't tell you that I love you ( love you)
I can't sell you that "I love you" (love you)
Cause' you can see through my matrix (matrix)
And you can read my body language (language)
And I know that it's impossible to justify myself,
But I'm so addicted, all this evil just to find myself.
I don't mean to be ungrateful
But you know I gotta plateful
If Im not eatin' of Your Word then,
Who am I to be a servant?
And I wont admit it, pride won't let me own the lies I bought
But the truth is all this time I've never known You like I thought.
Pre chorus
So can we go back to the start,
When You came into my heart?
I would be remiss if I continue
To go another day not knowing You.
Chorus
So, I'm running after You
And this time, I'm not looking for Your Attributes
I'm running after You, and I'm not just looking for attributes.
I'm running after You, and I'm not just looking for attributes.
I'm running after You...
Verse 2:
Now, everybody has a story
But, they don't always get to tell it
Precious moments feel like heaven...
But, it's like you never felt it.
So, what do we make of this temporary state of bliss?
If I can't have it all the time, then why even exist?
So, what if I could introduce you
To a Man that knows your mayhem?
It's not the attributes that make Him,
No, He's the One that made them.
That love, that joy, that peace that you could never give yourself
It's yours to have, but in return you have to give yourself.
Pre
So let me take you to the start
Say, "Jesus, will you come into my heart"?
Cause' I would be remiss if I continue
To go another day not knowing you!
Chorus
So, I'm running after You
And this time, I'm not looking for your attributes
Ay, I'm running after You
And I'm not just looking for attributes
Ay, I'm running after You
And I'm not just looking for attributes
I'm running after You....
....Then there's this real Dwele-ish bridge type vamp where the arrangement changes to a complete neo soul groove. Word Perfect (Elevationists rapper), more affectionately known as Taelor, is shedding his heart on this part while Canaan and I are doing the backgrounds...
You have to picture it in your mind...until I can show you.
Attributes is made of experience. Been walking with God for about 8 years strong now and have gotten to know His character, but finally getting to know Him, now. We find God's attributes all over this earth. His Love, His joy, His peace, His kindness, His mercy, His patience, just His beauty period. Yet, alot of us don't know Him. Some have never met Him. And, that hurts my heart to realize that, but it's the truth. It's so surface... It's so based on OUR understanding, which is so limited, so distracted by what we see and hear. While if we'd just seek His Kingdom first AND His righteousness- not just His Kingdom- but His righteousness too....then all the other things get added. I don't just want the gift, I want the giver. I can't live without You.
