Shai Linne
Dear Holy Hip Hop
[Verse 1: R-Swift]
Dear Holy Hip Hop
It's been a minute since we last crossed paths
But I know you been busy in the lab
And that’s cool, I know you wanna cry
So I took this time to drop you a line
'Cause lately you've been on my mind

I reminisce on the day that we first met
It was crazy at first, we became cool
Mainly the church was where we chilled at
Learned to spill raps, that’s how we got close
And went everywhere, from the block to the road to rock shows

Praying that God propels us
Eventually cipher secular open mic nights, dropping acapellas
You and I was a team, not for the cream
Wanting nothing more than the glory of God to be seen
But now thing's ain't the same, I notice the difference
There's some issues I need to approach and I hope you're listening
For years I watched you switch from ministers to businessmen
Now all you talk about is dividends

You used to promote the Lord of Hosts behind bars
Now you just boast of how dope your rhymes are
You were so sincere and it's lethal how
Things change, you've got an ego now
But don't get it twisted
This ain’t to Holy Hip Hop as a whole but
Just those who have an ulterior motive
Enticed by the fast life and the cheddar
So it’s to you I write this letter, saying
[Hook: R-Swift]
Dear Holy Hip Hop
I'm just telling you this because I love you
So I’m typing this letter thinking of you
I hope I'm making it clear
You're my heart, but I'm taking it there
So dear Holy Hip Hop
[x2]

[Verse 2: Stephen the Levite]
We’ve known each other long enough
For me to be real with you
The first time I met you I wasn't feeling you
You wasn't as attractive, lacking in beauty
But you had truth, and that was cool
But I still laughed at you
Besides, I hadn't met Christ yet
I couldn't appreciate what you said
But your holiness demanded respect
So I regret mocking you
'Cause now I feel like you heard me
And changed your stees and became flirty

The next time I saw you, I was in awe of you
So much so I didn't realize that you had lost your truth
But not enough to produce a relationship
From then it was hit and miss, but it was clear
You hadn't changed a bit
Then I made the switch from pagan to Christian
Major convictions rearranged the way that I listened
The Scriptures made me envision the way that you could be
And Christology fit the description
And since then we've been cool but, I ain't gonna front
I was bitter about them times you kept your mouth shut
And it took me years to forgive you
And even nowadays when critics attack
You make it hard to defend you
'Cause when you hang around that certain group of friends
I see that same old you that offends
And my jealousy won't let me accept what you're doing with them
You lose your beauty when your truth is hidden
I'm saying

[Hook: R-Swift]
Dear Holy Hip Hop
I'm just telling you this because I love you
So I'm typing this letter thinking of you
I hope I'm making it clear
You're my heart, but I'm taking it there
So dear Holy Hip Hop
[x2]

[Verse 3: Shai Linne]
We got some things we need to talk about
I can't believe we at this point
I really feel like walking out
I'm looking at the front door like main source
'Cause often I feel like we on the same course
We don't see eye to eye
You think I'm on some pie in the sky
Why should I lie
I thought it was all about dying to I
And my and me, try to see
Why I be despising the
Rhymes you be constantly
Writing me pridefully
I thought it was all about making Him known
The risen Christ, highly exalted, who reigns on the throne
And how the gospel is God's might to give the blind sight
It's not right for you to rock mics and try to steal the spotlight
My fear is that you traded a heartfelt devotion
To Christ for recognition through self-promotion
'Cause cats who knew you before me, they felt the transition
You jealous and can't listen 'cause of selfish ambition

You wanna blow up, hold up, slow up, you need to grow up
'Cause if Christ would show up at some of your parties He'd wanna throw up
You wanna reach out, but what you reaching them through?
Are you leading them to Christ or are you leading them to you?
On my list of griefs I have many more stars
But R-Swift only gave me 24 bars, so
I guess I'll sign off gracefully
Yours truly, the lower-case emcee
I'm saying

[Hook: R-Swift]
Dear Holy Hip Hop
I'm just telling you this because I love you
So I'm typing this letter thinking of you
I hope I'm making it clear
You're my heart, but I'm taking it there
So dear Holy Hip Hop
[x2]

Oh don't you hear me (Holy Hip Hop)
Please don't see your soul (Holy Hip Hop)
For the silver and gold (Holy Hip Hop)
Oh, I'm saying (Dear Holy Hip Hop)
Oh don't you hear me (Holy Hip Hop)
Please don't see your soul (Holy Hip Hop)
For the silver and gold (Holy Hip Hop)
Oh, I'm saying