Logic Asks God Many of the Questions Christians Struggle with on ‘Hit My Line’

Logic has never been found to shy away from controversial topics, ranging from racism and immigration to relationships and depression, even releasing a song on suicide in 2017 that landed No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Although admitting in previous interviews that he is not a religious person and doesn’t believe in organized religion, the second track of his retirement album, No Pressure, has overt theistic themes and discusses God, something he does not do often.

“[‘Hit My Line’] is a conversation between me and God and me kinda speaking to the heavens like, ‘Yo, this is what’s going on in the world, this is going on in my life, this is how I feel about what’s going on,’” Logic explained to Hardknocktv’s Nick Huff Barili about the meaning behind the song.

“Too many kids in the community outlined in chalk/ Scared of drive-bys when they should just be scared of the dark/ Who’s really doin’ they part? / They say they don’t want messages in rap, it ruins the art/ Well, here I am, people, yeah, now tear me apart.”

Calling out racism in America, Logic stands up for black children raised in communities where they are afraid for their lives rather than “scared of the dark.” He points to the fact that innocence has been stripped from these kids and they will grow up marginalized by others, treated unequally compared to other children. The rapper asks the rhetorical question “who’s really doin’ they part?” because he knows people are silent on the issue and wants to stir their conscience with his accusation. Guilty persons avoid the issue by telling Logic that hip-hop is made worse by messages that step on toes and make the masses feel uncomfortable. However, he is well-aware of their tactics and opens himself to their attacks, knowing that not everyone will receive what he has to say.

“Evil politicians, people on Twitter b****in’/ Hashtaggin’, but in real life, they never pitch in/ I came with conviction, I hope You came to listen”

Logic questions elected officials and politicians who are instituted “by the people and for the people” yet refuse to stand for African Americans wronged by centuries of systemic racism. He goes as far as calling these people “evil” because they focus only on their own political agendas and policies rather than the citizens whom these are made for. They are selfish, self- seeking and greedy, reaching for political office to satisfy their own needs.

Equally as guilty are people on Twitter who talk about fighting social injustice and “in real life they never pitch in.” They can be identified by likes, comments, shares, and hashtags on social media without action put behind them. They can “talk the talk” but not “walk the walk.” Not only does Logic have a strong conviction about what is going on in the world, but he wants to make sure God hears him loud and clear, questioning whether He is evil or chooses to be absent like politicians and people online.

“Too many people dyin’ and baby mamas cryin’/ It’s been a long time, God, can You hit my line?”

The world has already witnessed too much unjust bloodshed of black people and Logic is tired of it: “enough” was passed a long time ago and he demands God do something.

Realizing that he has not talked to God lately, there seems to be a tone of humility mixed with his anger, demonstrating that he understands his position. Creating the analogy of a phone conversation, Logic has called God, received no response, and leaves a message for Him to call him back.

“So can You hit my line? I know You hear this rhyme/ But come to think of it, You probably hear this all the time/ Probably hear this all the time”

By the end of the song, after summarizing the state of the world as in “critical condition,” Logic has another major discovery: he is not the first one to cry out to God for action against injustice and not the first one to accuse God of silence. In the course of human history, mankind has always prayed to Him about these things and many people do not receive the response they are seeking. It is almost as though the rapper has come to terms with God’s mysterious ways and has learned to believe that He has purposes in allowing evil to prevail and purposes in His silence.

“Hit My Line” is not the first time Logic has directly addressed God in his music: track twenty of his first installment of the Young Sinatra mixtapes is another example of angry, frustrated prayer. Many critics argue that his new song is a follow-up to “Dear God” from 2012, which is a likely theory.

Throughout No Pressure, the artist has included lines from past songs, giving nod to previous projects. “Living life like this is so crazy/Hip-hop is amazing/One day, you’re on top and the next they want to erase ‘em” is a close variation to the first two lines of “I’m Gone,” producing nostalgia in listeners and reminding them of his first studio album release in 2014, Under Pressure.

Instead of focusing on racism and injustice on a grand scale, Logic decides to write about his own personal struggles in “Dear God.” He feels alone because he has experienced so many traumatic things in his life growing up and he cannot share them with his listeners because it would shock them too much. One example he describes in the song is when he was nine years old and “his mama almost murdered him,” squeezing the life out of his body by gripping him tightly around the neck.

Logic talked about the situation and growing up in his household with Complex: “My mother got stabbed, she was raped, she tried to choke me to death as a child. I can’t even begin to explain the tormenting feeling of living in my household. At times, there was blood all over the kitchen and floor.”

The artist asks God why He allowed him to go through that terrifying experience with his mom and why He allowed him to survive it at the end of the track. His conclusion: he was destined to live and become a big-name rapper.

“Hit My Line” was a notable track from No Pressure for Christians because of his conversation with God, which many believe is a follow-up to “Dear God” from near the beginning of his career. He expresses his anger toward God for racism continuing in America while simultaneously accusing Him of inaction and silence, demanding that He respond. While the track does not communicate his undying love for Jesus or a heart transformation from the Gospel, in the very least Logic is talking to God and that can make all the difference.

Micah Marshall
Micah Marshallhttp://www.micahangus.wordpress.com
Micah Marshall is a writer from Knoxville, Tennessee that is passionate about hip-hop, Christianity, literature and theater. He is seeking a bachelor's degree in English at The University of Tennessee Knoxville, holding an Associate of the Arts from Pellissippi State Community College. When he’s not writing for Rapzilla, you can find him reading C.S. Lewis, frequenting local coffee shops and hiking trails near the Great Smoky Mountains.
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