S.O. gets deep on ‘These Things Take Time’

Add “Fall”, track No. 5 of S.O.’s new EP These Things Take Time, to his long list of emotional songs.

The Lamp Mode Recordings artist released his new project on Friday, and the start of “Fall” will grab fans’ attention.

S.O. finally spoke publicly on the news that fellow UK artist Jahaziel had renounced his Christian faith, but in an unexpected manner. Here are the lyrics of the first bars of the track.

Wade told me to speak on it, so let me speak /
And if G’s making the beats, then let it breathe /
They saying J left, but I’m taking a rain check /
Ain’t writing no disses to him, it don’t make sense /
You should pray for a brother, who’s strayed to the gutter /
Oh, beef is hot like some steak in an oven /
You get a lot of views and clicks, man I’m getting used to it /
Every other show, here’s the dialogue I usually get /
You seen J’s page S.O.? What do you think about what he says S.O.? /
Why don’t let the beast out the cage S.O.? And tell everybody’s that he’s deranged S.O.? /
Leave me out, won’t take the easy route /
You ain’t drawing me in easily, that ain’t what we about to be honest or where we need to be /
Cause when I heard, I ain’t go to Twitter /
I examined myself like I’m supposed to then I prayed to the Lord like keep me, Lord keep me /
I don’t wanna play someone, I’m not like Keke /
Cause outside of the grace of the God that’s reached me /
There goes I, going over the yellow line /
Ain’t talking some sideline smack, this is my town facts /
Ripples that are felt all over in my town that’s /
Way bigger than I, praise God I’m still here fighting evil inside

Below is an excerpt of Rapzilla.com’s interview with S.O. about “Fall” and These Things Take Time.

Rapzilla.com: Why address the Jahaziel news in a song now?

S.O.: I actually wrote “Fall” earlier in the year. To be clear, the song itself is not about Jahaziel. I did dedicate a few lines to the situation, but the overall song is not about him. Those lines came from people wanting me to say something publicly, maybe because we both come from the same city.

How do those lines about the situation relate to the concept of the song?

When I heard the beat, it felt really introspective. What GP titled it, “Fall”, also led me to start like that.

I think when people depart from faith, our initial response should not be to point the finger at them. When I heard, I did not go to Twitter or any other social media platform. I examined myself.

What do you hope listeners of “Fall” walk away with?

I speak on a whole spectrum of things. The last few lines are, “Took a trip to the village and saw happiness / Then I came back to the West and saw what happens when / White washed tombs are pretty and so immaculate / But the insides are dirty homie, you catching it?”

If you listen to the whole song, you will realize that there are literally maybe 12 bars that address [Jahaziel].

“You can brag about the money and ice, man, I’m sure / But sometimes those who have less still have more / And sometimes those who are blessed with pastures / Ain’t got a lot of money but yet they have joy.”

Did those particular lessons have a special impact on your life?

Absolutely, I think we have a strange view over in the West. I have met some of the poorest people, yet they were the richest people I’d met at the same time.

So what you’re saying is that your wealth won’t waver no matter how many people purchase These Things Take Time?

Nope. Buy my EP. I need it (laughs).

How does “Fall” fit into the concept of the entire EP?

It is not really a concept EP.

What is it?

A collection of songs as I transition for the next full-length album.

What can you tell us about this full-length album?

Nothing yet, but I can tell you These Things Take Time is out right now (laughs).

Fine. What was your most memorable moment creating These Things Take Time?

The cover by far.

The title is linked to the cover. Time has been the biggest teacher for me. These Things Take Time is me reflecting on my life and saying that things I want to achieve take time.

From my relationship with my fiancee, to music, to my relationship with the Lord, they take time. Sanctification is not a one time thing (that is why it is called sanctification). It is a process, same as everything else in life. What is worth having doesn’t usually come easy.

With the cover, I wanted to convey that also — something deep and innovative. I linked with Josh [Wann] from Scouts Honor and shared a few things with them, and he actually came up with the idea, and I loved it, so we ran with it.

It is all about the process. That is the overarching theme of the EP.

How did Josh create the cover art?

“Step 1: Cover S.O. in clay.
Step 2: Take photo.
Step 3: Select only the clay covered part of the shot and remove.
Step 4: Desaturate.
Step 5: Add background and put solid layer with some overlay effect on it to bring everything together. It helped to soften the blacks.” – Josh’s words.

Do you think you and Josh have a special chemistry because of your nicknames (S.O. and Esso)?

(Laughs) He is the one who found me in London and gave me an opportunity. He put his money where his mouth is.

Speaking of putting your money where your mouth is, you’re getting married soon, congratulations! You wrote a lot about relationships over your past two albums.

My wife to be is the lady my last album was about, so it is great to see God’s grace over us and allowing us to see it through and lead us to marriage.

Have a lot of fans asked you for relationship advice because of those songs over the years?

Yeah, they have. I’m no guru (laughs).

How many relationships have you saved?

No idea. I do think that we will never know the full extent of our influence on peoples lives. Just now as we have been talking, a lady wrote on Instagram that she remembered me today: I introduced her to reformed theology, to her best friend and to Elisabeth Elliot.

Only the Lord knows how many people she has influenced because of my influence, so we’re influential, man. That is why my music is the way it is.

Define “the way it is.” And when did you realize you had influence?

It is thoughtful, not fluff. And when people started messaging me and telling me how my music has shaped them and helped them. I think that was So It Begins times, 2011.

I think embedded in me is the reality that words have meaning.

Buy These Things Take Time on iTunes.

David Daniels
David Daniels
David Daniels is a columnist at Rapzilla.com and the managing editor of LegacyDisciple.org. He has been published at Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, CCM Magazine, Bleacher Report, The Washington Times and HipHopDX.
RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular