Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)” | Rap BNGRZ 🔥

In the 13^th edition of Rap BNGRZ 🔥 (2022), we break down the banger status of “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)” performed by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Bring on the braggadocio, drip, sex, and kick-a$$ery – is that even a real word?

Regardless of whether it is or isn’t, you’ve entered Rap BNGRZ 🔥 territory! On Rap BNGRZ 🔥 (bangers, spelled properly), the premise is simple and like other columns gracing The Musical Hype (Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 is its rock brotha from a different motha). BNGRZ provides background info and commentary on cocky, confident, ferocious hip-hop/rap songs. The bangers featured on BNGRZ can be brand-spanking-new or certified classics. In the 13^th edition of Rap BNGRZ 🔥 (2022), we break down the banger status of 🎵 “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)” performed by 🎙 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

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Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

Rap seems to have its phases.  Sometimes, southern rap is the hot thing.  Sometimes, it’s the west coast that explodes.  Other times, it’s the east coast.  And, of course, there are other various branches and movements of the genre, which is certainly not monolithic.  At one time, the Midwest had its moment too. Being a Kentuckian, the Midwest borders, so, I have a love for the sub-genre. For this edition of Rap BNGRZ 🔥, we look back on 🏆 Grammy-winning Midwest collective, 🎙 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.  Sure, I could’ve gone with the obvious choice (🎵 “Crossroads”), but I opted for a lesser-known, under-appreciated gem from their catalog, 🎵 “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)”.  On “Order My Steps,” 🎙 Layzie Bone, 🎙 Bone Krayzie Bone, and 🎙 Wish Bone get a lift from a fellow 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 Yolanda Adams.

One reason why I chose “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)” is the conception.  While composing a blurb about a different song from the 💿 Strength & Loyalty album (🎵 “Wind Blow”), I relistened to “Order My Steps” and tweeted: “I always thought this was a great production job.  Using a beloved gospel record (“Order My Steps”), pitching up the sample, and enlisting one of the premier gospel vocalists to riff over it.”

I always thought this was a great production job. Using a beloved gospel record ("Order My Steps"), pitching up the sample, and enlisting one of the premier gospel vocalists to riff over it.

Order My Steps (Dear Lord) https://t.co/R3PvpfD0AV via @YouTube

— Brent Faulkner 🎧 (@brenthemusicman) April 16, 2022

 

Echoing my tweet, the construction kicks a$$!  🎛 Bradd Young and 🎛 Pretty Boy put in serious work, integrating that sample with fresh, animated contemporary drum programming and scintillating keys! Yolanda Adams sounds amazing riffing throughout this repurposing of the beloved gospel classic, 🎵 “Order My Steps in Your Word”, famously performed by the 🎙 GMWA Women of Worship.  Notably, much of “Order My Steps” is in a minor key, which provides an optimal background for a dramatic rap record, which tends to be in a minor key.  Adams also performs the chorus alongside the pitched-up sample.  So, who does that leave? Those awesome Bone brothers to crush it in the rhymes department! All three Bones are on point, rapping agilely over the lush, minor-key backdrop.  How about some highlights from each?

Layzie Bone:

“Cause in his name no weapon should be formed against me

Simply know that the world gon’ tempt me Satan is the enemy

God, please help us I don’t want to be selfish

I don’t want to live my life tryin’ to be rebellious.”

Krayzie Bone:

“The scriptures could mean your survival and I don’t wanna die no neva

I wanna live forever and I would a lot better

So, when Armageddon really come true what chu gon’ do?”

Wish Bone:

“You can feel it if you open up, you can get it if you need love

As much as a mustard seed is all you need

Small person pays for the air that we breathe

And the baby is born, place to go when we leave

Food that we eat, weapon when we sleep

It’s a miracle no believin’ the Lord.”

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Final Thoughts 💭 

In closing, “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)” is a Midwest rap banger that’s the total sugar honey iced tea! Everything about this joint is high… perhaps that was a questionable, sketchy choice of words! Anyways, the use of sample coupled with fresh production, rhymes by the Bones, high-flying riffs by Yolanda, and the perhaps neglected slightly, the positive messaging, makes “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)” a must-hear, even 15 years later as of publication!

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🎙 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony • 💿 Strength & Loyalty • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2007

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Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)”: Rap BNGRZ 🔥 No. 13 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, cottonbro, The Musical Hype, Pexels, RODNAE Productions, WoodysMedia]

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