Joyner Lucas - Like A River ft. Elijah James (Official Video) "Evolution" 

Elite storyteller 💯

This song hit home. I’ll never understand how you couldn’t be a father to your child.

My Dad had a father that was just like this... He never gave a shit about my Dad, about what was going on in his life - and had no interest about how he was ever doing. My Dad told me once that he'd cry himself to sleep at night because of how much he wanted his Dad to be in his life... The rejection of his father wounded him in a way that he never really fully healed from.... And what gets me the most, is that even though my Dad never knew how a good father should be - he was the best Father that I could have ever hoped to have had. I never had to doubt for a second how much he loved me, he showed up to every single thing that mattered - and even to all the stupid stuff that didn't matter. The values, character, and principals that he instilled in me are what shaped me into the person I am today, and they are what keeps his memory and honor alive... Even if it's only in my heart. Every child deserves to have the type of father that I was so tremendously blessed to have. If I could just say to all the fathers (and future fathers) out there.... Please don't ever think for a moment that the role you have in your children's lives could ever be expendable or replaceable. The outcome of your children's lives will forever be impacted by the direct involvement YOU have or don't have. If you haven't been the father that you know you could and should have been, it is NEVER too late to do whatever you can to try to make up for lost time... Even if your child is in their 40's, it is never too late to reach out to see if you can repair what you might have considered irreparable. In loving memory of my beloved Father, Msgt. Colin Broussard USMC Retired, Vietnam Veteran

One of the most relatable and hardest bars in music for me: “I worked my ass off to get rich, let's not confuse I sacrificed my whole twenties just so I can move While everybody else was chillin', hangin' out with crews I was writin' a plan to finally win while tryin' not to lose “

Joyner never disappoints everything he drops is a hit.

Joyner never fails to deliver a story with his music. That’s what I like about him.

The biggest fight in a man's life is to fill the VOID of FATHERLESSNESS

Everyone who grew up without a father felt this…keep your head up kings

This whole album was incredible. Been on repeat since it came out!

Joyner Lucas is so underrated it’s saddening. Very few rappers actually make songs like this that have a message. Doesn’t have to always be about flexing, money, and woman.

Leaving this here so anytime anyone likes it i can come back and have another dose of this sermon 😩😢

These are the types of rappers you can look upto in real life, not the ones who promotes drugs n shit and negativity.

This gives me chills.

Can we also appreciate the little kid's acting skills.

He had to heal himself before he made the song. Respect

hits the hardest was " Thanks to you I know the man I will never become "

His music isn’t just music, it’s lyrical therapy for me.

Boy penned all his emotions in this song. One of the reasons why he’s one of my favorite rappers

This is true poetry, breathtaking! Although I am blessed to have a wonderful father and mother, this one was very inspirational and moving. Joyner, you never disappoint!

This is exactly my story with my father. At 40 now, my sadness has changed from inward towards my own pain, to outward towards my father. My father has never spoken a word about his childhood, however, I do understand his childhood was very painful. He duplicated how his father treated him, at me. Still does today. Although I haven't spoken to him in over a year (used to be every week until I stood up for myself. Now he refuses contact. Go figure)... The moment my son was born, I committed to him I would change our family curse and grow a NEW tree branch off our family tree. No longer will our family branches reside in the cold shade. From me downward, our branches will grow towards the sunshine and prosper. I am incredibly grateful to have been blessed with a son and although it has not been an easy road, my son and I have an amazing relationship and I am forever grateful. I love you son ❤ I am so proud of you 🙏

love this newer, maturer Joyner that we have. this song damn near brought me to tears and i’m so proud of how far you’ve come. all love joyner.

Living legend 🐐

The thing Joyner gets the most respect from me for is the richness of his storytelling. It is deep, but succinct allowing for anyone to jive with it, but also deeply relatable to those with similar stories.

At 50 years old I consider myself from the first generation of HIP-HOP. And I’m telling you right now you are one of the greatest storytellers to ever grace a mic! Thanks for bringing HIP-HOP back to it’s TRUE form of storytelling.

A life without a father is hard, I don’t know why a father would just leave their child knowing there will be another man raising his child. Seeing Joyner be an actual father to his child is golden bruh🕊

I didn’t wanna feel like crying today...but here we are. 😔 RIP to all the fathers we’ve lost Edit: and weren’t there for us.

I just don't understand why so many people are sleeping on this song

This song, for guys like me with a deadbeat for a pops is a bright light in an otherwise dark space. Thank you Joyner! Thank you for being so raw and relatable with your struggles.

This song makes me wanna be a better father to my kids. Not that I'm not a good father, but, a better father.

I never met my father, I never was able to find the way to express how I felt. Now I have a tool, this song and video. Thank you Joyner.

I am literally bawling my eyes out this song resonates with my life so fucking much. You are a fucking genius

This generation will never appreciate the realest when they see one Joyner u a inspiration big dawg from South West Africa 💕💯

Joyner out here making his early fans proud that he actually blew and is acting like a natural born leader

Joyner is a storytelling, lyrical genius.

The little boy is my nephew and he's utterly amazing. No acting classes, just a natural. Reach for the stars Juji! XXOO

"Sacrificed my whole 20's just so I can move" - Felt that shit.

This man isn't a rapper, he's an artist.

I really wish the world had more artists like Joyner. None of that bitches or cars business. Just straight up story telling.

joyner one of a rare breed in this hip hop shit. this man talks real shit in his songs. half these rappers can barely speak let alone tell a story through their song lyrics joyner deserve so much respect

Damn man! I guess thank you! I didn't know I needed to cry like that

🔥This one

Man honestly I'll be a better dad thn my dad ever was, he was never there, had to become a man all by myself. Strongs to everyone going through this though, you'll be fine ❤️ Update : My girl is pregnant and I'm the fucking happiest man right now!!! I'll make sure to be there for my kid, no matter what happens. I'll strive to be a good dad, do better than my dad ever did, be there for every little moment😊😊😊 My lil dude is finally here 😄☺️I couldn't be happier 😍❤️love this kid man.....

Rap needs more artists talking about real stuff like you. Less chains drugs and women.

This gives me life everyday.

Zim Zimma is for concerts, this song is for laying awake in your room at 3AM

Real-life ish give your kids what you ain't get as a kid✌

This shit hits close to home for me. My Dad signed over his parental rights when I was 8, but I had a damn good step dad come in and take the role of the best father I could have ever wanted. My relationship with my biological father came and went every so often when he decided he wanted to talk to me once every few years. He had a whole other family now, so I was just a thought in the back of his mind. When I was 15, I got arrested, because I overdosed at the wheel and slammed into the back of a family's vehicle, totalling my car. I got off with some juvi and 2.5 years of probation. I'm not sure what sparked the interest, but my biological dad ended up coming into my life after that, and actually ended up buying some Xanax from me here and there. Being the addict I was and the need to impress my father, I got it for him. One night I got him the usual 12, then he called me later asking, "What would happen if I took all of these at once?" I obviously started begging him not to do it. He started babbling on about not being there for me and this and that. Then, a very familiar sound came over the phone. He cocked a gun, said he couldn't do this anymore, then hung up on me. I was panicking, blowing his phone up, hoping he wouldn't do it, but he kept sending my calls to voice-mail. I went to bed that night "knowing" my dad just killed himself. The next year, my amazing father, who was actually step dad, passed away from lung cancer. The fucked up part was that my real dad didn't even kill himself. It was just some fucked up mind game he played to make me feel bad for him. Fuck that guy. I feel like it would have been easier to deal with the fact that he killed himself, instead of having to wonder why he pretended to kill himself. Either way, I have a son now and I would move mountains for him. We're living our best life. I owe it all to the trauma that dick caused me, so I guess he was good for something.

i literally cried. This video described my whole life. Not having a father arround is rough. And im taking his example of not being like him.

Makes me kinda angry that Joyner isn’t as recognized as he SHOULD be.

The hardest thing a boy can do is teach himself how to be a man when his father isn't around because a mother can only do so much.

Joiner Lucas is def going to be one of the GOATs

It hits really hard when you relate

that’s amazing

Shout out to all the fathers who stayed💯

All of us who HAD shit fathers, we all have different pains, just try to break the cycle, your saving a life of pain for the ones you love most.

Possibly the best storyteller rap has ever seen🤷💯

I truly believe Lucas is the best rapper we have in this generation.

My father was in Prison the majority of my youth, I looked up to him and wanted to be a "Gangster" and go to Prison just like him. I was always arguing with my mom and blaming everything on her. I never really understood how strong my Mother was until I became a parent myself. Thanks to him, I know the man I would never become.

That´s the meaning of music, an art piece!

Wow!!! This song touched me to my core. I’m a mother of a son and grandsons that feel the words of this song. Blessings to you and your Family. All Praises to the Most High 💕

“Life & people are like river, constantly moving, constantly changing.”

lets not forget to give that kid a round of applause for the quality acting...👏🏾

My life.. my depression.. my motivation.. me being a father.. being a better man for mine .. better off without you . I felt that shit deeply. 🙏🏽 Thanks

God will use dis man one day for his glory 💯 We are nothing without da Father(God) 🙌🏽🔥✝️🙏

Another banger. Joyner is mad underrated.

The first song I listened to by Joyner was “Happy Birthday”. I cut it off after only hearing the first two verses. I wanted to hate him, I really wanted to just keep moving like he was a blip on the radar, but I came back and finished the song and I smiled because of the story and the plot twist behind it. This song right here brought tears to my eyes, so Joyner, if you see this, know that we’re standing with you. The men that didn’t have nobody growing up, the ones who had to figure it out ourselves for everybody else. I’m happy you’re alive, I’m happy you exist, I’m happy that you’re one of the few artists I can look up and relate to. Don’t ever stop being you man, don’t ever stop being real.

Damn, every time I hear this song it makes me sad. One of the worst feelings I ever had was when I became old enough to understand why my father did what he did. It was always right, and sometimes it was just wrong. But I understood. I'm old enough to have children now, and unfortunately my father taught me how to hate him as a young man. I've forgiven him as I understand now the depression and loneliness. Now I must give everything to make sure that my children have the best life possible. Maybe one day they can forgive me my shortfallings. Also the stories in these comments are sad as hell. I'm sorry for all of you. I pray that you grow and heal.

I just find myself coming back everytime to listen to this again

When he was trying to tie that tie... I felt that scene

"Your father died when you was young, I think that made a scar I started thinkin' maybe that's why you the way you are (nah) " I'ma raise the bar...

Joyner 😢😢😢 man this work touched differently 💯

Had to return to this song again. Gave me a deep spiritual experience.

If being underated was a crime , Joyner has got a fuckin life sentence

This really hits hard, I'm not even sure if i'm listening to the song or the song's listening to me.

i know this track is loved by so many(including myself). but just know how tight he stuck to his rhyme schemes and his multis used to tell a real story. VERY RARE to hear this type of music in this era. props to you joyner. 💯

I felt every moment. The way you present life ‘expressions’…is always cathartic. Always. You take it all in, From all…..and then create. Beautiful. Thank you.

Joyner looks like he should be in the next "Bad Boys" movie with Will Smith!

That kid hugging a pillow breaks my heart to see man

I’m crying cause this is how feel things hurt 😞 miss my dad

Lucas is a G.O.A.T. regardless

This is like Joyner's version of Eminem's "leaving heaven"

Welcome to the "Listening while scrolling through the comments" crew

Can't watch this without tears in my eyes.

It’s a really deep message in this song men stand up and be the father our nation needs are don’t have kids

Best song off the new album. Joyner giving his son all the love his father never could best line ever

“Told myself when I become a father/ I’m a raise the bar.”

One of the saddest but most spot on reputation of how it is growing up if you've had a challenging and or crazy upbringing

SONG OF THE YEAR

[Chorus: Elijah James] In sweet dreams, I kid myself Have your love for good I really had hoped you'd stay But like the river, you just come and go And these things, they comfort me When my mind's on you And I feel you comfort me But like the river, it just comes and goes [Verse 1: Joyner Lucas] I used to think that you was Superman when I was younger (Yeah) Findin' comfort in your voice when I was down and under Put you on a pedestal and now I kinda wonder if that made sense ‘Cause I'm convinced you showed a lot of colors (Yeah) All them nights I was alone, I hid inside thе covers Used to argue with my moms whеnever I was stubborn (Facts) I never warmed up to the idea of a step-dad because he wasn't you And you and him ain't even like each other (Word) Used to bring me ‘round your girlfriends as I recall I thought one or two was cool, but I ain't like ‘em all ‘Cause all you ever did was argue ‘bout who's right or wrong And you ain't have no job, so you would sit at home and light a bong (Yeah) Used to crave for your attention, but I never got it And everything you said we'd do is just another promise You had dreams of bein' famous and I never doubted But I started rhymin' to impress you, if we bein' honest (Facts) But we can have some bondin' time and maybe pow-wow A father/son relationship that we can smile ‘bout At time's you got abusive and I had to bow down Or keep on makin' music to try and compete with Bow Wow Your father died when you was young, I think that made a scar I started thinkin' maybe that's why you the way you are (Nah) End of the day, no excuse for how you played your part Told myself when I became a father, I'ma raise the bar (Word) We had a lot of fallin' outs and didn't talk for years And all them birthdays and holidays got awfully weird You threw me in a foster home and I was brought to tears Livin' with some strangers, feelin' anxious, I was lost and scared (Yeah) [Refrain: Joyner Lucas] And now I'm starin' at the river tryna get across And all I see is apparitions of what never was And everything I used to wish for is dead and lost And if I never see your ass again, I'll be better off I'll be better off (Yeah) [Chorus: Elijah James & Joyner Lucas] You are so negative (Uh) And you say you know But you know a goddamn thing Like the river, you just run and go You say you could do good And better you know But you tried no goddamn thing Like the river, I'ma run from you [Verse 2: Joyner Lucas] I told myself I wouldn't write a song, but fuck it, I did Oftentimes, I sit and wonder if it's somethin' I did Or maybe I was immature, but is it somethin' I said? I can't help but feel the feelin' that there's somethin' I missed I told you somethin' happened to me and you ain't protect me (Yeah) You tried to say you ain't believe me as you disrespect me (Facts) And plus, you never had my back, in fact, you may resent me in a way ‘Cause everythin' I say, you try to use against me (Word) And I never knew your other kids, but I knew of ‘em (True) I'm not really sure if I like ‘em, but I do love ‘em (Do) Shit, I don't even think you knew but just a few of ‘em ‘Cause all your baby mothers stayed away to keep you from ‘em (Word) You probably out fillin' they heads with shit that's not the truth You probably told ‘em that I switched up when I got some loot (Uh) You probably told ‘em that I'm greedy and I'm not so cool That I worship the devil and I sold my soul to cop a pool (Yeah) I worked my ass off to get rich, let's not confuse I sacrificed my whole twenties just so I can move (True) While everybody else was chillin', hangin' out with crews I was writin' a plan to finally win while tryin' not to lose (True) I still remember signin' my deal and you got hella funny And at that time, you probably figured I had hella money (Yeah) But I only got a small advance, so I ain't even get a chance to hold you down ‘Cause then you started gettin' jealous of me But I'm worth a couple million now, I turned out fine (Yeah) I copped my moms a big crib and went and got mine An indoor pool with a house made and I'm not lyin' (Nope) A happy son who loves his dad, it's about time (Yeah) [Refrain: Joyner Lucas] But I'm still starin' at the river tryna get across And all I see is apparitions of what never was And everything I used to wish for is dead and lost And if I never see your ass again, then I'll be better off Nigga I'll be better off [Bridge: Elijah James] Karma comes back and it's co-co-comin' (Co-co-comin') Treatin' me bad and I'm ru-ru-runnin' (Ru-ru-runnin') Karma comes back and it's co-co-comin' (Co-co-comin') Treatin' me bad, I'm ru-ru-runnin' (Ru-ru-runnin') [Outro: Joyner Lucas] And congratulations, nigga, you won And all the love you never gave me, I can give to my son Eternal love to my child, we'll forever be one Thanks to you, I know the man that I would never become Never become

Why is there dislikes guess that’s the ones who couldn’t see cuz they had tears in there eyes

This song will never get old ❤️🔥

Just keep coming back to this one, haven't heard another song like it...

I believe he could write a 15min long song and still wouldn't be long enough!

Shout out to Elijah James who made this song even more beautiful ♥️

I cant hear this one without a tear coming down😢

This has me in tears. The video. The song all of it. Thank you for sharing your pain with us. You're not alone. We suffer together, we survive together. We rise together 🫶🫶

This is where real men cried.

This man is not a rapper. HE IS A LYRICIST!

Joyner has the best collection of music videos of any artist I've seen.

This kid is a good actor bro I tell you.