While I was reading The Artist Way by Julia Cameron last summer on hiatus, doing some deep shadow work, I began saying an artist Prayer every time I worked on new music. Julia provides this exercise in week 4, recovering a sense of integrity in her 6-week spiritual path to higher creativity. It’s meant to regain trust in your own creativity and remove any blockages you may be experiencing. My artist prayer went something like this…

“Heavenly Father, I ask that you bring me closer to the people, places, and things that serve my purpose and further away from those that disturb my peace and prosperity. God, I ask that you help me accomplish my goals and guide my footsteps in my individual journey of making my dreams my reality. Strengthen my character! Give me wisdom in areas where I fall short and make my heart more pure and intentional. Strengthen my aura! When I walk in a room, allow my energy to take over the space so much that everyone notices. God, I ask for the spirit of discernment. Block whatever’s blocking my progress and align my plans with your will, and may your will be done. Give me the strength and wisdom to overcome any obstacles that step in front of me, and thank you for my family, my friends, and this lifestyle I’m living. Amen.”

When I’d finish, I’d immediately ask, “What do you need me to say, dawg?” I have a habit of conversing with him as if he were one of the homies because that’s just what works for me, and he doesn’t judge me for that; instead, he responds in a way that he knows will resonate clearly with me.

Afterwards, I began writing as usual, and midway through the song it hit me! I had been asking the wrong question the whole time. I should’ve been asking, “Who do you need me to save?” but I guess it never dawned on me because I didn’t even know I was capable of saving anyone with my gift; I was too focused on saving myself. Little did I know, I had already been saved. The question is, who will you save with yours?

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Hymns From Him by Narleyy (Official Audio)
Before I lay me down to sleep
I pray to lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake up
I pray the lord my soul to take 
I pray he keep giving me grace
As long as I’m walking by faith
And not by the things that I see 
I hope that my folks could relate

I was asking the same question 
we all ask “is it real? is it fake?”
Cause I can’t see his face
But I know the spirit be taking up space
 & I know that I’m anointed you can tell by 
The words that I say 
Cause before I write a verse 
I always ask “what he needs me to say”

He say you got it wrong you should be asking, “who I need you to save!”
It’s bigger than what you think 
You should be asking “what i need you to change?”
He like… “let me give you some game, lil homie just do yo thang”
I say “Do my thang?”
He say “nigga I need you to sang!”
He say “i know what yo problem is” 
You need me to say it like yo homie or yo partna will! So Ima give you this real
and be yo dr feel, 
Im talking that Holyfield🥊,
If you wanna make it to da 
Holy Hills I hope you open ears 🦻🏾

He say I gave you life if Ian made it clear
I gave them scissors when i gave you shears
Cause I know what i was tryna build
So now you know what time it is
Lace up yo boots let’s call a truce 
Cause I know how you feel
You went through hell but now it’s time to heal
I took you through the worst so I could guide you here
You been through hell and high waters so now it’s time to swim 
I heard Change is good nigga that’s word to Tim 
Stop making Songs it's time to make some hymns
Quit acting like I didn’t make u HIM

Written by Braylon Tucker, professionally known as Narleyy

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The original title was Danielle’s Son, a play on Daniel-San & Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid, and an homage to my mother. Coincidentally, my middle name is Daniel… I could expound further, but I may use it later, so I’ll revisit that some other time.

As I started writing, the music became a collection of unfiltered conversations with God. He was speaking to me and through me. It was at that moment that I realized I was on an assignment. Instead of it being my last album, I decided to approach it and everything else I do from that day forward like it’s my last. I gave it everything I had. I can live with that, but I CANNOT live knowing I didn’t try. That’s how I want to be remembered. That’s what you call Legacy!

Prayers and Parables became the title of those unfiltered conversations with God. My new single, MYLASTRUN, documents the moments that led to my shift in perception.