The Paper Chasing Family – “Had To Overcome” (feat. Lil Tony Official)

Some songs feel like a moment, others feel like a mission. “Had To Overcome” by The Paper Chasing Family is both. The single dropped on September 12th, and in just a few weeks it’s already passed 200,000 streams, not bad for a group with only two songs out. It’s a follow-up to their debut “Can’t Leave My Bible” (also featuring Lil Tony Official), which landed in August and has already racked up an impressive 1.6 million streams.

What makes “Had To Overcome” so striking is its structure. The record feels like two songs stitched together as they switch beats halfway through. After a striking start with Psalm 3:6-8, the first section lives in a heavy space with bars about the grief of the past and the afterlife. Then just when you expect it to fade out, the track shifts into a new gear — the pain is still there, but it’s reframed. It’s the rare kind of song where the mid-point switch makes you feel like you’ve been given a bonus track inside the same record.

At its heart, “Had To Overcome” is built on faith. The Christian language woven throughout isn’t just for effect; it’s a lifeline. References to God, prayer, and the afterlife frame the struggles being shared — not just losses of family and friends, but the daily grind of staying safe and being responsible for loved ones. That spiritual tension makes the track more than just a street confessional. It’s relatable for anyone who’s ever been forced to grow up fast, wondering how to keep their faith steady while the world feels stacked against them. It blends pain with prayer, grounding the narrative in something bigger than survival alone.

The combination of structure and subject matter is why “Had To Overcome” feels special. It’s not just another testimony over a beat — it’s crafted to show both the storm and the aftermath. The dual-song structure mirrors the dual struggles: earthly pain and spiritual searching. That balance is what’s resonating with listeners and why the streams are climbing fast.

Lil Tony Official once again plays a key role, adding presence and perspective to the record. Beyond his feature work, Tony’s been making waves on social media — recently going semi-viral in clips with Bryce Crawford where he spoke about an eerie encounter with illuminati type devils. That kind of transparency about both his music and his faith battles makes his verses carry even more weight.

Together, The Paper Chasing Family and Lil Tony Official are carving out a lane that blends Christian conviction with unfiltered reality. With only two records out and already over 1.8 million streams combined, The Paper Chasing Family is proving that there’s a serious audience for this kind of honest, faith-rooted rap. “Had To Overcome” isn’t just another drop — it’s a sign of something much bigger on the horizon.