| "Headphones" | |
|---|---|
| Promotional single by Lecrae featuring Killer Mike, and T.I. | |
| from the album Reconstruction | |
| Released | August 20, 2025 |
| Length | 3:42 |
| Label | Reach |
| Songwriters |
|
| Producer | BongoByTheWay |
| Music video | |
| "Headphones" on YouTube | |
"Headphones" is a song recorded by Lecrae featuring Killer Mike and T.I.. The song was released as a promotional single on August 20, 2025, via Reach Records, for Lecrae's album Reconstruction . It was written by BongoByTheWay, Clifford Harris, Lecrae Moore, Michael Render, Tyshane Thompson, and William Roderick Miller. Production was handled by BongoByTheWay. [1]
"Headphones" uses the background of a "somber-yet-smooth beat". The lyrics speak on "grief and survivor’s guilt". They were inspired by the death of Lecrae's cousin, who overdosed on fentanyl, which he referenced to be "the deepest form of grief" he had experienced. [2] The song speaks on the topic that "loss spares no one, believer or not". Lecrae, Killer Mike, and T.I. each perform a verse of the song, in which they speak about friends and family of theirs that have died. [3] The song's chorus states: [4]
And my brother got headphones in heaven, I hope he hears this song
- And my momma got headphones in heaven, I hope she hears this song
The song is composed in the key of C♯ major, with a speed of 120 beats per minute. [5] It was written by BongoByTheWay, Clifford Harris, Lecrae Moore, Michael Render, Tyshane Thompson, and William Roderick Miller. [1]
"Headphones" was produced by BongoByTheWay. Connor Back and Jacob "Biz" Morris engineered, mixed, and mastered the song. [1]
In July 2025, "Headphones" was previewed alongside several tracks from Reconstruction at City Takers Church in Atlanta, Georgia. [6] [7] The song was released to Christian radio in the United States on August 20, 2025, on August 21 to digital download and streaming formats, and on August 22, to CD and LP formats with the release of Reconstruction. [2] [1] [8]
On September 4, 2025, an official music video was released for the song. [9] The video depicts Lecrae looking through vinyl records from late rappers such as Tupac Shakur, Nipsey Hussle, and Takeoff, while Killer Mike looks through a photo album featuring pictures of his family. T.I. appears later in the video. [10] [11]
Michael Carder of Jesus Freak Hideout regarded "Headphones" as one of the best songs from Reconstruction, stating that it is "easily top five" and he sees it "staying in heavy rotation for a lot of listeners". He compared it to having a similar sound as the album's lead single, "Still Here", noticing that they both contain a "catchy hook and a smooth beat". He observed that "Headphones" is "a beautifully written tribute to those who've passed". [4]
Speaking for Shatter the Standards, Murffey Zavier named "Headphones" as one of his three favorite songs on album, alongside "Tell No Lie" and "Brick for Brick". [2] Timothy Yap of Jubilee Cast labelled the song as a highlight from the album. [12]
With Reconstruction's chart debut on September 6, 2025, "Headphones" opened with its peak position of No. 31 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. It remained on the chart for one week. [13]
At the 2026 Grammy Awards, "Headphones" was nominated for the award of Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. [14]
| Year | Organization | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Grammy Awards | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | Pending | [14] |
Credits adapted from Tidal Music. [1]
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Christian Songs ( Billboard ) [15] | 31 |
| Region | Date | Release | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United | August 20, 2025 | Non-album single | Christian radio | Reach Records | [2] |
| Various | August 21, 2025 | [1] | |||
| August 22, 2025 | Reconstruction | [8] | |||