1 Giant Leap is a concept band and media project consisting of the two prin… Read Full Bio ↴1 Giant Leap is a concept band and media project consisting of the two principal artists, Jamie Catto and Duncan Bridgeman.

Based in the UK, the two musicians set out to create a multimedia project that would encompass a CD, DVD and cinematic presentation that would offer a complete artistic statement. The project offers music, digital video footage shot over the course of six months by Catto and Bridgeman, images, rhythms and spoken word content.

The first project features contributions from Dennis Hopper, Kurt Vonnegut, Michael Stipe, Robbie Williams, Tim Robbins, Brian Eno, Baaba Maal, Speech, Asha Bhosle, Neneh Cherry, Anita Roddick, Michael Franti and other artists and authors.

The band's theme for the project is "Unity Through Diversity".

1 Giant Leap's "My Culture" video, featuring Robbie Williams and Maxi Jazz from Faithless has received extensive airplay.

After nearly four years the new 1 Giant Leap project, currently titled 'What About Me' has been handed over by Duncan Bridgeman and Jamie Catto. Twelve films and twleve tracks about "...all the different ways we're mad...desperate, obsessed, neurotic, fixated...the insane ways we make ourselves unhappy..."

When Jamie Catto and Duncan Bridgeman joined forces to create the project 1 Giant Leap, they embarked upon a global journey that included Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, India, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, America and Europe, equipped solely with a digital video camera, a laptop and a vision - to capture and weave together a unique fusion of sound, image and spoken word from some of the world's most happening musicians, authors, scientists and thinkers and to explore 'The Unity in the Diversity'.

Their treasure hunt brought many unexpected collaborations with such inspirations as Michael Stipe, Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, Dennis Hopper, Brian Eno, Asha Bhosle, and Baaba Maal. The resulting double-Grammy nominated DVD consists of 11 short films - INSPIRATION, MONEY, FAITH, SEX, DEATH, CONFRONTATION, TIME, BLASPHEMY, UNITY, MASKS, HAPPY, and 30 behind the scenes movies. You might have seen 'The Making Of 1 Giant Leap' which has been broadcast globally by National Geographic Channel. Or perhaps you've seen them playing live with their 10 piece band and cinema screens.

Trailers to all the TV episodes can be found on www.youtube.com/1giantleapofficial and events and screening information can be found at www.myspace.com/1giantleap

We traveled round the world collaborating with the most happenig musicians, authors, scientists and thinkers we could find to explore the unity in diversity. Produced by Duncan Bridgeman & Jamie Catto. 70% water, 18% carbon, 5% nitrogen, 2% calcium.

Ma' Africa
1 Giant Leap Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's my turn the short division
I'm the light that shines and guides the young
I eat before I start
But I'm not going to finish now

What's the problem?
It's in a person
It's in a person, in the world

I'm warning you, that's the truth

What's the problem?
It's in a person
It's in a person, in the world
I'm warning you, I'm warning you

It's in a person, it's in a person
I'm warning you, I'm warning you
It's the truth

Africa land for preachers gold
Land for everybody young and old
The place that holds for some bright future,
But for others the future tend to torture
Ma' Africa.

What went wrong with your brains?
You kill each other you destroy human dignity
People of Africa lets stand together
And make it the land of hope!

I want to tell everybody about myself.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in 1 Giant Leap's song, Ma' Africa, touch on themes of empowerment, responsibility, and hope, especially towards the African continent. The first verse speaks to the singer's power and leadership, being the light that shines and guides the youth. However, it's quickly followed by an admission of some sort of limitation - they need to eat before they start and won't finish now. This could be interpreted in a few ways, perhaps the singer is admitting there's still unfinished work to be done, or acknowledging that their power is limited, that they too are human and have physical needs.

The chorus repeats the question "what's the problem?", which is answered with "it's in a person, in the world". The singer warns that it's the truth, which could be interpreted in a few different ways, such as recognizing that the problems in the world come down to us individuals and our choices, or perhaps it's a call to action to acknowledge one's own responsibility in the world's problems.

The latter part of the song touches more specifically on the African continent and its potential, but also its pain. The line "Africa land for preachers gold, land for everybody young and old" acknowledges the wealth and resources of the continent but also the tensions and conflicts that exist. The singer questions "what went wrong with your brains?" and implores the "people of Africa" to "stand together and make it the land of hope".

Overall, the lyrics of Ma' Africa can be seen as a call to individual responsibility, empowerment, and hope for the African continent.

Line by Line Meaning

It's my turn the short division
I am ready to take charge and lead.

I'm the light that shines and guides the young
I am a beacon of hope and guidance for the youth.

I eat before I start
I prepare myself before beginning any task.

But I'm not going to finish now
Although I may not complete everything, I will still do my part.

What's the problem?
What is causing issues or trouble?

It's in a person
The problem resides within individuals.

It's in a person, in the world
Not only is it within individuals, but also within society as a whole.

I'm warning you, that's the truth
I am cautioning you that this is the reality of the situation.

It's in a person, it's in a person
I repeat, the issue lies within individuals.

I'm warning you, I'm warning you
I am doubly cautioning you.

It's the truth
This is the honest and genuine truth.

Africa land for preachers gold
Africa is a land of potential wealth and opportunity for those who seek it.

Land for everybody young and old
The land and its resources can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.

The place that holds for some bright future,
For some individuals, Africa provides a promising future.

But for others the future tend to torture
However, for others, the future can be challenging and difficult.

Ma' Africa.
This is my Africa, my homeland.

What went wrong with your brains?
What caused people to think and act this way?

You kill each other you destroy human dignity
Violence and killing harm not only individuals but humanity as a whole.

People of Africa lets stand together
African people must unite in solidarity and support.

And make it the land of hope!
Together, we can create a brighter and more promising future for Africa.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAIME CATTO, DUNCAN PHILIP BRIDGEMAN, . MUSCO, HILDA TLOUBATLA, GEORGE MANGXOLA MAWONGA, NOMBESUTHU MBADU, PURA FE, SONNI MORENO, JENNIFER ELIZABETH KREISBERG

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