Born in Queens, New York into a family of missionaries, Abra spent her first eight years in London, where her parents built the church they would ultimately work in. Her introduction to singing came from that church, too, where her father was pastor and her mother oversaw praise and worship. After London, her family settled in the quiet suburb of Lilburn outside Atlanta. At 14, Abra began playing guitar. She attended Parkview Highschool and was an active member of the drama department, graduating in 2007. Later in her teens, she began uploading her acoustic covers of rap songs onto YouTube. This led to her being discovered by Awful Records founder and rapper Father, who encouraged her to make original music. She later joined the label in 2014.
Her first EP, BLQ Velvet, was released in 2015. Her second EP, Princess was released by True Panther Sounds on July 15, 2016. It is her first release on a major label. The song "Fruit" off the album Rose was featured in an article on the best R&B songs of 2016 by The Guardian.
Regarding Abra's style of clothing, Vogue commented in 2016 that "deliberate contrasts are part of her artistic identity on the whole: Abra is a member of the mostly male-dominated Awful Records coterie, an outlier crew swiftly taking over Atlanta with a sound that stands apart from ATL's rap oeuvre".
Abra is one of the stars of the 2018 film Assassination Nation and plays Em.
Human
Abra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but i'll go bursting through the flames
till i get it
get it
get it
get it
get it
be damned to be so bold
but i got a taste for what it might be like
what's that good to feel bad?
it's just natural baby
let them care if they care
we're just atoms baby
all i wanted
and all i ever needed
was a beat and a hum
that can make me feel human
yeah
all i wanted
and all i ever needed
was a beat and a hum
that can make me feel human
yeah, yeah
yeah
yeah
yeah
do you know where i could fine some peace to pocket?
do you know where i could be?
packed up my woes
and i threw 'em in a rocket
then i turned the sky grey
but they don't know
they don't know
they don't know
they hide a well kept secret
and i don't mind to keep it
if they don't wish to seek it
seek it
what's that good to feel bad?
it's just natural baby
let them care if they care
we're just atoms baby
all i wanted
and all i ever needed
was a beat and a hum
that can make me feel human
yeah
all i wanted
and all i ever needed
was a beat and a hum
that can make me feel human
(make me feel)
all i wanted
and all i ever need
was a beat and a hum
that can make me feel human
yeah
all i wanted
and all i ever need
was a beat and a hum
that can make me feel human
yeah
The lyrics to "Human," a song by Abra, describe a search for meaning and connection in a complex world. The singer may not know her way, but she is determined to keep moving forward through obstacles and challenges. She describes feeling bold and unafraid, even if she doesn't always see the light at the end of the tunnel. The repetition of "get it" emphasizes her determination and her refusal to give up until she finds what she's looking for.
The song goes on to explore the idea that it's natural to feel bad sometimes, and that we shouldn't beat ourselves up for it. The refrain "We're just atoms baby" suggests that we are all part of something larger than ourselves, and that our struggles are universal. The singer is looking for something that can make her feel human, and the beat and hum of the music become a powerful metaphor for that connection and sense of belonging.
Ultimately, "Human" is a song about resilience and hope in the face of adversity. It encourages us to keep searching for meaning and connection, even when we're not sure where to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
i do not know my way
I am lost and unsure of my path
but i'll go bursting through the flames
However, I am determined to keep moving forward despite the obstacles or challenges that come my way
till i get it
I am committed to achieving my goal no matter what it takes
get it
I am reminding myself to stay focused on my goal
be damned to be so bold
I am willing to take risks and be brave in pursuit of my objective
i did not see the light
I have not found clarity or understanding in my journey
but i got a taste for what it might be like
Despite not knowing what the future holds, I am hopeful and optimistic about the possibility of finding what I am looking for
what's that good to feel bad?
I am questioning the value of negative emotions such as sadness or frustration
it's just natural baby
I am acknowledging that some feelings are a part of the human experience and cannot be avoided
let them care if they care
I am not concerned about the opinions of others regarding my emotions or actions
we're just atoms baby
I am reminding myself that, in the grand scheme of things, we are all insignificant and made up of the same particles
all i wanted and all i ever needed was a beat and a hum that can make me feel human
I am recognizing that sometimes all it takes to feel alive and connected to the world is a simple, rhythmic sound
do you know where i could find some peace to pocket?
I am asking if anyone knows where I can find a sense of calm and tranquility
do you know where i could be?
I am searching for a place or state of mind where I feel comfortable and safe
packed up my woes and i threw 'em in a rocket
I have let go of the things that were weighing me down and holding me back
then i turned the sky grey
My actions had consequences beyond my control, which may have affected others negatively
but they don't know, they don't know, they don't know
Others may be unaware of the impact of my actions, or the reasons behind them
they hide a well kept secret
Some people may have hidden aspects of themselves or their lives that they do not share with others
and i don't mind to keep it
I am respectful of others' privacy and do not feel the need to expose their secrets
if they don't wish to seek it, seek it
I am not interested in forcing others to reveal themselves, as it is their own choice to share or not
all i wanted and all i ever needed was a beat and a hum that can make me feel human
I am emphasizing the importance of simple pleasures and experiences that allow us to feel alive and connected to others
make me feel
I am expressing a desire to experience a certain feeling or emotion
all i wanted and all i ever need was a beat and a hum that can make me feel human
I am repeating the importance of simple pleasures and experiences that allow us to feel alive and connected to others
yeah
I am expressing agreement or affirmation
yeah
I am expressing agreement or affirmation
yeah
I am expressing agreement or affirmation
all i wanted and all i ever need was a beat and a hum that can make me feel human
I am restating the importance of simple pleasures and experiences that allow us to feel alive and connected to others
yeah
I am expressing agreement or affirmation
all i wanted and all i ever need was a beat and a hum that can make me feel human
I am once again emphasizing the importance of simple pleasures and experiences that allow us to feel alive and connected to others
yeah
I am expressing agreement or affirmation
Contributed by Bella T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.