Sitting in a room with his hair to the sky, spyglasses, and sporting a vintage leather jacket, one could say that Afro-Preachah stuck out like a sore thumb. But, I think that he shines as bright as a light. As soon as he stood and opened his mouth to greet me, I knew I was in for a treat. And, as a matter of fact, so did the people around me. We sat, ordered drinks and got down to it. Who is Afro-Preachah and why is he the next big thing?
The oldest of three children James “Afro-Preachah” Porter III learned a stern sense of responsibility when he experienced his parent’s divorce at the tender age of seven. A military brat with two younger siblings, Afro had to take on wearing the pants in the house. Moving back to his roots in Kansas City,
Missouri, he was forced to deal with the poverty stricken streets of the south side. By the age 10, Afro was introduced to a hustling, slick talking pimp named Dwayne Nixon, his mother’s new love
interest. Introducing Afro to old school music like Curtis Mayfield’s Pusher Man from his Super Fly album, Nixon rekindled Afro’s fiery love for music, a love that was smoldered during his parents divorce.
“My dad is musical genius. He can play 17 different instruments, but his main is the piano. He gave me a genuine love for music that will always be in my soul. When Nixon came around, he introduced me
to old school soul and funk. His boy Wayne introduced me to new school rap."
“I grew up with a very unique blend. Son and grandson of Baptist preachers, and raised by a real life Pimp. Come on now, you know something rare had to come out of that.”
Rare may just be the understatement of the year. Sexy chuuch music is what Afro-Preachah calls his unique blend of Hip-Hop, Soul, R&B and Funk. Now don’t get it twisted, this is not the church folks gospel, but the controversial sound of what Afro-Preachah calls a musical revolution. With songs like “Shake,” “Poppin My Colla,” “Last Night,” and his self explanatory “Preachah Man,” Afro is hitting the music scene with something very unique.
Performing and recording with the likes of Chico from Junior Mafia, and Nard from Do or Die, Afro has already started to make his presence in the industry known. “I love performing. I’ve rocked stages
all over the country, and I plan to rock them all over the world. I used to believe that there was a musical revolution coming, until I realized that I am the revolution, and the world needs to get ready.”
“I want to introduce my sound of hip-hop. I don’t want to be forced into doing the music that everyone else is doing. Instead I choose to do me. That is what you get every time you hear my voice, the real me.”
-by Denise Washington
Journalist
Shake
Afro-Preachah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Bad case of the blues in multiple hues
Thumbs up clicks, comments views
Scroll on shoulder shrug cos what can ya do huh?
Taxman on your back, ex-boss on your nerves
Whole world burning down in your backyard
Worth breaking your back for less than it's worth
So your lucky if ya even have a backyard
No pressure valve to provide a release
People had enough so there's riots in the streets
Even the firefighters are fightin police
No spare second just to find inner peace
Small man starve while big belly eat
Open up your mind if you quest to be free
And let this here be your remedy
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
Simmer down now
Simmer down now
Simmer down now
Ha, yeah
Seen her dance in nightclub
Glitter on her body made her look like starlight
I don't believe in things like love
But I fell for the style that she wore like a birthright
Or birthmark, either one doesn't matter
Cos she made my heart race like Ernhardt
It was the Manchild jam scatter scatter
Zvi on the bass, Tristan reading off the horn charts
Nui, Lamine, Ousmane, pata pata
Jules or Chris on drums, bring that banger banger
Simon, Mr Marama strum on the skane
Add the Public Opinionettes it's a banger banger
Try to talk to her, s-s-stammer, damn it
Couldn't catch a fraction of attention from this glamour glamour
Nyash was just a big bad mama jamma
Brick house bad example, this one packs a mansion
Standing at the front with no key
While she's in my head and she just won't leave
Tryin but I won't succeed
Cos I know she ain't here for me
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
Shake it shake it shake it shake it
Shake it shake it shake it
Eh eh eh eh eh!
Uh uh uh!
Eh eh eh!
Shaky shaky your body
Make you move, o
K'o sáré gbajó
Problem no dey finish
Eh!
I say
Shaky shaky your body
Make you move o
K'o sáré gbajó
Problem no dey finish, o
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Ìgbádùn la wà o
Life is sweet o o everybody
Make una join us shake o
Because problem no dey finish o
Eh no dey finish o
Eh no dey finish o
Eh no dey finish o o...
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
The lyrics of Afro-Preachah's song "Shake" touch upon themes of stress, pressure, and problems in life, offering a message of encouragement and empowerment. The opening verse paints a picture of the overwhelming and relentless challenges people face in the modern world. From watching distressing news to dealing with personal and financial hardships, the lyrics highlight the feeling of being suffocated by stress and struggles. The mention of riots in the streets and the image of firefighters fighting police convey a sense of societal unrest and injustice, adding to the overall sense of chaos and unease.
The chorus serves as a rallying cry for shaking off the negativity and burdens that weigh us down. It urges listeners to release the stress on the right, the pressure on the left, and the problems in life, emphasizing the power of letting go and finding inner peace amidst turmoil. The repetition of the phrase "Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off" reinforces the idea of taking control of one's mental and emotional well-being, despite the overwhelming circumstances.
The second verse shifts to a more personal narrative, describing a fleeting romantic encounter in a nightclub. The singer is captivated by a mysterious and alluring woman, but realizes that the connection may be one-sided. The lyrics capture the frustration and longing for someone out of reach, symbolizing the feeling of unattainable desires and unrequited love. The mention of music and dancing adds an element of escapism and passion to the story, contrasting with the harsh realities portrayed in the earlier verses.
The song's bridge and outro incorporate a mix of languages and rhythmic chants, adding a dynamic and energetic element to the composition. The repeated refrain "Problem no dey finish" in various languages reinforces the universal truth that challenges and obstacles are a constant part of life. The call to "shake your body" and join in the collective movement signifies a sense of resilience and unity in the face of adversity. Overall, "Shake" by Afro-Preachah delivers a poignant message of perseverance, self-care, and finding solace in the midst of chaos.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Aaron Stephanus, Olugbade Okunade
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind