His first appearance was on Jeru the Damaja's classic 1994 album The Sun Rises in the East, on the song "Mental Stamina". He made another appearance on Jeru's sophomore album Wrath of the Math, on the track "Physical Stamina", in 1996. Afu's debut single "Whirlwind Thru Cities" was released in 1998, the song reached the Top 20 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart. In 1999, he released another single, "Defeat b/w Mortal Kombat".
His anticipated debut album, Body of the Life Force, was released in October 2000. The album featured production from some of Hip Hop's finest, including DJ Premier, DJ Muggs, True Master and Da Beatminerz. Guests included Wu-Tang Clan's GZA/Genius and Masta Killa, M.O.P., Ky-Mani Marley and the Cocoa Brovaz. "Whirlwind Thru Cities", "Defeat" and "Mortal Kombat" were included here, as well as other popular songs "Equality", "Big Acts, Little Acts" and "D&D Soundclash". Afu released his sophomore effort Life Force Radio in May 2002, featuring production from DJ Premier, Curt Cazal, True Master, Easy Mo Bee, Needlez, Domingo and Ayatollah. Guests included Hip Hop legends Guru, Big Daddy Kane, RZA as well as R&B star Teena Marie.
In 2004, he released a compilation album titled Afu-Ra presents Perverted Monks. He returned with another album in 2005, State of the Arts. DJ Premier returned once again to produce the track "Sucka Free". Wu-Tang's Masta Killa appeared on the song "Livin' Like Dat", and underground favorite Royce da 5'9" apppeared on "Pusha". Afu was working on another album, which was prepped for a 2007 release, but it has not appeared to date.
Open
Afu-Ra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Afu-Ra]
Yeah, baby, how you, now what you wanna do
Instead of working these ways, I should of been loving
Creepin' off, type of ways, I should of been true to you
Huggin' and rubbin', or comin' home just to talk to you
Play some chest, in the rest, so make love to you
I seen my life flashin' my face in, my present, future and memories
Memoirs of a czar, to caught sars, from dreams in the stars
Melodies over the precious bars
The beat and you together, are like matrimony
Cuz when I hear it or see you, I be the one and only
Why me, then why you, the simple kind
Of things, like my favorite color is blue
It can't be planted in me, backwards and forwards with me
Out of this planet with me
If I had to I would, I lock you up in the chamber with me
[Chorus: Teena Marie]
I, I wanna love you baby, love you baby
I, I wanna feel your body, up and down
Up inside me
[Afu-Ra]
It's like breafast in bed for the first time
That's right, sometimes I wish I lived my life in rewind
Steady going through the motions, yeah, of every emotion
Transpire, smooth as my outfit
Mondays is paisley, wednesday is vaguely arguile
Saturdays, fit with the charming smile
So won't you meet me at the el flamingo
Forget about the Christ' jingles, we sip mohitos
The feelings are high for you, they tri-lingual
African drums, Russian hip hop, and disco
It only takin' three moves, you all up in my zone
Like tic - tac - and toe
Yo, it's so easy, cuz these other cats is jah-so-bro's
[Chorus x4]
[Afu-Ra]
So let's pain an oasis
From the clouds, up to the constellations, to be our basement
Beats run home, hot tub in the living room
No space for satisfaction, well I'mma make room
Pawns hittin' the tomb, horns blowin' to the moon
If I could taste you on the platter, I wanna be spoon fed
No condiments, and no sauce, forget the bread
12 o'clock, in the morning, as I start the yawnin'
I feel your body calling, ready for the installment
Like the flower you are, open up, I drop my pollen in
We interwine like knowledge, all up in my rhyme again
[Chorus to fade]
The song "Open" by Afu-Ra featuring Teena Marie is about love and making things right when it comes to relationships. Afu-Ra raps about how he wishes he had shown more love and commitment when he had the chance. He also reminisces about the past and how he should have been loyal and loving to his partner. The chorus sung by Teena Marie talks about the physical aspects of love and how she wants to feel loved.
The first verse talks about how Afu-Ra wishes he had done things differently. Instead of working, he should have been more loving towards his partner. He talks about how he should have been true to his partner and come home to spend time with her. The second verse talks about how he wishes he could turn back time and how he is going through the motions of emotions. The verse also talks about the different outfits he wears throughout the week.
In the third verse, Afu-Ra talks about how he wants to create an oasis for his partner. He talks about how he wants to be with her and make room for satisfaction. The verse also talks about how he wants to be close to his partner, like pollen to a flower.
Overall, the song "Open" talks about love, regret, and wanting to make things right with a partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, baby, how you, now what you wanna do
Hey, how are you doing? What do you want to do now?
Instead of working these ways, I should of been loving
Instead of doing other things, I should have been expressing love.
Creepin' off, type of ways, I should of been true to you
I realize that I should have been faithful and honest to you.
Huggin' and rubbin', or comin' home just to talk to you
I should have been showing you affection and communicating with you more.
Play some chest, in the rest, so make love to you
We can play chess, relax and then make love.
So what cha, what cha, what cha, wanna do?
What do you want to do?
I seen my life flashin' my face in, my present, future and memories
I have been reflecting on my life, my present, future, and memories.
Memoirs of a czar, to caught sars, from dreams in the stars
I recall my life as a ruler and the struggles of my childhood dreams.
Melodies over the precious bars
The music and lyrics are special and valuable.
The beat and you together, are like matrimony
The music and you together feels like a marriage.
Cuz when I hear it or see you, I be the one and only
When I hear the music or see you, it's only you who I think about.
Why me, then why you, the simple kind
Why you choose me and why I choose you is a simple thing.
Of things, like my favorite color is blue
One of the simple things is that my favorite color is blue.
It can't be planted in me, backwards and forwards with me
My favorite color is a part of me and can't be changed.
Out of this planet with me
My love for you is out of this world.
If I had to I would, I lock you up in the chamber with me
I would keep you safe and protected with me if I had to.
I, I wanna love you baby, love you baby
I want to love and be with you.
I, I wanna feel your body, up and down
I want to feel your body all over.
Up inside me
I want you to be a part of me.
It's like breafast in bed for the first time
Being with you feels like having breakfast in bed for the first time.
That's right, sometimes I wish I lived my life in rewind
Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and do things differently.
Steady going through the motions, yeah, of every emotion
I'm just going through the motions of all the emotions I'm feeling.
Transpire, smooth as my outfit
Things are happening smoothly and easily.
Mondays is paisley, wednesday is vaguely arguile
I have certain fashion preferences for each day of the week.
Saturdays, fit with the charming smile
On Saturdays, I like to wear something that makes me smile.
So won't you meet me at the el flamingo
Let's meet at the El Flamingo.
Forget about the Christ' jingles, we sip mohitos
Let's enjoy our time together and forget about our problems.
The feelings are high for you, they tri-lingual
My feelings for you are very strong and they speak three languages.
African drums, Russian hip hop, and disco
These feelings come in different forms and genres of music.
It only takin' three moves, you all up in my zone
It only takes three moves and you're in my personal space.
Like tic - tac - and toe
It's very simple and easy.
Yo, it's so easy, cuz these other cats is jah-so-bro's
It's easy because the other guys aren't as cool as me.
So let's pain an oasis
Let's create and imagine a beautiful place together.
From the clouds, up to the constellations, to be our basement
We will make the beautiful place from the clouds to the stars.
Beats run home, hot tub in the living room
We will create a cozy home with music and a hot tub in the living room.
No space for satisfaction, well I'mma make room
We will never tire of each other, and I will always make space for you.
Pawns hittin' the tomb, horns blowin' to the moon
The world can be cruel and unkind, but our love will last forever.
If I could taste you on the platter, I wanna be spoon fed
I want to experience you in every way possible.
No condiments, and no sauce, forget the bread
I don't need any extra flavorings, just you.
12 o'clock, in the morning, as I start the yawnin'
Late at night, I'm thinking of you and getting sleepy.
I feel your body calling, ready for the installment
I feel drawn to you and ready to be with you.
Like the flower you are, open up, I drop my pollen in
I want to fertilize and nourish your being.
We interwine like knowledge, all up in my rhyme again
Our love and minds are intertwined, as evidenced in my lyrics.
Contributed by Jordan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.