Afu-Ra is a Hip hop artist from New York City. Afu, born Aaron Phillip, is … Read Full Bio ↴Afu-Ra is a Hip hop artist from New York City. Afu, born Aaron Phillip, is a devout student of the Martial arts, as well as Chess. He entered the Hip Hop scene as a member of the Gang Starr Foundation, alongside rappers like Jeru the Damaja, Big Shug and Group Home.

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.

Quotations
Afu-Ra Lyrics

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[Afu-Ra]
You want to roll with the alphanumerical
Lyrical, serial syllable killa wit the realness
Feel this, mix tape shots, I peal this
Ayatollah, strike like Casanova
Give me a beat, and my styles, I run it over
Corner ya brain, like a game of chess, nah
How a million MC's gon' be the best

You couldn't go against the squad, if your rhymes was hard
What made you think that you can challenge the stars?
Don't go against the grain, insane, ready to aim
No stoppin a, rockin a, hip hop philosopher
MC's and DJ's, your urban opera
I said it, intelligently, ain't nuthin next to me
Certainly, you couldn't even deal wit my weaponry

I interject like the Internet, wet ya sets
Ya ain't even heard nuttin yet

Overall Meaning

In Afu-Ra's song "Quotations," the artist showcases his lyrical talents with fast-paced and intricate rhymes. The song starts with a boastful statement that he is the alpha and numerical lyrical serial syllable killer with the realness. He says that his mixtape shots are peeling and rapping fast-paced lines strikes like Casanova. He goes on to say that when he is given a beat, he can run it over with his style. He also says that he can corner anyone's brain, making it as if they are playing chess, and make his way to the top. He then tells listeners that they can't go against the grain and expect to be the best or challenge the stars.

Afu-Ra goes on to assert that nobody can go against the squad if their rhymes aren't hard. He poses a rhetorical question, asking how a million MCs can be the best. He then questions why anyone would think they could challenge the stars. The rapper then emphasizes his abilities, saying that he is a hip-hop philosopher, and nobody can stop him. He claims that MCs and DJs are his urban opera, and he is intelligent and has weapons to deal with those who dare to challenge him. He ends the song by saying that he interjects like the internet, and listeners haven't even heard anything yet.

Line by Line Meaning

You want to roll with the alphanumerical
You wish to work with someone who can handle numbers and alphabets

Lyrical, serial syllable killa wit the realness
The artist is good with words and knows how to string them meaningfully.

Feel this, mix tape shots, I peal this
Listen to me carefully, I am going to amaze you with my music.

Ayatollah, strike like Casanova
I am going to impress you with my powerful style.

Give me a beat, and my styles, I run it over
I can make any beat sound awesome, just listen to me.

Corner ya brain, like a game of chess, nah
My music will get into your head like a challenging game of chess.

How a million MC's gon' be the best
There are millions of artists out there, but only a few can be called the best.

You couldn't go against the squad, if your rhymes was hard
You cannot challenge a team of talented artists even if you think you have great rhyming skills.

What made you think that you can challenge the stars?
Why do you think you can compete with successful artists?

Don't go against the grain, insane, ready to aim
Don't try to be different or stand out, it won't end well.

No stoppin a, rockin a, hip hop philosopher
I am an unstoppable musician and a Hip Hop philosopher.

MC's and DJ's, your urban opera
Artists like me make the musical experience of the city what it is - an Opera of sorts.

I said it, intelligently, ain't nuthin next to me
I am confident that no one else can create music like mine.

Certainly, you couldn't even deal wit my weaponry
Trust me, you can't handle my musical talent.

I interject like the Internet, wet ya sets
I can make your music sound more interesting, like how the Internet changes things.

Ya ain't even heard nuttin yet
You have no idea how good my music can be.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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