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.
Visions
Afu-Ra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Consider this a quick reminder
God playing hide and seek
My mission is to find her
Find her
Kiss me on the Spine
Light my fire
Fire
Take me higher
Higher
You must've forgot
It's The kid from the mountains
Reincarnate on the block
Delivering the fountain
To the thirsty cuz it's hot
In the desert of the mind
I do pray for rain drops
Peace
Ancestors talk to me
In my dreams
Beautiful secrets I keep
Got a mission
From a mystic vision
And it's hitting different
Write a composition
No omission
Spark the intuition
Step by step
As I walk thru the valley
In the shadow of death
I feel no threat
The Earth is the block I rep
No fear when I step
God steady Clearing the debt
I earned the respect
C'est la vie
C'est la vie
They only bring War
But they try to call it Peace
Divide then conquer
The mark of the Beast
Oppression and control
In the name of Democracy
C'est la vie
C'est la vie
Been thru this before
Baby can't you see?
I know a better world
Has to Start with me
If I go within
I can find my peace
At 23
All these leaders wanna sit with me
Told me that I'm asking questions
That don't match my history
You a young black kid
I told them don't you limit me
For as long as I remember
I've been hearing symphonies
I've been having all these dreams
I've been talking to the Gods
I've been drinking from the stream
I've been breaking the mirage
Now I'm 27
I've been talking to my uncle Kevin
He recently left the body
But He Never Left and
I feel like this a time loop
History repeat itself
We gotta Peep the signs oop
I feel like this is a time loop
History repeat
Gotta get out the mind loop
Catch me in a lab
Writing spells
Breaking hell
I inhale
Then exhale
Then excel
Breaking cells
We prevail
Step by step
As I walk thru the valley
In the shadow of death
I feel no threat
C'est la vie
C'est la vie
They only bring War
But they try to call it Peace
Divide then conquer
The mark of the Beast
Oppression and control
In the name of Democracy
C'est la vie
C'est la vie
Been thru this before
Baby can't you see
I know a better world
Has to Start with me
If I go within
I can find my peace
In the song "Visions" by Afu-Ra, the lyrics speak to the artist's spiritual journey and pursuit of higher knowledge and inner peace. The song begins with the idea of being inspired and feeling a connection to something greater than oneself. Afu-Ra references playing hide and seek with God, symbolizing the search for spiritual enlightenment and understanding. He expresses a desire to find a deeper connection, to be kissed on the spine and have his fire ignited, metaphorically representing the awakening of his soul and consciousness.
The lyrics also explore the idea of carrying a mission from a mystical vision, indicating that Afu-Ra feels a divine calling or purpose. He sees himself as a deliverer of wisdom and inspiration, comparing himself to a fountain in a desert, providing nourishment and guidance to those thirsty for knowledge. The chorus emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, recognizing that the world often brings war disguised as peace and calls for unity and self-reflection as the path to a better world.
Afu-Ra then delves into his personal experiences and growth. At 23, he is faced with limitations placed on him due to his identity as a young black individual. However, he refuses to let others dictate his potential and speaks of his connection to higher powers, his dreams, and his conversations with gods. The lyrics highlight the importance of breaking free from societal expectations and seeking knowledge and understanding from within. As Afu-Ra progresses in life, he acknowledges the repetition of history and the need to recognize patterns and change the narrative. He emphasizes the power of self-discovery, perseverance, and using his voice to break free from mental loops and create a better, more peaceful world.
Overall, "Visions" by Afu-Ra conveys a spiritual journey towards self-discovery, inner peace, and enlightening others through knowledge and awareness. The lyrics urge listeners to seek deeper connections, question societal norms, and take responsibility for creating a more harmonious world.
Line by Line Meaning
Inspired
Feeling motivated and driven
Consider this a quick reminder
Think of this as a brief but important message
God playing hide and seek
The divine being is elusive and mysterious
My mission is to find her
My purpose is to search for and connect with the divine
Find her
Discover and unite with the divine being
Kiss me on the Spine
Ignite my passion and enthusiasm
Light my fire
Ignite my creative energy
Fire
Passion, intensity, and creative energy
Melting space and time
Breaking boundaries and transcending limitations
Take me higher
Elevate my consciousness and spirituality
Higher
A state of heightened awareness and enlightenment
You must've forgot
You seem to have forgotten
It's The kid from the mountains
Referring to oneself as a humble individual from a humble background
Reincarnate on the block
Reborn and reintroduced to the community
Delivering the fountain
Sharing knowledge and wisdom
To the thirsty cuz it's hot
Providing guidance and enlightenment to those in need
In the desert of the mind
During times of confusion and uncertainty
I do pray for rain drops
Seeking clarity and understanding
Peace
Tranquility, harmony, and inner calm
Ancestors talk to me
Receiving wisdom and guidance from one's predecessors
In my dreams
During moments of subconscious exploration
Beautiful secrets I keep
Preserving and cherishing profound revelations and knowledge
Got a mission
Having a purpose or objective
From a mystic vision
Derived from a transcendental and spiritual experience
And it's hitting different
Having a profound impact and resonating deeply
Write a composition
Crafting a piece of art or expression
No omission
Leaving nothing out, being thorough and complete
Spark the intuition
Igniting and trusting one's inner wisdom and instincts
Step by step
Gradually and steadily
As I walk through the valley
Navigating difficult times or situations
In the shadow of death
Facing mortality and challenges
I feel no threat
Experiencing fearlessness and confidence
The Earth is the block I rep
One's strong connection and loyalty to their community or neighborhood
No fear when I step
Being fearless and self-assured
God steady Clearing the debt
The divine power resolving and releasing burdens
I earned the respect
Gaining admiration and honor through hard work and integrity
C'est la vie
Such is life
They only bring War
They only bring conflict and hostility
But they try to call it Peace
Misrepresenting aggression as harmony
Divide then conquer
Creating divisions in order to gain control
The mark of the Beast
A symbol of evil and oppression
Oppression and control
Suppression and manipulation of people
In the name of Democracy
Using the concept of democracy to justify oppressive actions
Been thru this before
Have experienced this same situation previously
Baby can't you see?
Don't you understand?
I know a better world
I recognize the potential for a more ideal existence
Has to Start with me
The transformation begins within oneself
If I go within
If I delve into my inner self
I can find my peace
Discovering personal harmony and tranquility
At 23
At the age of 23
All these leaders wanna sit with me
Prominent figures seek to engage with and learn from me
Told me that I'm asking questions
Advised me that my inquiries are unconventional
That don't match my history
That are not consistent with my personal background
You a young black kid
Referring to oneself as a young person of African descent
I told them don't you limit me
Asserted that they should not restrict or underestimate me
For as long as I remember
Throughout my entire recollection
I've been hearing symphonies
Experiencing profound and harmonious revelations
I've been having all these dreams
Having significant and meaningful visions during sleep
I've been talking to the Gods
Engaging in spiritual conversations with higher beings
I've been drinking from the stream
Gaining nourishment and inspiration from a source of wisdom
I've been breaking the mirage
Challenging illusions and false perceptions
Now I'm 27
Now that I am 27 years old
I've been talking to my uncle Kevin
Having meaningful conversations with a deceased relative, Uncle Kevin
He recently left the body
Referring to Uncle Kevin's passing away
But He Never Left
Although he is physically gone, his influence and presence remain
And
In addition to that
I feel like this a time loop
I sense a repetition of events and experiences
History repeat itself
Past events reoccur in the present
We gotta Peep the signs oop
We must observe and become aware of the signs and indications
Gotta get out the mind loop
Must break free from repetitive thought patterns and beliefs
Catch me in a lab
Find me in a laboratory, a space of experimentation and creation
Writing spells
Crafting words with magical qualities and intentions
Breaking hell
Challenging and overcoming negativity and turmoil
I inhale
I breathe in
Then exhale
Then breathe out
Then excel
Then progress and succeed
Breaking cells
Disrupting and dismantling oppressive systems
We prevail
We emerge victorious and succeed
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Ryan Jeffrey, Tina Tu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind