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.
rumble
Afu-Ra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No matter what happens in life, precise and nothing scares me
Even the bombs is exploding all around me
I be the type of man, who stand his ground, firmly
I'm compulsive, psychotic in the mental
A walking fear factor, seven thirty, it's that simple
I've been exposed to a universe of negative fallout
Instead, I put vocals to the beats and get it popping
The harm glare right through the track, I feel like rocking
But back to the program, damn
My evil and is taking over like I'm sinking in some quicksand
Really I feel like going up in a blaze, hot damn
I'm a cross of Jack the Ripper and the Son of Sam
It's like I'm living five lives and of five guys
With five million ways to bust heads, so forgive my slide
I said yo, yo, do you wanna rumble?
Come and rumble with me
I've been working out these problems in my mind
Imagine yourself free falling, falling and falling
A thousand story's, after diggin' some stars in scrolls
That's how I feel, twenty-four hours a day
From Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Friday and even on Saturday, it's like I'm trapped in a box
Uh-huh, going to war with myself
So I can't stop thinking about killing myself
So I do what I do, to do what I do, to break the rules
Only form of therapy is to spit it for you
Charismatically drastic with this rap shit
Thoughts are falling off but send them back like elastic
Get the politic sorrows in the music game
I'm trynna make sense of corruption in my brain
I hope this part of my life, don't want war with my seeds
Masturbation of pornos, wrapped in best flame
The little things, that's gon' drive me insane
I said yo, yo, do you wanna rumble?
Come and rumble with me
I've been working out these problems in my mind
Yo, do you wanna rumble?
Come and rumble with me
I've been working out these problems in my mind
I'm in hell, raised in lyrically blazing
To make a long story short, I'm half man, half amazing
Sometimes I don't know whether I'm coming or going
So I dive head first into the track and keep flowing and flowing
My hearts on my sleeve, my loves growing and growing
That's how I like, from the music I make rumble
From the forty come licks, that's right I watch 'em crumble
Survival of the fittest, this business means business
Gotta say what I mean, gotta handle to my business
I'm one soldier fighting against a whole army
I'm little with bullets, yeah and none of them harming
My third eye, six stones, the eyes on the prize
Going from knowledge, build the wise
And if I ain't successful
In the back of my mind, I gotta wonder why
I keep my nose, yeah, fit to the grindstone
Going and showing and growing top of these fucking poems
I said yo, yo, do you wanna rumble?
Come and rumble with me
I've been working out these problems in my mind
Yo, yo, do you wanna rumble?
Come and rumble with me
I've been working out these problems in my mind
Yo, yo, do you wanna rumble?
Come and rumble with me
I've been working out these problems in my mind
Yo, yo, do you wanna rumble?
Come and rumble with me
I've been working out these problems in my mind
And do you wanna rumble?
And do you wanna rumble?
And do you wanna rumble?
And do you wanna rumble?
The song Rumble by Afu-Ra is a lyrically intensive track that explores the mental state of the rapper as he confronts his own demons. Throughout the song, Afu-Ra describes himself as a "problem child" and his "own worst enemy". He details how he is a fearless individual who is not afraid of anything, including the exploding bombs that surround him. Afu-Ra credits his strength to his ability to stand his ground firmly. He mentions that he is compulsive and psychotic with a razor-sharp focus; it's that simple. Despite being exposed to negative fallout, Afu-Ra is determined to keep moving forward.
Throughout the lyrics of Rumble, Afu-Ra delves deep into his own psyche as he reflects on his life's problems. He describes feeling like he is free-falling and trapped like he's in a box for 24 hours a day. Afu-Ra discusses his internal conflict, admitting that he thinks about killing himself since he can't get the little things right in his life. His only form of therapy is to let it all out in his music, delivering lyrics that are both charismatic and drastic.
Overall, Rumble by Afu-Ra is a powerful song that provides a glimpse into the inner workings of a man who is struggling with his own mental health. The song encourages the listener to confront their own demons, face their problems head-on, and take control of their own destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a problem child, I'm my own worst enemy
I can be difficult to deal with and often sabotage myself.
No matter what happens in life, precise and nothing scares me
I am confident and fearless, even in the face of danger.
Even the bombs is exploding all around me
I am unfazed by chaos and disruption.
I be the type of man, who stand his ground, firmly
I am unmovable in my beliefs and convictions.
I'm compulsive, psychotic in the mental
I struggle with obsessive and unstable thoughts.
A walking fear factor, seven thirty, it's that simple
I am intimidating and scary to those around me.
I've been exposed to a universe of negative fallout
I have experienced a lot of negative and harmful situations in life.
The fact that I move on nothing, it makes me wanna ball out
The idea that I am unaffected by negative events makes me want to act out or rebel.
Instead, I put vocals to the beats and get it popping
I find release and expression through making music.
The harm glare right through the track, I feel like rocking
My anger and intensity is channeled into my music, making it powerful and energizing.
But back to the program, damn
Despite my emotional turmoil, I try to stay focused on my goals and work.
My evil and is taking over like I'm sinking in some quicksand
My negative thoughts and emotions can sometimes consume me and overwhelm me.
Really I feel like going up in a blaze, hot damn
Sometimes I feel like I am so out of control that I might as well just self-destruct.
I'm a cross of Jack the Ripper and the Son of Sam
I am a dangerous and unpredictable combination of violent personalities.
It's like I'm living five lives and of five guys
My mind is constantly shifting and changing, making me feel like I am multiple people at once.
With five million ways to bust heads, so forgive my slide
I have a lot of pent-up aggression and often struggle to control it.
I said yo, yo, do you wanna rumble?
Do you want to fight or argue with me?
Come and rumble with me
Let's engage in a conflict or confrontation.
I've been working out these problems in my mind
I am trying to process and deal with my inner turmoil.
Imagine yourself free falling, falling and falling
I feel like I am constantly spiraling out of control and have no sense of stability or security.
A thousand story's, after diggin' some stars in scrolls
My mind is a jumbled mess of conflicting thoughts and memories.
That's how I feel, twenty-four hours a day
My inner turmoil is a constant presence in my life, never truly going away.
From Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Every day of the week, my struggles continue to consume me.
Friday and even on Saturday, it's like I'm trapped in a box
Even on the weekends or days off, I feel confined and trapped by my inner struggles.
Uh-huh, going to war with myself
I am constantly battling my own thoughts and emotions.
So I can't stop thinking about killing myself
My struggles with mental health often make me contemplate suicide.
So I do what I do, to do what I do, to break the rules
I often rebel against social norms or expectations to cope with my inner turmoil.
Only form of therapy is to spit it for you
My music is my outlet for processing and expressing my emotions.
Charismatically drastic with this rap shit
I am charismatic and intense in my approach to making music.
Thoughts are falling off but send them back like elastic
Although my thoughts can be scattered, I am able to pull them back together and channel them into my music.
Get the politic sorrows in the music game
I aim to address political and social issues through my music.
I'm trynna make sense of corruption in my brain
Through music, I am trying to understand and process the twisted thoughts and emotions in my mind.
I hope this part of my life, don't want war with my seeds
I hope that my personal struggles do not negatively impact my family or future children.
Masturbation of pornos, wrapped in best flame
I sometimes turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, like pornography, to deal with my struggles.
The little things, that's gon' drive me insane
Small triggers or stressors can cause my inner turmoil to flare up and become overwhelming.
I'm in hell, raised in lyrically blazing
I feel like I am in a constant state of turmoil or chaos, but I use music to help me cope.
To make a long story short, I'm half man, half amazing
I am flawed and struggle with mental health, but I also have a lot of talent and creativity to offer.
Sometimes I don't know whether I'm coming or going
My inner turmoil can be disorienting and confusing.
So I dive head first into the track and keep flowing and flowing
I use music as a way to escape and ignore my problems, allowing me to keep going and pushing through.
My hearts on my sleeve, my loves growing and growing
I am open and vulnerable in my music, sharing my emotions and allowing myself to grow.
From the forty come licks, that's right I watch 'em crumble
My music is powerful and meaningful, able to impact and inspire others.
Survival of the fittest, this business means business
The music industry is cutthroat and competitive, with only the strongest surviving.
Gotta say what I mean, gotta handle to my business
I need to be honest and true to myself in my music, while also staying on top of the business side of things.
I'm one soldier fighting against a whole army
I am often fighting against my own inner demons, but it can feel like I am fighting against the entire world.
I'm little with bullets, yeah and none of them harming
Despite my vulnerability and struggles, I am not completely powerless.
My third eye, six stones, the eyes on the prize
I am focused on achieving success and staying true to my vision.
Going from knowledge, build the wise
I am constantly learning and growing, using my experiences to become wiser and more mature.
And if I ain't successful
If I don't achieve my goals or become successful in my music career,
In the back of my mind, I gotta wonder why
I will inevitably question and analyze what went wrong and what I could have done differently.
I keep my nose, yeah, fit to the grindstone
I stay focused and dedicated to my work, even through difficult times.
Going and showing and growing top of these fucking poems
I am always striving to improve and create impactful, meaningful music.
And do you wanna rumble?
Do you want to engage in conflict or confrontation with me?
And do you wanna rumble?
Do you want to engage in conflict or confrontation with me?
And do you wanna rumble?
Do you want to engage in conflict or confrontation with me?
And do you wanna rumble?
Do you want to engage in conflict or confrontation with me?
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: Aaron Phillip, E. Steinen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind