Bursting onto the scene is Zimbabwe-born, Canadian hip-hop newcomer Charmai… Read Full Bio ↴Bursting onto the scene is Zimbabwe-born, Canadian hip-hop newcomer Charmaine, with her début single “Bold.”
Born January 1st 1996, Charmaine started writing music when she was seventeen.
Her biggest inspirations were Missy Eliott, Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj & more!
At first glance, you can see Charmaine challenging society’s status quo and in her own way sends a statement of what it means to be able to do it all while being a strong independent Black woman. She wants to welcome listeners of all backgrounds to consider the experiences of self-discovery, growth, reclamation, culture, healing, and most importantly fun.
“I want people to feel like they can do anything, be anything, they don’t have to pretend to be something they’re not. I want them to step into their own power,” Charmaine says while speaking about the new single.

Empire
Charmaine Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah

Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah

Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah

Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah

The light
Unsung
Ghosting the notes in my head

The wait
That hums back to humming

I'm gonna love you like an Empire
Build you up and make the flames higher
Keep it burning like a wildfire
I wouldn't have it any other way

The rise
Undone
Still this heart bloats in my chest

The way
No one hears my calling

I'm gonna love you like an Empire
Build you up and make the flames higher
Keep it burning like a wildfire
I wouldn't have it any other way

Oh-oh-oh, ooh!

Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah

I'm gonna love you like an Empire
(Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah, ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah)
I'm gonna love you like an Empire
(Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah, ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah)

I'm gonna love you like an Empire
Build you up and make the flames higher
Keep it burning like a wildfire
With the fury that will never char

I'm gonna love you like an Empire
I wouldn't have it any other way

I'm gonna love you like an Empire
Build you up and make the flames higher

Keep it burning like a wildfire
I wouldn't have it any other way

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Charmaine's song "Empire" express unconditional love and dedication towards a significant other. The light is unsung, and the notes are ghosting in the singer's head. The wait is humming back to humming, and though the rise is undone, the heart still floats in the chest. But no one hears the singer's calling. Despite it all, the singer declares that they are going to love their partner like an empire. They will build them up and make the flames higher, keep the love burning like a wildfire, and they wouldn't have it any other way. The singer loves their partner with a fury that will never char.

The repetitiveness of "Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah" in the beginning, the middle, and the ending of the song creates a catchy and memorable melody throughout the song. The simple and straightforward language of the lyrics enhances the message of the song without any confusion or misinterpretation. The use of figurative language such as "love you like an Empire" and "keep it burning like wildfire" makes the song poetic and emotionally affective.

Line by Line Meaning

Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ah
Repetition of sound for emphasis

The light
Reference to an idea or feeling

Unsung
Not expressed or talked about

Ghosting the notes in my head
Haunting my thoughts

The wait
A period of anticipation

That hums back to humming
Returning to a state of anticipation

I'm gonna love you like an Empire
I will love you with great intensity and power

Build you up and make the flames higher
Make our love stronger and more intense

Keep it burning like a wildfire
Maintain our passionate relationship

I wouldn't have it any other way
I want it to be this way, I am content

The rise
The ascent or growth