In 2009 a voice materialized from the windswept void of the California dese… Read Full Bio ↴In 2009 a voice materialized from the windswept void of the California desert. At once haunting and oddly welcoming, it hasn't been your mind playing tricks on you, it's Gonjasufi. Combining international psychedelia and the new-school beat diaspora, Gonjasufi's dark songwriting, affecting vocals and street-mystic vibe will leave an indelible mark.

Sumach Ecks was born in San Diego to a Hispanic mother and an Ethiopian father. He has been musically active since the 1990s, when he rapped with Masters of the Universe and self-released some solo albums under the name Sumach. In 2008 he made his first two notable appearances on record: rapping a verse on "Anything Is Possible" (on the album Johnson&Jonson by Blu and Mainframe) and singing on "Testament" (on the album Los Angeles by Flying Lotus). The latter garnered Ecks a great deal of attention, and led to him being signed to Warp Records and releasing A Sufi and a Killer under the moniker "Gonjasufi" in 2010.

Since signing to Warp, Ecks has also released three more records: The Caliph's Tea Party in 2010, The 9th Inning EP in 2011 and MU.ZZ.LE in 2012.

Candylane
Gonjasufi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Candylanes
Dem streets of love
So deep in love
Covered with sheets of past
And candy canes
So sweet in love
Let's keep in touch
Wondered even so

With these fancy games
Ha-haa
Cadylaned
The secret price
To seek advice
How to keep your life
Candy chained
Backed by freedoms words
Act with peaceful verbs
Packing peaceful pipes

On left your familys name
Ha-hoo

Overall Meaning

In Gonjasufi's song Candylane, he uses abstract and poetic language to explore the idea of love and how it can be both sweet and painful. He describes the streets of love as "covered with sheets of past" and "candy canes", emphasizing the nostalgia and sweetness of love, but also the potential for it to be fleeting and temporary. The chorus encourages the listener to "keep in touch" and continue playing "fancy games" to maintain a connection to this elusive concept of love.

The second verse introduces the theme of sacrifice, as Gonjasufi sings about the "secret price" of seeking advice on how to keep your life. He uses the metaphor of "Candy chained" to describe the temptation and addiction that can come with trying to maintain a relationship or hold onto love. However, he also suggests that there is a way to balance this desire with the need for personal freedom and autonomy. The lines "Act with peaceful verbs/Packing peaceful pipes" imply a sense of mindfulness and self-reflection, even in the face of temptation or pressure from others.

Line by Line Meaning

Candylanes
Referring to the streets of love that are covered with the sheets of the past and candy canes

Dem streets of love
The streets that represent love

So deep in love
The love runs deep in the streets and the entire environment

Covered with sheets of past
The past is influencing the present state of the streets

And candy canes
These candy canes are sweet decorations all around

So sweet in love
The love is sweet and inviting

Let's keep in touch
Let's stay connected and engaged

Wondered even so
Despite everything, there's still wonder in life

With these fancy games
Despite difficulties, there are still fun and games in life

Ha-haa
The author is reflecting and engaging in the moment

Cadylaned
The author reflects on the pattern of the paths of his life