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.
Love of Reign
Gonjasufi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Upon the children with a rainbow's play
Take me ya'll into another plane
The only counter music doesn't change
Save me now from them golden days
My body finally start to decay
Far across from his mother's pain
His sister never knew her brother's name
I never lied you for the price of fame
No need for your umbrella- feel the love of reign
All of a sudden you're buzzed and chained
It's so enslaving, day by day
Fold into the pavement while we pray
While we pray
While we pray
Day by day
The love of reign.
The lyrics of Gonjasufi's "Love of Reign" are open to interpretation, but what is clear is that the song is about the struggle between love, power, and decay. The opening lines of the song, "making love with angel's prey, upon the children with a rainbow's play," suggests a sense of innocence and beauty, but this is quickly followed by a plea to be taken into another plane, and an acknowledgement that music cannot counter or change everything.
The verse that begins with, "save me now from them golden days," seems to be a reflection on the inevitability of aging and mortality, and the distance and alienation between family members. The line, "with blood we share the love was gained," may be a reference to both the bonds between family members and the sacrifices made for success. The song then turns to a rejection of fame and the false promises of success, "I never lied you for the price of fame, no need for your umbrella- feel the love of reign."
The repetition of "day by day" and "while we pray," suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance of the struggles and ups and downs of life. The "love of reign" may be a reference to the power of love, but it may also be a reflection on the ways in which love can be used to control and manipulate others.
Line by Line Meaning
Making love with angel's prey
Engaging in intimate activity with a pure and innocent individual
Upon the children with a rainbow's play
Taking advantage of vulnerable and naive individuals for pleasure
Take me ya'll into another plane
Escaping from reality to a different mindset or state of being
The only counter music doesn't change
The only form of resistance that remains consistent and effective
Save me now from them golden days
Rescuing me from a time when everything appeared perfect but was actually filled with corruption and superficiality
My body finally start to decay
My physical form is deteriorating and coming to an end
Far across from his mother's pain
Being distant and disconnected from the emotional distress of a maternal figure
His sister never knew her brother's name
Being estranged from a sibling, to the point where they don't even recognize their own family member
With blood we share the love was gained
Becoming united through shared experiences of pain or hardship
I never lied you for the price of fame
I never deceived you in exchange for public recognition or success
No need for your umbrella- feel the love of reign
There's no need for protection or avoidance- fully experience the power and influence of love
All of a sudden you're buzzed and chained
Suddenly becoming entrapped and bound to a destructive lifestyle or relationship
It's so enslaving, day by day
It's a gradual but inescapable cycle of control and manipulation
Fold into the pavement while we pray
Submitting and surrendering to a higher power while being grounded in reality
While we pray
While we seek guidance or strength from a spiritual force
Day by day
Continuously and consistently over time
The love of reign.
The powerful and undeniable force of love that reigns over all else
Contributed by Sydney G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.