The eldest so… Read Full Bio ↴Kenna Zemedkun is an Ethiopian-born American musician.
The eldest son of an immigrant family relocated to Virginia Beach (and later raised in Cincinnati, Ohio), Kenna began to express an interest in music upon receiving a copy of U2's The Joshua Tree. More records by influential artists such as The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, The Cure and The Cars followed, and remain as inspiration and influence of Kenna's music today. With the release of his first single, "Hell Bent", Kenna gained moderate popularity and an underground following of fans who eagerly awaited the release of his debut album, New Sacred Cow. After many delays and swapping of record labels, the album was finally released under Columbia Records in 2003. A subsequent North American tour was launched in the Summer of 2003 with Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan.
The album, which was co-produced by Chad Hugo of The Neptunes, is difficult to place in a single genre, containing elements of Electronica, Synth pop, Post rock, and House music. Two singles, "Sunday After You" and "Freetime" followed the release of the album; the music video of the latter, along with "Hell Bent", appear sporadically on MTV2.
A second album, titled "Make Sure They See My Face," was released in October 2007.
Kenna has also contributed to many other tracks by bands associated with Chad Hugo or The Neptunes, including but not limited to "Spiral" from William Orbit's album Hello Waveforms and "Red to Black" and "The Hard Way" off of The Rising Tied, the first album from Mike Shinoda's Fort Minor (although the second cut is only available as a bonus track, on the limited edition version of the album).
Man Fading
Kenna Lyrics
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I wanted to be natural
This god should be fantastic
Lets start a revolution
A true revolution
I haven't felt the same
Since I arrived I haven't slept a wink
I've been a little bit jaded
Everybody wants to get on
The neon lights have got it all
I'm living a sensation
Walk inside invasions
Nobody wants to really know
The neon lights have got it all
The neon lights
I need to be elected, perfected
Needs beyond the blue
Feel the satisfaction
I want to be a light source
A blaring night force
I haven't felt the same
Since I arrived I haven't slept a wink
And this is how it starts
Before we lose it all
I know we're not coming
God knows when I'm gone
I'm just a man fading
I've been a little bit jaded
Everybody wants to get on
The neon lights have got it all
I'm living a sensation
Walk inside invasions
Nobody really wants to know
The neon lights have got it all
The neon lights
Well, this is how it starts
Before we lose it all
I know we're not coming
God knows when I'm gone
I'm just a man fading
I've been a little bit jaded
Everybody wants to get on
The neon lights have got it all
I'm living a sensation
Walk inside invasions
Nobody wants to really know
The neon lights have got it all
I'm just a man fading
I've been a little bit jaded
Everybody wants to get on
The neon lights have got it all
I'm living a sensation
Walk inside invasions
Nobody wants to really know
The neon lights have got it all
The neon lights
"Man Fading" by Kenna is about a man who is struggling to keep up with the fast-paced and superficial world around him. He craves brilliance and perfection but realizes that the neon lights and invasions of this world have gotten the best of him. The lyrics suggest that he feels like he is fading away and has become jaded. He expresses his desire for a true revolution and to be a light source that brings a different kind of satisfaction rather than feeding into the superficiality of this world. Through the lyrics, it seems like the man is trapped in a cycle of trying to be someone he is not and feeling like he is losing himself in the process.
The repetition of "I'm just a man fading" emphasizes the feeling of being lost and deteriorating in this world. The use of "neon lights" as a metaphor for the superficiality of society and how it has taken over everything is quite effective. The lyrics suggest that the man feels like no one really wants to know him beyond the surface level and that everyone is just trying to get on in this world.
The line "God knows when I'm gone" implies that the man is aware of his mortality and that he wants to leave something true and worthwhile behind. The song suggests a desire for change but also acknowledges the difficulty and harsh reality of trying to resist and change something so ingrained in society.
Line by Line Meaning
I need to be brilliant, electric
I desire to be outstanding and charmingly energetic
I wanted to be natural
I initially had a desire to be authentic and true to myself
This god should be fantastic
The divine being or power that is supposed to exist needs to be incredible
Lets start a revolution
We should initiate a complete change or transformation in society, politics or culture
A true revolution
An authentic and significant reform, alteration or reconstitution
I haven't felt the same
I have not experienced a similar feeling or sensation as before
Since I arrived I haven't slept a wink
Ever since I came, I haven't had a good night's rest
I'm just a man fading
I am merely a human waning in significance
I've been a little bit jaded
I have become a bit cynical and tired of the ways things are
Everybody wants to get on
Everyone is eager to join, succeed or be recognized
The neon lights have got it all
The bright and flashy lights symbolize the entirety of what people want and crave for
I'm living a sensation
I am experiencing a strong and positive feeling
Walk inside invasions
I have to deal with invasions or intrusions to my personal space or life
Nobody wants to really know
No one is genuinely interested or concerned about me or my reality
Well, this is how it starts
The beginning of the end is starting to take shape or form
Before we lose it all
Prior to losing everything, wealth, influence or power
I know we're not coming
I am aware that we are not going back or returning to where we used to be
God knows when I'm gone
No one knows when I will leave this earth or when I will be forgotten
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHAD HUGO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jon gee
Kenna rocks! I discovered him when he opened for Dave Gahan in '03! I was so impressed I bought his CD at the concert, right after his set!
NavarroNewtonMusic
Still an album for the ages
qevans03
I guess it's soo dope nobody has anything to say... Just simply awesome! lol...
You've Been Lied To
how dare you ppl not comment on this awesome song lol {P.S.} first
Shelcey Gusek
Who disliked this?
slaps them
Kendrick Dickson
Chad Hugo/ the neptunes work