Mattafix released their first single "11.30 (Dirtiest Trick In Town)" as a limited edition single on Buddhist Punk Records on 31st January 2005. Their first full single, "Big City Life", released by EMI on 8th August 2005 was a considerable hit, managing a #15 peak on the official UK chart, a big feat for a UK R&B/hip-hop group, and topped the charts in Germany, Czech, Austria and other European countries. Their third single, "Passer By" was released on 24th October 2005, unfortunately missing the UK top 75. The single preceded their debut album "Signs Of A Struggle", which was released a week later on 31st October 2005.
The group have toured with the likes of Jamiroquai and Joss Stone on their UK tours. The fourth single from their debut album, "Signs Of A Struggle" was "To & Fro", which features backing vocals from former Sugababe Siobhan Donaghy. The single was released as a download only single on 13th March 2006.
Big City Life debuted at #19 on the Australian Music Charts and reached #1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.
Signs Of A Struggle was a Triple J feature album in April 2006.
In April 2010, Marlon Roudette made a video appearance where he spoke about recording and making the record in his home-based studio. However, via Facebook, it was announced that Roudette and Hirji had gone separate ways, due to their different new ideas for future projects, which has brought abundant attention to fans. He is yet to come up with his new artist name; whether to stay with the name Mattafix, or choose a new stage name; perhaps his own. "Mattafix presents...Marlon..." was a quote from a late 2010 YouTube video, as an updated possibility for his album title and/or stage name. Marlon Roudette has confirmed that the new album is "not a radical shift but definitely different. More instrumentation and more in depth musical compositions." Marlon Roudette has stated that the album is pretty much completed, but the album is still being "fine tuned". His first solo album Matter Fixed was released on 2 September 2011. His sophomore effort Electric Soul on 8 August 2014.
Living Darfur
Mattafix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies.
Where it seems there are only borderlines
Where others turn and sigh,
You shall rise (x2)
There's disaster in your past
Boundaries in your path
You don't have to be extraordinary, just forgiving
Those who never heard your cries,
You shall rise (x2)
And look toward the skies.
Where others fail, you prevail in time.
You shall rise.
(You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low) (x4)
You shall rise (x3)
Sooner or later we must try... Living
(You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low) (x4)
See the nation through the people's eyes,
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies.
Where it seems there are only borderlines
Where others turn and sigh,
You shall rise (x4)
(You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low) [4x]
Sooner or later we must try... Living
Mattafix’s song “Living Darfur” is a powerful and emotional call to action. The opening lines, “See the nation through the people’s eyes, see tears that flow like rivers from the skies” sets the tone for the entire song as it portrays the people of Darfur suffering and crying out for help. The lyrics describe a place where there are only “borderlines” separating and dividing the people, but together they will rise up and overcome their circumstances. The chorus emphasizes the message of hope and strength: “You shall rise, and look towards the skies, where others fail, you prevail in time. You shall rise.”
The second verse acknowledges the struggles and obstacles that the people of Darfur face, such as disasters in their past and boundaries in their path, but the lyrics encourage them to desire something greater and to lift themselves higher. The idea of forgiveness is also introduced as a way to move forward and rise above the pain and suffering inflicted on them by others. The repetition of “You shall rise” throughout the song emphasizes the importance of unity, resilience, and hope in the face of adversity.
Overall, “Living Darfur” is a powerful anthem advocating for justice and peace for the people of Darfur. The lyrics encourage listeners to recognize and empathize with the struggles of others and to take action to make a positive change in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
See the nation through the people's eyes,
Take a perspective of the country from the viewpoint of its people.
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies.
Observe the abundance of sorrow and grief among communities.
Where it seems there are only borderlines
Despite societal limitations and restrictions, there is hope.
Where others turn and sigh,
Instead of negative attitudes towards the situation, a positive perspective can bring change.
You shall rise (x2)
Empowering message to persevere and strive for better, despite obstacles.
There's disaster in your past
Acknowledging historical turmoil and devastation.
Boundaries in your path
Current constraints and hurdles the country and its people face.
What do you desire when lift you higher?
Aspirations and goals for a brighter future and improved living conditions.
You don't have to be extraordinary, just forgiving
Not needing to do anything extremely remarkable, just forgiving and understanding towards those who haven't been in their shoes.
Those who never heard your cries,
Those who may not be aware of the struggles and suffering of the people.
And look toward the skies.
Maintain optimism and hope, towards a better future.
Where others fail, you prevail in time.
Despite past failed attempts, progress and success is still possible with time and resilience.
(You may never know,
Reminder of the uncertainty of the future outcomes.
If you lay low, lay low) (x4)
Continued reminder to overcome challenges and strive for better, rather than giving up.
Sooner or later we must try... Living
Urging to take action and live life to the fullest, despite circumstances.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHICCO TWALA, MARLON ROUDETTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sw_marcelina5538
See the nation through the people's eyes
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies
Where it seems there are only border-lines
Where others turn and sigh
You shall rise
You shall rise
There's disaster in your past
Boundaries in your path
What you desire will lift you higher
You don't have to be extraordinary just forgiving
Of those who never heard your cries
You shall rise
You shall rise
And look towards the skies
Where others fail you'll prevail in time
You shall rise
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You shall rise
You shall rise
You shall rise
Sooner or later we must try living
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
See the nation through the people's eyes
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies
And where it seems there are only border-lines
Where others turn and sigh
You shall rise
You shall rise
You shall rise
You shall rise
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
You may never know if you lay low, lay low
Sooner or later we must try living
@stevenrussellpascal
Here is the Zulu part
awu indoda yam hayi bayibulele bo
hayi indoda yam hayi ababanda bam
ukubu izi ingane zabo zodlala zibuzwa
ingane ezingane zabo zodlala zibaliswa
And the Google translation
Oh, my husband, they killed him,
oh, my husband, they are cold,
my children are being asked by their children,
their children are being told.
@aromevictor1544
2023 still listening to this song...heart touching ❤❤
@deborahgumbo475
2021...still here,the song still touches my heart ❤
@rosemeriseimetz37
Same me
@BBSAMIRA
2022 ❤️🔥
@velaqwabe5585
Produced by South African icon,Chicco Twala
@user-ch9xj3st4h
❤️
@NoboBono
❤Me too❤2021+2022+
@ostasuclassicmusic9660
2022 and it goes on and on !!! BLESS UP MATTAFIX , PLease comeback with an album <3
@TheDinhaDoida
2023 e eu ainda escutando essa bela canção extraordinária! Nunca enjoa ❤️ 🇧🇷
@mohamedshabeer7175
Evergreen !