After graduating high school at 17, Mereba continued her education at her parents' insistence, attending Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. She eventually transferred in 2009 to the liberal arts women's college Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, seeking to immerse herself in its black culture. Mereba graduated from Spelman with an English degree and a Music minor.
In 2013, Mereba self-released Room For Living EP, under her full name. Mereba collaborated with Atlanta hip-hop collective Spillage Village on their 2015 release, Bears Like This Too. She also has collaborations with Spillage Village members EARTHGANG, JID, and 6LACK, on numerous projects.
In 2018, Mereba was signed by Interscope Records. Singles "Black Truck" and "Planet U" were released in 2018, and would go on to appear in her debut album, The Jungle Is The Only Way Out, released February 27, 2019.
HeatWave
Mereba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better run, run, run like a demon chasin' you
Run, run 'til your face is blue
Run, run
Run, run
You better run, run, run like a demon chasin' you
Run, run 'til your face is blue
For your momma's sake
Long Summer, long Summer, long Summer
Long Summer, it's gon' be a heatwave
Long Summer, all summer
Our Winter's like Summer
Long Summer, long Summer, yeah
Long Summer, long Summer
It's gon' be a heatwave
Long Summer, in our Winter (they killin' niggas)
See they see, see it in your skin, yeah
And they clips got the chips, yeah
They got that heat on they hip, yeah
And they can't wait to let it rip, no no
See they see, see it in your skin, yeah
And they clips got the chips boy
They got that heat on they hip, yeah, uh
And they can't wait to let it rip, no no
Okay, I ain't tryna die on this beautiful day
I couldn't stand the thought of not seeing your beautiful face
So I'ma run like, I've been running the streets right
I mean, run like I just missed the streetlight
I fall flat like I'm trying out for track
'Cause they beat a nigga blue just for loving that he black
My advice is, run like Obama 'fore they catch you like Osama
Better, run like a nose 'fore they catch you like a cold
He got that heater on his hip, yeah
He evil so he might just let it rip, yeah
And I know how to hold nobody shit, yeah
So why the fuck the coppers is on my dick? Yeah, be clear
It's gon' be a long, long summer
Tomorrow's never promised and I sometimes really wonder
When they tell me "keep the peace" do they mean click-clack?
I know we're looking forward but I gotta watch my back
Run, oh
Run, run
Run, run, run
Run, run, ooh
Long Summer, long Summer, long Summer
Long Summer, it's gon' be a heatwave
Long Summer, all summer
Our Winter's like Summer
Long Summer, long Summer, yeah
Long Summer, long Summer
It's gon' be a heatwave
Long Summer, in our Winter, yeah
And he got that heater on his hip
Clip is with the shits
He don't shoot to miss, click-clack, click-click
Got that heater on his hip
Clip is with the shits
He don't shoot to miss, click, clack
And we got that heater on our hip
Clip is with the shits
And we don't shoot to miss, click-clack, click-click
Got that heater on my hip
Who gonna be crying?
Your momma or mine?
Your momma or mine?
The song "Heatwave" by Mereba is a powerful and thought-provoking reflection on the fear and violence that Black individuals face in America. The song starts with a repetitive call to "run," highlighting the urgency and danger of the situation. The lyrics mention the constant threat of physical harm, with references to guns and the "heater on his hip" followed by the refrain of "click-clack" which mimics the sound of a gun being loaded. The repetition of the phrase "long summer" reminds the listener of the extended period of time that Black Americans have to face this violence.
The second verse takes on a more personal tone, as Mereba describes her own fear and anxiety when faced with potential danger. She mentions "beautiful faces" that she would hate to leave behind if she were to die, and the need to run "like Obama" to escape danger. The bridge of the song combines the theme of violence with that of systemic oppression and discrimination, with lyrics that ask whether the police are "on [her] dick" for no reason other than her race.
Line by Line Meaning
Run, run, run
You better run, run, run like a demon chasin' you
You better run, run, run like a demon chasin' you
You should run as fast as you can, like a demon is chasing you
Run, run 'til your face is blue
Keep running until you are out of breath and feel like you can't continue
For your momma's sake
Do it for the sake and safety of your mother
Long Summer, long Summer, long Summer
The summer will be very long
It's gon' be a heatwave
The weather will be very hot
Long Summer, in our Winter (they killin' niggas)
The hot summer will be like a winter, and people are dying in it
See they see, see it in your skin, yeah
People judge and treat you differently based on the color of your skin
And they clips got the chips, yeah
The police have guns with bullets in them
They got that heat on they hip, yeah
The police are armed and ready to use their weapons
And they can't wait to let it rip, no no
They are eager to use their weapons and shoot
Okay, I ain't tryna die on this beautiful day
I don't want to die on a beautiful day
I mean, run like I just missed the streetlight
Run as fast as possible, like you're rushing to catch the streetlight
My advice is, run like Obama 'fore they catch you like Osama
My advice is to run as fast as you can to avoid being caught, like former President Obama's efforts to capture Osama Bin Laden
Better, run like a nose 'fore they catch you like a cold
You should run as fast as a runny nose, to avoid being caught like a cold
He got that heater on his hip, yeah
The police officer has a gun on their hip
He evil so he might just let it rip, yeah
The police officer may use their gun without hesitation, because they are evil
So why the fuck the coppers is on my dick? Yeah, be clear
Why are the police targeting and harassing me?
Tomorrow's never promised and I sometimes really wonder
The future is uncertain, and sometimes I have doubts
When they tell me 'keep the peace' do they mean click-clack?
When the police tell me to keep the peace, does it mean they will use their guns?
I know we're looking forward but I gotta watch my back
I must be cautious and aware of my surroundings, despite moving forward in life
And he got that heater on his hip
The police still have their guns ready
Got that heater on his hip
The police officer has a gun
And we got that heater on our hip
We are also carrying weapons to protect ourselves
Who gonna be crying?
Who will be upset and grieving?
Your momma or mine?
Will it be your mother or mine?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Marian Azeb Mereba, Ricardo Valdez Valentine Jr., Sam Hoffman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@c.cosman3674
6lack is why i clicked so quick, Mereba is why I stayed.
@drewm1808
She's a beast! I hadn't really given him my ear, previously, but he's got skills too.
@cadkammie5684
Too
@ronellefaithlukas1605
Mereba, i don't think you understand how obsessed I am with your music. Keep it up. Much love 🇿🇦
@ketumilemasha4727
Her name sounds so South Africa
@kabelothato7162
@@ketumilemasha4727 that's what I thought as well
@natnaelgetachew3654
@@ketumilemasha4727 it's Ethiopian, she's Ethiopian
@pranielkalidas9343
Represent 🤘🇿🇦
@bhongonkumanda7630
🇿🇦
@psychomantis1809
"Time tells, listen
Attention is a currency
No ruler can size you
Every colour is inside you" ❤️🙏🏼