Crossan's self-titled debut album was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Recording Package at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, making him the first artist to be nominated as both a musician and creative director for the same album. His remix of Haim's "Walking Away" won Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
Early life
Crossan was born and raised in Guernsey. After playing guitar, bass, drums and singing in local punk, hardcore, deathcore and gospel bands, Crossan started self-producing at the age of 15, "searching for samples on YouTube and other corners of the internet". He entered the electronic music scene after learning about Hudson Mohawke and streamed music via YouTube, where he discovered James Blake, Cashmere Cat and SBTRKT. Crossan's influences, including Gorillaz and The Smiths, inspired him to write music and learn to play different instruments. At 16, Crossan started to make electronic songs using Ableton Live, and uploaded them to SoundCloud the following year under the alias Mura Masa, taken from Japanese swordsmith Muramasa Sengo.
At 17, Crossan uploaded his first tracks, remixes and bootlegs to SoundCloud. The track "Lotus Eater" was picked up by BBC Radio 1 with Zane Lowe, Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart all playing the song on their shows. After leaving Guernsey to study English literature at University of Sussex in Brighton, Crossan began playing his music live, with sold-out shows at the Green Door Store in Brighton and Electrowerkz in London. Crossan started his career by posting a mixtape called Soundtrack to a Death to SoundCloud in 2014. The mixtape was subsequently distributed globally by German label Jakarta Records.
Someday Somewhere: 2015–2016
Crossan signed to his own label Anchor Point Records in 2015, in partnership with Polydor Records and Interscope Records who distribute in the UK and in North America respectively. As well as Mura Masa records, the label has released music by Dublin artist Bonzai and post-music duo Jadu Heart.
In April 2015, he released his debut EP Someday Somewhere, with lead track "Firefly" being chosen for the In New Music We Trust playlist at BBC Radio 1. Released via Anchor Point, the EP featured UK vocalists Nao, Denai Moore and Jay Prince. The track "Lovesick" from the EP reached number 1 on the Spotify viral charts in the UK and USA. On 27 April 2015 he broadcast a 60-minute mix on the BBC Radio 1 show Diplo and Friends Alex was long-listed for the 'BBC Sound of... 2016' in December 2015, and placed 5th overall in the shortlist in January 2016.
On 15 March 2016, he unveiled the second single "What If I Go?" from his upcoming album. On 30 September 2016, he released his collaborative single titled "Love$ick" featuring American rapper ASAP Rocky via Anchor Point and Downtown/Interscope Records. The song is a newer version of Masa's 2015 single "Lovesick Fuck". Crossan said he arranged a meeting to discuss the collaboration with Rocky when he happened to be in London for several days. An official music video for the song was published on 3 November 2016 by Mura Masa's VEVO channel on YouTube.
Mura Masa: 2017–present
Crossan co-wrote the track "First Things First" on Stormzy's Gang Signs & Prayer, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number 1 on 3 March 2017. The track also entered the singles chart at number 25. On 17 March 2017, he released "1 Night", a collaboration with Charli XCX. Speaking about the collaboration, he said "I think I just had that beat lying around for a while and we sent it to a couple of people. Then Charli just did her thing".
Crossan released his self-titled debut studio album, Mura Masa on 14 July 2017. It was released on 14 July 2017 by Polydor, Interscope, Downtown and Anchor Point Records. The album was produced and recorded from 2014 to 2016, and has guest features by A. K. Paul, ASAP Rocky, Bonzai, Charli XCX, Christine and the Queens, Damon Albarn, Desiigner, Jamie Lidell, NAO and Tom Tripp. Upon release, it received positive reviews by critics, and debuted at number 19 on the UK Albums Chart and at 192 on the US Billboard 200. The album received nominations for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Recording Package at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.
In June, Crossan worked with Nile Rodgers-organised collective Chic on the band's comeback album, It's About Time. He featured alongside Cosha and Vic Mensa on the comeback single "Till the World Falls", which was released on 22 June 2018. Before that, 12 June 2018, the band also premiered another song from the album "Boogie All Night", which features Crossan, alongside working affiliate Nao. Crossan's remix of Haim's "Walking Away" won Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards on 10 February 2019.
Firefly
Mura Masa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Embers risin' up into night flights
Up on my back, I feel the static and awe
Tripping the wire, surrounded in time
I see this is mystical, I'm sure that you know
See this is mystical, I'm sure that you know
Just say you'll be my firefly
Just say you'll be my firefly
Take everything or nothing at all
Just say, "Yes"
Just say, "Yes"
Just say
"I'd rather have everything than nothing at all"
Just say, "Yes"
Starry-eyed and under folds
Images I pictured in skies
Trickling, I tried to close
Negative weight on my back, I feel the the static and awe
Tripping the wire, surrounded in time
I see this is mystical, I'm sure that you know
See this is mystical, I'm sure that you know
Just say you'll be my firefly
Take everything or nothing at all
Just say you'll be my firefly
Take everything or nothing at all
Just say, "Yes"
Just say, "Yes"
Just say
"I'd rather have everything than nothing at all"
Just say, "Yes"
In Mura Masa's song Firefly, the singer encounters a moment of mysticism as they witness the pavement turning into gold and rising up into their eyes. Despite feeling the weight of the world on their back and the static that surrounds them, they see this moment as something truly special and magical. The singer then asks someone to be their firefly, someone to light up their darkness and guide them through the weight of the world. They ask this person to take everything or nothing at all, emphasizing the importance of their presence in their life.
The chorus repeats the request for someone to be their firefly and to take everything or nothing at all. The repetition of "just say yes" also emphasizes the importance of this person's answer. The second verse begins with the singer apologizing for not having any answers to their questions, and for the images they've conjured up in their mind. Despite this, they still feel the weight on their back and the static that surrounds them, and continue to see their experience as something mystically significant.
Overall, the song Firefly is an exploration of seeking connection and finding something magical in even the most mundane moments of life. The singer seeks someone to be their guide and light, emphasizing the importance of their presence in taking everything or nothing at all.
Line by Line Meaning
Pavement's turning into gold
The surroundings are transforming into something valuable and special.
And it's risin' up into my eyes
It's becoming more and more noticeable and captivating to me.
Up on my back I feel the static and more
I sense something electric or powerful behind me.
Tripping the wire, surrounded in time
I'm treading a dangerous path, living in the present moment.
I see this as mystical
I perceive this as something magical and beyond rational explanation.
I'm sure that you know
I believe you feel the same way.
Just say
You'll be my firefly
Take everything or nothing at all
Express your commitment to being a constant source of light and guidance in my life, even if it means giving everything or nothing.
Just say "yes"
Simply agree to my request.
Just say
"I'd rather have everything than nothing at all"
Indicate that you strive for abundance and fulfillment, rather than settling for less or nothing at all.
Sorry I've got none to pose
My apologies for not having any grace or poise in this moment.
Images I pictured inside
The mental images and ideas I've conjured up and held within my mind.
Everything I've tried to close
Despite my efforts to keep things contained and controlled.
Carrying the weight on my back I feel the static and more
Bearing the burden of responsibility, I sense even more pressure and energy building up around me.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alexander Crossan, Neo Jessica Joshua
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@majesticcasual
Mura Masa - Firefly Lyrics
Pavement's turning into gold
And it's risin' up into my eyes
Up on my back I feel the static more
Tripping the wire, surrounded in time
I see this as mystical
I'm sure that you know (x2)
Just say
You'll be my firefly
Take everything or nothing at all (x2)
Just say "yes"
Just say "yes"
Just say
"I'd rather have everything than nothing at all"
Sorry I've got none to pose
Images I pictured inside
Everything I've tried to close
Carrying the weight on my back I feel the the static more
Tripping the wire, surrounded in time
I see this as mystical
I'm sure that you know (x2)
Just say
You'll be my firefly
Take everything or nothing at all (x2)
Just say "yes"
Just say "yes"
Just say
"I'd rather have everything than nothing at all"
@zz-bc5vv
@@iffahzaibi this is from his heeply (heeseung playlist) VLIVE.
Take Me - Miso
First Impression - Nagata Shigeru
Emily - Jeremy Sucker & Chelsea Cutler
Sunday Candy - Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment
GODSPLAN - Keshi (by Drake)
DVD - pH-1
Empty Tonight - Yoo Jae-ha
Open House - Jung Jin Woo ft. Villain
Butterflies - Michael Jackson
Photograph - offonoff
Dingo X meenoi - DOOL - meenoi
Fever - ENHYPEN
How did you - Ku One Chan Feat. Baek Yerin
Higher - MISO
Sometimes - Geeks ft. Crush & GIRIBOY
Traffic Light - Lee Mujin
Euphoria - Jungkook
(Zero O’Clock) - BTS
DNA (BTS) - cover by Colde
Say Something - Dean
Mad - Ne-Yo
Super Rich Kids - Frank Ocean & Earl Sweatshirt
Make It Better - Anderson .Paak & Smokey Robinson
Too Lit - Kid Ink & Jeremih
Comethru - Jeremy Zucker
Day 1 - HONNE
@majesticcasual
Mura Masa - Firefly Lyrics
Pavement's turning into gold
And it's risin' up into my eyes
Up on my back I feel the static more
Tripping the wire, surrounded in time
I see this as mystical
I'm sure that you know (x2)
Just say
You'll be my firefly
Take everything or nothing at all (x2)
Just say "yes"
Just say "yes"
Just say
"I'd rather have everything than nothing at all"
Sorry I've got none to pose
Images I pictured inside
Everything I've tried to close
Carrying the weight on my back I feel the the static more
Tripping the wire, surrounded in time
I see this as mystical
I'm sure that you know (x2)
Just say
You'll be my firefly
Take everything or nothing at all (x2)
Just say "yes"
Just say "yes"
Just say
"I'd rather have everything than nothing at all"
@Music-sj8en
♡♡♡♡♡♡
@angellosanmiguel997
ariana grande is the best music
@TheRealLicorath
Are these official?
@Litassgirl
+Majestic Casual Thanks dude!!!
@AidenShelford
+Angello San Miguel ikr
@gianamaranan3301
heeseung just posted this on weverse, and now im obsessed.
@meizuhee6326
Listening to it because Heeseung from ENHYPEN were listening to this song earlier too and dang! This song is a banger, I regret that I've only discovered this now.
@adnanlyrics3335
This song is OG than you
@JakesFartingCushion
It's around 3 am KST. Enhypen's Heeseung suggested this song just now. And I'm amazed to see so many engenes here!! Are u an engene?! 😃