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.
Move Me
Mura Masa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Step, step, s-step, s-step
Yo, from the southeast, yeah, it rains a lot (rains)
From the southeast, yeah, it really rains a lot (mad ting)
Wired, just lookin' for blocks to hotbox
Leveled up, I move steelo, step out the droptop (step)
Yo (step), walked past a cop, I just hope they don't
Stick with me and feel the fire (feel it)
You ain't feelin' nothin'? You liar
Step, step to the left, step, step, step
Stick with me and feel the fire
Step, step to the left, step, step
S-step, s-step, s-step, s-step, s-step, s-step
Fire, fire, fire
Hey, and now you're tryin' to move me
'Member back then you never knew me
Ay, and to the East Side, to the East Side, yeah
I can't let you into my mind, yeah
Can't let you into my mind, yeah
Now you're tryin' to move me
'Member back then you never knew me
And to the East Side, to the East Side, yeah
Can't let you into my mind, yeah
Can't let you into my mind, yeah
Now you're tryin' to
Yo, she said, "I'm leavin'"
I don't like fun, yeah
'Cause they say look up to whoever falls
They say that they look up to whoever falls from the sky (from the sky, from the sky)
Yo, and they see that I stack P's
These niggas look at me, they see what they can be
They are waitin' for a family
Said you'll never rap me, yeah
Say I'm the real don dada, nobody can touch me or my brother
Never
Nobody can touch me, yeah
Be brave, be brave
Be brave, be brave, yeah
Be brave, be brave
Be brave, be brave
Be brave
Hey, and now you're tryin' to move me
'Member back then you never knew me
Ay, and to the East Side, to the East Side, yeah
I can't let you into my mind, yeah
Can't let you into my mind, yeah
Now you're tryin' to move me
'Member back then you never knew me
And to the East Side, to the East Side, yeah
Can't let you into my mind, yeah
Can't let you into my mind, yeah
Now you're tryin' to move me
Step, step, step, step
Now you're tryin' to move me
Step, step, step, step
Yeah, and now you're tryin' to move me
Step, step, step, step
Money, money, money
Step, step, step, step, yo
The Mura Masa song Move Me is an upbeat track with an electronic sound that features R&B lyrics with a bit of a rap edge. The song is about self-empowerment, with the lyrics encouraging the listener to stick with the singer and discover their own power to move forward in their lives. The song begins with the sound of footsteps and the lyrics "Step, step to the left, step, step. Step, step, s-step, s-step," which follows almost every line of the song. The repetition of the phrase suggests a steady and confident forward motion that is required to move ahead in life.
The verses of the song talk about the personal journeys of the singer and the things that they have been through to become the person they are today. The lyrics mention moves from the southeast, hotboxing blocks, walking past cops, and family, which all indicate experiences that have shaped the person that the singer has become. The chorus is a repeat of the phrase "Now you're tryin' to move me, remember back then you never knew me, ay and to the East Side, to the East Side, yeah, can't let you into my mind, yeah, can't let you into my mind, yeah." These lines seem to suggest that the singer has come a long way from their past and is not willing to let others affect them.
The song overall is upbeat and empowering. It encourages the listener to take control of their own journey and not let the opinions or past experiences of others hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
Step, step to the left, step, step
The singer is using the metaphor of dancing to convey a message. They are asking someone to follow their lead and take steps to the left.
Yo, from the southeast, yeah, it rains a lot (rains)
The singer is from the southeastern region where it rains a lot.
From the southeast, yeah, it really rains a lot (mad ting)
The singer emphasizes how much it rains in the southeast and uses Jamaican slang 'mad ting' to express their frustration with it.
Wired, just lookin' for blocks to hotbox
The artist is looking for a place to smoke marijuana (hotbox) and is feeling anxious (wired).
Leveled up, I move steelo, step out the droptop (step)
The artist has improved their style and is now driving a convertible car (droptop) confidently (step).
Yo (step), walked past a cop, I just hope they don't
The singer has encountered a police officer and is hoping the officer does not suspect them of any wrongdoing.
Look in my sock and see what I really got (drugs and tings)
The singer is worried the police officer will find illicit items (drugs and tings) hidden in their sock.
Stick with me and feel the fire (feel it)
The artist is confident and encourages the listener to follow them and experience excitement and passion (fire).
You ain't feelin' nothin'? You liar
The artist believes that anyone who claims they don't feel any excitement after following them is lying.
Hey, and now you're tryin' to move me
The artist is addressing someone who is trying to influence them and make them change their ways.
'Member back then you never knew me
The singer is reminding the person that they did not know each other well in the past.
Ay, and to the East Side, to the East Side, yeah
The artist references a location on the East Side that they may be traveling to.
I can't let you into my mind, yeah
The singer is hesitant to let the person influence their thoughts and decisions.
Yo, she said, "I'm leavin'"
A woman has expressed that she is leaving, possibly ending a relationship.
I don't like fun, yeah
The singer may be experiencing sadness or depression and does not enjoy having fun.
'Cause they say look up to whoever falls
The artist may be commenting on society's fascination with watching others fall from grace and enjoying it, and the negative impact this has on people's mental health.
They say that they look up to whoever falls from the sky (from the sky, from the sky)
A continuation of the previous thought, emphasizing the traumatic nature of falling from great heights.
Yo, and they see that I stack P's
People notice that the singer is accumulating wealth (stacking P's).
These niggas look at me, they see what they can be
Others look at the singer and aspire to be like them.
They are waitin' for a family
The artist suggests that people are looking for a leader or a sense of belonging, which the artist may be able to provide.
Said you'll never rap me, yeah
The artist is confident that no one will ever overcome or control them.
Say I'm the real don dada, nobody can touch me or my brother
The artist perceives themselves as a powerful and influential figure, and no one can threaten them or their family.
Be brave, be brave
The singer is encouraging themselves or someone else to be strong, courageous, and overcome obstacles.
Money, money, money
The artist directs attention to the importance of wealth and financial success.
Step, step, step, step, yo
The singer reiterates their initial step metaphor, possibly indicating a call to action or rhythm.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alexander George Edward Crossan, Octavian Oliver Godji
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fmtv6172
Whoever filmed and directed this is ridiculously talented
@unknownunknown-wc9oz
why? lol what is so special about this
@shrimpgirl2678
his names yoni
@ra-kr7xz
unknown unknown the aesthetic, how is it not special? This video is beautiful. Shows the culture, and life they live.
@jasonfinch3710
unknown unknown camerawork is so organic and natural
@tynka.martynka0
picture is actually by polish DoP Monika Lenczewska
@supaa4512
Who else is here after he took this down on spotify
@dukeart4382
Yeah do u know why?
@supaa4512
@@dukeart4382 yea I do
@analibien4000
Same for Apple Music