Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka has been entirely composed with an armoury of outboard gear effects, synthesizers, electric guitars, strings, horns, a lot of modulation. “Hip-hop mastered the beat, but they didn’t do nothing with the changes,” says Shafiq. On the album Shafiq recruits Bilal, Sa-Ra member Om’Mas Keith, emcee Count Bass D, London’s rising songstress Fatima, Sa-Ra vocalist Rozzi Daime, and a whole army of musicians and engineers.
With an ability to write profound lyrics with killer hooks, Shafiq alongside soulstress Georgia Anne Muldrow is the only person to write for Erykah Badu and his talent for writing is evident throughout the 17-track LP.
As part of Sa-Ra, Shafiq has become part of an expansive artistic community in LA working alongside Erykah Badu, Count Bass D and J*DaVeY. This is how albums used to be made – not just a collection of songs, but a message to the messengers: A-free-ka UNITE.
Picking Flowers
Shafiq Husayn Lyrics
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2. ITS HARD FOR HER TO COMMIT TO RELATIONSHIPS
3. YOU'LL BE PUSHIN UP DAISEYS CUZ SHE BE DRIVIN DUDES CRAZY
4. ITS AMAZING THE LADIES THAT WE CHOOSE TO HAVE OUR BABIES WITH
5. BACK TO MY FLOWER, HOW SHE BLOSSOM WHEN THE SUN SHOWERS
6. READY TO GET WET WHEN SHE SEE I POWER
7. SHORTY FINE AS HEEL AND I CANT TELL THAT SHE SPOILED
8. HYBRID CADILAC, MINKS ON HER BACK, SHE ROYAL
10. HER THIGHS WILL MAKE YOUR TEMPERATURE RISE, BLOOD PRESSURE BOIL
11. MET MAMI IN MIAMI SHE VIDEO I CANDY
12. KEPT CONTROL, PLAYED THE ROLE LIKE EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND DANDELIONS
13. SOUTH BEACH I WANTED TO EAT HER LIKE A PEACH
14. GRAB THE NEAREST BOUQUET WITH A CARD"" HIT ME WHEN YOU REACH'
15. LIGHT BOUNCIN OFF HER SKIN FEATHER HAIR IN THE WIND
16. CUTE IN THE FACE, SMALL IN THE WASTE, BUT NOT TOO THIN
17. MAN, CALL ME BUSY BEE CUZ IM READY FOR POLLINATION
18. WHEN SHE ROCK THAT SUN DRESS ITS LIKE A RARE CARNATION
19. JUST MY LUCK! IT SEEMS I'VE FOUND THE ONE I WANNA PLUCK
20. PICK HER UP IN THE F1 FLOWER BED TRUCK
21. ROLL THE AVE, THEN CALCULATE THE MATH
22. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET YOUR PRETTY PETALS IN A MILK BATH
23. I RADIATE TO PENETRATE LIKE THE SUN I SHINE HARDER
24. ITS JUST A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MADISON SQUARE GARDENER, PICKING FLOWERS
The lyrics to Shafiq Husayn's song "Picking Flowers" paint a picture of a man who is in love with a woman who is hard to pin down. The first line sets the scene for the rest of the song, as the man describes himself "tip-toeing through her tulips" and loving her "rose hips". He acknowledges that she has a hard time committing to relationships, and that he's not the only one vying for her attention. Other guys are "driven crazy" by her, and the man acknowledges that it's "amazing" the kind of women we choose to have our babies with. Despite her fickleness, the man is entranced by her and describes how she blossoms in the sunshine and is ready to get wet when she sees his power.
The song is full of vivid descriptions of the woman - she's fine as hell, drives a hybrid Cadillac with minks on her back, and has thighs that make your temperature rise and blood pressure boil. When he met her in Miami, she was "video I candy" and he had to keep control and play the role like everything was fine. He's clearly smitten, and describes how cute she is in the face, small in the waist, but not too thin. He's ready for "pollination" and when she rocks that sundress, it's like a rare carnation.
The lyrics to "Picking Flowers" are full of floral imagery, with the man referring to himself as a "Madison Square Gardener" and talking about picking flowers and calculating the math to get her pretty petals in a milk bath. The song is a tribute to the power of attraction and the lengths we'll go to woo the ones we love.
Line by Line Meaning
NOW WATCH ME TIP TOE THROUGH HER TULIPS I LOVE HER ROSE HIPS
I'm trying to be stealthy as I approach her garden. I find her hips attractive.
ITS HARD FOR HER TO COMMIT TO RELATIONSHIPS
She has trouble staying loyal in romantic situations.
YOU'LL BE PUSHIN UP DAISEYS CUZ SHE BE DRIVIN DUDES CRAZY
The way she acts causes chaos and mayhem for anyone that tries to date her.
ITS AMAZING THE LADIES THAT WE CHOOSE TO HAVE OUR BABIES WITH
It's interesting to reflect on the decisions we make in choosing our partners and raising children.
BACK TO MY FLOWER, HOW SHE BLOSSOM WHEN THE SUN SHOWERS
I'm back to admiring my love interest and how she thrives in sunlight.
READY TO GET WET WHEN SHE SEE I POWER
She's attracted to me and my confidence.
SHORTY FINE AS HEEL AND I CANT TELL THAT SHE SPOILED
She's very attractive and doesn't seem like a difficult person to be with, at least at first glance.
HYBRID CADILAC, MINKS ON HER BACK, SHE ROYAL
She's glamorous and seems to come from a wealthy background.
DONT WANT A GOOD MAN, JUST A CAT TO STAY LOYAL
She doesn't want a good partner, just someone who will be loyal to her.
HER THIGHS WILL MAKE YOUR TEMPERATURE RISE, BLOOD PRESSURE BOIL
Her thighs are so attractive they can be overwhelming to look at.
MET MAMI IN MIAMI SHE VIDEO I CANDY
I met her in Miami and she was very attractive, like a video vixen.
KEPT CONTROL, PLAYED THE ROLE LIKE EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND DANDELIONS
She seemed to have everything under control and played the part perfectly, like everything was easy and carefree.
SOUTH BEACH I WANTED TO EAT HER LIKE A PEACH
When we were on South Beach I found her so irresistible I wanted to devour her like a peach.
GRAB THE NEAREST BOUQUET WITH A CARD"" HIT ME WHEN YOU REACH'
I'm going to grab a bouquet of flowers and write my number on the card for her to call me later.
LIGHT BOUNCIN OFF HER SKIN FEATHER HAIR IN THE WIND
She looks stunning in the sunlight, with her hair waving gently in the breeze.
CUTE IN THE FACE, SMALL IN THE WASTE, BUT NOT TOO THIN
She has a pretty face and a small waist, but she still has curves and isn't too skinny.
MAN, CALL ME BUSY BEE CUZ IM READY FOR POLLINATION
I'm ready to make the most of my time and opportunities, just like a bee pollinates flowers.
WHEN SHE ROCK THAT SUN DRESS ITS LIKE A RARE CARNATION
When she wears her sundress she looks truly special, like a rare and exquisite flower.
JUST MY LUCK! IT SEEMS I'VE FOUND THE ONE I WANNA PLUCK
I'm feeling lucky because I think I've found the perfect woman to pursue.
PICK HER UP IN THE F1 FLOWER BED TRUCK
I'm going to impress her by picking her up in a truck filled with flowers.
ROLL THE AVE, THEN CALCULATE THE MATH
I'm going to take her for a drive and figure out how to make her mine.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET YOUR PRETTY PETALS IN A MILK BATH
I'm trying to figure out what it will take to make her feel relaxed and comfortable enough to bathe in milk with me.
I RADIATE TO PENETRATE LIKE THE SUN I SHINE HARDER
I shine brighter and with more intensity the more I want to make a move on her.
ITS JUST A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MADISON SQUARE GARDENER, PICKING FLOWERS
This is just another day for me, trying to pick the right woman to pursue and hoping for a successful relationship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: DIVINE DUBAR, SHAFIQ HUSAYN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind