Career
When she was 15, Ama was singing to herself on a platform at Hammersmith tube station, and was overheard by Kwame Kwaten, a producer at the FreakStreet record label.[1] In 1995, an unknown independent label released a single titled "Celebrate", which was a ballad produced by D'Influence. Although the single was not a commercial success, it did draw attention to Shola Ama as an artist. On her 16th birthday, she signed a recording contract with WEA.
The single "You're the One I Love" was Ama's first single release for WEA in 1996; it barely made an impact on the charts, only managing to reach No. 85. Her second WEA single, "You Might Need Somebody", remains her biggest hit. This Turley Richards cover reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart[2] in April 1997. It remained in the top 40 for almost two months, becoming one of 1997's biggest hits. A re-release of "You're the One I Love" followed in August 1997 and reached No. 3.[2] Her third single "Who's Loving My Baby" was released in November 1997 and reached No. 13.[2] At the age of 18, Shola Ama released her debut album Much Love (1997).
In May 1997, Ama performed her single "You Might Need Somebody" at Wembley Stadium as part of the build-up to the rugby league Challenge Cup Final.
On the success of the album, Ama won a Brit Award for Best British Female and two MOBO Awards for Best Newcomer and Best R&B Act.[3]
In 1999, Ama released her second album In Return. The project saw her working with the record producers Fred Jerkins III, Stargate, Shaun Labelle, Full Crew, D-Influence Productions and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (formerly of A Tribe Called Quest). Co-writers included Angie Stone and Babyface with David Foster.
Despite having support from her record label, In Return was a commercial flop. Following this, Ama took a break from recording.[4][5]
In 2002, Ama went back into the recording studio to record her third album, Supersonic. Unable to obtain a major label deal, she instead formed a distribution deal with Pony Canyon.
In 2004, Ama featured on the track "You Should Really Know" by the Pirates, a response in song to Mario Winans' "I Don't Wanna Know" which reached No. 8 on the UK chart.
Ama also mentored her sister Sadie Ama, who signed her own recording contract and released "So Sure" (2004) and "Fallin" (2007).
Ama featured as vocalist on the Perempay & Dee single "DJ Play". The song was released in October 2009 and received heavy rotation on the radio.[6] She also featured on one of rapper Giggs' songs, "Cut Above the Rest", and later featured on the bonus disc to his album, Let Em Ave It, on a song called "Blow Em Away".
In February 2010, Ama joined a new collective group formed by Wiley called A-List, alongside her sister Sadie Ama and grime musicians Roll Deep, Mz. Bratt, Wrigley, Margs, Young Kye and Kivanc.[7]
In 2013, Ama narrated on the show My Crazy Jamaican Life.
In October 2015, Ama released a new 8-track EP featuring new reggae influenced tracks titled Surreal on Necessary Mayhem Records, 13 years after her last album Supersonic in 2002.
In April 2016, she featured on the album System Killer by Frisco on the song "Rocket"
Much Love
Shola Ama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I see forever with you
One thing I know you got me hooked
There's nothing that I wouldn't do, yeah
Every day I wanna be with you
And every day I just wanna give you
Much more love
Much love
No one makes me feel like you do I got much love
It's all for you, baby
I can't hide what's inside for you
Baby, get with me so you can see
That no one is for you like me, no. no
Don't be afraid, my love is real
I've got something you can feel, yeah
Every day I wanna be with you
Every day, baby, I-
And every day 1 just wanna give you
I just wanna give you more love
Break it down, yeah
Come on now, get with it
I just wanna give it, baby
Come on now, get with it
I want you to hit it, baby
The lyrics to Shola Ama's song "Much Love" express a love that is pure, devoted, and everlasting. When the two lovers are together, the singer sees a future full of love and commitment. The singer is completely smitten with their partner and is willing to do anything for them. The phrase "Much more love" echoes throughout the song, emphasizing the depth of feeling that the singer has for their partner. The singer is sure that nobody else can make them feel the way their partner does, and they want their partner to see and feel the same.
The lyrics also display a confidence in the singer's love. They assure their partner that their love is real and something that they can feel. The singer is not afraid to express their feelings and wants their partner to reciprocate. The phrase "I can't hide what's inside for you" emphasizes the transparency and honesty within the relationship.
Overall, "Much Love" is a song about love that is pure, devoted, and confident. It expresses a deep desire to connect with someone and a willingness to give everything to make that connection possible.
Line by Line Meaning
When we're together you look at me
When we're together, you gaze into my eyes indicating that you love me.
And I see forever with you
When we look into each other's eyes, I see our future together forever.
One thing I know you got me hooked
I realize that I am addicted to you and cannot love anyone else.
There's nothing that I wouldn't do, yeah
I am willing to do anything for you, there are no limits for my love for you.
Every day I wanna be with you
I want to spend every day with you in my arms because I love you so much.
And every day I just wanna give you
Every day, I just want to show you how much I love you by giving you everything that I have.
Much more love
I want to give you more love than you can ever imagine to show how special you are to me.
Much love
I have a lot of love for you and want to shower you with it.
It's all for you, baby
Everything I do is for you because you are everything to me.
No one makes me feel like you do I got much love
No one can make me feel the way you do, and that keeps me giving you much love.
I can't hide what's inside for you
I cannot keep the love I have for you hidden, it's just too strong to ignore.
Baby, get with me so you can see
Come be with me so that you can see and understand the depth of love that I have for you.
That no one is for you like me, no. no
I am the only one who can make you feel this loved and cherished, no one else can compare.
Don't be afraid, my love is real
You do not have to be afraid of losing the love I have for you because it's real and not going anywhere.
I've got something you can feel, yeah
I want to give you something that you can feel, my love.
Break it down, yeah
Let's slow things down and really take time to appreciate our love.
Come on now, get with it
Let's keep our love alive and strong by being together and working on it.
I just wanna give it, baby
I just want to give you all the love that you need and deserve, my dear.
I want you to hit it, baby
I want to show you how much love I have for you and want you to feel it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SHAUN HARRISON LABELLE, STEVE BENSUSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gregory A.Champion
I love her music, didn't know why she never gotten US exposure in the late 90's.
Steevenlight75
When I listen Shola, I immediately go back to this era ✨ I miss this era
Ubaldo
Me too ! She has a very sexy voice and this song must be listen with a good hi-fi system because of its punchy bass !
Kodie Thompson
Shola Ama will always be the UK Sweetheart of 90’s R & B
Simon 1980
Such a tune, crazily talented and sooooo pretty!!! Luv u Shola!!!!
Z I
Great clip, I miss this type of music
Style By Stevie™
On repeat
Adelaide Olu
Such good memories.
FinestDia
Never heard of her I’m from the US but this song gives me Brandy “Baby” vibes
Jeyhun Akhmedov
I love you my Black Queen