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"
TABOO
Shola Ama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know what
It's Glamma and Shola Ama (uh)
Shola: You give me the sweetest taboo (that's true, that's true)
That's why I'm in love with you (uh-huh)
You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo (that's right)
You good for me (you good for me)
GK: You know what, hey I know you know nobody can stop it
I'll keep a secret and I won't chat it (mmm)
I know you know nobody can flop it
I'll be the love safe with the key to lock it
It's the way you move your hips that does it for me
And your warm smile that makes me love you honey (ah yeah)
I love you more than my gold girl and my money
I want to take you home and introduce you to my Mummy, because
Shola: You give me the sweetest taboo (sweetest taboo)
That's why I'm (oh yeah) in love with you
(I'm so in love with you)
You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo (uh-huh)
You good for me (you good for me)
GK: Hey, you know what, well
Because your love is the sweetest taboo
Let me take you 'pon a secret rendezvous
Yo shortie, shortie don't change the issue
We will meet at the same place and the venue
True you glamorous and you, you gorgeous
You all ah make big man crash up dem Lexus (mmm)
Click off the light, you got the vibe (aah)
Girl you all make me kick off on me Air Nike
Shola: You give me the sweetest taboo (sweetest taboo)
That's why (ah) I'm in love with you (that's right)
You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo
(I'm giving you, I'm)
You good for me (this taboo, say 'whoo whoo')
Sweetest taboo
(Sweetest taboo)
(I'm giving you, you're giving me)
(What am I gonna do, this is GK, KG)
You give me the sweetest taboo (what I gotta do)
You're good for me (ah ha hey hey)
Sometimes I think (that's right)
You're just too good for me
GK: What the dilly you want, me to take you shopping inna Piccadilly
I got to keep my composure, girl I can't act silly
Look how your love have the DJ so dizzy
Make time for me, don't tell me you busy
Sweetest taboo me and you can't part
When me at work me I love to get my phone call
Yes, you're the girl to make the DJ stand tall
And I'm a know me love you after all
Both: So sweet, you give me, the sweetest taboo (sweetest taboo)
(Yeah) that's why I'm (yeah) in love with you
(what am I gonna do, what am I gonna do)
You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo
You good for me, You good for me
Sometimes I think you're just too good for me
(You know what, hey)
(I'm giving you, you're giving me the sweetest taboo say ooh, ooh)
Baby, mmm yeah
(I'm giving you, you're giving me the sweetest taboo say ooh, ooh)
Yeah, yeah
(I'm giving you, you're giving me the sweetest taboo say ooh, ooh)
Oh yeah
(I'm giving you, you're giving me the sweetest taboo say ooh, ooh..)
The song "Taboo" by Shola Ama featuring Glamma Kid tells the tale of two lovers who are caught up in a forbidden love affair. Shola Ama sings about how her lover is like a taboo, something that she shouldn't have, but she can't resist. Her lover gives her the sweetest taboo, and that is what keeps her coming back for more. Meanwhile, Glamma Kid raps that he knows they should keep their love secret but that he can't help but want to shout it from the rooftops. He shares how he is enchanted by her hips and her smile, and he loves her more than anything else in his life. Together, they sing about how their love is too good to be true.
The song's title, "Taboo," refers to the fact that their love is "forbidden." It's something that they shouldn't have but can't resist. The lyrics suggest that their love is so intense that it feels like breaking a taboo. The song's repeated lyrics, "You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo," emphasize the idea that their love is a guilty pleasure that they can't get enough of, no matter the risks. Shola Ama's silky vocals and Glamma Kid's smooth rapping blend together beautifully to create a song that is both sexy and heartbreaking.
Line by Line Meaning
You give me the sweetest taboo (that's true, that's true)
Your love for me is something that society might deem inappropriate, but it's so sweet and irresistible.
That's why I'm in love with you (uh-huh)
Your unique, forbidden love is why I am deeply in love with you and can't resist you.
You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo (that's right)
Your love is so deliciously taboo that it's undeniable and irresistible.
You good for me (you good for me)
Despite the taboo nature of our love, being with you is good for me and fulfills me.
I'll keep a secret and I won't chat it (mmm)
I will keep our taboo love a secret and never reveal it to others.
It's the way you move your hips that does it for me
Your sexy body movements and irresistible, warm smile are what make me love you deeply.
And your warm smile that makes me love you honey (ah yeah)
Your warm, inviting smile is what draws me to love you so deeply.
I love you more than my gold girl and my money
My love for you is greater than anything material in my life, including my wealth and possessions.
Let me take you 'pon a secret rendezvous
I want to take you on a secret date, just the two of us, to continue our taboo love affair.
Sweetest taboo me and you can't part
Our taboo love is too sweet and strong that we can't imagine being apart from each other.
When me at work me I love to get my phone call
I love receiving calls from you while I'm at work because it helps me feel connected to you and our taboo love.
And I'm a know me love you after all
I know that I truly love you, despite the taboo nature of our relationship.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IYAEL IYASUS TAFARI CONSTABLE, KARL CLIVE JR. GORDON, HELEN FOLASADE ADU, MARTIN DITCHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crystaldirckze1689
Love this takes me back ! Such a vibe ... bring back Shola Ama!
@deeagnol
This song takes me back to when life was good lol
@nellss3773
Literally !! This was the turn up song when all the mates were finally ready to start drinking yet already half cut 🤣🤣🤣
@ozzyozlo5092
When was that
@rapidman1376
Playing this during the Covid-19 lockdown 2020
@sherilehenry6167
Same
@danielopersian
Best version of this song!
@leepowell7898
Hell no! Sade is much better than this.
@montegamyers211
danielopersian you got time to delete this . Not rushing you or nothing
@saoirsehaslonglegs2313
Yes