The trio, hailing from New York City, were discovered when they sang at a Sweet Sixteen party in an East Harlem church in 1984. Record producer Joey Gardner, who was at the party, was impressed with the group, and got the group signed to Tommy Boy Records. The group originally consisted of Tony, Kayel, and Ralph "Aby" Cruz, but eventually Aby was replaced by Raymond "Pito" "Angel" Vasquez (although not widely known, India was also one of the original members). Their first single was "One Way Love" which was a major hit among the Latin club community in New York, and followed up with many other hits, such as "Scars Of Love", "Tears May Fall", and "Come Get My Love."
The year, 1991 proved to be a very critical year for TKA, and for many Freestyle performers as well. TKA released their most important singles in 1991, "Louder Than Love", "Give Your Love To Me", and their House hit "Crash (Let's Have Some Fun)." Despite being very popular and very influential to the Freestyle genre, Tommy Boy requested that the band switch to pop instead of Freestyle. Rather than sacrifice their artistic integrity, the group released one more single, "Maria", which ironically proved to be their biggest hit, and then split up.
1988 album-cover for Scars of Love.Following the split, the members of TKA went on to pursue independent interests. Kayel recorded under the name K7 and had a hit Hip Hop record Swing Batta Swing which contained the lead hit single, "Come Baby Come." Tony started a successful production company in New York, and Angel joined the R&B group Goodfellas.
TKA reunited in 2001 and recorded the album Forever. The actual drop date for that album was November 6, 2001. Of the 12 songs contained on that album, only one was actually released as a single which was the smooth, House music song, "Feel The Music". The albums' promotion failures led to its poor success. Angel left the group afterwards and was replaced by popular Freestyle singer George Lamond. After the making of the anticipated album labeled 'TKA Featuring George Lamond' was completed, the group (along with George Lamond) decided to break up and go their own ways. The album was never released and only exists as demos that were given out to a few record companies. The name TKA still continues to live among its frontman K7, who performs the well known TKA hits in clubs throughout New York City. He also DJ's on New York's popular dance station 103.5 KTU. Though they've parted ways, they are still very popular in New York City, Chicago and Miami, and has had a sudden resurgence of popularity thanks to a recent Freestyle revival.
TKA were very notable for being heavily influential in the Freestyle genre, having presented an opportunity for many other Latino performers to create dance music. Among many Freestyle performers, TKA remain one of the most popular and influential, and its music are constant mainstays on Freestyle playlists.
Maria
TKA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She had long brown hair and a body beyond compare
She had a boyfriend, a drug dealer
But I didn't mind, cause she wanted to be with me
So we have to set her free
And when I hear her name, I swear I hear the wind blow
It drives me insane, I'll never let her go
And I start to laugh cause I'm so afraid of crying
[Chorus:]
Maria, the most beautiful song I ever heard
Maria, don't tell your boyfriend how I feel about you
'Cause I need you, and I gotta make you mine
I got to make you mine
Wouldn't it be cool, if we got together
I'll show you that I love you then you'd understand
If he's a drug dealer, don't you know that he won't last forever
And you need the affections of a normal man
And when I see your name, I swear I hear the wind blow
It drives me insane, I'll never let you go
And I start to laugh cause I'm so afraid of crying
And I'm dying to see you once more
[Chorus: Repeat 3X]
Whenever she's around
My whole world starts coming down
And I lose control
When she's away I began to miss her
She holds me close and I can't resist her
She kisses me on the lips
Walks away and wiggles her hips
And I lose control
Gotta have that girl, she's all I ever wanted
Don't tell your man
I got a plan
So understand that I can never be the type of guy
That will try to make you cry
Were never true to take the blame
So I will make your mine, don't look behind
In time the thing will fit the crime
Like they say, what comes around goes around
And brings you down
Maria, yeah some place for us
Maria, somewhere a place for us
Together we will be, until eternity
Somewhere out there, I got to make you mine
Tonight in the corners of my lonely room
I pray for your salvation, rehabilitation
And I pray to the lord above to forever bring me love
And as I fall asleep to dream once more
I have to make you mine
[Chorus:]
The song "Maria" by TKA is a story about a man who falls in love with a girl named Maria who lives in the projects and has a boyfriend who is a drug dealer. The man is willing to risk it all to be with her and tries to convince her to leave her boyfriend and be with him instead. He describes her beauty and how her name alone can drive him insane. Despite his fear of getting hurt, he can't resist her and wants to see her once more.
The song tackles the themes of love, risk, and societal struggles. The man is willing to risk everything, even potentially facing harm from Maria's boyfriend, just to be with her. This speaks to the power of love and how it can make people want to do seemingly impossible things. Additionally, the fact that Maria lives in the projects and has a drug-dealing boyfriend highlights the societal struggles faced by people living in impoverished neighborhoods where illegal activities may be more prevalent.
Overall, the song "Maria" portrays a compelling story of a man's love for a woman and the lengths he is willing to go to in order to be with her despite the dangers and societal obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
She was fine, the girl was from the projects
She was beautiful, despite her humble background
She had long brown hair and a body beyond compare
She had stunning physical features
She had a boyfriend, a drug dealer
She was in a relationship with a man involved in illegal activities
But I didn't mind, cause she wanted to be with me
He was willing to overlook her current relationship status and pursue her
So we have to set her free
They need to end her current relationship to be together
And when I hear her name, I swear I hear the wind blow
Hearing her name has a profound effect on him
It drives me insane, I'll never let her go
He is deeply in love with her and can't imagine being without her
And I start to laugh cause I'm so afraid of crying
He uses laughter as a defense mechanism to hide his true emotions
And I'm dying to see her once more
He longs to be in her presence again
Maria, the most beautiful song I ever heard
She is the epitome of beauty to him
Maria, don't tell your boyfriend how I feel about you
He doesn't want her to reveal their feelings to her current partner
'Cause I need you, and I gotta make you mine
He is determined to be with her
Wouldn't it be cool, if we got together
He imagines a future with her
I'll show you that I love you then you'd understand
He is willing to prove his love to her
If he's a drug dealer, don't you know that he won't last forever
Her current boyfriend's lifestyle is not sustainable and will have consequences
And you need the affections of a normal man
He believes he can offer her a more stable and healthy relationship
Whenever she's around
Her presence has a strong impact on him
My whole world starts coming down
He becomes overwhelmed with emotion when she's near
And I lose control
He can't contain his feelings for her
When she's away I began to miss her
He longs for her when she's not present
She holds me close and I can't resist her
Physical closeness with her is irresistible
She kisses me on the lips
They share a passionate connection
Walks away and wiggles her hips
She exudes confidence and sensuality
Gotta have that girl, she's all I ever wanted
He knows she is the one he wants to be with
Don't tell your man, I got a plan
He has a secret plan to win her over
So understand that I can never be the type of guy
He is not like her current boyfriend and can offer her something different
That will try to make you cry
He will never intentionally hurt her
Were never true to take the blame
He believes her current boyfriend is not responsible
So I will make your mine, don't look behind
He plans to be with her and wants her to focus on their future
In time the thing will fit the crime
Her current relationship will have consequences
Like they say, what comes around goes around
Her boyfriend's actions will have repercussions
And brings you down
His criminal actions will catch up with him
Maria, yeah some place for us
He envisions a future with her
Maria, somewhere a place for us
They will find a place where they can be together
Together we will be, until eternity
He wants to be with her forever
Somewhere out there, I got to make you mine
He is determined to be with her, no matter what it takes
Tonight in the corners of my lonely room
He thinks about her when he's alone
I pray for your salvation, rehabilitation
He wants the best for her and hopes she can leave her current situation
And I pray to the lord above to forever bring me love
He believes in a higher power and hopes for everlasting love
And as I fall asleep to dream once more
He dreams of being with her
Lyrics © GULF COAST MUSIC LLC
Written by: A REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@humanfamilymember
Funny that “Maria” is pronounced so differently each time.
“Murriah”
“Moria”
“Mauria”
“Mah-rhea”
“Ma-ree-ah”
“Ma-ri-a”
But did he got it right at the end?
Which is your preference?
@Yeahcuz1
If you weren't in love with a girl named Maria, then I feel sorry for you.
@georgedooley1215
I was in love with a girl named Maria
@franciscokuilan4233
My wife’s name is Maria 😅
@chrismargaritis645
Too bad all Maria's are crazy lol
@anthonydestefano2014
Lol😂
@marcodibello6686
I got one and married her! Mariaaaa
@Yeahcuz1
Freestyle is the most underrated genre of music.
@bg9217
💯%
@latenightciy9280
Yep
@TOSHTON
Underrated but Still Alive!...