Towa Tei (テイ・トウワ) is a Japanese-born DJ, who first earned notice for his pr… Read Full Bio ↴Towa Tei (テイ・トウワ) is a Japanese-born DJ, who first earned notice for his production work on the Jungle Brothers' 1989 LP Done by the Forces of Nature.

In 2005, Towa Tei released a new album dubbed Flash and a new single with Kylie Minogue, "Sometime Samurai", which reached number six in Japan.

His best-known work in the West was as part of the post-80's NY house music trio, Deee-Lite.

After the break-up of Deee-Lite in the late 90's, Towa Tei returned to Tokyo to join the burgeoning "Shibuya-kei Scene" with the likes of Pizzicato 5 and Fantastic Plastic Machine.

His 5th. original album is out in Japan and on iTunes internationally. The single "Mind Wall" that featured Miho Hatori has received the Best Dance Music Video Award at MTV Music Video in Japan 2009.

As a DJ, he has been actively playing all over the world.

Funkin
Towa Tei Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jamaica funk, that's what it is
let it get into you
C'mon I've got a groove
you know where I 'll be
Funkin for Jamaica
If ya feel it let it get into you
Jamaica funk, that's what it is
let it get into you

I feel it inside my soul
let it get into you
Cause there's enough to go all the way around
let it get into you let it fill you up inside
This feelin's funk that's what it is
let it get into you
Jamaica funk that's what it is
we be funkin for Jamaica

If ya feel it
and I let it get into me
Jamaica funk that's what it was
let it get into you
That feelin's funk that's what it was

and I let it get into me I let it get into me
woa woa woa this feelin's funk that's what it is

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Towa Tei's song "Funkin' for Jamaica" are an invitation to listeners to fully immerse themselves in the funky rhythm of the music. The repeated phrase "Jamaica funk, that's what it is" speaks to the iconic status of Jamaican music in shaping the sound of funk and soul music. The song encourages the listener to let the music "get into" them, to allow themselves to feel the groove and let it fill them up inside. This emphasis on the physical and emotional power of music reflects a larger cultural moment in funk and soul music, where the power of black music to both reflect and shape the experiences of Black Americans was being celebrated and reaffirmed.

Line by Line Meaning

Jamaica funk, that's what it is
The music being played is a genre called Jamaica Funk

let it get into you
Allow yourself to fully experience the music

C'mon I've got a groove
The singer is confident in their musical abilities and wants others to join in

you know where I'll be
The singer is inviting listeners to join them in a specific location to enjoy the music together

Funkin for Jamaica
The singer and others are dancing and enjoying Jamaica Funk music together

If ya feel it let it get into you
If you're enjoying the music, don't hold back and fully immerse yourself in it

I feel it inside my soul
The singer is deeply moved by the music

Cause there's enough to go all the way around
There's plenty of good music to be shared and enjoyed by everyone

let it fill you up inside
Allow the music to emotionally uplift and inspire you

This feelin's funk that's what it is
The emotion being experienced is the essence of Jamaica Funk music

we be funkin for Jamaica
The singer and others are dancing and enjoying Jamaica Funk music together