Tumi and the Volume is a popular and innovative musical act from Johannesbu… Read Full Bio ↴Tumi and the Volume is a popular and innovative musical act from Johannesburg, South Africa, known for combining Jazz and Hip Hop with complex and highly politicized lyrics. The group is composed of members of the band, 340ml, and Tumi Molekane. Drawing heavily on the legacy of apartheid, as well as the realities of life in today's South Africa, The Volume has quickly become one of South Africa’s most eclectic music acts. In just over a year the group has managed to create a distinct musical accent that includes blends of samba, reggae and poetry that speaks to the unique reality of the South African experience.

Tumi and the Volume are made up of four members. Tumi Molekane (vocals), the centerpiece of the group, is an accomplished South African poet from Johannesburg. In 2002, he met Tiago and Paulo Chibanga and Dave Bergman, who were playing backup for MCs at the Bassline, in Melville, Johannesburg. Tiago and Paulo are both members of the Mozambiquean, South African-based band 340ml. For the production of their first album, At the Bassline the group added Kyle Rose Smith, a violinist, to complete The Volume. On their second album, the self-titled studio release, Smith is featured but she left the band in early 2005 to join Freshlyground.

Tumi and the Volume was founded when then-solo emcee Tumi Molekane met The Volume, a backup band at the Bassline. The first collaborative project, which evolved into At the Bassline, began in the beginning of 2003. Yet since before the release of their first album, Tumi and the Volume have been performing across southern Africa and Europe.

Their first year together, 2002, saw them mostly tour South Africa and contribute to music festivals across the country, as well as open for bigger international groups performing in Johannesburg and Cape Town, such as Positive Black Soul, from Senegal, and Blackalicious, from the United States.
The release, and following critical acclaim of, At the Bassline, shot them onto a bigger stage, as the group performed at the Quart Festival in Norway, alongside with The Roots and Coldplay.

2005 through 2006 saw the successive releases of their second album--and first studio album--Tumi & the Volume, in first South Africa, and then Europe and North America. Through June and July of 2006, the band traveled to Canada and performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

In August of 2006, their first album was re-released on Apple iTunes Music Store.

Afrique
Tumi and the Volume Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Focus take two in the morning
Move to the door

Say whose your opponent
Vultures in suits in a rover
Troops and soldiers
Swoop on your culture
No sir!

My boots on the shoulders
Of those the movement has moulded
Notice, do what you suppose to
And bring the truth that much closer
But you bamboozled and broken
Hoping the poo color is golden
No sir
You too proud to know it
But only fools fight the moment
The soul finds food out of probing
Searching, floating earth in motion
Controlled by who what and no one
You can't control the world
No Bush, no Britney Spears
No Coca Cola everywhere
No coup, no silly fears
Of Ebola in the ear
God control it
Stop the nonsense
Use it, don't try to own it
Who is your one opponent
You is, now try own that
So what I said it before
I bet it's ignored you step to the drum
Get with the norm
Tofo, tofo
Rapping along
Is that so awful
No sir!
My boots on the shoulders
Of those like ubaba O.R
Bambatha no Sol Plaatjie
What do you know cuz
These beats is hurting me
My speech is burgundy
Flow blood sweat tears Nyambo infect ears

A.F.R.I.C.A

Is where I stay with my old lady
Home of the garden king
The garden days before my savior

For Mozambique, Tanzania, for Zambia, Mali
And Ghana, Botswana, Somalia, Sudan
Gambia, Niger, Uganda, Rwanda, Ivory Coast
Comoros, Togo, Congo, Burkina Faso, Morocco
And Guinea Bissau, Gabon, and Guinea
South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Malawi, Chad
Djibouti, Lesotho, Liberia, Burundi and Kenya
Sao tome Principe, Mauritania, Eritrea, Seychelles, Cape Verde, Madagascar, Zimbabwe
Senegal, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Algeria
Cameroon, Angola, Mauritius, Benin, Ethiopia

Swaziland, D.R.C, Tunisia, Namibia
The Afrique

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tumi and the Volume's song "Afrique" reflect the artist's pride and connection to the African continent. The first verse focuses on taking action and resisting those who seek to control and exploit African culture for their own gain. The singer declares that they will not be bamboozled or broken by these forces, but instead will stand firm and bring truth to the forefront. The second verse speaks directly about Africa itself, listing off many of the countries that make up the continent, and expressing a sense of home and connection to them. The chorus repeats the word "Afrique," driving home the theme of pride and identity.

Overall, Tumi's lyrics are an affirmation of African cultural identity and a call to action to resist the forces that seek to undermine it. The use of specific African countries in the second verse further strengthens this message by acknowledging the diversity and richness of African culture.

Line by Line Meaning

Focus take two in the morning
Begin again with renewed attention and determination

Move to the door
Prepare to face the challenges and opportunities that await outside

Say whose your opponent
Identify the obstacles to be overcome and the adversaries to be defeated

Vultures in suits in a rover
Organized and powerful enemies who prey on others for their own benefit

Troops and soldiers
Aggressors who use force to impose their will on others

Swoop on your culture
Attack and destroy the traditions and identities of others

No sir!
Assertive refusal to accept unacceptable conditions

My boots on the shoulders
Standing tall and ready to resist oppression and fight for justice

Of those the movement has moulded
Inspired by the collective effort to create a better world

Notice, do what you suppose to
Pay attention and fulfill your responsibilities to yourself and others

And bring the truth that much closer
Work towards revealing and sharing the reality of the world we live in

But you bamboozled and broken
Deceived and defeated by the oppressive forces of the world

Hoping the poo color is golden
Wishing for a better life, despite the odds being against you

No sir
Confirmation of refusal to accept unacceptable conditions

You too proud to know it
Blind to the reality of the world and resistant to accepting help from others

But only fools fight the moment
Resisting the natural flow of the world is foolish and counterproductive

The soul finds food out of probing
Exploring and experiencing the unknown nourishes the spirit

Searching, floating earth in motion
Exploring the ever-changing world around us

Controlled by who what and no one
The world we live in is influenced by many factors beyond our control

You can't control the world
Accepting the reality of the world and letting go of the desire to control it

No Bush, no Britney Spears
Rejecting the distractions and false idols of the consumerist society

No Coca Cola everywhere
Resisting the invasion of corporate culture in all aspects of life

No coup, no silly fears
Rejecting the social, political, and economic instability imposed by the powerful

Of Ebola in the ear
Rejecting the irrational and unfounded fears propagated by the media

God control it
Acknowledging a higher power beyond human control

Stop the nonsense
Rejecting the trivial and unimportant aspects of life

Use it, don't try to own it
Acknowledging the interconnectedness of all things and using them responsibly

Who is your one opponent
Examining oneself and one's own flaws as the main obstacle to overcome

You is, now try own that
Accepting responsibility for one's own life and actions

So what I said it before
Not shying away from repeating important messages and themes

I bet it's ignored you step to the drum
Expecting to face resistance and opposition when speaking out against the status quo

Get with the norm
Conform to the societal expectations and values that are perpetuated by the powerful

Tofo, tofo
A celebratory call and response, expressing joy and recognition of shared experiences

Rapping along
Using music as a way to communicate important messages and to connect with others

Is that so awful
Challenging the idea that speaking truth to power is negative or problematic

No sir!
Refusal to accept the idea that challenging the status quo is negative or problematic

My boots on the shoulders
A metaphorical stance of readiness and fortitude against oppression and obstacles

Of those like ubaba O.R
Acknowledging the contributions of past leaders and the current collective effort to create change

Bambatha no Sol Plaatjie
Honoring and recognizing the contributions of influential historical figures

What do you know cuz
Questioning the assumptions and worldview of others

These beats is hurting me
Acknowledging the power of music to evoke deep emotions and create change

My speech is burgundy
A metaphorical reference to the depth, richness, and passion of the singer's words

Flow blood sweat tears Nyambo infect ears
Expressing the raw and powerful nature of the music and message

A.F.R.I.C.A
An invocation and celebration of the diverse and rich culture and history of the African continent

Is where I stay with my old lady
The artist's home and connection to the African continent and its culture

Home of the garden king
A symbolic reference to the ancestral roots and richness of African culture

The garden days before my savior
A metaphorical reference to the deep spiritual and cultural roots of African tradition before the introduction of colonialism and forced change

For Mozambique, Tanzania, for Zambia, Mali
Acknowledging the diverse and vibrant cultures of several African countries

And Ghana, Botswana, Somalia, Sudan
Honoring the traditions and history of several more African countries

Gambia, Niger, Uganda, Rwanda, Ivory Coast
Recognizing the unique contributions and challenges faced by several African countries

Comoros, Togo, Congo, Burkina Faso, Morocco
Celebrating the diversity and richness of several more African countries

And Guinea Bissau, Gabon, and Guinea
Honoring the diverse and unique cultures of several more African countries

South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Malawi, Chad
Recognizing the deep historical and cultural roots of several African countries

Djibouti, Lesotho, Liberia, Burundi and Kenya
Celebrating the vibrant and diverse cultures of several more African countries

Sao tome Principe, Mauritania, Eritrea, Seychelles, Cape Verde, Madagascar, Zimbabwe
Honoring the unique and diverse cultures of several more African countries

Senegal, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Algeria
Recognizing the rich history and cultural contributions of several more African countries

Cameroon, Angola, Mauritius, Benin, Ethiopia
Celebrating the unique and diverse cultures of several more African countries

Swaziland, D.R.C, Tunisia, Namibia
Honoring the deep historical and cultural roots of several African countries

The Afrique
An acknowledgment and celebration of the unity and diversity of Africa as a continent

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