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.
Floor
Tumi and the Volume Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kicked up the brakes,
The shroud rain down on ache
The showers came,
Drains flood out the mains
It's dark grey, your brain can't box with me
It's crunk insane,
Bumping like a township craze
Loving how the sound awakes
The god in me,
From king to a humble flea
The bumble bee that sings on a Paolo beat
Excuse me, I ain't even introduce myself
My name is Tumi get to moving and amuse yourself
The rules are set,
Comply and get your noodle wet
Confuse the rest,
This rap shit is cool as death
But I'm from Africa, raps been a-round
Since language was not, even a blot of ink
On flattened papyrus tops, and all just clapping
With fires crackling, dance, on the grass
Spinning back and laughing entranced
Out of space like a bachelor pad
I tackle the pad,
My stroke evoke a Dracula rap
That's habit I gathered and figure
I've had it with rappers, you know
Get yourself up out the floor (get up)
Make way for a brand new you
Reset, reflect on the bad you do
(Go people) It's The Volume, dude
Get your head up out the clouds (get up)
Get down make use of the sound
Pulsate, don't wait. It's the boost in your arm
(Go people) Dopest music around
Raw performance, don't applaud
Get your Niel Armstrong on, but that's your loss
When you're lost in clouds like a floating astronaut
I once was caught, trying to be the illest on raps of all
Treat it like I need it we believe in a higher force
Like there's a hidden wisdom to all the tired songs
Dance, prance, bodies and dialogues
Same language as what the ballas done passed off
So shake what your mama gave
Your daddy in lover's lane
And pray for another day
To save your current shame
It plays around again from days to months to years
From years to days to decades, it's just a blaze
Let's start over afresh like October the first
Right now boxes open, don't stress
Closet fossils out there, show no regrets
I know that most will neglect
The horror close to their chest
But stuff it, I get above it
And while we on the subject:
I could use a diet, I tried not eating nuggets
And running, huffing and puffing
I got it confronted, besides
Biggie's not around to make it look something you Know
Get yourself up out the floor (get up)
Make way for a brand new you
Reset, reflect on the bad you do
(Go people) It's The Volume, dude
Get your head up out the clouds (get up)
Get down make use of the sound
Pulsate, don't wait. It's the boost in your arm
(Go people) Dopest music around
Get yourself up out the floor (get up)
Make way for a brand new you
Reset, reflect on the bad you do
(Go people) It's The Volume, dude
Get your head up out the clouds (get up)
Get down make use of the sound
Pulsate, don't wait. It's the boost in your arm
(Go people) Dopest music around
Get up, now go raise it up
My people, change it up
Get up, now go raise it up
My people, change it up
Get up, now go raise it up
My people, change it up
Get up, now go raise it up
My people, change it up
Get up, now go raise it up
My people, change it up
The song "Floor" by Tumi and the Volume is a powerful call to action for the listener to rise up and make change. The first verse speaks to the power of music to move us and awaken the god within us. Tumi's rhymes are clever and intricate, touching on the history of rap and its African roots. The chorus then urges the listener to get up off the floor and make a change in their life. The second verse speaks to the idea of starting fresh and not being weighed down by past mistakes or regrets. The overall message is one of empowerment and the belief that we all have the capacity to create positive change in the world.
The lyrics of "Floor" are both hopeful and urgent, exhorting the listener to action while also acknowledging the challenges that come with making change. Tumi's use of wordplay and metaphors makes for a thought-provoking and engaging listening experience. The song's message of hope and empowerment remains relevant today, encouraging listeners to lift themselves up and chase their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, sound in shades and crowds of a clouded base
The combination of sounds gives me a feeling of being hidden and surrounded.
Kicked up the brakes, The shroud rain down on ache
Suddenly stopping something that is moving quickly followed by evoking memories of pain through imagery of a heavy, dark curtain.
The showers came, Drains flood out the mains
Rainfall and subsequent flooding causing destruction through the movement of water through the main drains of the town.
It's dark grey, your brain can't box with me
The atmosphere is emotionally heavy, and it's unwise for you to resist and fight against me.
It's crunk insane, Bumping like a township craze
The rhythm of the music is wildly energetic, like the beats in African townships.
Not drunk, refrain, Loving how the sound awakes
I'm not intoxicated but falling in love with being fully conscious to the musical stimulation I'm experiencing.
The god in me, From king to a humble flea
My identity and essence have changed with the musical experience, and so has my feeling of power.
The bumble bee that sings on a Paolo beat
The buzzing performance of a bee humming along with a Paolo beat creates harmony.
Excuse me, I ain't even introduce myself
Sorry, I haven't even told you my name yet.
My name is Tumi get to moving and amuse yourself
I am Tumi, and my message to you is to start dancing and entertain yourself.
The rules are set, Comply and get your noodle wet
I've established the regulations for the musical activity, and following them will ensure a proper experience.
Confuse the rest, This rap shit is cool as death
Let's purposely confuse those who don't understand our music because it's as cool and intense as death itself.
But I'm from Africa, raps been a-round
I come from Africa where rap music has existed for a long time.
Since language was not, even a blot of ink, On flattened papyrus tops, and all just clapping
The roots of music span farther back than language does, with the earliest music being created by merely clapping.
With fires crackling, dance, on the grass, Spinning back and laughing entranced
People danced and laughed around crackling fires on the grass while being mesmerized by the music.
Out of space like a bachelor pad
The vibe of the music transcends earthly bounds and feels like being in an otherworldly bachelor pad.
I tackle the pad, My stroke evoke a Dracula rap
When I write music, I attack it, and it becomes something with a dark and chilling tone like a vampire's style.
That's habit I gathered and figure, I've had it with rappers, you know
I've got a habit of being on top of my game, and I'm over dealing with inferior rappers.
Get yourself up out the floor (get up) Make way for a brand new you Reset, reflect on the bad you do (Go people) It's The Volume, dude
Stand up and welcome a fresh start by reflecting on your past mistakes, and I, Tumi with my band The Volume, will guide you.
Get your head up out the clouds (get up) Get down make use of the sound Pulsate, don't wait. It's the boost in your arm (Go people) Dopest music around
Clear your head and feel the beats in your body because it's the most excellent music you'll ever hear.
Raw performance, don't applaud Get your Niel Armstrong on, but that's your loss When you're lost in clouds like a floating astronaut
You don't need to clap for the unfiltered performance because you could feel like Neil Armstrong without noticing, but it's your loss if you miss the opportunity.
I once was caught, trying to be the illest on raps of all Treat it like I need it we believe in a higher force
I used to aspire to be the best at rap, but now I appreciate and approach it as though I need it while believing there's a divine power in music.
Like there's a hidden wisdom to all the tired songs Dance, prance, bodies and dialogues Same language as what the ballas done passed off
There's a secret depth to even the most repetitive and straightforward music. It moves people and you can find joy throughout your body.
So shake what your mama gave Your daddy in lover's lane And pray for another day To save your current shame
Dance and shake what you got considering a moment where you may have messed up and hope to redeem yourself another day.
It plays around again from days to months to years From years to days to decades, it's just a blaze Let's start over afresh like October the first Right now boxes open, don't stress
Music repeats in cycles throughout our lives. It's a fire that burns every time and doesn't necessarily have an end point. Let's start again with no anxiety or concern for previous events.
Closet fossils out there, show no regrets I know that most will neglect The horror close to their chest
Let your hidden, dormant fears come out without guilt, even if most people avoid them as it may be too much handle.
But stuff it, I get above it And while we on the subject: I could use a diet, I tried not eating nuggets And running, huffing and puffing I got it confronted, besides Biggie's not around to make it look something you Know
Forget hiding your baggage, rise above it. On a side note, I'm aware of needing a healthier diet and exercise routine but failed to stick with it, and famous rapper Biggie Smalls isn't here to make it sound cool anymore.
Get up, now go raise it up My people, change it up
Stand up now and make a difference, my people.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sthe The Extraterrestrial
One of the best hip hop tapes to ever come out in south africa.
Samuel maumela
Tumi Tumi Tumi man!!!!!!
wMagmAw
So niiiiiiice !
square root of poloney
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square root of poloney
I love this...sound.
I don't think y'all verstaan.
square root of poloney
Yeeeeesssss!!!!!
Bathong!!!!!!????