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.
The Story Behind the Pain
Tumi and the Volume Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here regarded as gone
Appear flooding my poems
I wear pops under robes
Near, heart is home for him
Harbored enthroned
Here not catacombs
Yeah mummy I am grown
But fear that I am at fault
For saying that is a false
Cuz where am I without flaws
Gem studded and lost
With Jinn loving the course
Clear charted for loss
Heavy hearted off course
Semi brother is poor
Already fathered a daughter
Made it hard to face morning
Twenty four, still on mummy's pay roll
Rhyme as hungry as orphans
Only my first album striving for resources
Live when I am performing
Died but I am not mourning no
I am living life and I’ll celebrate for you
Even when I am feeling like they stole memories of you
End up resorting to what I am supposed to do
Jog in the fog you are afraid of walking through
Gotta be brave money and I reckon it all depends on heart
Or lack of it, I figure its haunting all the same
Look in my eyes search for the story behind the pain
Life's a beast your breathing energy gotta tame
My pops deceased MCing remedy that okay
Taking me that ‘away
Towards the battle plains
Through wars examinations, chores
I'll handle fate
Ain’t much later but hard labour cause some say that
The love hater is far greater than thou made her
God tailor narrator hear the song prayer
Shake the room steady he can knock your wallpaper
In The Story Behind the Pain, Tumi Molekane raps about his innermost fears, struggles and pain. He talks about how the beloved unknown appears flooding his poems and how he wears pops under his robes. He also mentions that near is where his heart is home, harbored enthroned, and not in catacombs. He acknowledges that he is now grown, but afraid of shedding tears and being at fault for saying something false, because he knows that he is not without flaws. Tumi acknowledges that he is gem-studded and lost, but the Jinn loves his path even though it leads him to loss, and his heart is heavy and off-course.
He portrays a life full of challenges and perseverance, and how he is struggling to make ends meet even though he is on his first album, and his rhyme is hungry as orphans. Tumi also talks about how he is still on his mother's payroll at 24, but is giving it his all whenever he is performing. He celebrates life and remembers his loved ones even when it feels like their memories have been stolen, and keeps moving forward to do what he is supposed to do. He speaks about being brave, and that money depends on one's heart or the lack of it, and how he handles fate and battles through every obstacle. He ends the song on the note that the love hater is far greater than he has made her, but with God's tailor as his narrator, he sings his prayers and can shake the room steady enough to knock the wallpaper down.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear beloved unknown
Addressing someone who is not known or familiar, but still important in the singer's life
Here regarded as gone
Although physically present, the subject feels emotionally disconnected from their surroundings
Appear flooding my poems
Memories and emotions resurface and inspire the singer’s art
I wear pops under robes
The artist carries their father’s memory with them at all times, making peace with their loss
Near, heart is home for him
The subject’s father resides in their heart and is always present, despite being physically gone
Harbored enthroned
The father is seen as a King, and his presence is powerful and constant
Here not catacombs
The subject is not visiting a grave, but rather honoring their father’s memory in other ways
Yeah mummy I am grown
Acknowledging that they are an adult now, but still need support from their mother
But shed nothing at all
Bottling up emotions and putting on a brave face
But fear that I am at fault
Worrying that they are not doing enough to honor their father's memory
For saying that is a false
Recognizing that nobody is perfect and that it's okay to make mistakes
Cuz where am I without flaws
Accepting that imperfections are a part of life and integral to personal growth
Gem studded and lost
Feeling disconnected and unsure of one's place in the world, despite having potential and talent
With Jinn loving the course
Despite being lost and uncertain, the singer has a deep love and passion for their art, which motivates and guides them
Clear charted for loss
Despite loving one's craft, the singer recognizes the challenges and difficulties that come with pursuing it
Heavy hearted off course
Feeling weighed down and aimless, despite having a clear passion and purpose
Semi brother is poor
Acknowledging that they are not the only one struggling, and that others around them are also in difficult situations
Already fathered a daughter
Recognizing that the struggles of parenthood are real and impactful
Made it hard to face morning
Feeling overwhelmed and burdened by responsibilities, making it difficult to face the day ahead
Twenty four, still on mummy's pay roll
Acknowledging that they are still financially dependent on their mother, despite being an adult
Rhyme as hungry as orphans
Describing the artist’s passion and dedication to their craft as strong and unrelenting
Only my first album striving for resources
Despite being dedicated and passionate, the artist is still struggling to make ends meet and find success
Live when I am performing
Finding joy and purpose in performing and connecting with an audience
Died but I am not mourning no
Acknowledging the loss and pain of losing a loved one but choosing to celebrate their life and remember them positively
I am living life and I’ll celebrate for you
Making the most of life and living it fully, in honor of a lost loved one
Even when I am feeling like they stole memories of you
Recognizing the pain and feeling of loss when memories of a loved one are taken away, yet choosing to move forward
End up resorting to what I am supposed to do
Finding comfort and solace in doing what is expected of them and keeping busy
Jog in the fog you are afraid of walking through
Choosing to face challenges and difficulties head on, despite feeling lost or uncertain
Gotta be brave money and I reckon it all depends on heart
Being courageous in the face of financial struggles, knowing that success ultimately comes down to staying true to oneself and one's passions
Or lack of it, I figure its haunting all the same
Recognizing that a lack of passion and purpose can be just as difficult and haunting as financial struggles
Look in my eyes search for the story behind the pain
Encouraging others to understand the struggles and experiences that have shaped the singer's life
Life's a beast your breathing energy gotta tame
Describing life as a challenge that requires strength and vigor to conquer
My pops deceased MCing remedy that okay
Using music and creative expression as a way to honor and remember a lost loved one
Taking me that ‘away
Finding comfort and solace in focusing on creative pursuits
Towards the battle plains
Describing a creative journey as a challenging adventure, full of obstacles and struggles
Through wars examinations, chores
Acknowledging that pursuing a creative passion takes hard work and dedication, often feeling like a battle
I'll handle fate
Choosing to take control of one's life and destiny, rather than letting fate or external circumstances dictate one's path
Ain’t much later but hard labour cause some say that
Acknowledging that sometimes success requires hard work and dedication over time, rather than immediate results
The love hater is far greater than thou made her
Recognizing that negativity and criticism can be louder and more pervasive than love and support sometimes
God tailor narrator hear the song prayer
Using music and creative expression to connect with a higher power, and find solace and comfort
Shake the room steady he can knock your wallpaper
Describing the power and impact of music and creative expression, capable of moving and inspiring others in profound ways
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@diolofman17
what a powerful track ! ♥♥♥
@talbino7821
This really hurts. In awe of Tumi and these guys !
@siyabongashelembe8507
I dont understand how come you guys dont get as much attention as you deserve. you guys are the best band in SA probably Africa. May you grow in music. thanks for your work.
@thehouseofmourning
The Story Behind The Pain
@matlhokepaletswe6882
They dont make em like this anymore!
@darknessill7220
before he was stogie. pure poetry.
@mosurfer185
This guy does not get the credit he deserves