In addition to recordings of the standard classical repertoire, Ma has recorded a wide variety of folk music, such as American bluegrass music, traditional Chinese melodies, the tangos of Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, and Brazilian music. He has also collaborated with artists from a diverse range of genres, including Bobby McFerrin, Carlos Santana, Chris Botti, Diana Krall, James Taylor, Miley Cyrus, and Sting.
Ma has been a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 2006. He has received numerous awards, including the Avery Fisher Prize in 1978, The Glenn Gould Prize in 1999, the National Medal of Arts in 2001, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, Kennedy Center Honors in 2011, the Polar Music Prize in 2012, and the Birgit Nilsson Prize in 2022. He was named as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2020. Aside from English, Ma is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and French.
Ma's primary performance instrument is the Davidov cello, made in 1712 by Antonio Stradivari
Ma's mother, Marina Lu, was a singer, and his father, Hiao-Tsiun Ma, was a violinist, composer and professor of music at Nanjing National Central University (now relocated in Taoyuan, Taiwan; predecessor of the present-day Nanjing University and Southeast University). They both migrated from the Republic of China to France during the Chinese Civil War. Ma's sister, Yeou-Cheng Ma, played the violin and piano professionally before obtaining a medical degree from Harvard and becoming a pediatrician. The family moved to New York City when Ma was seven.
From the age of three, Ma played the drums, violin, piano, and later viola, but settled on the cello in 1960 at age four. When three-year-old Yo-Yo said he wanted a big instrument, his father went to see Etienne Vatelot, a foremost violin maker in Paris who, after a chat, lent him a 1/16th cello. He jokes that his first choice was the double bass due to its large size, but he compromised and took up the cello instead. When his father realized that Yo-Yo was ready for a better teacher, a well-known cello instructor, Mme Michelle Lepinte, was selected. He began performing before audiences at age five and played for presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy when he was seven. At age eight, he appeared on American television with his sister in an event introduced by Leonard Bernstein. In 1964, Isaac Stern introduced them on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and they performed the Sonata of Sammartini. He attended Trinity School in New York but transferred to the Professional Children's School, where he graduated at age 15. He appeared as a soloist with the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra in a performance of Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations.
Ma studied at the Juilliard School at age 19 with Leonard Rose and attended Columbia University, but dropped out. He later enrolled at Harvard College. Prior to entering Harvard, Ma played in the Marlboro Festival Orchestra under the direction of cellist, conductor and Ma’s childhood hero Pablo Casals. He spent four summers at the Marlboro Music Festival after meeting and falling in love with Mount Holyoke College sophomore and festival administrator Jill Hornor during his first summer there in 1972.
Even before that time, Ma gained fame and performed with many of the world's major orchestras. He has also played chamber music, often with pianist Emanuel Ax, with whom he has a close friendship from their days at Juilliard. Ma received his bachelor's degree in anthropology from Harvard in 1976, and in 1991 received an honorary doctorate from Harvard.
Yo-Yo Ma has been referred to by critics as "omnivorous" and possesses an eclectic repertoire. In addition to numerous recordings of the standard classical repertoire, he has recorded Baroque pieces using period instruments; American bluegrass music; traditional Chinese melodies, including the soundtrack to the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; the tangos of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla; Brazilian music, recording traditional and contemporary songs composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Pixinguinha; a collaboration with Bobby McFerrin (where Ma admitted to being terrified by McFerrin's improvisation); and the music of modern minimalist Philip Glass, in such works as the 2002 Naqoyqatsi.
Ma is known for his smooth, rich tone, soulful lyricism, and virtuosity. He released a cello recording of Niccolò Paganini's Caprice No. 24 for solo violin and Zoltán Kodály's Solo Sonata.
On May 1, 2019, he performed at Paranal Observatory in the Atacama desert. He said that his interest in astronomy motivated him to visit and perform there.
Ma's albums include recordings of cello concertos, sonatas for cello and piano, works for solo cello, and a variety of chamber music. He has also recorded in non-classical styles, notably in collaboration with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Carlos Santana, Chris Botti, Chris Thile, Diana Krall, James Taylor, Miley Cyrus and Sting.
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Yo-Yo Ma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’m focused on the tablets Moses had that Yah had gave
There’s a difference between being a Jew and being Jew-ish
But you already knew this
Don’t fucking play stupid
The payback is coming nigga it’s so ruthless
The life that we living nigga is so useless
This exile is killing meYah return to me
I’m drowning without you
Frowning without you (Uh)
Money don’t make the pain lessen
The the only lesson is money be causing niggas more depression
Still the borrower, still the tail, still the lesser
Still feel like Daniel under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar
Still under these curses
The only way for me to vent is through all of theses verses
And reading all of these verses
And ask my ancestors why
Did they violate the covenant
Shit makes me wanna cry
I ain’t pro black
Ain’t On that buddy buddy shit
Moabites, Ammonites
Boy I really study shit
It’s gon be all silence
If these niggas get me killed
Lay me on side
Try to do me like Ezekiel
I ain’t scared of death
Used to be, nigga not no more
If I ain’t gone die for something
What the hell I’m living for
I ain’t tryna go to heavenHeaven it in my plans
I’m just tryna be a servant
Make it to the holy land
I done seen some shit that I don’t ever wanna see again
I don’t wanna see my people serve they enemies again
I don’t wanna help the system gotta be better way
I don’t wanna stay in Babylon no not another day
I don’t wanna be a slave
Out here sweating for the man
I just Wanna go to goshen build a house and grow some plants
Do my toiling in the sun
Executing all my plans
Watch my sons make other sons
Teach the law to all my grands
I don’t claim to be a prophet
Never have and never will
I’m just tryna do the things I think that’s in my fathers will
I ain’t tryna point the finger look at me and look at you
I’m just tryna find the truth and boy I know I’m filthy too
Only rock with real ones
Real ones know they felling this
This right here might have to be the anthem for the wilderness
Prepping for the desolate
Keep myself in solitude
The more I grow in knowledge is
The more I grow in sorrow too
Some days I just like Job taking everything I got
Then sometimes I feel like Job
Increase my blessings by a lot
Sometimes when I count my losses
I can’t get a win at all
That’s when I be feeling weak and I just wanna end it all
some days i feel like a champ
Abba got my soul on fire
That’s when I feel like I’m David
Out here looking for Goliath
Bring the truth to all the liars
Cause the situations dire
Jesus ain’t the son of God no he ain’t no damn Messiah
100 like the caddiliac
See it through the cataract
Shalawam to all my tribe to everywhere they scattered at
A lot of niggas mad at that
Yeah my nigga anyway
Ima choose murder over bondage nigga any day
Bitch I been rebel since the lower level
I don’t never meddle
Yeah I seen the devil
Don’t reverse the peddle
Everything I do I try to do like I do for Him
YAHAWAH KEE GAAH GAAH COOHK RAKKAB RAMAH YAHM
In the song "1 X O" by Yo-Yo Ma, the lyrics address various themes related to identity, spirituality, and the struggles faced by the Black community. The opening lines juxtapose the focus on modern technology, symbolized by Apple tablets, with a deeper focus on the tablets Moses had, which were given to him by Yah (another name for God). This highlights the difference between superficial engagement with one's heritage and a more profound connection to one's roots.
The lyrics also touch on the distinction between being Jewish and being "Jew-ish," suggesting that true understanding of one's cultural and religious background goes beyond mere association. The artist challenges the listener not to play dumb and acknowledge this distinction. The following lines express a desire for retribution and protest against an unjust system that renders life meaningless. The reference to exile reflects a feeling of displacement and longing for spiritual connection.
The lyrics also allude to biblical stories, such as Daniel under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar and Ezekiel's attempted murder. These references highlight the artist's exploration of historical and spiritual themes. There is a sense of frustration and sorrow expressed throughout the song, as the artist questions why his ancestors violated the covenant and wonders about the implications of this act.
Line by Line Meaning
You focused on the tablets that Apple made
You're paying attention to the materialistic things made by Apple
I’m focused on the tablets Moses had that Yah had gave
I'm focused on the spiritual tablets given by Yah to Moses
There’s a difference between being a Jew and being Jew-ish
There's a distinction between truly belonging to the Jewish faith and just appearing to be Jewish
But you already knew this
But you already understood this concept
Don’t fucking play stupid
Don't pretend to be ignorant
The payback is coming nigga it’s so ruthless
Retribution is approaching and it will be merciless
The life that we living nigga is so useless
Our current existence feels meaningless
This exile is killing me
This state of banishment is causing me great distress
Yah return to me
Yah, come back to me
I’m drowning without you
I'm feeling overwhelmed and lost without your presence
Frowning without you (Uh)
I'm constantly sad and dissatisfied without you
Money don’t make the pain lessen
Financial wealth doesn't relieve emotional pain
The only lesson is money be causing niggas more depression
Money tends to exacerbate the depression experienced by individuals
Still feel like Daniel under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar
I still feel oppressed and powerless, like Daniel under Nebuchadnezzar's reign
Still under these curses
We are still oppressed by these curses
The only way for me to vent is through all of theses verses
Expressing my emotions and frustrations through these verses is my only outlet
And reading all of these verses
Engaging with and studying these scriptures
And ask my ancestors why
Seeking answers from my ancestors
Did they violate the covenant
Did they break the sacred covenant
Shit makes me wanna cry
This situation makes me want to cry
I ain’t pro black
I don't solely identify with blackness
Ain’t On that buddy buddy shit
I'm not interested in superficial friendships or alliances
Moabites, Ammonites
Learning and studying about Moabites and Ammonites
Boy I really study shit
I actively engage in deep research and study
It’s gon be all silence
Silence will prevail
If these niggas get me killed
If these individuals cause my demise
Lay me on side
Bury me on my side
Try to do me like Ezekiel
Try to harm me as they did to Ezekiel
I ain’t scared of death
I'm no longer afraid of death
Used to be, nigga not no more
I used to be afraid, but not anymore
If I ain’t gone die for something
If I'm not willing to die for a cause
What the hell I’m living for
What's the purpose of my existence then
I ain’t tryna go to heaven
I'm not seeking to enter heaven
Heaven it in my plans
My aspirations don't solely revolve around heaven
I’m just tryna be a servant
I'm simply aiming to be a humble servant
Make it to the holy land
Reach the sacred land
I done seen some shit that I don’t ever wanna see again
I have witnessed things I never want to witness again
I don’t wanna see my people serve they enemies again
I don't want to witness my people being enslaved by their enemies again
I don’t wanna help the system gotta be better way
I don't want to support the current system, there must be a better alternative
I don’t wanna stay in Babylon no not another day
I don't want to remain in Babylon for even one more day
I don’t wanna be a slave
I refuse to be a slave
Out here sweating for the man
Working hard for the oppressor
I just Wanna go to goshen build a house and grow some plants
I simply desire to go to Goshen, build a home, and cultivate plants
Do my toiling in the sun
Put in my hard work under the sun
Executing all my plans
Successfully carrying out all my plans
Watch my sons make other sons
Witnessing my sons have children of their own
Teach the law to all my grands
Passing down the knowledge of the law to my grandchildren
I don’t claim to be a prophet
I don't assert that I am a prophet
Never have and never will
I have never claimed it, and I never will
I’m just tryna do the things I think that’s in my fathers will
I'm simply trying to fulfill what I believe is my father's desire
I ain’t tryna point the finger look at me and look at you
I'm not trying to accuse or criticize others, I ask you to reflect on yourself as well
I’m just tryna find the truth and boy I know I’m filthy too
I'm only seeking the truth, despite acknowledging my own faults
Only rock with real ones
I only associate with genuine individuals
Real ones know they felling this
Authentic people understand and resonate with this
This right here might have to be the anthem for the wilderness
This song could potentially become the anthem for those in the wilderness
Prepping for the desolate
Preparing for a barren and harsh environment
Keep myself in solitude
Maintain a state of seclusion
The more I grow in knowledge is
As I gain more knowledge
The more I grow in sorrow too
I also experience an increase in sorrow
Some days I just like Job taking everything I got
Some days, it feels like I'm Job, losing everything I possess
Then sometimes I feel like Job
But at other times, I feel like Job
Increase my blessings by a lot
Receiving abundant blessings
Sometimes when I count my losses
Occasionally, when I calculate my losses
I can’t get a win at all
I can't seem to achieve any victories
That’s when I be feeling weak and I just wanna end it all
During those moments, I feel vulnerable and contemplate ending everything
some days i feel like a champ
On certain days, I feel like a champion
Abba got my soul on fire
My soul is ignited by Abba
That’s when I feel like I’m David
That's when I feel like I'm David
Out here looking for Goliath
Searching for my personal Goliath
Bring the truth to all the liars
Confronting and exposing all the deceivers
Cause the situations dire
Because the situation is dire
Jesus ain’t the son of God no he ain’t no damn Messiah
Jesus is not the son of God, he is not the true Messiah
100 like the caddiliac
A metaphorical comparison to the reliability and excellence of a Cadillac
See it through the cataract
Perceive it through the haze or difficulty
Shalawam to all my tribe to everywhere they scattered at
Greetings of peace to my scattered tribe, wherever they may be
A lot of niggas mad at that
Many people are angry about that
Yeah my nigga anyway
Yeah, my friend, regardless
Ima choose murder over bondage nigga any day
I would rather commit murder than live in bondage, any day
Bitch I been rebel since the lower level
I've been a rebel since a young age
I don’t never meddle
I never involve myself in unnecessary conflicts
Yeah I seen the devil
Yes, I have encountered evil
Don’t reverse the peddle
Don't backtrack or retreat
Everything I do I try to do like I do for Him
I strive to do everything in a way that pleases Him
YAHAWAH KEE GAAH GAAH COOHK RAKKAB RAMAH YAHM
A spiritual expression or declaration
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Y.O. Chizz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind