His first real shine came with a spot on 2003's The Antidote: The Healing Pt. 2 compilation from Urban Ave 31. The project featured singer Raheem DeVaughn and yU's crew The Remainz, with a buzz spreading to Europe and introducing the budding lyricist to an overseas audience. At home, a new generation of talent was bubbling in the Washington D.C./Md./Va. area, which led to the formation of the Diamond District, a group consisting of yU, producer/MC Oddisee, and MC Uptown Xo, and named after the geographical region in which they all came of age. The trio's In the Ruff LP was a showcase of the hip-hop creativity that had long been overlooked amidst the area's legendary Go-Go scene, and to an extent, its penchant for violent crime and political chicanery. The album also paved the road for yU's abilities to emerge on his solo efforts – 2010's Before Taxes and 2011's The Earn.
Before yU the 78er became a fan of music, he acquired certain tastes from his mother, Gina. Many artists trace their roots back to the funk, soul, jazz, or R&B sounds that were household staples during times of youth, but yU was born to a true female hip-hopper. Mecca and the Soul Brother and early A Tribe Called Quest stayed in rotation in their Alexandria, Virginia home. Moms led trips to the theater to see Breakin', Beat Street and Krush Groove, and as a teen, he was encouraged to videotape segments of Yo! MTV Raps and BET's Rap City. Hip-Hop was always in the mix, so when yU began his own career, he was well equipped to become a creative force within the culture.
Much of what yU has learned throughout life is the result of his love of music. An introvert, hip-hop provided a means for him to open up to the world, and in doing so he was surprised to find many others who share the same interests. Among the fruits of collaboration are the foundation of the1978ers production team, with friend Slimkat78, inclusion of his "Fine" instrumental on the Gilles Peterson compilation Brownswood Bubblers Four, and an upcoming project with Pittsburgh producer (Y)usef Dinero.
But his overall goal is growth, and allowing both his career and his music to expand. It's a worthwhile intent – to start at zero and let listeners witness the climb. As a child, yU was immersed in hip-hop music and knew his life's path at an early age. Now he looks to share that purpose with his fans.
Close
Yu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nevermind all the things we'd did
Nevermind that I'd hurt you when you hurt me
Oh Nevermind you made me cry
Nevermind I broke your heart
All the I love you hate me everything in between
And nevermind we said goodbye
There's a reason for every thing
Cus when I close my eyes
You're still looking back at me
Saying I love you without a word
Do I haunt you like you do
Am I everywhere you go
Does the sun go down when I'm not around
All the stars in the nightsky couldn't bring you back to me
All I have left are dreams and memories
So nevermind all the words we said
Nevermind all the things we did
Nevermind the I can't hurt you if I'm alone
And nevermind you made me cry
Nevermind I broke your heart
Nevermind even if I never see you again
Cus when I close my eyes
You're still looking back at me
Saying I love you without a word
Do I haunt you like you do
Oh am I everywhere you go
Does the sun go down when I'm not around
All the stars in the nightsky couldn't bring you back to me
All I have left are dreams and memories
Over blue lights all the stars aligned
Under those same skies we said: we would let us go
But in my mind
Behind my eyes.
I see you, everywhere I go
Even if you never see me again
Oh when I close my eyes
You're still looking back at me
Saying I love you without a word
Do I haunt you like you do
Am I everywhere you go
Does the sun go down when I'm not around
All the stars in the nightsky couldn't bring you back to me
All I have left are dreams and memories
Do I haunt you like you do
Am I everywhere you go
Does the sun go down when I'm not around
All the stars in the nightsky couldn't bring you back to me
All I have left are dreams and memories
Nevermind we said goodbye
We'll find a reason for everything
Even if I never see you again
The lyrics of yU and the1978ers's song "Close" talk about a journey through time and space with a loved one. The opening lines "是你来把我唤醒 / 我知道你仍然会站在这里 / 我的爱" roughly translate to "It was you who woke me up / I know you'll still be standing here / my love". This sets the tone for a spiritual awakening, with the singer acknowledging their partner's constant love and support.
The song continues with "开启我们的旅行 / 这感觉像来自上一个世纪 / 穿过海 / 穿过城市中的每一段风景", which roughly translates to "Let's start our journey / It feels like it's from the last century / We pass through the sea / We pass through every scene in the city". This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the journey of life, with the singer and their partner taking on the world together. They experience life's highs and lows, but through it all, they remain "Close".
In the chorus, the repeated phrase "Close to me" emphasizes the importance of the singer's partner. "就带走我的呼吸 / Don't worry / 释放你的身体 / Close to me 这是新的生命 / Find me / 跟随我的声音" translates to "Take my breath away / Don't worry / release your body / Close to me, this is a new life / Find me, follow my voice". The singer wants their partner to feel free and alive with them, and the repeated phrase "Find me, follow my voice" emphasizes the trust and intimacy in their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
是你来把我唤醒
You are the one who wakes me up.
我知道你仍然会站在这里
I know you will still be here.
我的爱
My love.
开启我们的旅行
Let's begin our journey.
这感觉像来自上一个世纪
This feels like it's from a different era.
穿过海
Crossing over the sea.
穿过城市中的每一段风景
Passing through every scene in the city.
感到风声高速掠过了头顶
Feeling the wind rushing past above me.
在夜空中前行
Moving forward in the night sky.
Close to me
Close to me.
就带走我的呼吸
Taking away my breath.
Don't worry
Don't worry.
释放你的身体
Let your body be free.
这是新的生命
This is a new life.
Find me
Find me.
跟随我的声音
Follow my voice.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Yu Chen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
WastedTalent1632
Shame this dude isn't more popular. Can't stop listenin to this.
Shawn Kohl
Hey don’t worry, at least some people are still banging this joint 12 years later… respect🙏
ThaMilitantMinded1
On point! Somebody please tell me what happened to Isabella Banneker. I have one mixtape of hers...so nice. Unbelievable talent. Then she disappeared...i would pay good money just to hear some more of her flows
Jinx TK
Yo! this joint bangs.. I dont even remember where i came across it, but it was somewhere on spotify and I've had in my playlist since.
SwiftyLO
Why are the real artists not recognised. The world makes no sense if you ask me.
Brad Bolek
This is real as shit
Okamifan2 FKA chdreturns
WHO THE FUCK DISLIKED THIS
T
Someone who was less than