Pre Hook
Hey baby, you drive me crazy, 
Hey, I need you to love me my baby to turn me on

Verse 1
Alfajiri ninaamka, ninapiga tizi kuweka mwili fiti
Chali anakam keja iko safi
Aka kaboy nakaumia vako
Maisha ni kuishi kimangoto my friend 
Nimecheki boy nika like, 
Sasa ni kumwita, kusuka, kuvuta , and then operation inbox
C’mon all I need is mitigation baby
Mimi ni rapper na bonge la haga
Sitasleki coz nimecheki Shimei hapa ameiva men
Nina machungu nipe tamu tamu, 
Iko nini manze mbona we mgamu
Hata mimi nasema

HOOK
Me nataka uninyoroshe na unafanya nini
Me nataka unipepete na unanyeta nini
Njoo, njoo, njoo, njoo

Verse 2
Maumivu tele nisugulie mgongo
Hapo ni sawa lakini shukisha mkono 
A girl toto is in the festive mood
Usipaze sauti sasa unaniudhi
Sa cheki majirani wananihoji
Washaanza kunipigia hodi
Yet mimi nalipa kodi nduru zako men zinanichomea picha
Nishakukataza uwache makelele
Ukitaka piga nduru enda kengeles,
Ubaya wako unamea pembe, ukiendelea hivyo nitakuacha na pepe
Kasarani kuna burudani, hiyo mchezo ni kama tsunami
Ikiingia ni kama msumari, me ni mnoma utadhani ni mswati


HOOK
Me nataka uninyoroshe na unafanya nini
Me nataka unipepete na unanyeta nini
Njoo, njoo, njoo, njoo


Verse 3
We hunijui unaniona kwa suti, ukinikasirisha nitakudunga mkuki
Kisha sweetie nakupapasa, nakudaradara ni ka ninawashwa
We acha unanichezea shere, unanionjesha kisha una ah!
Kama ni hivyo sitaki kucheza yet baby usiku nilikesha
Kwanza jana dirisha hukufunga, isije kuwa tulichunguliwa
Mchumba akijua manze nitachujwa
Ukinisema eh nitakukana, ama labda nitakutukana
But kwa sasa maliza ulichoanza na uharakishe tusike tukapatwa
Na uharakishe tusije tukapatwa

HOOK
Me nataka uninyoroshe na unafanya nini
Me nataka unipepete na unanyeta nini
Njoo, njoo, njoo, njoo

Bridge
Nimesema sana hadi nina hisi kiu
Hey baby si unigawie picanna
Unanuna nini we bado kijana
Hujaskia ati me ni dame noma


Untethered Soul

Nyorosha

Pre Hook
Hahaha! sawa, 
Yeah Shimei, am back! 
Jesse on this! 
eh yeah, uh, 
Hii ni kwa wale ma kupe wadindiaji 
Cheki kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe x 4

Verse 1
Malkia wa nguvu zinga la jike a.k.a dame noma
Kwa halali niite Shimei, hamnielwi silemewi
Ni mimi dame mmoja mjanja eh, nashika radar faster we,
Nime, nime, gundua, ma-boy wamekua wadindiaji manze
Si  wote lakini wengi wao, wame form tabia ya kuomba 
Tena kuomba, tena kuomba, manze kupe!!
Si kwa ubaya ma-boy nawapenda lakini wengine wenu wanachoma picha
I need a man who can understand 
Me nina pesa lakini niña phobia ya watu wa hasara
Hapana taka chali dindiaji, na ka hujaskia narudia tena
Hapana taka chali dindiaji

HOOK
Cheki kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe x 2
Hii ni kwa wale makupe wadindiaji
Cheki kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe x 2

Verse 2
Najua me ni sonko, lakini haimaanishi, dame ka mimi
Coz nina dough, unanifuata nikupe lunch, nikupe rent, nikupe fare,
Tena kidogo unataka kwenda out, Kupe!
Me si sugar mummy, me ni dame noma, me ni msanii
But at the same time me ni white collar, me ni baller, dollar, shillingi ya Kenya
Lakini wewe usinidindie eh!
Shimei mwenyewe ninasema, cheki, lenga, tusi kupe!


HOOK
Cheki kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe x 2
Hii ni kwa wale makupe, wadindiaji
Cheki kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe x 2


Verse 3
Uchumi ni noma na me ni mnoma
Kwa hivyo ni lazima nilenge kupe
Ukiniona songa mbali, ala, songa mbali,
Akiomba omba, kupe! Shida haziishi, kupe! akibangaiza, kupe,
Ukichoka naye mtupe! 
Well, ukweli nishawapa madame jo, kaendi chonjo
I hope so, nimewafungua macho,
Ma-boy nao, style up,
Jaribuni ku keep up,
If you can’t then, just give up,
eh give up, 
wee shut up!

HOOK
Cheki kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe x 2
Hii ni kwa wale makupe wadindiaji
Cheki kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe kupe x 2

Yeah Shimei!!


Kupe

HOOK
Am on My Way Up, Up, Up, Up x4
Am On My Way.

VERSE 1
A dream can be true, If you pursue it,
Nothing comes easy, No matter how you see it,
There are no rules to your point of view,
Get your due coz its all on you,
Its not about the cars, the swag, or the finance,
All I need is a chance to be someone,
I dream of, You know, I just gotta push on,
Everyday with the heart of a fighter,
Aim like a striker, Hope to get higher,
I believe it, I can achieve it, 
I guarantee my desire to winning,
Like a warranty deed, I got this,
Knowing am worthy. I rise above it,
Whatever the battle no doubt I fight it,
Indeed, Famous Queen, I must win,

HOOK
I’ll Keep Fighting,
My Dreams Are Worth Fighting For,
I’ll Keep Fighting,
Till I reach the Highest Floor,
Am on My Way Up, Up, Up, Up x4
Am On My Way.


VERSE 2
I am so driven, My talent God-given,
Things come in seasons. Am here for a reason,
My city Detroit, Motown!
Kisumu Kenya, Hometown!
Strength comes with struggle,
Things in life startle, 
Don’t quit, Please, Believe you can win,
Start over, You can, Wipe your slate clean,
Every dark dark cloud beneath it silver lining,
Just remember everyday to pray,
Where there’s a will there is a way,
Everyday, Try to find your way, Up!
No other way, But Up! Up!
Keep, The, Hope, Alive,
Hard times make part of life,
This makes you better, Stronger, Wiser,
A solid fighter,

HOOK
I’ll Keep Fighting,
My Dreams Are Worth Fighting For,
I’ll Keep Fighting,
Till I reach the Highest Floor,
Am on My Way Up, Up, Up, Up x4
Am On My Way.

BRIDGE
Don’t worry, Forget the haters,
Bye bye, I’ll see you later,
They see me going up, Like elevators,
Wishing me ill, But I got skill,
Can’t kill my dream, I believe in me,
Determination, Inspiration,
Make progress, Nothing less,
Oh wait, Shimei Empress

HOOK
I’ll Keep Fighting,
My Dreams Are Worth Fighting For,
I’ll Keep Fighting,
Till I reach the Highest Floor,
Am on My Way Up, Up, Up, Up x4
Am On My Way.

My Way Up

INTRO
I was born to be bold

VERSE 1
Why do many think dominance, strength and power mark the masculinity, 
Its far from reality,
As a woman in society, I feel like I will go into total insanity,
You call me bitch, You call me a whore,
You think its cool, well I think it's not,
Stop the vicious cycle, 
Should I pray for a miracle, 
Food for thought to the sexist,
Love and hate cannot co-exist,
I hopeI get the point across, 
But then again I wish I could change roles,
See how it all goes,
Dua la kuku halimpati mwewe

PRE-CHORUS
I have me a message to share,
I want it to spread everywhere,
I have me a message so clear,
I want it to spread everywhere,

 CHORUS
Listen, Listen, Listen,
Listen, Listen to me,
You need to Listen, Listen to me,
This is serious, listen to me,
Listen, Listen, Listen,
Listen, Listen to me,
You need to Listen, Listen to me,
This is serious, Listen to me,

VERSE 2
Hidden in plain sight, you see not my worth,
Look at just how you act,
You keep on getting worse,
So sad, respect is what many lack,
I should not have to fight for what is right,
So sad, am always on guard,
Now that I think of it, women are niggaz of the world,
Why is it, nobody sees we are worth the while,
Domination of women made tradition,
If you ask me, there should be a transition,
Treating women nice should be a mission,
Wanaume wengine wana tabia  gani,
Kwan ni ngumu sana tuheshimiane,

PRE-CHORUS
I have me a message to share,
I want it to spread everywhere,
I have me a message so clear,
I want it to spread everywhere,

 CHORUS
Listen, Listen, Listen,
Listen, listen to me,
You need to listen, 
Listen to me,
This is serious, listen to me,
Listen, Listen, Listen,
Listen, Listen to me,
You need to listen, 
Listen to me,
This is serious, Listen to me,

BRIDGE
Don't disrespect me, Oppress me, Am a human,
You should love me, Support me, Am a woman,
Am a human, Am a woman,
Don't degrade me, Protect me, Am a woman,

 CHORUS
Listen, Listen, Listen,
Listen, listen to me,
You need to listen, 
Listen to me,
This is serious, listen to me,
Listen, Listen, Listen,
Listen, Listen to me,
You need to listen, 
Listen to me,
This is serious, Listen to me,

Listen 

INTRO
Okay, 
Am gonna Kenyanize this,
Lets do this
Should have smoked some we*d

VERSE 1
On my way to America,
I remember first time on an aeroplane,
I was scared,
Nobody cared,
Family nowhere,
Strangers everywhere,
Oh well, Am a boss now!
Hell yeah, I have learnt how, 
Am a go getter,
About to succeed so I feel all better,
Oh yeah, middle finger to the hater,
Uh, Shimei Empress I profess Am the best (oh yes),
Chill out, Am just getting started,
At this rate, I will be the most wanted,

HOOK
Welcome to the states
(Hello) 
Hopped off the plane, First thing they said was, 
Welcome to the states (hello)  X2

VERSE 2
I was so broke I embarked on a journey,
All that I thought about was the money,
Oh honey I got bills in the cabinet,
No way, can't afford me the internet,
What to do, my car is all run down,
I have a job interview near downtown,
Am the Empress, I don't stress out,
Give me a head start, That's a way out,
You know what, I have to keep my focus,
Failure to that, my effort will be bogus,
Anyway, Am a hustler baby,
For today, Am the iron lady

HOOK
Welcome to the states
(Hello) 
Hopped off the plane, First thing they said was, 
Welcome to the states (hello)  X2


VERSE 3
Okay,
I went to see the doctor,
He said I have something,
What is it?
Oh yeah they call it ADHD,
Honestly, 
I never heard of it,
Anyway, I was given medicine,
Here I was thinking that would be the end of it,
Oh no, never seen such tragedy,
I can't sit still,
I have to take pills,
Even when its not cold, I get chills,
Oh well, I guess I better get used to it,
I now understand I gotta be intuitive,
Eh, welcome to America

HOOK
Welcome to the states
(Hello) 
Hopped off the plane, First thing they said was, 
Welcome to the states (hello)  X2


Coming to America

CHORUS
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,

VERSE 1
This is my story, unto God be the glory,
It's my life, I keep going,
Hide my pain, I don't show it,
Just like you, I've been through it,
Fake ass friend, Back-stubbing relative,
Two-faced bi*ch just leave me out of it,
F*ck this sh*t , Am done with all of it,
Somehow I found in me,
For now new beginning,
It's my life I keep thinking,
So brave I had to be,
The strength I have within,
I've come this far I cannot quit,
Always been a Have-Not,
Haters want my downfall,
Struggle not a Bygone,
Me give in?!
I Think-Not,
I was born to be bold,
Am stressed but I aim for the top,
Keep it real and problem solved,
I am broke but I have my goals,
Am not a quitter, but wish things happened quicker

CHORUS
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,


VERSE 2
Far away is where Am from,
I reminisce and miss my home,
Avoid distraction, stay on course,
Chasing my dream at all cost,
Keep my eye on the prize,
Always ready no surprise,
Even though I lack finance,
Music is my only chance,
Am a star, Am a star, Oh yes a superstar,
If life was a yard I crossed the fence,
In myself is confidence,
Loyalty and obedience,
Some people wanna play me though,
Think coz am nice am gullible,
They know it is horrible,
But for some reason they do ignore,
Oh Well, moving on,
Inspiration is the hope,
Dedication is the goal,
Everything I am is a blessing,
Any lesson learned is a message,
Comprehend, pause, proceed,
Live by this, you will succeed,

CHORUS
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,

BRIDGE
God am so thankful,
Poor or the bank rolls,
Walking or driving,
Am living not dying,
You count it up,
Look at all of these blessings,
No time for stressing,
I should be counting these blessings

CHORUS
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,
Am just going to count my blessings,




Blessings

HOOK
wooh, wooh
I just want to be different
And I want to make a difference
Okay not to fit in
Coz we are all people
Lets keep it equal


Verse 1
I want to be different, so different
I really care less if I don’t fit in
Welcome to society that judges me
The prejudice is still there believe me
We all should be equal but I guess you don’t care
Why look at me and the clothes that I wear
My whole beat different, my lifestyle different
My friends and my personality are different
But then again I wonder why should you care
I should be myself any day anywhere
Its not imperfection its all just a preference
Like I said before I want to be different

HOOK
I just want to be different
And I want to make a difference
Okay not to fit in
Coz we are all people
Lets keep it equal

Verse 2
The name is Shimei, Call me that if you may
Am looking for an answer But I don’t know what to say
Hey, why do you see me as a color not fair
Am told that life is a game play fair
The darker the berry the sweeter the juice true
I know that am very beautiful
The darker the tone the deeper the roots
Who, do you think you are trying to make a wuss
It could be paranoia but nobody seems to care
Trust me when I say that I see it everywhere
The negative glare, comment, and stare
Keep it together and try not to swear

HOOK
I just want to be different
And I want to make a difference
Okay not to fit in
Coz we are all people
Lets keep it equal

Verse 3
Some people say there is no way
A lot going on in the world today
Okay so am straight, would you accept me if I was gay
Or would you rather look and turn away
Do speak your mind but then can you be wise
You condemn me why can’t you be nice
Talk of redemption, what! are you serious?
Hauoni najikaza sijasita
Won’t fuss about it coz I fake it till I make it
I live my life just the way that I like it
It don’t really matter coz am going to make it

HOOK
I just want to be different
And I want to make a difference
Okay not to fit in
Coz we are all people
Lets keep it equal


All People

Shimei Empress is a Kenyan-born and Detroit-based rapper-singer who began her music career in Nairobi  in 2005, and moved to metro Detroit around 2012 for graduate school (Eastern Michigan University). Her sound blends neo-soul, R&B, electronica and hip-hop, while her lyrics are a melodic, percussive flow of confession, compassion and prevailing positivity. Her EP, "All Tethered Soul," will be released this fall; it’s her first full recording in English, which is actually her fourth language. She is intent on continuing to splice a diverse range of sounds and styles into her energetic rap, while incorporating a blend of the languages she speaks. 

Shimei_Empress

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