The phoenix

Genre: Afropop / Afro-Fusion

Vibe: Empowering, Upbeat, Soulful

Vocal Style: Confident woman (30s), rich alto/mezzo tones, rhythmic phrasing

(Intro)

(Soft synth pad fades in, followed by a light, steady Shaker)

(Ooh-ooh, yeah)

(Africa, we rising)

Listen...

They thought the fire would burn me out

But it only refined the gold.

Watch me now.

(Verse 1)

I spent too many nights counting tears in the dark

Trying to glue back the pieces of a shattered heart

Thirty-plus years and I thought I knew the way

Till the storm came around and turned the blue to grey.

But see, the valley is just a place you pass through

It’s not a home, it’s not a life, it’s not the truth.

I shook the dust off my heels, I found my feet

Now there’s a new vibration pulsing in the street.

(Pre-Chorus)

(Drum kicks start to syncopate)

I’m not looking back, I’m not living in the "was"

I’m dancing for myself, just because.

To my sisters in the struggle, keep your head up high

You’re a queen, you’re a star, you’re the morning sky.

(Chorus)

(Full Beat Drop: Heavy Bassline, Log Drums, and Bright Horns)

Oh-oh! I’m living my life to the fullest now!

No more sorrow, I’m wearing my golden crown!

(Ye-ye!)

From the ashes, see the Phoenix rise

Wipe the water from your pretty eyes.

It’s my season, it’s my time, it’s my energy

I’m the best version of what I’m meant to be.

(Dance, dance, let the rhythm heal you!)

(Rise, rise, let the spirit feel you!)

(Verse 2)

They say a woman’s peak is a sunset song

But they don’t know that we’ve only just begun.

My skin is glowing, my mind is finally clear

I traded all my doubt for a life without fear.

Invest in yourself, sis, that’s the greatest wealth

Take care of your heart, take care of your health.

We are the pillars, we are the grace

No one can ever take our place.

(Bridge)

(Beat strips back to just percussion and a groovy bass)

If you fell down, get up (Get up!)

If they broke you, build up (Build up!)

You’re not a victim, you’re a survivor

Fuel the flame, you’re the holy fire.

(Call and Response)

Woman of power? (I AM!)

Woman of grace? (I AM!)

Living my life? (I AM!)

At my own pace!

(Chorus)

(Maximum Energy)

Oh-oh! I’m living my life to the fullest now!

No more sorrow, I’m wearing my golden crown!

(Ye-ye!)

From the ashes, see the Phoenix rise

Wipe the water from your pretty eyes.

It’s my season, it’s my time, it’s my energy

I’m the best version of what I’m meant to be.

(Outro)

(Horns fading, rhythmic chanting)

Celebrate yourself.

It’s never too late to start again.

Thirty, forty, fifty... we just getting started.

(Ooh, the rhythm is life)

(The rhythm is healing)

Stay shining, my sisters.

(Fade out with a final log drum hit)