#ceejay speaks

[marbleheavy]

alright gayboy what's your favorite fruit 1. for eating and 2. for symbolizing

cj this is so sexy hot iminloveletskiss of you…

for EATING it’s def green grapes!! i can pop a green grape like nobody’s business

for symbolizing, you KNOW i have to say orange!! all though my love of greek myth entices me to say figs or pomegranates, it’s so super oranges! orange by mary oliver, flirtation by rita dove, the patience of penelope, tangerine by ruth schwartz, the boy who sells sweet oranges by alicia cadilla, oranges are not the only fruit, the orange by wendy cope, oranges by roisin kelly, wild oranges by marjorie meeker, oranges by gary soto, the garden of eros by oscar wilde, when i peel an orange by greg komicki… all INSANE works of literature of which i have devoted so many hours to finding and studying!! the non-traditional love it represents because friendship is an orange, in two quarters and half; and a new relationship is an orange that’s peeled and quartered that flares like a tulip; an orange is that guy you remember from work who peeled oranges in a long, continuous strip and hung the peels from his cubicle; they are like heartbeats; they are sold by a boy who has patched clothes and maps of the world; they are something to covet in your hands, like holy water!!!! oranges MEANS so much and they are so CORPOREAL!! it’s skin to peel and flesh that bursts and it clings to your fingers in a way only the most meaningful things do, like soil or blood. and oranges mean dividing and that makes them so much easier to share, they are something that can disappear when given like an apple or a peach. the smell clings to your skin for it to ever be truly ephemeral, like pleasure or eden. they are the sweet and tart parts of loving someone, of caring enough to risk pain as much as joy. you know what you’re getting into with an orange, something trialsome and experiential. it isn’t a simple pleasure of luxury like a grape, it is one of effort and rigor. it makes the sharing of them so much more, too. more tender even than a pomegranate, which too must be torn apart but easy enough to share, oranges demand kindness and patience. oranges are flesh to be eaten in a different way than meat is. they are feminine and masculine, both the sweet and the sun. oranges are… they’re so important to me <3

#ask #cj ask #cj i love you love you love you #three times for symbolic purposes #ceejay my ceejay #loml cj #oranges #marble orange speak

[m0bhitarchs]

drafts 16 queue 0 asks 1

#˗ˏˋ 𓂃 ceejay speaks ⦂ out of character #ya girl is finally getting over her head cold #i can dedicate time to my other blogs again ayyyooooo #lets get it bitches

[hcllchestersarchs]

i got to all of my asks on here so i am calling that a win tonight! hopefully, i can get the drafts i moved over here queued up tomorrow. we'll see how the day rolls out for us, folks

#｟ summon the demon ｠ ⸻ ceejay speaks

[carp3diemsarchs]

persephone. goddess of spring / queen of the underworld. face claim: hande ercel

zeus. god of sky/lightening/thunder. face claim: charlie hunnam

elliott fowler. lead singer for mortal monkeys. 22. pansexual. face claim: joshua macqueen

ceejay speaks! i am finally making this post, lmao! but persephone and zeus are here after me talking about it for days. shout out to @ofblackskies && @snnydcys as always helping with the castings because ya girl forever struggles with it. and then i've seen joshua macqueen everywhere and i've had this gif hunt saved of him for weeks and we finally got a muse formulated for him. so welcome the new babies and if you wanna write them feel free to poke at me as usual!

#[ new in town ] ── * new muses

[m0bhit]

wesley price. hacker / werewolf / son of eddie price & riley hale. pansexual.

silas price. bartender / werewolf / son of eddie price & riley hale. pansexual.

maddox hayes. member of the wolf den ( rival gang to to the vipers ). pansexual.

ceejay speaks!!!

please note that all three muses are heavily affiliated / connected to @haelestorm. but all are open to plotting and all the fun things! em and i just have no chill

#( new muse )

[greedaeye]

grace ivers. 26. radio host. fandom: off campus ( post book ) face claim: madelyn cline

ceejay speaks !!! ya girl finally made it up to the mistake which naturally means i can add grace to the roster now next to hannah. so you know . . . if you wanna love her come do it. for her threads outside of a john logan, she ended up being just friends with him after everything so they're not togetherrrrrr!

#( new muse )

[goldenboybarracuda-arch]

@carp3diems wants Swiftie hc’s for all the boys and aurora and Alex bc Ceejay didn’t specify sooooo :) // always accepting tbh

Alex TOTALLY took all the boys to the eras tour in Garrett’s verse. Logan was the only one who was clearly very excited and estatic that Alex took them. He told Garret to be good to Alex or else he’s dead. Dean played it like he didn’t care but man was pumped and living his best life at the concert.

Speaking of Dean, in their verse, Alex screams sings You Belong With Me at him. TAKE THE FUCKING HINT MAN say all the boys around them.

In the verse with Logan, Alex totally dedicated Lover, Willow, Delicate to him.

Alex cries when they’re all watching the movie and YOYOK plays.

When it comes to Aurora, he still can’t believe she opened for Taylor and that’s his biggest brag about his gf.

Alex totally sang Delicate and Don’t Blame Me to Henry and Henry dedicated Enchanted to Alex.

#I think I can do more tbh #carp3diems #( lost in the labyrinth of my mind || headcanon )

[missbenzayb]

My Call of Duty OC: Ceejay/Snake with Ghost!

Ghost: So, you want me to show you some ropes on what I do?

Ceejay: Yes sir, I've been self-training my whole life but without proper use— it would be dangerous without a guide, how's that sound?

Ghost: Hmm. Alright, make sure you're well-prepared. Probably with good use of my practice for years will be handy for you.

Ceejay: Thank you sir! Speaking of dangerous, is it me or is someone staring at me from the distance?

Ghost: Could've been a ghost literally.

*Soap from afar*

#Call of Duty #call of duty mwii #Call of Duty OC #Ceejay #simon ghost riley #soap mactavish #fanart #doodle

[mansheb]

Evicted #IdolsSA singers Nandi and Hope speak out: I'm done with Idols, I now want to be an actress

New Post has been published on https://www.celebgossip.co.za/entertainment-news/38396-evicted-idolssa-singers-nandi-and-hope-speak-out-im-done-with-idols-i-now-want-to-be-an-actress.html

Evicted #IdolsSA singers Nandi and Hope speak out: I'm done with Idols, I now want to be an actress

Nandi and Hope’s Idols SA journey has ended before it even got started after they were the first two to be eliminated as part of the reality TV show’s live round. CeeJay, Kabelo, Lerato, Mpilwenhle, Noxolo, Nozi, Tesmin-Robyn, Thapelo, Ty Loner and Zee have made season 18’s coveted top 10, decided by 7.5-million viewer votes. […] Read more on Evicted #IdolsSA singers Nandi and Hope speak out: I'm done with Idols, I now want to be an actress

[m0bhitarchs]

carry on . . . this is just a tag drop !!

#˗ˏˋ 𓂃 𝐬𝐡��𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 ⦂ self promo #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 ceejay speaks ⦂ out of character #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 threads ⦂ eddie price #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 threads ⦂ dominic moore #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 threads ⦂ jaxon tanner #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 threads ⦂ luca barbero #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 threads ⦂ kali charles #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 threads ⦂ arabella munoz #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 visuals ⦂ eddie price #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 visuals ⦂ dominic moore #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 visuals ⦂ jaxon tanner #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 visuals ⦂ luca barbero #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 visuals ⦂ kali charles #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 visuals ⦂ arabella munoz #˗ˏˋ 𓂃 que the alarm ⦂ queue

[authorkimberlygrey]

Ascendant Chapter 5 Excerpt

I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus while I wrestle with the formatting of Ascendant ((see “the Hamser wheel of editing hell” posts)) so I decided to do a bonus excerpt, not very long, but a sneak peek at the beginning of Chapter 5. Enjoy! 

In the dark, it is peaceful. Then the screaming starts.

Screams of pain, of horror, of wordless fury. They echo around her. Light flares, and standing before her is someone with long pale hair. They face away from her, and there isn’t enough light to see any more of them.

“Hello?” Grace calls. Her voice seems too quiet next to the screams. “Where are we? What’s happening?”

The person doesn’t turn, but their shoulders start to shake. She can’t tell if it’s with laughter or sobs—the sound is drowned out by the screams. They grow louder, press closer.

“Please!” Grace’s voice cracks. “I don’t understand!”

The light shifts, and she can see that their wings are black. So black they almost blend with the shadows. The Ascendant looks over her shoulder, her blood-red eyes glowing.

Grace steps back and hits the ground. Lands in the puddle of Amity’s blood. It isn’t the Black-Wing soldier standing over her this time. It’s the Ascendant. Her mouth moves, forms words, but the screaming is so loud.

The Ascendant stares down at her, eyes burning, her hands dripping with blood. Her hair hangs down her back, pale as a cloud but straight as a blade. She speaks again and then turns away.

[Ascendant is my upcoming christian fantasy novel about Guardian angels. My WIP page for desktop users is Here you can read the first chapter Here

and the post for mobile users is Here and you can read the first chapter on Wattpad Here Summary:

For hundreds of years, war has raged across the realm of Guardian Angels. White-Wing against Black-Wing. Grace is the Saboteur, daughter of the White-Wing Spy Master, destined to end the war once and for all. But all of that is snatched away when she is captured by the Black-Wings. Trapped in their secret city, Grace finds herself questioning everything she’s ever been told. About her enemies, and about herself. ] Tag List: @wingedcatwblr @angelwriteblr  @elaynabwriting

@nightskywriter @panticwritten

@ill-write-when-im-dead @ceejay-silvertongue

@emberris @itwasanalaskanbookworm @ragethegemini @boothewriter

@hazeywrites @chargeofastar @kainablue @mezvii @inexorableblob

@quilloftheclouds @thescribesloft

If you’d like to be added or removed from the list just shoot me a note

Find me on:

DeviantArt:   https://www.deviantart.com/somanypuns

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/authorkimberlygrey/

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/AuthorKimberlyGrey

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF9Y10-DIBPVa7gYrlm7YxA

#Ascendant #Ascendant writing #Ascendant excerpt

[carp3diemsarchs]

rafe cameron. demisexual. canon/canon divergent. fandom: outer banks face claim: drew starkey

dallas callaway. 25. professional hockey player. pansexual. face claim: pierre luc-dubois

derek morgan. bisexual. canon/canon divergent. fandom: criminal minds face claim: shemar moore

ceejay speaks!!! rafe cameron has been in the back of my mind for too damn long so i just had to add his ass. plus, i have jj maybank so might as well add him in there, too, am i right? shipping with him will take lots of chemistry ( and plotting ) just because i do not think this boy has the capacity to care about anyone but himself ( and his father ) unless he's got an actual real connection with them so . . . do with that information what you will. PLD is just freaking gorgeous and i've been meaning to add him for a while and kept forgetting. so have another one of my hockey boys to play around with. he's fun i promise derek morgan is the light of my life and he deserves to shine . . . that's all i gotta say. ( @goldenboybarracuda && @tvintedspvrk might have merely blinked and i said okay fine ill add him now ).

#[ new in town ] ── * new muses #yes im blaming v and em emmy emmerson for my intrusive thoughts #what about it????

[exdcus]

anakin  bacc  at  it  again  with  my  love  ,  sejal  or  ceejay  for  the  wh*tes  !  you  know  the  drill  ,  hmu  for  plots  any  time  !

back  to  basics  ,  statistics  .

full name: sejal javeed mathur

nicknames: ceejay + feb 5, 1989

age + dob: twenty nine

star sign: aquarius 

gender + pronouns: cisfemale + she/they

alumnus: uc davis , summa cum laude

current occupation: zoologist, author

martial status: single

children: none

pets: one dog named lelia.

faceclaim: freida pinto

under  the  flesh ,  biography .

sejal is the second oldest, middle child of the mathur family. her mother was a bollywood starlet and her father a working class man. as the second born, it was obvious that sejal was treated different than her older sister shantipriya and soon later her younger brother. she had become the token middle child and black sheep of the family. everyone in her family was very artistic sejal lacked having artistic and creative talent. she was a lot more tomboyish with an interest in sports. she also had a deep admiration for animals, academics, etc.

in her pre-teen years her family was moving to san francisco. sejal had stayed behind with her aunt and uncle as she was pursing wrestling. she became a state, then national champion in the junior league. this was frowned upon by many people in the village she lived in. but sejal didn't take much offense too it. never feeling comfortable in either boy clothes or girl clothes she felt herself differ from the gender norm. even if sejal didn't think about this too much other people did. one night one of the boys she lowkey had beaten up for making fun of her and broken into her room. he took a cricket bat and bashed in both kneecaps ruining her chances of ever pursing wrestling.

feeling hopeless she moved to san francisco where her family was. months later her father passed away which took a huge toll on the entire mathur family. never one to express her feelings sejal mourned the loss of her father quietly. she never healed from that time and she doesn't think her family did either. as she watched her older sister and mother bicker, following her sister ditiching her wedding and joining the marines. sejal was left on her own to decide what she wanted to do with her life.

reuniting her love for animals sejal studied zoology. with her degree she traveled around different parts of the globe to study animals ingenuous to the land. her research had made her a prominent figure in zoology world. as her studies with animals, primarily african animals had garnered much attraction from sources like national geographic. sejal writes books about her findings working closely with anthropologists. she's a guest speaker and numerous colleges and a ted talk favorite. while sejal loves her job she does feel an emptiness inside her as she was never able to win an olympic gold medal that she promised her dad.

she still keeps up with sports. she loves boxing, basketball, futbol. she's currently very hype about the world cup and will marry mo salah. no joke. but speaking of relationships sejal is really awkward about them. she's tried going on dates, dodged possible husbands from her mom, turns out that... maybe sejal doesn't really like boys. but all this time she liked girls. her sexuality is something she's battling with as she has to consider her mothers traditional values.

in comparison to her sister shanti, sejal is like the polar opposite. she's introverted and only talks when someone directly speaks to her. she likes to have meaningful conversations instead of casual ones. it takes time for her to open up to people and get to know them. a lot of it is rooted in how she is a big cry baby lol. she grows too attached to people and when they don't meet her expectations she gets emo about it. :/

#rush.intro

[greedaeye]

calliope byers. pansexual. has pyrokinesis/experimented on in the facility/younger twin to jonathan. post show. connected to @jonathanbyerstm fandom: stranger things face claim: olivia scott welch

ceejay speaks !!! in which ceejay brings back a super old muse from season 2 times of stranger things. am i blaming @irrcdeemable for this one and supporting it??? yes i am. baby girl has a whole new plot and i am thriving at the moment. so come bug her or whatever. she's totally cool.

#( new muse ) #thanks for this dad

[nikashepard]

2.5D zDepth Animations Tutorial

Due to the popularity of this post, I decided to write a simple tutorial for whoever wants to try the same thing with their favorite game. This method will work with every title that supports ReShade and Depth Buffer (and pretty much every static image you want to animate).

What is ReShade?

It’s more or less a mod that alters the original graphics, adding in more effects (like lens flare), different tones and fixing bad looking edges.

What is the 2.5D/Parallax effect?

2.5D is a method used by many editors to animate a completely still picture, from simple sceneries to characters. This creates a sort of 3D depth on your pictures, used a few times by many professionals to bring famous paintings and advertisements to life.

Note: This tutorial is mostly about scenery animation faking a camera movement and adding in a 3D space between layers. For the Parallax animation on characters I’ll write a separate guide.

What you need:

• The game (duh) (in this case I’ll use Assassin’s Creed Syndicate as example) • ReShade (I find myself more comfortable with a previous version, because I somehow cannot achieve the same results with ReShade 3+ at the moment. This should easily work with the latest version too, but for any problem or if you want to follow the guide better, grab ReShade 2.0.4f from here) • An editing program like Adobe Photoshop, anything that allows you to separate parts on layers and fill empty areas. • Adobe After Effects

A basic editing knowledge is required, along with a good understanding regarding Adobe programs in general. If you make graphics and gifs you’re already a step ahead, but you actually don’t need to be familiar with AE to do the animation.

The tutorial will include four parts:

1) In-game screenshot w/ Depth activated 2) Editing/preparation for AE 3) Compositing 4) Animating

Part 1: In-game Screenshot with Depth Buffer

1) If you are using ReShade 3+ you can follow this tutorial regarding its installation, otherwise copy the ReShade folder, ReShade.fx and ReShade64.dll (or ReShade32.dll if the game is 32bit) into the main game path (where the exe is, so to speak), then rename ReShade64/32.dll as dxgi.dll.

2) With ReShade 2 go to ReShade directory > Presets > Default and drag Shaders_by_CeeJay.cfg into Notepad, then scroll down to the very last line where you see a shader called DisplayDepth. Next to #define USE_DisplayDepth change the value from 0 to 1. With ReShade 3 press Shift+F2 and look for the same name, if you properly downloaded it along with the other shaders of choice it will most likely be already activated. It is highly recommended to set a hotkey for this effect so that you can easily turn it on and off in game (for example, #define Depth_ToggleKey VK_F12). 

3) Open Pipeline.cfg and look for the line #include EFFECT(CeeJay, DisplayDepth). Select it, cut it away and then paste it to the very top before any other shader listed. This will allow you to obtain smooth shapes instead of jagged edges (you should also play around with AA options, specifically SMAA and/or FXAA, both included in CeeJay.cfg). Sadly I’m not sure how the setup works in ReShade 3+.

4) Now that your options are properly set you can start the game. Find an area you like and want to shoot, then press F12 (or any other key you chose for it). If the game has a photo mode or custom made free camera tools, you should totally use those for the best results. You can check this post for a few listed titles and all their respective links.

ReShade allows you to automatically store your screenshots directly into the game’s folder by simply pressing the print screen key. This is how the scene looks normally, without UI and with the free camera activated.

This is what happens when you turn DepthBuffer on.

Note: If all you get with Depth is a fully white or black screen, chances are you need to “reset” by simply entering the fullscreen mode (and switch back to borderless/windowed if that is what you usually like playing with). ReShade usually reloads whenever you apply a modification to the settings, but if even after this the effect doesn’t show up it probably means the game has no DepthBuffer support (or there is some incompatibility somewhere, which may be related to other shaders).

Part 2: Editing

1) Grab your depth screenshot and open it with your editing program of choice, I use Photoshop. In order to animate this, you have to create different layers (renaming them for an easier use in AE, but that is up to you) being sure each hole is covered, or else the empty part will definitely show up in your animation.

2) Make a selection around the areas you want to separate, I’m starting with what is close to the “camera”. Try to be as precise as possible to keep most of the details, especially around the character. Once you’re satisfied with your selection press CTRL+X to cut it out and then paste it into the same position, a new layer for it will be automatically created.

3) If you hide the layer you’ve just made, you will obviously notice an empty shape on the background right where you cut it. The easiest way to fill that properly is by selecting the layer (CTRL+LMB on it), inverting selection and going to Modify > Fill > Content-Aware.

As you can see the empty area has been filled completely, but a few fixes are required. You can use the clone stamp tool or the healing brush, in this case I choose the latter because it makes the process quicker.

It can be a bit tedious in some places... especially if there are a lot of buildings or trees, depending on your scene. Photoshop covered the outline using the existing content to generate the missing parts as I dragged the brush over it, but you may want to use the clone tool as well and even draw here and there where the brush failed.

Repeat the process for all the other layers you want to separate and then rename everything to know what you’re gonna edit in AE (again, this is optional). You can also make the back layer bigger to hide imperfections behind the other layers, which won’t be too visible while animating. Further edits will be done in AE later anyway.

Part 3: Compositing

1) Save the PSD file and load Afer Effects. I’m currently using the CC 2015 one, but even if you have an older version this method will work without problems.

Go to File > Import > File and select your PSD. 

Be sure the importer is set on Composition and Editable Layer Styles is checked, this is essential if you want to work on each layer.

2) Double-click on the left to preview the PSD and convert every single layer into 3D. To do so simply check the third square on the right, under the cube icon:

Now we need to add a Camera. Go to Layer > New > Camera and leave the options untouched (the default configuration should be okay for this).

3) Right under your preview you should see a button called Active Camera. Switch to Custom View 1 to move the layers and create depth between them.

All you have to do is select each layer in the lower panel and move it using the blue arrow (z direction) to push it backward or forward. Use the order you’ve got as reference for the best result, then change the view to Active Camera again when you’re done.

4) Now that you have changed the original positions you need to fix their size to fit the composition. Select all layers at once, press S and activate the little watch icon that appears followed by the effect name (Scale). You will see three values then; place your mouse over the 100,0% one and drag it to the right or left in order to resize the layer(s). Use the directional arrows to also move them up or down eventually.

The stopwatch is absolutely fundamental, because it tells where to place each frame in the timeline. Whenever you apply an effect or any modification you need to be sure it’s recorded at the very start, this way it will affect the entire sequence and you won’t risk to only see it taking action in a few frames later instead.

5) You can move the upper bars in your timeline to change the final time. A few seconds for this kind of animations will suffice, I always set it around 4s.

Part 4: Animating

1) Now we can finally animate, woo!!

It is highly recommended to make all the planes bigger than the composition, so that you can move them around without risking to get empty spaces. In this case we want to fake a camera movement with a sort of 3D perspective, like the gifs I’ve posted in that photoset.

Let’s start from the first layer. Click on it and press P (position) to store the current location on the first frame, then move the time indicator at the end of your sequence. I want the main layer to slide horizontally, thus I will move the red arrow on X axes.

As soon as your first animation is stored, another frame will be generated at the end of the timeline. After Effects automatically creates all the frames between the first and the last one, if you are happy with it select the second layer and do the same, then the third and repeat. You can also use the R (rotation) key to add more realism. Remember to ALWAYS check the stopwatch on frame 1 before doing anything else.

You can preview the animation with space bar, the rendering times change according to the amount of virtual memory installed on your PC.

For a nice camera shake you can follow this tutorial.

2) Once you’re happy with your animation you’re ready to export it. You can pick a simple video option, but that usually requires a second rendering in Sony Vegas or any other program for video editing to fix the bad-looking fps drop. I suggest you to export in frames instead, especially if you plan to make gifs. Go to Composition > Add to Render Queue, a new panel will appear on the bottom. Click on Lossless and pick PNG Sequence next to Format, then on Not yet specified (output to) and select a destination on your computer. Press Render, wait and it’s done! Again, the rendering times will highly depend on your RAM and composition size. The bigger, the slower; if you play in 4k you should reduce the screenshot size to a common 1920x1080 at least, even smaller after that for the final gif (tumblr has a 3MB limit).

Result:

Questions? Send me a note!

#my graphics #ac syndicate #assassin's creed syndicate #assassin's creed #jacob frye #tutorial #depth buffer #zdepth #after effects #animation #guide #graphics #camera shake #reshade #2.5d #2.5d animation #parallax animation #parallax effect

[globalworship]

Steven Chuchu - Faraja (Solace), Tanzania

Steven Chuchu is a popular musician in Tanzania. Here’s his latest song - the title means “solace.” He sings in kiSwahili, English subtitles are on the screen.

+++

Stephen writes,

I would like to warmly welcome all of you to listen to this song, "Solace." I pray it will bless all of you, particularly in hard times. This song is one in the COVID-19 songwriting contest hosted by SYNC. To learn more, go to their website, here: https://www.syncx.org

Ningependa kuwakaribisha sana kusikiliza wimbo huu, Faraja. Namuomba Mungu uwe baraka kwenu, hasa katika nyakati zote ngumu. Wimbo huu ni moja katika shindano la COVID-19 kwa shirka la SYNC. Kujua zaidi, uelekee kwa website yao: https://www.syncx.org

Utafasiri/Translation: Maabara = Medical Laboratory  Umaskini = Poverty Migogro wa Ndoa = Domestic Violence 

 Audio kwa Kingland Music, Bunda, Tanzania Video kwa CeeJay, Mwanza, Tanzania

+++

https://www.facebook.com/steve.chuchu.3

See below for information about the song.

+++

My colleague Stephanie, who works alongside Stephen and some other musicians in Tanzania, wrote extensive notes for this song on her blog at https://kujengaupya.tumblr.com/post/625049496304435200/faraja-solace-a-new-song-by-steven

Here are some excerpts:

Some songs take longer to germinate. The idea for the song “Faraja” came into being when Steve was reviewing the human condition globally, particularly issues like poverty, disease, war, etc… In his contemplations the Spirit of God gave him the word ‘faraja’, translated here as 'solace.’ When COVID-19 began to spread, God showed Steve that now is the right time, and he received strength and inspiration to produce “Faraja”. Steve had lived with this song for three years before producing it in the form you hear here.

This song depicts people who live with deep, long lasting distress of some sort, explaining that true solace is found in Jesus. The first verse speaks of people who have sought various solutions, i.e. doctors, scientists, and close companions, without receiving relief. The second references people who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Later, words depicted on pieces of paper, Poverty (umaskini) and Domestic Violence (Migogoro wa Ndoa), imply long standing individual and communal distress. Even the Biblical figures cited in the latter half of the song persevered through many years of suffering before receiving 'faraja.’ All of this reinforces the primary message that Jesus truly relieves suffering, giving those who believe in and follow him the ability to persevere.

All lyrics sung in this song are in Swahili, Tanzania’s national language, with English language subtitles. The word 'faraja’ in Swahili is often translated as 'comfort’ in English. Comfort implies the release of greif or stress. This term, or the act of seeking comfort however, sometimes implies the pursuit of a light, easy life with no, or very little trouble. For this reason, the term 'solace’ was chosen to translate 'faraja,’ in order to clearly convey the depth of meaning in this song....

“Faraja” clearly embodies East African, particularly Tanzanian popular music. Originally envisioned in the Zuku style (in Tanzania, Soukous elsewhere in Africa), during production this incarnation of “Faraja” took on distinct Bongo Flava characteristics. This was intentional so as to broaden the listening audience. The Zuku style of this song is evident by the sort of two-step round rhythm and accompanying dance step that ground the song. Male tenor voices, liberal use of the Auto-tune and Delay effects, the vocables, the quick partial drum fills, and the underlaying strings synth all characterize Bongo Flava, somehow implying life on the Swahili Coast (at least to this listener).

The Bongo Flava characteristics of this song are mirrored in the video production. The coloring of the video, the use and placement of slow motion cuts, and the kind of quick flickering in time with the drum fills are all typical Bongo Flava. At the same time, several characteristics also place this video in the Tanzanian Gospel genere. Steve’s clothes, the shots of Steve’s feet walking, the little bits of drama, the news clips, and of course, the message of the song also make this a Gospel video. These styles, and others implied in small ways in “Faraja” are part of the varied and diverse soundscapes heard daily in Tanzania....  

Read more at Stephanie’s blog post at https://kujengaupya.tumblr.com/post/625049496304435200/faraja-solace-a-new-song-by-steven