We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

FRQNCY

by Checkmate Mido

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 6 Checkmate Mido releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Pete, Excellence ft ach13ng' & Brian Sigu, Loud (Remix), FRQNCY, alive..., and box of beats EP. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $15.75 USD or more (25% OFF)

     

1.
Butterflies 04:42
Ningekuwa kwako kama necklace Mahali uko na-hang around Juu weh huniwacha breathless Chini ya maji, underground Soft butterfly, weh hunipa butterflies niki-ku-think soft I’m hoping those hips don’t lie, juu nishakubali ka ku-nod kichwa ki-hiphop Ukicome close to me, fikra za kukuwacha huwa mbali Mbali na hayo, we could take it slow or we could start in a hurry Juu mi hukuwaza nikiamka Akili huamshwa nikikuwaza Fikra za mito za dhahab zikiteremka paja kwa kutafuta mwangaza Anasa ni rahisi kuipata ukishajua ni wapi inanaswa Kwa hivyo machoni mwako napotea nikitamka Feelings kwa Fantasies Juu yako nafantasize Wanipa Butterflies Sauti ya dhahab, unanibeba, unanivutia Kama magnet haina mwisho Ki-tabia, weh ni mashariki, mi ni magharib Hatupatani. Lakini kwa kukukosa kidogo nakutafuta kwa urefu Tutapatana pengine dunia zetu zikikaribiana na kuanza ku-rotate kwa sasa Macho haikosi kuangalia Moyo haikosi kukimbia Malaika Malkia Macho ya nyota, haikosi babako ni ile jua hutuangalia Kwa hivyo kama maneno kwa ulimi yako kwa utaratibu Nadance kando yako mood yako ni sakafu nisije ku-i-haribu Na kila kitu kina kosa lake, kwa hii nimekuja kuaminia Nakuchukua jinsi ulivyo sio vile nakufikiria Feelings kwa Fantasies Juu yako nafantasize Wanipa Butterflies ©Checkmate Mido 2019
2.
Flow 02:52
It’s been a minaat Since you’ve been gone for 60 seconds Where you been at? Hard to get, ‘you can’t see me’, Ki-John Cena Umenifichia white, lakini white huja kuonekana kwa giza Nimekufeel for a minaat Chocolate, Black Skin Queen, Where’s your King at? Tukizungumza na body language hakuna mismatch Si eti juu alikuona wa kwanza inamaanisha weh ni wake, where’s the ring at? It’s been a minaat Since anybody anibebe kama 6 pack Ka nakam too strong ka mti we could leaf (leave) that, From the look in your eye naweza tell, tutaget strong ka Popeye na Spinach, Let’s hang for a minat, And you know Utakuwa numero Uno, Ukinipa numeral za kukucall for a minat Naweza kukuondoa team mafisi Vako za attention seeking like psstpsst, Where you be at? Chorus Drums zikianguka heavy lazima kichwa kifollow, Bass ikigroove vifresh itafute tomorrow Rhyme zikislide vismooth zinaslide na moyo Kwa hivyo go with the flow, Go with the flow, Go with the flow It’s been a minaat Umepotea, ka ku-color clash, nimekumismatch Ms. kubali kuingia box, iko gift wrapped Na ni safi, corners nimezibeat, cheki my tongue brings the beat back Waeza nitaste for a minaat Let me sweep you, from where your feet are Nikufiche kati ya rhyme nimesunda nyuma ya guitar Could someone please call 911, nika nimeona sura kwa wanted poster nafeel nimekushika for a minaat If not for too long, ka ni too long, Delilah to my Samson makasi shika We could cut this story short, ikiget animated, Pixar Natell unanifeel, nimecheck levels zako, Mixer Once again you know Utakuwa numero Uno Ukinipa numeral za kukucall for a minat Naweza kukuondoa team mafisi Vako za attention seeking like psstpsst Where you be at? Chorus Drums zikianguka heavy lazima kichwa kifollow, Bass ikigroove vifresh itafute tomorrow Rhyme zikislide vismooth zinaslide na moyo Kwa hivyo go with the flow, Go with the flow, Go with the flow Bridge It’s been a pretty pretty pretty long time since I spent a short minute witcha minute witcha It’s been a long minute, since some pretty time witcha. Juu. Chorus Drums zikianguka heavy lazima kichwa kifollow, Bass ikigroove vifresh itafute tomorrow Rhyme zikislide vismooth zinaslide na moyo Kwa hivyo go with the flow, Go with the flow, Go with the flow
3.
4.
Theme (Low) 01:11
Now we are low because we spent a lifetime getting high trying to fly away from problems only we know Dear Dedalus after you land, ukifind time, tafuta mifupa za Icarus kwenye sea floor You thought you could run Dunia ni yangu, huwezi jificha That’s why they call me life nakuja vile unanipicture Ukiona uchungu nakupa uchungu sitakuficha Uchungu so severe utawish breath ya God haingekufika Amen
5.
My body screams when your fingertips run through my skin slowly cutting through my pores. Tell me how much you love, like nothing can be loved as you. That's how you lie when you want me. Is this passion? or betrayal. I will say this words over and over again. That I am the mistress, the prostitute, the church, the holy battle, the oasis, the fire, the ashes, the pretty poison. I am the disease and the healer. the syringe piercing through your sun kissed skin demanding you to feel this pain and pleasure. Its the new lie I have grown to believe. one day you will be wanted and you will pull back, run and hide because you only know how to belong to you. these women don't say much, they trust you know what to do, they too spread their thighs only to be filled with emptiness that made them want more of this lies. They felt a sense of belonging. A thirst that could be quenched by only mmmh money?. YES MONEY! that's it MONEY. They hope that mother will empathize with the cold shoulders they show after one or two drinks followed by this and that guy touching here and there and a note will slide in their purses. They are fire ready to burn you. These women will not tell you how they feel when you call it easy money. Is it easy being tattooed with names and hands of different men? they leave you with a scent that you hope to wash away with water, just water? then put on your pants and go on... the night is still young, you have got many owls ready to sing your song. It's not "easy" when you become a litter of souls but they will smile and watch you fall in love they know you will never come back when you taste the lies of being needed and wanted. of knowing passion and betrayal. Knowing pain. But worst of all when you think its "easy" money Jua likitua, masaa za wezi kutembea, Ye huamka na kuanza kujirembesha, Sura nyeusi, mdomo nyekundu, nguo kijani kinapepea, Ka bendera, kizuri chajitembeza, Alijipata hapa, ni vile saa zingine maisha hukuendea, Machozi humwagika ka huna wa kuzishika kukinyesha, Usinionee huruma! We ndio nani kunionea, Ye humwambia yeyote anayejaribu kumwongelesha, Visu kwa handbag, In case mteja amrushe ka gari inajumpstart, Kwa utulivu maombi ye hujisemea, Salaam Maria, umejaa Neema, Bwana yu nawe, Umebarikiwa, Nisamehe, siku ya leo sitapoteza. Akishatuma sala mbinguni, Anambusu bintiye, Anasema mama atarudi, Lala salama. Usilie. Sela Sela wangu Na giza huficha mengi lakini ye hupata kwa, Kujionyesha, piga horn ukimtaka a, Kuje kwa motokaa, aseme Salaam salaam, utatoa mangapi Kunipata mi kwa masaa kadhaa. Si usiku nzima, lazima nirudi kutafuta juu natafuta, Na kabla nijipe, nilipe, najua vile nyi hufanyanga. Niambie vile unaitakanga Nakupenda tu kwa ile dakika umelipa, kwa hakika, nitajipa kama Mkristo kanisan. Na usichukue picha, maanake sitaki ushahid, Usinifuate tukimaliza, najuana na magaid. Akimaliza, nyoka pangoni, anangoja mpango ingine kuivana, Na lazima ajionyeshe na ajifiche poa, juu kuaibishana Ndio mchezo ye na wenzake hucheza na polisi Jua ikionyesha ishara ya kutoka, anaenda missing. Anarudi nyumbani kuoga, Akitoa uchafu kwa ngozi, maji hushikana na machozi inayomtoka, Akijiangalia sura, ashaanza kuzeeka na kuchoka, Lakini Sela anapoamka, Chakula mezani, Magoti sakafuni, Uzito begani, Wanatuma sala mbinguni, Kisha anambusu bintiye, 'Kisema mama amerudi. Ulilaaje? Sela wangu Naomba Sela asiulize, Ni wapi nimetoka, Hata akiwa mkubwa Salaam Maria, Najikaza, maisha kasi, Salaam Maria, Asiniulize, Mbona niliifanya, Ajue tu nampenda Sela, Jua nakupenda, Na kazi mi natafuta, Nakutakia mazuri, Ili usiwe kama mimi. Sela Jua liki tua siku moja kama mwizi nitatembea, Na nisiporudi mchana. Kwa chumba changu, kuna kitu nimekuwekea, Chini ya kitanda. Sela usilie. Sela Wangu!
6.
Shots 04:30
In the name of the Father And this Holy Spirit Forgive my blasphemy And everyone in my company Who’s in it Amen The apologetic apologizer Anafungua chupa Kisha anarusha maji juu kama geyser Let it rain like pa pa pa pa pa Acha shots zi-rain like pa pa pa pa pa Halo kwa kichwa Mkia ya devil Nimedouble shots Hii glass kwa mkono ni treble Kwa hivyo bass si hukaribishwa na giza Na masoprano fresh wenye kuimba tuanzishe misa So tena ni ma name of the Father tukisip Holy Spirit Hoping watoto wasiamke juu we become monsters they shouldn’t see this Amen the apologetic apologizer Anafungua chupa nyingine kisha ni maji kwa hewa kama geyser Now it rains like pa pa pa pa pa Acha shots zi-rain like pa pa pa pa Sa ni shots kama robbery Shots like Nairoberry Shots like above the knee Shots, Shots Shots kama bunduki Ni shots kama basketball Shots like what you say to me Is there a kind of love that could get bruised and heal itself What if I look inside for guidance but my wisdom fails What if I chased my dream and followed my heart What if after all these effort I still find myself at the start I can’t So in the name of the Father Nasip Holy Spirit Praying to get elevated the sky is my home and I hope to reach it After chasing love in the wrong places What if all these questions are just facts in a sentence As they rain on me like pa pa pa pa pa Falling from the skies like pa pa pa pa Bartender bring those shots like pa pa pa pa pa Let them fall on me like pa pa pa pa Uliniambia mahali utakuwa Nikutafute jua likitua We were creatures of the night but my night vision was poor Itakuwaje saa giza ikinichukua Itakuwaje saa giza ikinichukua Juu ulisema unanipenda Lakini ka nakupenda Mtihani utaleta Nikianguka utaniwacha Uliileta nikaanguka Hauwezi futa penzi ikishakupata rohoni So wacha tears zi rain like pa pa pa pa pa Falling from their eyes like pa pa pa pa pa Wacha shots zicome like bra pa pa pa pa Bartender bring more shots like pa pa pa pa Ni more shots kama basketball Shots kama boxing Like this was my one chance after I’ve tried it all Shots ka bunduki I was hit, but I never tried to fall Before I could let you know that I’d take a bullet for you I heard the shot Sasa shorts kama jeans Zinanikata miguu as I try to crawl Seeking salvation, trying to see through the rain Na hii uchungu ni ukuta, I can’t see through the pain Shots fired I need some back up please Shots fired I need some back up please Shots fired I need some back up please As they rain on me like pa pa pa pa pa Hoping we got high enough to look like shooting stars in their eyes as we fall like pa pa pa pa Shots fired Shots fired
7.
Yes nampenda my Egyptian, Mode of description A royal highness Too many pluses ukimpenda hakukosi minus Namtouch vile ananitouch touch yangu ni ya Midas Bathed in gold features zake nachocha kwa cipher We started real slow, tupime kwa timer As we broke down minutes to seconds kwa kila second rhyme na Jaribu kupata form yake bila kumind ka God kwa Genesis State of mind Za let there be light This is real Jazabel This has to be real Jazabel She even put a tattoo of my name hoping that I stick around Ile love angependa kukeep around Promise hutakuwa burden utaniwacha nipige round Nikurudie nikiwa willing to get down Saying this knowing that I need her more Najua atanipenda zaidi kwa ile kitu sitashow So smiles na tabasamu ndio zilipata every Line nilitamka to bring to life my Jaza Belly Alidance juu nilifanya moyo wake uende di-dum di-dum Alidance juu nilifanya moyo wake uende di-dum di-dum Na nimekupenda for a long time na siwezi pretend Weh ni picha akilini unaelewa hii game Nimekupenda for a long time na siwezi pretend Na siwezi pretend Weh ni picha akilini unaelewa hii game Unaelewa, unaelewa This must be real Jazabel Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! This has to be real Jazabel Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! This must be real Jazabel This has to be real Jazabel Yes nampenda my Egyptian, Mode of description A royal highness Too many pluses ukimpenda hakukosi minus Namtouch vile ananitouch touch yangu ni ya Midas Bathed in gold features zake nachocha kwa cipher We started real slow, tupime kwa timer As we broke down minutes to seconds kwa kila second rhyme na Jaribu kupata form yake bila kumind ka God kwa Genesis State of mind Za let there be light This is real Jazabel Chasing. Chasing my ray of light she said she knows a way through the pain Told me to find her where the dark of night meets the day So now I’m scared, to even let sleep come to me Should an insomniac oversleep with questions of waking up from a fantasy Spread your wing sweet love won’t you come to me I’m not writing as Checkmate anymore this is Anthony Mind on guilt trips wishfully thinking on thoughts that I shouldn’t have Feet tripping, walking all over hearts that I couldn’t love I chased the root of all evil I was promised the fruit was sweet They said it ends in glory left out the part where my friends bleed And lay dead by my feet So What’s a crown to a King now? We look we don’t see We don’t listen we just hear now Does it even matter that I’m here now? As a result of staying for too long on this journey your doubts become fear now Amen
8.
Kimbia 03:32
Bulai mukhwana khuchelebatat Khuyana khumbe nanana nandera Khuyanza khumbe, ladadadada Oh wewe kimbia dadadada The stare The touch The kiss The hug Hauwezi tell Niulize if she loves the answer is sort of 50/50 Half half Believe alihave rough Time kucome to terms with Ngoma ye huskia hawajaknow of Blow off Ndio jina aliitwa by a few, but not most Ukaniambia nimdescribe na word moja, nasema composed She’s not soft The type ukimwambia hana wings, atakuambia “wait here, tell me that after I’ve flown off” But at the same time ako scared, so ye huweka dreams zake inside her heart, just to keep her soul strong always anahum some tune ask her where she got her song from alipoteza answer the case is gone she just lost one mi humuambia hepa toka mbio na nyuma usiangalie heepa toka mbia mapenzi yasikufikie dada dada oh wewe kimbia dada dada kimbia dada dada Oh wewe Kimbia Skies ndio anawish kucall home Ye hukeep macho kwa sky hold on Ana-aim nyota, incase aslip awe na clouds ku-fall on Sounds kwa walkman Ndio humkeep company Ye ni dreamer, hajai kuwa na shida kudoze She sleeps properly Probably naeza nimdescribe As living inside her own world I’d say she chose to leave the cold behind She found warmth in words Na comfort in rhythm Looking at the world like, what would they want with hugs na mi humuambia hepa toka mbio na nyuma usiangalie heepa toka mbia mapenzi yasikufikie Bulai mukhwana khuchelebatat Khuyanza khumberewere lananandera khuyanza khumbe Mananananana Ladadadadadadada Bulai mukhwana khuchelebatat Khuyanza khumberewere nananandera khuyanza khumbe Mananananana Ladadadadadadada Bulai mukhwana khuchelebatat Khuyana khumbe nanana nandera Khuyanza khumbe, ladadadada Oh wewe kimbia dadadada Bulai mukhwana khuchelebatat Khuyana khumbere nanana nandera Khuyanza khumbe, manananana Oh wewe kimbia dadadada Kimbia
9.
10.
Caught kwenye cycle ya more and more Caught up in a triangle with so and so Inakuwachaakiliiki-circe, square faced ki-spongebob Fichasura, siowengihutakakuonamachoziikidrop Alitamka between puffs of smoke na sniffing glue, Sold her body in Gomorrah, sodomized akiwa fifteen tu Now dreams are for dreaming juu No hands wish to fall on her back now, That’s why she says, Only God can hold us Only God hold us Only God can hold us Ukiwachini, unaweza feel nikama prayers hazikifiki Grace aliniwacha, I cheated with Faith maramingi Steamy nights for the cold days, husuit my heart vifiti Suits na ties siozangu so no wedding bells will be ringing, Only God can hold me, mkonozabinadamusi fitting Naishimaisha vi-reckless nikamanimepewamaishambili, Scars na bruise sikama tattoos, Nobody chooses when or where to have them, you wait for them to have you Na kitunilisahaukuji-remind ni, uchungunimgeni, mkaribishe, once or twice, Sikuyatatu, muongeleshemlangoni, usimruhusu, aingie inside Juuakikuzoea, majiraniwatamtumiakukudefine Na hakuna word itawezakuuwelcome au kukuremind that Only God can hold us Only God hold us Only God can hold us On my back making love to fate Dying in cold nights, breaking a cold sweat Tenth of my gold, Just to buy me some hope Bloody hands in the air, Only God can help me now.
11.
12.
Very Well 04:15
Very well very Very well very Very very very well Wakiuliza how are you doing wasema very well Do they pay you nowadays to kick it very well Na Boxofbeats how’s that going well very well Can we kick it? Yes we can and very well Wakiuliza how are you doing wasema very well Do they pay you nowadays to kick it very well Na Boxofbeats how’s that going well very well Can we kick it? Yes we can and very well See the thing about Check ni Ye hupreach love kwa kugive love ye hupima ka maneno kwa speech Juu the thing about Check ni His two eyes have seen too much He’s never giving up for giving up’s sake Still believe in destiny bado na trust fate The straw meant to break the Camel’s back didn’t now wait The devil’s in his ear like listen MC just break Hakuna mtu anangoja updates zako Wakiuliza how are you doing wasema very well Do they pay you nowadays to kick it very well Na Boxofbeats how’s that going well very well Can we kick it? Yes we can and very well Wakiuliza how are you doing wasema very well Do they pay you nowadays to kick it very well Na Boxofbeats how’s that going well very well Can we kick it? Yes we can and very well Welcome the man of steel, cause he’s still at it kama Clark Kent bila Kryptonite Kiubiggie tunahypnotise At it ka Dre tukileta beats Sort of, Tofauti ni si headphones, ni beats za box of, So welcome to right now, this gift in your presence your presence is our present The essence of forever is right now Keep your mind clear kuwa very well right now as we speak Leo ni memory right now as we speak juu Leo ni memory right now as we speak tu So Wakiuliza how are you doing wasema very well Do they pay you nowadays to kick it very well Na Boxofbeats how’s that going well very well Can we kick it? Yes we can and very well Wakiuliza how are you doing wasema very well Do they pay you nowadays to kick it very well Na Boxofbeats how’s that going well very well Can we kick it? Yes we can and very well Can we kick it? yes we can and very well Can we uh uh? Yes we can, very well Can we … yes we can and very well Can we biggidy biggidy box we can and very well Can we do do do do this thing, very well Can we mhh mhh, do this thing, very well Can we… beatbox and spit very well Can we… ki kick it very well Wakiuliza how are you doing wasema very well Do they pay you nowadays to kick it very well Na Boxofbeats how’s that going well very well Can we kick it? Yes we can and very well Wakiuliza how are you doing wasema very well Do they pay you nowadays to kick it very well Na Boxofbeats how’s that going well very well Can we kick it? Yes we can and very well

about

FREQUENCY stylized as FRQNCY is a voicing of love, joy, fears and insecurities through a collection of songs written and
composed by Checkmate Mido. The album recordings took place over a period of one and a half years mainly at ADA
Creative Studios in Nairobi with additional recordings happening at Sub Sahara Records in Nairobi and Kujo’s home studio
in Kampala, Uganda.
“The title FRQNCY refers to the unfiltered waves of emotion that we experience, each day, from waking up, seeing
someone we like or find attractive, challenges in life, sharing jokes and everything else in between,” says Checkmate Mido.
He further notes that these emotions create ‘frequency waves’ through which we see and experience each other through,
and in the end, come to define and shape us (to each other) in our shared experiences of life.
For the artist FREQUENCY serves as a collection of memories, stories and experiences.
“The goal of making this album was to create something that tells a story about depression and bipolar disorder without
looking at it as a downer but more as an experience of life.”

credits

released August 14, 2020

Guitar by Kevin Munyi, Bass Guitar by Sam Guchu, Sam Mbaluka, Micheal Ngige, Drums by Carrey Francis Ronjey, Gervais Katumba, Additional vocals by Makosirri, Cheif (from Cheif & The Marshalls), Glady Mwende, Waksy Gachanja & The Body of Brian, Violin by Etta Madete, Cello by Masala Sefu, Percussion by Checkmate Mido, Brian Gugo (AbakiSimba)

Recorded and Mixed by Dylan Sejpal at ADA Creative Studios (Nairobi, Kenya)
Mastered by Beezwax Beats at the Beehive (Berlin, Germany)

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Checkmate Mido Nairobi, Kenya

Checkmate Mido (the dancing poet) is a musician, poet, beatboxer and certified trainer of the performance arts.
Writing in English, Swahili and Sheng (Kenyan Slang), he considers himself ‘a carrier of
stories’. His work borrows from life, life experiences (his and others’) which he then creatively collects and weaves together through collaboration and music.
... more

contact / help

Contact Checkmate Mido

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Checkmate Mido, you may also like: