Space Man

By Sam Ryder - Covered by The ap3x.

Verse 1

If I was an astronaut, I'd be floating in mid-air

And a broken heart would just belong to someone else down there

I would be the centre of my lonely universe

But I’m only human and I’m crashing down to earth

Verse 2

If I was an astronaut, I’d have a bird’s eye view

I’d circle round the world and keep on coming back to you

In my floating castle, I’d rub shoulders with the stars

But I’m only human and I’m drifting in the dark.

Chorus

I’m up in space, man

I’ve searched around the universe. Been down some black holes

There’s nothing but space, man

And I wanna go home ?

?

We had been waiting an hour to hear him sing. Every other act that had come before him seemed to pale in comparison. He stood there, ethereal shrouded in smoke and flame… a silhouette seemingly alight. And then his voice broke out and the room stilled to listen to that soaring sound. I was in tears, I could not stop them from gushing out but I did not care. He had us all enthralled.? To start his set with such a big song spoke volumes about his confidence.? And then to deliver a performance in the manner that he did, rocking the crowd and getting them involved right from the start.? For once, the words I am writing seem inadequate to express the feelings that the performance evoked.? So watch the video… coz somehow… I don’t know how, I managed to record it all, without dropping the phone ?? #SamRyder would have been proud of that cover. I sure was and it remains etched in my memory.?

When it was over, the Hall erupted and he strolled across the stage lapping it all up before going on to do his own personal rendition of MJ's “Dirty Diana” to chaotic scenes of fan adulation. Who was this child? How had he come to possess my son’s body… I sat there mesmerized and then the tears of joy came again flowing freely in the darkened auditorium.? There are moments in this life when time stands still… Andrew Murunga, the first of my name, the dreamer who once only sang alone in the shower, had finally found his voice. And, O how it soared, sweeping us all along in its wake, enchanting us and enthralling us like a beguiling nymph from the deep blue sea.

Circumstances were such that I had never had the opportunity to hear my son sing in a live performance.? I had watched recordings but they pale in comparison to the vocal masterclass he put on.? Okay maybe I am biased because after all he is my son. But I will let you be your own judge… click play on the recording up there. I on the other hand will just sit here and watch you turn into a puddle of mush.?

Last Friday I watched my son spread his wings and test them for flight. He organized his coming out concert and titled it Genesis.? It was a firm marker to the world that he was ready to begin his musical journey, wherever it would lead.? His supporting cast of artists was well curated, Telani especially showed lots of promise with his velvet smooth R&B style which had all the ladies swooning.? He is definitely one to watch for the future.? But the night without doubt belonged to The ap3x. (Pronounced Apex) Andrew even has a stage name. so that is the guy who takes over my son's body during those performances.?

He appeared from underneath the stage in Act 4 of his performance repertoire, materializing like a genie out of Aladin’s magical lamp.? And then there was KARMA. His hit single.? Written, Produced, and Performed by him and launched on Instagram a few weeks ago. It is the song they had been waiting all night to sing along to.? He had them eating out of the palm of his hand and yet even in all that he remained calm and empathetic.? There was the arrogance and confidence of a boy child breaking out of his shell and grasping at his future, unafraid of the unknown. And yet there was also a tenderness in his calm demeanor that allowed you to see the boy who would become a man.?

He produced his own Event Posters which inspired me, his designer father to create a series of posters to promote the event on his behalf in my circle of family and friends.? It felt surreal designing an Insta Story Graphic and Insta posts to support his upcoming event.? I think in that moment I recruited myself into artist management and I knew this was just the beginning of a wild ride yet to come.? And so the time has come to recognize that our son is all grown and ready to face the world. I hope we have done enough to make him ready. I pray that his dreams will come true and that the passion that drove his performances on Friday will not wane.? His mother was a bundle of nerves, I think she had channeled all his nervousness into her body coz he was fearless.?

The World Awaits you, Andrew. So Go Forth and Conquer! And I will be right here waiting if you ever need a helping hand.? I love you to bits.

You’re in space now!