U-Roy
U-Roy (born Ewart Beckford September 21, 1942 - died February 17, 2021) was a Jamaican musician also known as The Originator and Hugh Roy. He was born in Jones Town, Jamaica.
U-Roy's musical career began in 1961 when he began DJing at various sound systems, eventually working with King Tubby. Tubby was then experimenting with his equipment, in the process of inventing dub music. With U-Roy as his most prominent DJ, King Tubby's new sound became extraordinarily popular and U-Roy became a Jamaican celebrity. Read Full BioU-Roy (born Ewart Beckford September 21, 1942 - died February 17, 2021) was a Jamaican musician also known as The Originator and Hugh Roy. He was born in Jones Town, Jamaica.
U-Roy's musical career began in 1961 when he began DJing at various sound systems, eventually working with King Tubby. Tubby was then experimenting with his equipment, in the process of inventing dub music. With U-Roy as his most prominent DJ, King Tubby's new sound became extraordinarily popular and U-Roy became a Jamaican celebrity. He recorded Dynamic Fashion Way, his first recording, in 1969 for Keith Hudson and then worked with almost every producer of the island: Lee Perry, Peter Tosh, Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, Sonia Pottinger, Rupie Edwards, Alvin Ranglin and Lloyd Daley.
In 1970, Jamaican singer John Holt became enamoured of U-Roy's technique. Working with Duke Reid, U-Roy's fame grew through a series of singles, including Wake the Town and "Wear You to the Ball".
U-Roy's success continued throughout the 1970s, most famously with the album Dread in a Babylon with its iconic picture of him disappearing in a cloud of cannabis smoke while holding an enormous pipe, and a song called Chalice in the Palace, fantasising about smoking with Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace. He had become one of the island's biggest stars by the early 1980s, also garnering significant acclaim in the United Kingdom. His latest album is 2000's Serious Matter.
U-Roy's musical career began in 1961 when he began DJing at various sound systems, eventually working with King Tubby. Tubby was then experimenting with his equipment, in the process of inventing dub music. With U-Roy as his most prominent DJ, King Tubby's new sound became extraordinarily popular and U-Roy became a Jamaican celebrity. Read Full BioU-Roy (born Ewart Beckford September 21, 1942 - died February 17, 2021) was a Jamaican musician also known as The Originator and Hugh Roy. He was born in Jones Town, Jamaica.
U-Roy's musical career began in 1961 when he began DJing at various sound systems, eventually working with King Tubby. Tubby was then experimenting with his equipment, in the process of inventing dub music. With U-Roy as his most prominent DJ, King Tubby's new sound became extraordinarily popular and U-Roy became a Jamaican celebrity. He recorded Dynamic Fashion Way, his first recording, in 1969 for Keith Hudson and then worked with almost every producer of the island: Lee Perry, Peter Tosh, Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, Sonia Pottinger, Rupie Edwards, Alvin Ranglin and Lloyd Daley.
In 1970, Jamaican singer John Holt became enamoured of U-Roy's technique. Working with Duke Reid, U-Roy's fame grew through a series of singles, including Wake the Town and "Wear You to the Ball".
U-Roy's success continued throughout the 1970s, most famously with the album Dread in a Babylon with its iconic picture of him disappearing in a cloud of cannabis smoke while holding an enormous pipe, and a song called Chalice in the Palace, fantasising about smoking with Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace. He had become one of the island's biggest stars by the early 1980s, also garnering significant acclaim in the United Kingdom. His latest album is 2000's Serious Matter.
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Natty Rebel
U-Roy Lyrics
Natty Rebel/Soul Rebel
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
See the morning sun, the morning sun,
On the hillside.
If you're not living good, travel wide,
You gotta travel wide.
Said I'm a living man,
And I've got work to do.
If you're not happy, children,
Then you must be blue,
Must be blue, people say.
I'm a rebel, let them talk,
Soul rebel, talk won't bother me.
I'm a capturer, that'w what they say,
Soul adventurer, night and day.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
Do you hear them lippy.
I'm a capturer, gossip around the corner,
Soul adventurer. How they adventure on me.
But, see the morning sun, the morning sun,
On the hillside.
If you're not living good, travel wide,
You gotta travel wide.
Said I'm a living man,
I've got work to do.
If you're not happy, then you must be blue,
Must be blue, people say.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
Do you hear me?
I'm a rebel, rebel in the morning.
Soul rebel, rebel at midday time.
Contributed by Charlie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Musa Maiyaki
He is my ace veryclose to my chest.i
Susan Curtis
RIP Uroy, lawd knows this is one of my favorite songs.
Kieran McDonald
If it isnt one of your favourite songs, it means you have never heard it before or you are deaf.
Bamana History and Culture
Free
The Man From Volantis
Only found out 2 days ago. Made me right sad. Such a powerful voice and personality.
DJ KRPT
Y’know
Laquisha Magee
RIP U-Roy you will be truly missed
Grace Blackwood
He never got the recognition he deserved for being the best Godfather of Rap
Gordon Mckenzie
@Darren Jay the Jubalaires, Louie Jordan and Cab Calloway in the 1940s laid the foundation for rap...by the 1950s Jamaican musicians were inspired and put their own spin on what would become an international phenomenon.
Darren Jay
Toasting went on to become Rap music ...and the mc was born U Roy was the first ...Rip 🙏 King