Founded 1998 by Martín Perna as "Conjunto Antibalas," the group played its inaugural concert in May 26, 1998 at St. Nicks Pub in Harlem at a night organized by artist Xaviera Simmons. Over the course of the next few months, the group solidified with a core of eleven band members and began to develop a repertoire of original songs. Guitarist and producer/engineer Gabriel Roth wrote several of the earlier tunes and oversaw recording and production of the first three records.
Over the next few years, the band's presence grew; by summer 2000 Antibalas had released their first album "Liberation Afrobeat Vol. 1" and had toured twice in England, all the while continuing to play at venues throughout New York City. Recording with the group in the early day was Cameroonian drummer Jojo Kuo who can be heard on the studio recordings of "Uprising" and "Machete."
By early 2002, the horn-driven outfit had released their second album, "Talkatif," and were continuing to tour throughout the United States. In summer 2004, their third studio album, "Who is This America?" was released. Antibalas' most recent album, "Security", was produced by John McEntire and released on the ANTI- label in 2007.
sister
Antibalas Lyrics
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I come to appologize, for the time I disrespect you, oh
(oh, my sister!)
Sister, oh sister
I come ask for forgiveness, for the time I patronize you, oh
(oh, my sister!)
To find strength every day to go check myself, eh
(oh, my sister!)
I try, yes I try
To find strength every day to go check my-my-my-my-myself
(oh, my sister!)
But, what kind of brother I am, oh, if I talk my sister like child?
But, what kind of brother I am, oh, if I chain my sister like dog?
But, what kind of brother I am, oh, if I hunt my sister like food?
But, what kind of brother I am, oh, whoah?
(oh, my sister!)
Brother, oh brother, oh
I said now come a feminist, yeh
Oh, I declare, seh sister good as brother!
Brother, whoah brothers, oh I said now come a feminist, yeh
Oh, I declare, seh sister good as brother!
Oh, what kind of brother I am, eh, if i call my sister bitch?
Before blink an eye
And I go shake with fear, oh, to say the why? a f-f-feminist
Feminist
Let me tell you true my brothers
Let me tell you true my sisters
The wicked brother no go say it, no no no no no no no!
Cause you know why, oh
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, he go be fraid of the word!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, he go be fraid to say!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, he go be shake with the fear!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, if sister sees her strength!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, if sister feels her strength!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, if sister knows her strength!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, if sister smarter than him!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, if sister faster than him!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, if sister stronger than him!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid for him dick!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid for him balls!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid for him manhood!
(he go be fraid!)
He go be fraid, he go be fraid of the world!
(he go be fraid!)
But strong brother no need to fear at all, at all, at all!
He go be safe in sister's strength, like him brother!
Him go listen sister wisdom, like him brother!
Him go respect in sister work, like him brother!
Him not to fear him sister!
Him no hates him sister!
Him not patronize him sister!
Him respect him sister, oh!
Strong brothers, strong brothers, strong brothers
Strong brothers, call it now!
(Feminist, feminist!)
They go call a feminist a feminist!
(Feminist, feminist!)
They go call him feminist, a feminist!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Let me hear you my brothers, yeh!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Strong brothers a call him, yeh!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Only brave brothers they call him, yeh!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Wicked brother, shut your mouth, whoah!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Scared brother, shut your trap, whoah!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Stronger brother, call him loud, whoah!
(Feminist, feminist!)
They go call a feminist a feminist!
(Feminist, feminist!)
They go call a feminist a feminist!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Look who's to get our dick!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Look who's to get our balls!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Look who's to get our manhood, oh!
(Feminist, feminist!)
They go call a feminist, a feminist!
(Feminist, feminist!)
Feminist, a feminist, a feminist!
(Feminist, feminist!)
What they call him, whoah?
Sister, oh sister, oh
I come to appologize, for the time I disrespect you, oh
(oh, my sister!)
Sister, oh sister, oh
I come ask for forgiveness, for the time I patronize you, oh
(oh, my sister!)
I try, yes I try
To find strength every day to go check myself, eh
(oh, my sister!)
I try, oh yes I try
To find strength every day to go check my-my-my-my-myself
(oh, my sister!)
Oh, my sister, oh!
(oh, my sister!)
Oh, my sister, oh!
(oh, my sister!)
The song "Sister" by Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra is an apology to the singer's sister for his past disrespect and patronization towards her. He acknowledges that as her brother, he should not talk to her like a child, chain her like a dog, or treat her like food. The singer then declares himself a feminist and acknowledges that sisters are just as good as brothers. He encourages strong brothers to not fear feminist ideals and to respect their sisters, listen to their wisdom, and appreciate their work. The song ends with a continued attempt to find strength to check oneself and be a better brother to his sister.
Overall, the song celebrates and acknowledges the strength and value of women as equals to men. The use of the word "feminist" is empowering, challenging the negative connotations associated with the term and redefining it as a positive force for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Sister, oh sister, oh
The singer greets his sister, trying to show remorse in his voice
I come to apologize, for the time I disrespect you, oh
He wants to express regret for the times he treated his sister poorly
(oh, my sister!)
The singer again expresses affection towards his sibling
Sister, oh sister
The artist repeats himself, emphasizing his sibling relationship
I come ask for forgiveness, for the time I patronize you, oh
He apologizes for instances where he condescended towards his sister
I try, yes I try
He acknowledges his effort towards personal growth and improvement
To find strength every day to go check myself, eh
He aims to gain inner strength by being introspective and reflecting on his actions
But, what kind of brother I am, oh, if I talk my sister like child?
The artist questions his behavior and wonders if he is treating his sister like a child
But, what kind of brother I am, oh, if I chain my sister like dog?
He further questions his treatment of his sister, wondering if he's mistreating her in an even more severe way
But, what kind of brother I am, oh, if I hunt my sister like food?
The artist continues to reflect on his actions and questions if he's been predatory towards his sister
Brother, oh brother, oh
The singer now addresses himself to question his own character
I said now come a feminist, yeh
He declares that he has now become a feminist
Oh, I declare, seh sister good as brother!
He declares that his sister is equal to him
Before blink an eye
He implies that change can happen quickly, without warning
And I go shake with fear, oh, to say the why? a f-f-feminist
He fears being labeled a feminist, as many view it as a negative thing
Let me tell you true my brothers
The artist addresses his male audience
Let me tell you true my sisters
He also addresses any female listeners
The wicked brother no go say it, no no no no no no no!
He implies that those who have negative views about feminism will not speak up against it
Cause you know why, oh
He goes on to explain why that might be the case
(he go be fraid!)
The artist suggests that people who are anti-feminist are afraid of the movement
He go be fraid to say!
They're scared to voice their opinions
He go be shake with the fear!
The fear is all-consuming and overwhelming
He go be fraid, if sister sees her strength!
Men who are afraid of feminism fear strong, independent women as they challenge traditional gender roles
He go be fraid, if sister feels her strength!
Women recognizing their own strength also scares anti-feminists
He go be fraid, if sister knows her strength!
The singer emphasizes the importance of female empowerment and how it threatens the patriarchy
He go be fraid, if sister smarter than him!
He also points out how some men are threatened by intelligent, educated women
He go be fraid if sister faster than him!
He suggests that men are threatened by women who can accomplish things faster than them
He go be fraid, if sister stronger than him!
Male fragility is a recurring theme, as the artist points out how some men are threatened by physical strength
He go be fraid for him dick!
The artist suggests that men's fear of the feminist movement is rooted in their insecurity about their own masculinity
He go be fraid for him balls!
He continues to emphasize fragile masculinity and how it's a driving force behind anti-feminism
He go be fraid for him manhood!
Men who feel threatened by feminism believe that their very manhood is at risk, which is why they fight back against it
But strong brother no need to fear at all, at all, at all!
The artist then addresses strong, open-minded men and urges them to be unafraid of feminism
He go be safe in sister's strength, like him brother!
These strong brothers will actually benefit from female empowerment and will be protected within this movement
Him go listen sister wisdom, like him brother!
The artist also suggests that open-minded men can learn from women's experiences and insights
Him go respect in sister work, like him brother!
He points out that men can appreciate and admire the work that women do, rather than being threatened by it
Him not to fear him sister!
Ultimately, the artist hopes that men and women can work together and not be afraid of each other
Him no hates him sister!
He implores men to not hate women, but instead recognize their value and contributions to society
Him not patronize him sister!
The singer urges men to not condescend to women, but instead treat them as equals
Him respect him sister, oh!
He emphasizes that respect is key in any relationship, including sibling relationships
Strong brothers, strong brothers, strong brothers
The artist continuously addresses himself and other male allies throughout the song
Strong brothers, call it now!
He once again urges men to be strong and vocal in their support of feminism
(Feminist, feminist!)
The singer and his female allies chant for feminism
They go call a feminist a feminist!
The singer points out that feminists proudly embrace the label
Feminist, a feminist, a feminist!
The song repeats the word 'feminist' like a rallying cry
What they call him, whoah?
The artist asks what anti-feminists call feminists
I try, oh yes I try
The song closes with the artist reiterating his efforts to improve himself and support feminism
Oh, my sister, oh!
He once again addresses his sister and expresses affection towards her
Contributed by Brooklyn J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.