Founded in winter 1998 by Martín Perna as "Conjunto Antibalas," the group played its inaugural concert in May of the following year. 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. 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.
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 has opened for James Brown, No Doubt, Wyclef Jean, Trey Anastasio and others, and have played at some of rock's most famous venues, such as Irving Plaza in New York City. The group has also played at numerous music festivals, and has also played for inmates at the Rikers Island prison facility. The band is known to support progressive/radical causes, and is also known to appear at block parties throughout New York City.
Currently Martín Perna lives in Austin, TX, while the rest of Antibalas resides in Brooklyn. Martín can be found in Austin playing in Brown Out, a collaborative band consisting of himself and several members of the Austin-based band, Grupo Fantasma.
"Antibalas" is a Spanish word meaning 'bulletproof'
NOTE: According to the band's website, http://Antibalas.com, the name they call themselves is "Antibalas," NOT "Antibaalas Afrobeat Orchestra." All of their releases since 2003 were released under that name. Please update your tags accordingly. Last.fm should NOT be forcing the scrobbles to the wrong band name. (Please go to their profile page and tell Last.fm that this is not the correct name for this band. There is a box on the right side of the page towards the bottom.)
Dirt And Blood
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Hey Jay
Dirt
& Blood
Poda pata
Hey Jay
Dirt
& Blood
Poda pata
Hey Jay
Dirt
& Blood
Hey Hey Hey
Départ Basse
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Hey jay Hadji O Bra
Go Puss in Ra Ra ohh
Oh ko lo ne nou Mi Hey
Huu
But Wise In
My mind is your non sense
My mind is yeah
Can Get
I don’t Train No
For this For Ti Yeah Shame Back
With babaleo
Listen
Listen
Listen now
Hey
Bit plus beat Réponse Cuivres
Fight Viet Fight Viet Réponse Cuivres
Equals to war Réponse Cuivres
One more time
Life plus three Réponse Cuivres
Defended by Viets Réponse Cuivres
Equals to war Réponse Cuivres
War Réponse Cuivres
Waaar
Waaar Réponse Cuivres
Waaar
HEY
Réponse Cuivres
Destruction Réponse Cuivres
& agony Réponse Cuivres
& pain ooooooo Réponse Cuivres
painnn oooo
Destruction Réponse Cuivres
& agony Réponse Cuivres
& pain ooooooo Réponse Cuivres
Nor Equality
Non friend flush Réponse Cuivres
Nor Equality
Non side flush Réponse Cuivres
Nor Equality
Because This Street Cab Is easohhhhhh Réponse Cuivres
No Equality
No Equality
Non sense is toooo ideologie
Godd
Warrrr
War
I Say Ohhh
Non sense is cool ideologies
God
War
They Will Make You
Play down
Play down
Play For Nothing
Hey
BREAK Cuivres
Poda pata
Ho
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
For The Love Of The Country Départ Basse
Hit of Humanity
Hey
Hann
Hey
Theme Cuivres
A BADA BO
………………
………………
A BADA BO
………………
………………
BREAK Cuivres
Poda paa
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
The song "Dirt and Blood" by Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra is a protest song that sheds light on the inequality and suffering in the world, particularly in Africa. The song starts with the repetitive chant of "Poda pata," which is then followed by the chorus of "Hey Jay, Dirt & Blood." The repetition of "Poda pata" is commonly used by Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, and it means "power to the people."
The song's lyrics speak of the pain, agony, and destruction experienced by people due to wars and ideologies. The lines "Nor equality, non-friend flush/ Nor equality, no side flush" refer to the lack of equal rights and opportunities for individuals regardless of their social status or political affiliations. The lyrics also criticize the cabal, a secretive, powerful group of people who control the government or other organizations, for exploiting street vendors, causing suffering and poverty.
The song features the typical brass-heavy Afrobeat sound, with drums, bass, and electric guitar providing the driving rhythm. The horns provide a powerful and energetic melody that is in line with the song's themes. "Dirt and Blood" is not just a mere protest song, but it is also a call to action for people to work towards equality, justice, and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Poda pata
Repetitive chant with no specific meaning
Hey Jay
Dirt
& Blood
Addressing someone and stating the themes of the upcoming song
Départ Basse
Introduces a bass instrumental
Yeah
Repetitive chant expressing affirmation
Hey jay Hadji O Bra
Go Puss in Ra Ra ohh
Oh ko lo ne nou Mi Hey
Huu
Random lyrical phrases with no specific meaning
But Wise In
My mind is your non sense
My mind is yeah
Can Get
I don’t Train No
For this For Ti Yeah Shame Back
With babaleo
Expressing thoughts and emotions on the subject at hand and choosing not to participate in it
Listen
Listen
Listen now
Hey
Urging attention and focus on the upcoming statement
Bit plus beat Réponse Cuivres
Fight Viet Fight Viet Réponse Cuivres
Equals to war Réponse Cuivres
One more time
Life plus three Réponse Cuivres
Defended by Viets Réponse Cuivres
Equals to war Réponse Cuivres
War Réponse Cuivres
Waaar
Waaar Réponse Cuivres
Waaar
HEY
Réponse Cuivres
Comparing the current situation to a war and the importance of fighting for the right things
Destruction Réponse Cuivres
& agony Réponse Cuivres
& pain ooooooo Réponse Cuivres
painnn oooo
Destruction Réponse Cuivres
& agony Réponse Cuivres
& pain ooooooo Réponse Cuivres
Expressing the negative outcomes of not fighting for what is right
Nor Equality
Non friend flush Réponse Cuivres
Nor Equality
Non side flush Réponse Cuivres
Nor Equality
Because This Street Cab Is easohhhhhh Réponse Cuivres
No Equality
No Equality
Non sense is toooo ideologie
Godd
Warrrr
War
I Say Ohhh
Non sense is cool ideologies
God
War
Highlighting the lack of equality and the role of nonsensical ideologies in it
They Will Make You
Play down
Play down
Play For Nothing
Hey
Urging listeners to not be easily persuaded into going against their values
For The Love Of The Country Départ Basse
Hit of Humanity
Hey
Hann
Hey
Theme Cuivres
Encouraging the audience to fight for love, peace, and unity
A BADA BO
………………
………………
Instrumental break
Poda paa
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Poda pata
Repetitive chant with no specific meaning
Contributed by Lucy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.