During 1974 and 1975 Big Youth continued to record for other producers, as Glen Brown, The Abyssinians ('I Pay Thee', 'Dreader Than Dread'), Yabby You ('Yabby Youth' – later known as 'Lightning Flash (Weak Heart Drop)'), Bunny Wailer ('Bide'/'Black on Black') and Joe Gibbs ('Medecine Doctor'). His LP, Dread Locks Dread, was released 1975 and produced by Prince Tony Robinson.
However, Big Youth had also started releasing his own self-produced recordings on the "Negusa Nagast" and "Augustus Buchanan" labels in Jamaica. His first self-produced LP was Reggae Phenomemnon in 1974. His self-productions continued with the 1976 albums Natty Cultural Dread and Hit The Road Jack, using his own musicians, usually the Soul Syndicate band. Now Big Youth changed his deejay style to be more of a singjay than a toaster; even if his vocal range was never the greatest, his singing sides continued to improve in musical quality, and began to become as common as his DJ tunes. He signed to Virgin Records' Frontline label in 1977, and his first release on the label was the Isaiah First Prophet of Old album, and he also appeared in the feature movie Rockers. Together with U-Roy, I-Roy, Dennis Alcapone, Prince FarI, and Dillinger, Big Youth is one of the immortal early Jamaican reggae toasters which have inspired generations of following Jamaican dancehall deejays and American rappers.
The name of the band Sonic Youth is in part a tribute to Big Youth.
"Yes, me come inna de music as Rasta, me a de original rastaman who enter it." Big Youth, Italy, 2001
"Deejays were closest to the people because there wasn't any kind of establishment control on the sound systems". Big Youth in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music
Discography
* Chi Chi Run - Fab 1972 (including just three Big Youth songs)
* Screaming Target - Trojan 1973
* Reggae Phenomenon - Augustus Buchanen 1975
* Dreadlocks Dread - Klick 1975
* Natty Cultural Dread - Trojan 1976
* Hit the Road Jack - Trojan 1976
* Isiah First Prohphet of Old - Nicola Delita, Caroline 1978
* Progress - Nocola Delita 1979
* Rock Holy - Negusa Negast 1980
* Some Great Big Youth - Heartbeat 1981
* Chanting Dread Inna Fine Style - Heartbeat 1982
* Live at Reggae Sunsplash - Genes 1984
* A Luta Continua (The Struggle Continue) - Heartbeat 1986
* Manifestation - Heartbeat 1988
* Jamming in the House of Dread - Danceteria 1990
* Higher Grounds - JR, VP Records 1995
* Save the children - Declic 1995
* Reggae Gi Dem Dub - Nicola Delita
* Natty Universal Dread 1973–1979 - a 3-CD-Box-set with Big Youth's major works during the 70's, released in 2001.
Marcus Garvey Dread
Big Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Marcus Garvey's words come to pass,
Can't get no food to eat,
Can't get no money to spend,
Can't get no food to eat,
Can't get no money to spend,
And you and you alone
Come, little one,
Let me do what I can do for you and you alone, woo-oo-oo
You know the right
And do heed might
Shall be spanked with many stripes,
Weeping and wailing and moaning,
You've got yourself to blame, I tell you.
Do right do right do right do right do right,
Tell you to do right,
Beg you to do right,
Where is bag of wire, he's nowhere to be found
He can't be found
First betrayer who gave away Marcus Garvey
Son of Satan, First prophesy,
Catch them, Garvey old
Catch them Garvey, catch them
Hold them Marcus, hold them
Marcus Garvey, Marcus
The song "Marcus Garvey Dread" by Big Youth is a tribute to the Jamaican political leader Marcus Garvey who was a strong advocate for black nationalism and pan-Africanism. The opening lines of the song "Marcus Garvey's words come to pass" suggest that Garvey's message and teachings are still relevant today. The lyrics describe the struggles of poverty and inequality that many people face, unable to afford basic necessities like food and money. The singer extends a helping hand to those in need, demonstrating Garvey's principles of community and self-help.
The song also references the biblical phrase "you reap what you sow" as a warning to those who do wrong. The lyrics suggest that those who disregard righteousness and justice will face punishment in the form of "many stripes." The song ends with the repetition of Garvey's name, emphasizing his legacy as a revered figure in Jamaican and African history.
Line by Line Meaning
Marcus Garvey's words come to pass,
The message of Marcus Garvey is becoming a reality.
Can't get no food to eat,
People are struggling to find food to eat.
Can't get no money to spend,
People don't have money to spend.
Come, little one,
Let me do what I can do for you and you alone, woo-oo-oo
Big Youth is offering to help individuals, and not the masses.
You know the right
And do heed might
Shall be spanked with many stripes,
If you know what's right and don't follow, you'll receive punishment.
Weeping and wailing and moaning,
You've got yourself to blame, I tell you.
If you find yourself in a bad situation, it's your fault for not taking action.
Do right do right do right do right do right,
Tell you to do right,
Beg you to do right,
It's important to do what's right.
Where is bag of wire, he's nowhere to be found
He can't be found
First betrayer who gave away Marcus Garvey
Son of Satan, First prophesy,
Catch them, Garvey old
Catch them Garvey, catch them
Hold them Marcus, hold them
Marcus Garvey, Marcus
Referring to the betrayal of Marcus Garvey, warning that those who betray their community will be caught and punished.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fatimangara4538
I remember this..
@janlyons9606
2020👍
@dpetty
2020
@christophersmith9613
Superb.
@vaughndunn2588
2019
@herne831
2021
@JahRed101
2018
@chatnoir8524
Can someone post the lyrics?
@MrGabsol
They is no lyrics… it’s in patois
Hard to translate for some people
@EdwardMontserin
@@MrGabsol er no