Manley Augustus Buchanan (⋆ 19 April 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica), is a Jamai… Read Full Bio ↴Manley Augustus Buchanan (⋆ 19 April 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica), is a Jamaican DJ (reggae toasting and early singjay). Big Youth started toasting for a sound system in 1970. Inspired by the first toaster who was successfully recorded and released – U-Roy – Big Youth developed his own, unique style. His work with producer Gussie Clarke resulted 1972 in 'The Killer' (version of Horace Andy's 'Skylarking') and 'Tippertone Rocking' – his first big Jamaican hits. 1973 the first and legendary album Screaming Target was released.

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.

Whats Going On Jack
Big Youth Lyrics

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Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yea

Father, father

We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh

Right on baby
Right on baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Big Youth's song "What's Going On Jack" are a call for peace and understanding during a time of social unrest and war. The first two verses address the pain and suffering of both mothers and brothers who are experiencing unjust loss and violence. The song then shifts focus to fathers and the responsibility to find non-violent solutions to conflicts. The lyrics highlight the idea that war and brutality will only breed more hate and division. The chorus asks the question, "What's going on?" and emphasizes the need for communication and empathy.

The third verse speaks to the societal pressures and judgments faced by young people with long hair during the era. The final chorus reiterates the need for understanding and unity to overcome the conflicts and injustices plaguing society.

Overall, this song is a timeless anthem for social justice and equality. It calls for peace and love as the only means to conquer hate and brutality.

Line by Line Meaning

Mother, mother
Addressing all the mothers out there

There's too many of you crying
There are too many women crying out there because of several problems

Brother, brother, brother
Addressing all the men out there

There's far too many of you dying
Many men are losing their lives due to some reasons

You know we've got to find a way
There's a need to find a solution

To bring some lovin' here today, yea
To spread love in the world right now

Father, father
Addressing all the fathers out there

We don't need to escalate
We don't need to make things worse

You see, war is not the answer
It's not right to solve any problem using wars

For only love can conquer hate
Love is the only thing that can fight against hate

Picket lines and picket signs
Using protests as a mean to convey messages

Don't punish me with brutality
Don't use violence to suppress these protests

Talk to me, so you can see
Communicate with me to understand my views and points

Oh, what's going on
Trying to comprehend the situation around us

In the mean time
For now

Right on, baby
Acknowledging someone's efforts and hard work

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Everyone thinks that we are wrong

Oh, but who are they to judge us
Who are they to make judgments about us

Simply because our hair is long
Just because we look different

Oh, you know we've got to find a way
We still have to find a way

To bring some understanding here today
To bring some understanding in this world right now

Ya, what's going on
Trying to comprehend the situation around us

Tell me what's going on
Fill me in on what's happening

I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
I'll let you know what's happening

Right on baby
Acknowledging someone's efforts and hard work

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alfred W Cleveland, Marvin P Gaye, Renaldo Benson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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