The first line-up of the group was Garth Dennis, Don Carlos, and Derrick "Duckie" Simpson. The group has undergone several lineup changes: Carlos left, replaced by Michael Rose; then Dennis left to play with The Wailing Souls, and was replaced by Errol Nelson. During this early period, the band's most famous recording is the album entitled Love Crisis, later rereleased as Black Sounds Of Freedom. In 1979 the group was joined by Sandra "Puma" Jones, a social worker from North Carolina, USA. Under this lineup, (Rose, Simpson and Jones), with Sly & Robbie as producers (and also permanently employed on drum and bass), they released the band's most popular albums: Sinsemilla, Red, Chill Out, and the Grammy-winning Anthem¹, as well as others. During this period, Black Uhuru became one of the most popular reggae groups in the world, regularly touring with the likes of The Police and The Rolling Stones. Live 1984 (a concert at the Rockpalast in Germany, but was actually recorded on October 18, 1981) captures the band at the height of its powers.
After Rose went solo in 1985, Junior Reid joined for a few records and also left; Puma Jones left in 1987 (and died of cancer three years later, in 1990). In 1990, Simpson reunited with Dennis and Carlos in the original line-up of the group. They recorded several albums and toured extensively. By the end of the 90's, Dennis and Carlos left the band and fought a legal battle against Simpson over the name Black Uhuru. Simpson won the lawsuit and formed yet another incarnation of Black Uhuru with Andrew Bees as lead singer. Only one album, Dynasty, was released before Bees left the group.
In February 2004, it was announced in the Jamaican press that Simpson and Michael Rose had re-united under the name "Black Uhuru feat. Michael Rose". Together with a female backing singer named Kay Starr, they released a single, "Dollars" and performed at several concerts including "Western Consciousness 2004" on April 28 in Jamaica, of which a live video was released shortly thereafter. A new album has been reported to be in progress.
== Discography ==
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Michael Rose, Errol "Tarzan" Nelson'
*1977 - 'Love Crisis'
*1981 - 'Black Sounds of Freedom' ("Love Crisis" reedition)
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Michael Rose, Sandra "Puma" Jones'
*1979 - 'Showcase'
*1980 - 'Black Uhuru'
*1980 - 'Sinsemilia'
*1981 - 'Red'
*1982 - 'Chill Out'
*1983 - 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner' ("Black Uhuru" reedition)
*1983 - 'Anthem'
'Group: Derrick Simpson, Delroy "Junior" Reid, Sandra "Puma" Jones'
*1986 - 'Brutal'
*1987 - 'Positive' (Puma Jones replaced Olafunke)
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Garth Dennis, Don Carlos'
*1990 - 'Now'
*1991 - 'Iron Storm'
*1993 - 'Mystical truth'
*1994 - 'Strongg'
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Jenifah Nyah, Andrew Bees'
*1998 - 'Unification'
*2001 - 'Dynasty'
'Live / Dub albums:'
*1982 - 'Uhuru in Dub'
*1982 - 'Tear It Up - Live' (album and video)
*1983 - 'The Dub Factor'
*1986 - 'Brutal Dub'
*1987 - 'The Positive Dub'
*1988 - 'Live'
*1988 - 'Live In New York City'
*1990 - 'Now Dub'
*1990 - 'Love Dub' ("Uhuru In Dub" reedition)
*1992 - 'Iron Storm Dub'
*1993 - 'Mystical Truth Dub'
*1994 - 'Strongg Dubb'
*2000 - 'Live 1984'
*2001 - 'In Dub'
*2001 – 'Dubbin'It Live' (summer 2001, at Paléo Festival)
Youth
Black Uhuru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Positive way
Positive way, woy
Positive way-ay-ay
Me said me father, me mother, me sister
Me granny, me aunt, me nephew, me niece
Telling me how much they really love my new release
Got to think positive, woy
Positive, positive, positive
Every youth man want a house upon the hilltop to live
If car on the boulevard Benz or Honda executive
Think positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Positive, positive, positive
Every youth nowadays decide fe tense and use up them skill
Nah go take up no machine-gun and like them ready to kill
Every youth nowadays decide fe tense and use up them skill
Drive a midi-van from Kingston and go a Mandeville
For sell some kid, nah go Canada, use up them bill
A so Jah Jah know them in proving them skill
It name positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Positive, positive, positive
Me father, me mother, me sister
Me granny, me aunt, me nephew, me niece
Telling me how much they really love my new release
Me father, me mother, me sister
Me granny, me aunt, me nephew, me niece
Telling me how much they really love my new release
It name positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Positive, positive, positive
Every youth nowadays decide fe tense and do a business
Sell some orange or banana and some reggae hits
Every youth nowadays decide fe tense and use up them skill
Nah go take up no machine-gun and like them ready to kill
Think positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Me father, me mother, me sister
Me granny, me aunt, me nephew, me niece
Telling me how much they really love my new release
Me father, me mother, me sister
Me granny, me aunt, me nephew, me niece
Telling me how much they really love my new release
It name positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Negative, Babylon a think negative, whoay
Positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Every youth man want a house upon the hilltop fe live
Work hard you know Jah will provide, he will give
Think positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Me father, me mother, me sister
Me granny, me aunt, me nephew, me niece
Telling me how much they really love my new release
Me father, me mother, me sister
Me granny, me aunt, me nephew, me niece
Telling me how much they really love my new release
It name positive, positive, positive
Positive, positive
Got to think positive, woy
Roof over your head
Food, clothes and shelter
Woy, woy
Think positive
Think positive
Think positive, woy
The song "Youth" by Black Uhuru is an empowering anthem that encourages young people to embrace positivity and pursue their dreams in a constructive way. The lyrics suggest that there are many challenges facing young people today, such as violence and poverty, but the solution lies in adopting a positive mindset and channeling energies towards productive ends. The singer emphasizes the importance of family support and the need to resist negative influences in society in order to achieve success and happiness.
The chorus of the song is a simple mantra: "positive way, positive way, positive way-ay-ay". This is repeated several times throughout the song, with the intention of reinforcing the message of positivity and encouraging young people to adopt a hopeful and optimistic outlook. The verses describe the aspirations and struggles of young Jamaicans, and suggest that by working hard and staying positive, they can overcome obstacles and achieve success in life.
Overall, the song "Youth" is a powerful call to action that encourages young people to take control of their lives, embrace positivity, and work towards a brighter future. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of Jamaican youth, and a reminder that with the right mindset and support, anything is possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Positive way-ay
Encouragement to stay positive
Positive way
Continuing encouragement to stay positive
Positive way, woy
More encouragement to stay positive
Positive way-ay-ay
Final encouragement to stay positive
Me said me father, me mother, me sister
Family approving of the message of positivity in the song
Me granny, me aunt, me nephew, me niece
Extended family also approving of the message of positivity
Telling me how much they really love my new release
Family expressing their love for the song, which spreads positivity
It name positive, positive
The song is named 'Positive', emphasizing its message
Got to think positive, woy
Reiteration of the importance of thinking positively
Every youth man want a house upon the hilltop to live
Youth dream of living in a nice home
If car on the boulevard Benz or Honda executive
Youth dream of driving a fancy car
Every youth nowadays decide fe tense and use up them skill
Youth are encouraged to develop their skills and build their own businesses
Nah go take up no machine-gun and like them ready to kill
Encouragement to avoid violence and focus on peaceful skills
Drive a midi-van from Kingston and go a Mandeville
Suggesting alternative methods of making a living
For sell some kid, nah go Canada, use up them bill
Encouragement to invest in oneself rather than resorting to illegal activities
A so Jah Jah know them in proving them skill
Believing in oneself and one's abilities to succeed
Every youth nowadays decide fe tense and do a business
Encouragement for youth to start their own businesses and be independent
Sell some orange or banana and some reggae hits
Suggesting alternative ways of making a living
Negative, Babylon a think negative, whoay
Criticism of society's negativity compared to the song's positivity
Work hard you know Jah will provide, he will give
Belief in the rewards of hard work and faith in God
Roof over your head
Basic human need for shelter
Food, clothes and shelter
Emphasizing the basic necessities of life
Woy, woy
Expression of joy and encouragement
Think positive
Final encouragement to maintain a positive mindset
Think positive
Reiteration of the importance of thinking positively
Think positive, woy
Final emphasis on the importance of thinking positively
Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rootsreggaemusic7219
See blood, we mean no harm blood
The youths of Eglinton
Won't put down their Remington
The youth of Brixton
They have their 45 Smith and
Wesson pistol, pistol!
The youth of Utica Avenue
They just can't keep cool
So much gun shot, some cripple, some turn fool
They are responsible for a lot of children
And they need food
And they want to go to school
I say the youth of Eglington
Won't put down their Remington
I say the youth of Kingston
Won't leave their Magnum
Pistol, pistol..
A very thin line to start the crime
Who will be the first to volunteer?
You love, you love your mockery
Get up and get yourself together
You hear the words of Jah Jah
Coming from the hill top, of Dabra Dabra
Keep you strength
The youth of Eglington
Won't put down their Remington
I say the youth of Brixton
They put down their 45 Smith
And Wesson pistol pistol
(..)
Stop and listen
They want you to fight the good fight
But save you strength
For strength of life
The youths in Africa
All a dem a thriller
I say the youth of Eglington
Won't put down their Remington
The youth of Kingston
Won't leave their Magnum
Pistol, pistol..
Poor Jill she was a spill
She got hit by a stray shot
The youths of Eglington
Won't put down their Remington
The youths of Brixton
They put down their 45 Smith
And Wesson pistol, pistol..
@ackaspech
Rest in peace Robbie Bassman!
One love.
Big UP!
@haroldwalton932
I saw them with The Clash at Exhibition Stadium in the mid-eighties....the days of committed brilliant music
@ianaj
Man I was there too... you never forget how you felt at that time during the concert which at the time was amazing but now I thank myself then for going then as now so many life times later I realize what a gift it was in being there!
@SonyVor
What a great show that was. Tremendous performance.
@chrisd8458
I like Bob Marley, but I LOVE Black Uhuru. These guys are beyond underrated. They should have been huge.
I agree.
@annvalentine-pryce7572
@ I second that
@traceycawood965
Black Uhuru and steel pulce are the best reggae outfits to date!
@tenshandihyenaentertainmen9827
Underrated is not the word more like underpromoted
@worngimimajosplaynholmes6907
Well said