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Bunny Wailer was a singer, songwriter and percussionist, born Neville O'Riley Livingston on April 10, 1947 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was founder and an original member of ska, rocksteady and reggae group The Wailers (formed 1963) along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The young Livingston spent his earliest years in the village of Nine Mile in St. Ann Parish. It was there that he first met Bob Marley, and the two toddlers became fast friends. The boys both came from one parent families; Livingston was being brought up by his father, Marley by his mother. Later, Bunny's father Thaddeus "Toddy" Livingston lived with Bob Marley's mother Cedella Booker and had a daughter with her named Pearl Livingston. Peter Tosh had a son, Andrew Tosh, with another of Bunny's sisters, Shirley, making Andrew his nephew
Livingston was underused as a writer and lead vocalist in The Wailers compared with Marley and Tosh. When Wailers regularly changed producers during the early reggae years in the late 1960s, Livingston continued to be a key part of the group's distinctive harmonies. He sang however lead on "Dreamland" (a cover of El Tempos' My Dream Island, which soon became Bunny's signature song), "Riding High", "Brainwashing" and on one verse of the Wailers' Impressions-like "Keep On Moving", both produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry. In 1971, he recorded the original version of Pass It On
Bunny Wailer toured with the Wailers in England and the United States, but soon became reluctant to leave Jamaica. He and Tosh became more marginalized in the group as the Wailers became an international success, and attention was increasingly focused on Marley. Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh subsequently left the Wailers to pursue solo careers. They were replaced by the I Threes, a move to broaden the base of success for the Wailers in the non-Jamaican market.
After leaving the Wailers, Bunny became more focused on his spiritual faith. He identified with the Rastafari movement, as did the other Wailers. He self-produced a number of his recordings after striking out on his own. He has also written much of his own material as well as re-recording a number of cuts from the Wailers catalogue. Bunny Wailer has recorded primarily in the roots style, in keeping with his often political and spiritual messages. The album "Blackheart Man" is a good example of his roots reggae style and the dub version,Dub d*sco vol 1 equally magnificent if hard to find. "Sings the Wailers" successfully reworks many of The Wailers songs with the backing of top Jamaican musicians, Sly and Robbie. He has also had success recording in the typically apolitical, more pop dancehall style. He has outlived his contemporaries in a culture where death by violence is commonplace.
Bunny Wailer has won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1990, 1994 and 1996.
Bunny Wailer died on 2 March 2021.
ALBUMS WITH ORIGINAL MATERIAL
* ''Blackheart Man'' (1976) [[Island Records|Island]]/Solomonic
* ''Protest'' (1977) Island/Solomonic
* ''Struggle'' (1978) Solomonic
* ''Dubd'sco vol.1'' (1978) Solomonic
* ''In I Father's House'' (1979) Solomonic
* ''Bunny Wailer Sings the Wailers'' (1980) Island/Solomonic
* ''Dubd'sco vol.2'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Rock 'n' Groove'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Tribute'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Hook Line & Sinker'' (1982) Solomonic
* ''Roots Radics Rockers Reggae'' (1983) [[Shanachie Records|Shanachie]]
* ''Live!'' (1983) Solomonic
* ''Marketplace'' (1985) Solomonic
* ''Rootsman Skanking'' (1987) Shanachie (international re-release of ''Rock And Groove'' edited version plus 3 extra tracks)
* ''Rule Dance Hall'' (1987) Shanachie
* ''Liberation'' (1989) Shanachie
* ''Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley'' (1990) Shanachie (international re-release of ''Tribute'' + 2 extra tracks)
* ''Gumption'' (1990) Shanachie
* ''The Never Ending Wailers'' (1991)
* ''Dance Massive'' (1992)
* ''Just Be Nice'' (1993) [[RAS Records|RAS]]
* ''Hall of Fame: A Tribute to Bob Marley's 50th Anniversary'' (1996) RAS
* ''Communication'' (2000) Solomonic/Tuff Gong
* ''World Peace'' (2003) Solomonic
* ''Rub A Dub'' (2007) Solomonic
* ''Cross Culture'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Combinations Vol.1'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Blackheart Man (Remastered & Extended)'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Reincarnated Souls'' (2013), VP - 3CD + 2DVD set
Botha The Mosquito
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scarred by the great sore, has revolutionized the
Ideological errors of their forefathers, creating a
Civilization where human beings of whatever color, race
Or creed, should be born with the equal privileges of
The Fundamental Humans Rights, as established by The
League of Nations with respect to all human beings.
Then surely this cannot be seen in Botha, and if the
Beast was discovered in Adolph Hitler and Mussolini,
The antichrists, evidently, this can be seen in
President Botha, the mosquito.
Hey!
President Botha is the mosquito
Who annihilate Africa.
President Botha with the deadly bite
Spreads the disease of apartheid.
It was Columbus, Drake, Hawkins, Raleigh and Scott
Who established colonialism.
This aspired Livingston, Rhodes and Smith
Who brought about a sub-human regime.
With the aid and support from mystery Babylon
Started the buying and selling of Africans.
It became a marketplace for human cargo
And the burial ground for the inhabitants.
From the stagnant swamps of colonialism
Sprung the virus of apartheid.
From the rituals of imperialism
Evolves mass murders and genocide.
Unquenchable greed and lust for power
Blind the eye to international morality.
Neglect and disrespect for humanity
Scares the whole international community.
President Botha. Hey!
Respect Tutu and Mandela.
President Botha. Pull out!
Pull out a Africa.
President Botha. Hey!
Respect Tutu and Mandela.
President Botha. Ease!
Pull out a Africa.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey of Jamaica
Prophesied of a liberated Africa.
When the East and the West and the North together
Unites to liberate South Africa.
The OAU and the United Nations
Must stop all hypocritical sanctions.
For violation of the Fundamental Humans Rights
Could cause racial confrontations.
By men like
Botha (is the mosquito)
Who annihilate Africa.
The lyrics to Bunny Wailer's song Botha The Mosquito are a powerful commentary on the devastating effects of apartheid in Africa. The song is a scathing indictment of apartheid-era South African president P.W. Botha, whom Wailer refers to as a "mosquito" that is responsible for spreading the disease of apartheid across the continent.
The song begins with an assertion that since the abolition of slavery, nations have revolutionized their ideological errors and created a civilization where all human beings, regardless of race or creed, should be born with equal privileges of fundamental human rights. However, it is clear that this is not the case for President Botha, who is compared to Adolph Hitler and Mussolini as an antichrist who is responsible for the spread of apartheid.
Wailer goes on to describe the history of colonialism and sub-human regimes in Africa, which began with the likes of Columbus, Drake, Hawkins, Raleigh, and Scott. Wailer notes that this was followed by figures such as Livingston, Rhodes, and Smith, who brought about a system of buying and selling Africans, turning the continent into a marketplace for human cargo and a burial ground for its inhabitants. The stagnant swamps of colonialism eventually gave rise to the virus of apartheid, and from there, mass murders and genocide evolved.
The song ends with a call for respect for South African anti-apartheid heroes like Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Wailer asserts that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and United Nations must stop their hypocritical sanctions against South Africa and prevent violations of fundamental human rights to avoid racial confrontations.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since the abolition of slavery, all nations
Throughout history, ever since the abolishment of slavery, all nations have been affected by the negative impact and legacy of slavery.
Scarred by the great sore, has revolutionized the
The trauma and injustice of slavery has undergone a transformation in the ideological beliefs of later generations.
Ideological errors of their forefathers, creating a
Mistakes in beliefs made by earlier generations have been corrected, leading to a more socially just society.
Civilization where human beings of whatever color, race
Society has progressed to a point where everyone, regardless of their skin color or ethnicity, should have equal rights and privileges.
Or creed, should be born with the equal privileges of
Regardless of their religion or beliefs, everyone should have the same opportunities and benefits.
The Fundamental Humans Rights, as established by The
These rights are based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights created by the League of Nations.
League of Nations with respect to all human beings.
These rights apply to every human being on the planet.
But if human beings are what they are supposed to be,
If everyone lives up to the standards outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Then surely this cannot be seen in Botha, and if the
Surely, then, someone like Botha would not exhibit the behavior of someone who truly follows these principles; if they do,
Beast was discovered in Adolph Hitler and Mussolini,
If these kinds of behaviors were seen before in Hitler and Mussolini
The antichrists, evidently, this can be seen in
It is clear to see that someone like Botha, who promotes apartheid and other types of oppression, is just as bad as these infamous dictators.
President Botha, the mosquito.
Bunny Wailer likens President Botha to a mosquito, a pest that spreads disease and is generally harmful to humans.
Hey!
An exclamation to draw the listener's attention to the next line.
President Botha is the mosquito
Bunny Wailer restates that President Botha behaves like a pesky mosquito.
Who annihilate Africa.
Botha's actions and policies are causing significant harm to the African continent.
President Botha with the deadly bite
Botha's influence is potent and highly destructive.
Spreads the disease of apartheid.
Botha continues to promote and enforce the ideology of apartheid in South Africa.
It was Columbus, Drake, Hawkins, Raleigh and Scott
Bunny Wailer refers to a group of influential Western explorers and conquerors.
Who established colonialism.
These individuals played a significant role in shaping colonialism across the globe.
This aspired Livingston, Rhodes and Smith
Other notable individuals who were involved with the colonization of Africa.
Who brought about a sub-human regime.
Their actions led to the creation and maintenance of oppressive and inhumane regimes.
With the aid and support from mystery Babylon
Bunny Wailer refers to the Bible, where Babylon represents the capital of the Babylonian empire known for its decadence and oppressive rule.
Started the buying and selling of Africans.
These individuals facilitated the slave trade of African people.
It became a marketplace for human cargo
The slave trade treated humans as commodities.
And the burial ground for the inhabitants.
The lands where these individuals were forced to live and work became their final resting place.
From the stagnant swamps of colonialism
The oppression and inhumane practices of colonialism caused pain and suffering.
Sprung the virus of apartheid.
Apartheid, a form of segregation and oppression, emerged from similar historical contexts.
From the rituals of imperialism
The practices of imperialism perpetuate widespread social and political inequality.
Evolves mass murders and genocide.
Such practices can escalate to the point of massacres and genocide.
Unquenchable greed and lust for power
The insatiable desire for wealth and authority often fuels these practices.
Blind the eye to international morality.
Individuals who hold such desires often ignore international moral standards and laws.
Neglect and disrespect for humanity
The lack of value and respect for human life perpetuates these oppressive systems.
Scares the whole international community.
Actions that threaten international peace and security are a cause for concern amongst nations.
President Botha. Hey!
Bunny Wailer repeats the name of President Botha again to draw attention to the next line.
Respect Tutu and Mandela.
Bunny Wailer calls for respect for Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, who fought against apartheid in South Africa.
President Botha. Pull out!
Bunny Wailer demands that President Botha remove himself from power.
Pull out a Africa.
Bunny Wailer calls for the removal of any oppressive forces within the African continent itself.
President Botha. Hey!
Bunny Wailer again repeats the name of President Botha to draw attention to the next line.
Respect Tutu and Mandela.
Once again, Bunny Wailer emphasizes the need to honor and remember the work of Mandela and Tutu in South Africa.
President Botha. Ease!
Bunny Wailer asks President Botha to step down from his position of power and to stop his oppressive policies.
Pull out a Africa.
Once again demanding the removal of anyone or anything perpetuating oppression within Africa.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey of Jamaica
Refers to Garvey, a Jamaican activist who led the Pan-Africanism movement.
Prophesied of a liberated Africa.
Garvey spoke about a future Africa where countries were no longer oppressed and poverty-stricken.
When the East and the West and the North together
When countries from all parts of the world work together,
Unites to liberate South Africa.
To come together and bring freedom to South Africa.
The OAU and the United Nations
The African Union and the United Nations
Must stop all hypocritical sanctions.
These organizations must avoid using hypocritical methods when interacting with African countries and economies.
For violation of the Fundamental Humans Rights
If anyone violates these human rights standards,
Could cause racial confrontations.
It could cause even more conflict and violence between different races and ethnicities.
By men like
These kinds of violations are often committed by individuals like
Botha (is the mosquito)
President Botha, whom Bunny Wailer compares to a mosquito.
Who annihilate Africa.
Botha's policies are causing great harm and destruction to African societies.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: NEVILLE ORIL LIVINGSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@matsobaneseloi1617
You will always be remembered by your very POWERFUL music. RIP ras Bonny
@onyangojohnreagan3477
Still fresh in our minds legend....rest in eternal peace king Wailer
@bigbang5728
Great song from the living legend.
@gregorydacosta4105
one of my favourite track love Bunny Wailer
@matsobaneseloi8
As a South African, it feels good to realise that our tribulation and hardships were noticed by the great Bonny and that he even spoke out about them in the form of this song. Thanks Ras Bonny.
@pieterwillembotha6719
What else did you imagine struggling about?
@kiangurajason793
That's why South Africa's xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans is a disgrace. We stood by you when that mosquito had it knee on your necks. A Kenyan here.
@africarib
I believe Peter Tosh was the first person in the west to have a song about apartheid.
@emperorrashka1490
Not only bunny felt your tribulation and hard ships that whole of mama Africa especially 🇸🇴 participated anti white rule in south Africa:but as token of appreciation from south Africans we received death and looting of our property and calling as weird names like makuwere kuwere:meaning foreigner,where have you gone wrong our south African brothers
@kiangurajason1183
@EMPEROR RASHKA🤴 True. Real truth. Somalia gave Nelson Mandela a diplomatic passport in the early days of the struggle to be free South Africa from the shackles that were making the rest of Africa to feel bad,angry and all that... Somalia was the among the first in the collaborative struggle to free South Africa. Shame on you South Africa for xenophobic attacks against Africans.