A wise man onc… Read Full Bio ↴King Shango, King David, The Fireman and The Prophet.
A wise man once said that a prophet is not without honour save in his own country and so it has been with Capleton. While the veteran DJ's words and works long ago earned him the title of "The Prophet", the respect and honor that should rightfully be his have been a long time coming. "Anytime you try to uplift righteousness and upliftment of the people them, then you ah go get a fight", says the hottest entertainer in the worldwide reggae fraternity. "Bob Marley come do it and them fight him. And when Bob Marley dead, that's when they start to endorse him. I already aware of this, I am not unaware. So I know the more them fight I is the more I get stronger" In the fast-moving world of dancehall reggae, fame and success are hard to obtain and easy to lose. Fans can be fickle, and trends change in the blink of an eye, leaving most entertainers with painfully short career spans. Only a rare few can remain relevant from year to year, holding their audience's attention and leaving them crying for more. His lyrics are deep, precise, and thoughtful. His stage shows are nothing less than dynamic, explosive performances. But his remarkable staying power and longevity may be Capleton's greatest gift.
Born Clifton George Bailey III on April 13, 1967, in the rural parish of St. Mary, Capleton earned his future stage name from friends who were so impressed with his sharp reasoning skills that they named him after the most famous lawyer in town. From a tender young age, he was a lover of the traveling sound systems, sneaking out at night to catch the vibes until dawn. But it wasn't until he turned 18 and moved to Kingston that he was able to realize his destiny.
It was Stewart Brown, owner of a Toronto-based sound called African Star, who gave the untested artist his first break, flying him to Canada for a stage show alongside giants like Ninjaman and Flourgon. The audience poured out their appreciation, and he never looked back. When Capleton first burst on the scene in the late 1980s, the dancehall was a very different place than it is today. Slackness and gun talk were the order of the day. This bright promising newcomer announced his arrival with a string of hit songs from "Bumbo Red" to "Number One on the Look Good Chart" and "Lotion Man." Everything he touched hit the sound-good charts, and the youthful artist with the nimble vocabulary and hardcore voice quickly established himself as one of dancehall's most reliable hitmakers. But even he could not have predicted that eleven years later, at the start of the new millennium, he would be dancehall's ruling voice.
"I think the people dem see say me really deserve that because of the amount of years me put in," Capleton says, "and we never really bow and we still hold the faith. We stand up for whatever we a say. Yeah and we really work for it. And them say by your works, a so you get your pay. The people them see the amount of fight me face and the whole heap of accusation. And me still never give up"
When he dropped the tune "Alms House" in 1992, Capleton established himself as more than an entertainer but as a guiding light of righteousness through music. "United we stand and divided we fall," he sang for the benefit of his fans and dancehall comrades. "Nuff of them nah go know themself till them back against the wall." A few years later he came back with yet another antidote to the clashing and rivlary that had taken hold of the dancehall business. "Music is a mission," he reminded his fellow artists, "not a competition. Some man use the music to cause confusion." The path of this dancehall Prophet was clearly established in 1994 with a string of songs that declared his newfound faith in Rastafari. "INI sight up the light and see say really, yunno, Rasta is real," he recalls. "founder of the world, because Rasta did come set the trend. Y'unnerstand. Rasta is life."
The first words of his mega-hit "Dis The Trinity" made it plain that the DJ had experienced some kind of revelation. "I was once lost but now I'm found," he stated, "Selassie I live every time." Capleton became a strong advocate of the teaching of the Jamaican National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and advocate of universal black repatriation. "Babylon rewarded us with hatred for our love," he declares. "They taught us to rape, steal and kill. For instance, they stole our literature and taught it back to us in a different manner so as to infiltrate our minds with foolishness and other misconceptions. Now we as black men do not see ourselves as prince and prophets, but as punks and guys. Our women do not see themselves as queens, princesses or empresses anymore, but as harlots and concubines." The only solution, as Bob Marley advocated, is to emancipate oneself from mental slavery.
"Over the years INI as a nation and a people, them no really teach INI nuttin' bout INI black self. You know I mean? Them teach INI them give we European philosophy. So INI and some other youths a try emerge now, we ask certain question and we ask fi certain things. Caw we know say an institute, or in a college, or in a certain organization we need we Ethiopian curriculum, we need the black man thing. We need to know about weself. Becaw the prophet Marcus Garvey did show we say, A nation without no knowledge of them own history is like a tree without a root. And if you don't know where you're coming from, you're not gonna know where you're going."
Even as he uplifts the black race, Capleton always makes a point of clarifying that he does not seek to alienate any race. "We are not being racial nor prejudiced star," he says. "Becaw we know Jah is for everyone. But where history and prophesy in concerned, that is our witness and we have to be ourself, and we cannot hide from the truth. Caw we woulda be a traitor and a sellout to ourself. And you cannot sell out yourself."
Soon thereafter came the song "Tour" a blazing state of the dancehall report written in the weeks following the slaying of Panhead and Dirtsman, two of Capleton's fellow artists. That song not only became an anthem of the roots revival within the dancehall, but a hip hop flavored remix of that song hit the Billboard charts, opening up a huge new audience to Capleton's messages of righteousness.
There followed a relationship with Def Jam records, who released two Capleton albums, Prophecy and I-Testament, which featured memorable collaborations with rap stars like Method Man and Q-Tip. Both records were warmly accepted by the international audience, but as the millennium drew to a close, Capleton sensed that it was time to return to his core audience. He had work to do. "I have to be myself, right? And I only can be me," he reasons. "So whichever way fi make me be me, I work with dat. Y'understand."
Capleton is now at the height of his powers. 1999 and 2000 have brought a ceaseless string of sound system favorite and dancehall chart toppers like the anti-violence anthem "Jah Jah City" and "Good In Her Clothes," a message of respect for the sisters who carry themselves like Empresses rather than. But even as he completes his mission of upliftment, Capleton has had many critics. One of his biggest hits, in fact, is addressed the naysayers in the press and the ivory towers of power. "Critics won't leave I alone," chats the Prophet. "They say they can't take the fire weh me put pon Rome"
Many of Capleton's songs "and most of his critics" make mention of this blazing fire. Capleton hopes to clear up the confusion once and for all. "Is not really a physical fire. Is really a spiritual fire, and a wordical fire, and a musical fire. You see the fire is all about a livity. But is people get it on the wrong term. People get confused.So when a man say "more fire" him think that mean say you fi go light the cane field or go light the church." Fire, Capleton explains, is a way of reminding one's brother that they are going astray. "That way a man know say him doing something wrong. That even give him the urge to know say Yo check up on yourself. What you're doing is not right, or else him would not say "Fire fi dat," or "Burn dat" or "More fire." "If we go check it back now," he continues, "fire is for the purification of earth, anyhow you check it. This earth itself have to even emerge from the literal fire also, which is the volcanic activity, we a talk bout lava. The hottest element to rise us in the morning is the sun. The water cleanse, but it's still the support from the fire that burn the water, burn out of the bacteria so the water coulda heal we fi cleanse. The herb heal, but it's still the fire fi burn the herb so the herb coulda heal we also."
{Bio is courtesy of Rob Kenner} www.vprecords.com
Buggering
Capleton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hear we look pon dem an tell dem say
Woman a lead by farunu a gwaan BAD so wa mi tell dem say
Watch it
Lord of his mercy
Lord of his
Watch di black people,
Wa mi tell dem say
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse
Becah we love fi see di gal dem wi di sexy riddim
Buggering,
Nah support di system,
When a man a bugger man clean yuh gun pon him
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse ting,
An when yuh, matic a yard mi say night offering
Buggering,
Nah support di system,
Cah we know say buggerism it a watch here
Everyman got a right to decide him own destiny (ya hear me)
But dat nuh say two man should a hug up an a kiss like nuh lady
They got it not right high height inna di sight of di almighty (ya hear me)
Say from a man a bugger man cross we border dem a go dead an bury
Cah we nuh like nuh bugger man cah bugger man nuh waan nuh lady
Put him neck up on a block crowd a people an chop it
Love fi see di hair upon di young gyal belly
Same place deya weh me love di wuky wuky
Some bwoy nowadays dem get right an so fasty
Gaan outta street an dem dont want di lady
Pass mi di glock, an lend me di uzi
An pass mi di 6 man an lend mi di speshy an sing
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse,
We love fi see di gal dem wi di sexy riddim
Buggering,
Nah support di system,
We nuh want it a yard an mi say night offering
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse ting,
When a man a bugger man junglist gwaan kill him
Buggering,
Nah support di system,
When.hear hear wa mi tell dem say rudebwoy
True god mek other man mek him fi kim
Never mek other man mek him fi jim
But some bwoy nowadays dem a tink di wrong ting
Gaan outta street an other man dem lovin
Look upon di girls how dem a look sparkling
An when they see him when dem john keep risin
An whole leap a man still nuh waan no sistrin
Dem gaan outta street gaan a ride a i-dren
When a man a bugger man clean yuh gun pon him an sing say
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse
Cah we love fi see di gal dem wi di sexy riddim
Buggering,
Nah support di system,
We nuh want it a yard a mi say night offering
Buggering,
Nnah support di system,
When a man a bugger man junglist gwaan kill him
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse ting,
He-hear wa mi look pon dem an tel dem say
Mi say American girls di whole a dem a run tings
Canadian girls di whole a dem a run tings
Di english girls di whole a dem a run tings
Japanese girls di whole a dem a run tings
African girls an dem a say everytin
Grenadian girls dem a di queen inna di ring
An when mi see dem guess a wish an mi sing, hand up!
Hey cherry pie hey sweet sugar dumpling
Love yuh sexy figure, yuh body ever look
She black like grape she black an rich
Not to mention personality dat have an extinction so sing
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse,
We love fi see di gal dem wi di sexy riddim
Buggering,
Nah support di system,
We nuh want it a yard an mi say night offering
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse ting,
When a man a bugger man junglist gwaan kill him
Buggering,
Nah support di system,
When.hear hear wa mi tell dem say rudebwoy
Di girls dem ever sweet an dem extremely nice
Sweeter dan di sugar when dem sweet an spice
Sweeter dan di curry goat with dirice
Sweeter dan di juice man weh have in di ice
An when mi see dem mi night a always bright
Go tell mi crowd a people tell mi if dis is right
Woman nuh waan inna bed an dem a play food fight
Jus lend mi di matic mek me tek dem life an sing say
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse,
We love fi see di gal dem wi di sexy riddim
Buggering,
Nah support di system,
We nuh want it a yard a mi say night offering
Buggering,
We nuh inna di almshouse ting,
When a man a bugger man firehouse man kill him
Buggering, nah support di system
The lyrics to Capleton's song "Buggering" describe the singer's opposition to homosexuality and his support for women. The opening lines speak directly to the girls, telling them that women are leading the way and men should respect and appreciate them. Capleton then warns against "buggering," which is a derogatory term for male homosexuality, stating that he doesn't want to support the system that allows it to happen. He encourages people to take matters into their own hands and "clean your gun" on any man who engages in homosexual acts.
The song also touches on themes of self-determination and moral righteousness. Capleton believes that everyone has the right to decide their own destiny, but he draws a line at homosexuality. He believes that it is wrong in the eyes of God, and that those who practice it should suffer the consequences. He sings about the joy of seeing young girls and the importance of protecting them. He also references different cultures and nationalities, demonstrating a sense of global unity against homosexuality.
Line by Line Meaning
All di girls dem
Capleton addresses all the girls present in the gathering.
Hear we look pon dem an tell dem say
The artist tells the girls to pay attention and listen to what he has to say.
Woman a lead by farunu a gwaan BAD so wa mi tell dem say
Capleton praises women for their leadership qualities and advises them to keep moving forward without fears.
Watch it
It is a warning or an alert advising people to be careful and watch out.
Lord of his mercy
This is an emphasis on divine protection and mercy, indicating that only God can save them from danger.
Lord of his
Capleton acknowledges God's powerful nature.
Watch di black people,
This phrase indicates that Capleton wants Black people to be aware and vigilant.
Wa mi tell dem say
This is Capleton's way of introducing his message to his listeners.
Buggering,
Capleton is talking about homosexuality, specifically male homosexual intercourse.
We nuh inna di almshouse
The artist is trying to say that they are not crazy, mentally challenged, or incapable, but they know what they are doing.
Becah we love fi see di gal dem wi di sexy riddim
Capleton expresses his love and admiration for women with attractive body movements and dance styles.
Nah support di system,
The artist does not support or advocate for the system or society that accepts homosexuality.
When a man a bugger man clean yuh gun pon him
Capleton believes that whenever someone tries to engage in homosexual sex with another man, one should threaten him with violence.
We nuh inna di almshouse ting,
This line is a repetition of earlier lines that Capleton is not insane or incapable of understanding.
An when yuh, matic a yard mi say night offering
The artist is telling the listener to be vigilant and prepare to defend themselves, even during the night.
Cah we know say buggerism it a watch here
Capleton reminds his listeners that homosexuality is a sin and should not be entertained.
Everyman got a right to decide him own destiny (ya hear me)
This line means that everyone has the right to decide their life's direction without being coerced.
But dat nuh say two man should a hug up an a kiss like nuh lady
The artist believes that two men should not hug or kiss as if they were women.
They got it not right high height inna di sight of di almighty (ya hear me)
Capleton emphasizes that homosexuality is wrong in the sight of God.
Say from a man a bugger man cross we border dem a go dead an bury
Capleton says that when a homosexual person crosses their boundaries, they are liable to be killed and buried.
Cah we nuh like nuh bugger man cah bugger man nuh waan nuh lady
The artist suggests that they do not like homosexuals since they have no interest in women.
Put him neck up on a block crowd a people an chop it
The artist encourages listeners to publicly execute a homosexual person and cut off their head.
Love fi see di hair upon di young gyal belly
Capleton loves seeing women's hair on their belly when they dance to his music.
Same place deya weh me love di wuky wuky
The artist is trying to say that he loves to be in the same place where his music makes people dance.
Some bwoy nowadays dem get right an so fasty
Some people today are quick to do wrong things and think only of themselves.
Gaan outta street an dem dont want di lady
Some men are impatient, and they do not want to wait for women to give themselves to them.
Pass mi di glock, an lend me di uzi
The artist is asking someone to give him a gun.
An pass mi di 6 man an lend mi di speshy an sing
He asks for the support of his team as they pursue their mission.
When a man a bugger man junglist gwaan kill him
Kill homosexuals when they are encountered, according to the artist.
When.hear hear wa mi tell dem say rudebwoy
The artist reiterates the message to the listeners in a powerful manner.
True god mek other man mek him fi kim
The artist emphasizes that God makes a man and lets him make his choices.
Never mek other man mek him fi jim
The artist stresses that no one should force another person to do something against their wishes, especially homosexuality.
But some bwoy nowadays dem a tink di wrong ting
The artist talks about how some people are indulging in homosexuality while knowing it's not the right thing to do.
Gaan outta street an other man dem lovin
Some men are now going in the streets, preferring to engage in homosexuality with other men.
Look upon di girls how dem a look sparkling
The artist admires women and how they make themselves look through their dressing and beauty routines.
An when they see him when dem john keep risin
When they spot a man they like, they get excited and their enthusiasm grows.
An whole leap a man still nuh waan no sistrin
The artist is saying that despite the heightened interest in homosexuality, many men still desire women.
Dem gaan outta street gaan a ride a i-dren
Some of them indulge in sexual activities with children.
When a man a bugger man clean yuh gun pon him an sing say
The artist is advising that people defend themselves against homosexuals by threatening to use their weapons.
Nnah support di system,
This line is a repetition of earlier lines which indicate the artist's firm stance against homosexuality and those who promote it.
Mi say American girls di whole a dem a run tings
Capleton acknowledges American girls' beauty and how they love to rule.
Canadian girls di whole a dem a run tings
The artist gives a shout-out to Canadian girls, acknowledging how they enjoy being in charge.
Di english girls di whole a dem a run tings
Capleton provides an honorable mention to English girls who stand out in their way.
Japanese girls di whole a dem a run tings
The artist shouts out the beauty of Japanese girls and how charming they are.
African girls an dem a say everytin
Capleton acknowledges the beauty and loveliness of African girls and how they stand out from the crowd.
Grenadian girls dem a di queen inna di ring
The artist has crowned Grenadian girls as queens for their beauty, vibe, and sense of style.
An when mi see dem guess a wish an mi sing, hand up!
The artist expresses his admiration and joy when he sees beautiful and elegant ladies.
Hey cherry pie hey sweet sugar dumpling
Capleton addresses the ladies individually and acknowledges their sweetness.
Love yuh sexy figure, yuh body ever look
The artist encourages women to love and appreciate their body figures as they are.
She black like grape she black an rich
The artist admires black women and their beauty, praising them for being rich and vibrant.
Not to mention personality dat have an extinction so sing
Capleton talks about how women's personalities are wonderful and how they influence his songs.
Di girls dem ever sweet an dem extremely nice
The artist emphasizes that women are sweet, kind, and nice.
Sweeter dan di sugar when dem sweet an spice
The artist compares women's sweetness to sugar, which is also mixed with a bit of spice and fun.
Sweeter dan di curry goat with dirice
Capleton says women are sweeter than the delicious Caribbean dish, curry goat and rice.
Sweeter dan di juice man weh have in di ice
The artist emphasizes that women are sweeter than the cold drinks and juices sold on the streets.
An when mi see dem mi night a always bright
The artist is happy and over the moon whenever he sees beautiful women around him.
Go tell mi crowd a people tell mi if dis is right
Capleton addresses the crowd and asks if he is wrong in admiring women.
Woman nuh waan inna bed an dem a play food fight
Capleton believes that women do not want to be treated like food items, and men should treat them with respect and care.
Jus lend mi di matic mek me tek dem life an sing say
The artist's tone in this line is cruel and bloody. He demands people lend him guns to kill homosexuals.
When a man a bugger man firehouse man kill him
Another repetition of Capleton's earlier idea, that people feel free to kill homosexuals whenever they spot them.
Buggering, nah support di system
The last couple of lines repeat Capleton's abhorrence for homosexuals and how he does not approve of the system that encourages such behavior.
Contributed by Sydney T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Truth teller
on Who Dem
Say me nah keep no funny man friend
Tell me say me nah keep no
(Edit)
Friend
Tell them say me nah keep no funny man friend
Tell them say me nah keep no sodomite friend
Truth teller
on Who Dem
Ruben ah wah we a go do to dem
What actions are we going to take against them?
Slew dem, who dem
We must defeat them, who are they?
Who demwell done, yo
Whoever they are, we've done a great job against them
So me seh again
Let me say it again
Slew dem ah pure feeling dem a carry
We must defeat them because they only carry negative energy
Dem done bow already and dem can't say dem sorry ya
They have already lost and they can't even apologize
Unno wan do dem something for me again well yo yo it name
Let's do something against them again, it's what we do
Who dem ah couldah, wha dat dem a try
Who do they think they are, what are they trying to do?
Dem go dis King Selassie watch all a dem die yo
By opposing King Selassie, they will face repercussions
Who dem me go see dem wit dem spell
Who are they that use witchcraft?
Dem dis Emmanuel and dem soul gone a hell
By opposing Emmanuel, they will lead themselves to hell
Who dem a coulda, who dem waan cuss, dem dis Marcus
Who do they think they are, disrespecting Marcus?
And now dem all bite de dust ya
Now they are facing the consequences of their actions
Who dem and me go tell dem fi splurt
We will tell them to flee and never come back
Tell dem dem can't dis mama earth
They cannot harm mother nature
Say me nah keep no funny man friend
I won't be friends with those who are not honest and sincere
Tell me say me nah keep no
I am told to not keep a
Friend
dishonest friend
Nah go stoop low me trod di rocky road dem
I won't lower myself to their level and will keep to my difficult path
Da fire ya, it redder dan red, da one yah name
The fire that burns within me is intense and unstoppable
So me bun out dem dutty heart
I will remove those with evil intentions
Dem evil heart and dem corrupted thought nyam too much
They have too much greed and corrupt thoughts
Snake under grass, bow to de boss
Snakes hide under the grass and serve their boss
Move too fast, me tell dem bout dem
They move too fast, I will let them know
Who go tell dem to provoke de youths dem to wrath
Who told them to provoke the youth to anger?
Now de youth dem seh dem nah trust no shadow after dark
Now the youth don't trust anyone in the dark
Nah tek no check nor no fool fool talk
They won't take any payments or foolish talk
Dem know who and who ah come straight from dem heart
They know who is sincere and genuine
Know who a hypocrite from de way how dem talk
They know who is dishonest based on their speech
Dis de emperor and watch de whole a dem loss
Opposing the emperor will lead to their downfall
Can't even find food to put inna dem troft
They are so impoverished they can't even afford food
Not even bicycle much less donkey cart
They can't even afford basic transportation
Can't even creep, much less fi walk
They can't even crawl, let alone walk
Dem can't even smile nor laugh da one yah name
They can't even enjoy life's simple pleasures
Who dem ah dem ah want ah treasure
They are after treasure
Tell dem dem caan dis mama 'mega
They cannot disrespect mother nature
Sense did a gi weh like dem never get a pence
They are senseless, they can't even think logically
Seems like dem gone school and go warm bench
It seems like they went to school to waste time
Dem nah have no faith no confidence
They don't have any faith or confidence in themselves
Nah hold no faith nah block no reverence
They don't hold any faith or respect
Find out say nuff a dem disobedient
Many of them are disobedient
So me find out dem no have no conscience
I found out they have no conscience
Dem no have a clean heart nor a clear conscience
They don't have a pure heart or a clear conscience
Dis king Selassie I it never mek sense
Opposing King Selassie I is nonsensical
Dis Emmanuel and dem get kick of a de bench
By opposing Emmanuel, they will be defeated
Dis Marcus Garvey ah weh the case dem get drenched
Opposing Marcus Garvey was an unfavorable decision
Who dem, who dem yo
Whoever they are, who are they?
noah's ark
on Babylon Judgement
Mystery Babylon is the new world order
Sherry
on Bad Mind
Bad Mind- Jealousy or Envy The song is about people with the problem and how to avoid having bad mind