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
Bun Bun Dreadie
Capleton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Red aIt's the king of fyah Blaze Up! Blackice tell dem
Blackice: Yeah mon you done know
Yah ha Yah ha..a ah ah
The Iceman and the Firemanwoow
When mi bun fyah it a go blaze
Nah cool down Even inna di shade
Nah cool down Even inna di shade
When mi bun fyah it a go blaze
Nah cool down Even inna di shade
When mi bun fyah it a go blaze
Nah cool down Even inna di shade
It's the fire, up in here
Get out my way
Bun fyah hot, from way back when
Can't cool can't cease
It's eternal, please
Bun dem bun dem bun dem
Caught up in the rapture
Bun a sinful dead
Dreader than dread, redder than red
Hotta fyah
Nah cool down
Even inna di shade
Cool breeze, fyah a blaze
Like I sey, it's eternal
Spiritual fyah
Up in here
Bun dem bun dem bun dem
Hotta fyah
Mi sey, bun fyah hot
Nonstop, from this one to that one
Bun fyah hot man, musically
Bun dem bun dem bun dem
Blackice tell dem.
Fireman a burn dem
Biological money dem a spend
Fireman a burn dem
It's like weapon of mass destruction is a trend
Hu.now
Wi a go tun up da place
Right now
Man a go bun up da place
Like now
Man a go bun da place
Right now
Man a go tun up da place
Like now
Man a go blaze up da place
Right now
Man a go bun out da place
Right now
Man a go tun it up
Man a go bun it up
Alright den..
So mi go so yow
Haa.
Warfare biological Warfare phycological
Na have no love fi di people, dat logical
Babylon dem nah go love you if you radical
Yow Blackice tell dem something..
Wey dem a pre
Bun dem up fi free
KCMG
Wi no listen wanna be
Oh oh
Wey dem a pre
Dem no bad like wi
Dem no rough like wi
Dem no tough dem no rough
Tell mi no.
Alright
Cause a Fireman a lite a road
Tun up every ting
Wey a back bitter a road
And mi bun di back bitter wey a fight a road
Wow! See it dey now, mi challis pipe a load
Alright
Fireman a lite a road
Just step out
Cause mi challis pipe a load
Ah mi bun up di ting
Wey a back bite a road
So mi tell dem sey
Be careful wey you put inna you tripe a road
The lyrics of Capleton's song "Bun Dem Dreadies" are centered around the theme of fire. Capleton proclaims that he cannot, and will not cool down when he starts burning with the fire of his passion. He says that his fire is eternal, it cannot be ceased, and it is spiritual. He warns that anyone caught in the rapture of his fire will be burned up, while he and the "fireman" will burn bright perpetually. He insists that anyone who tries to stand in his way will be burned up, whether they are in the sun or in the shade. Moreover, the Fireman and Ice man combination of Capleton and Blackice promises to burn away the evil in society and enemies with their music.
"Bun Dem Dreadies" is rich in Rastafarian language and ideas that convey a message of hope, rebellion, and freedom for the oppressed. The lyrics are a call to action against socio-political and economic oppression, as well as being an injunction against hypocrisy and negativity. The various metaphors of fire refer to several concepts such as rebirth, purification, and judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
KCMG tell dem mi can't cool
Capleton is telling KCMG to convey the message that he is incapable of cooling down
Red aIt's the king of fyah Blaze Up! Blackice tell dem
Capleton is affirming that he is the king of fire and asking Blackice to spread the word
When mi bun fyah it a go blaze Nah cool down Even inna di shade
Capleton cannot cool down once he has started a fire and it will burn irrespective of being in the shade or not
It's the fire, up in here Get out my way
Capleton is warning people to move out of the way because the fire inside him is uncontrollable
Bun fyah hot, from way back when Can't cool can't cease It's eternal, please Bun dem bun dem bun dem
Capleton's fiery passion has been burning hot since long ago and cannot be extinguished, thus burning those who stand against him
Caught up in the rapture Bun a sinful dead Dreader than dread, redder than red Hotta fyah Nah cool down Even inna di shade
Capleton is capturing his opponents in the fiery passion he feels and burning the sin within them, making him dread bloodshot red with hot fury that won't cool even in the shade
Cool breeze, fyah a blaze Like I sey, it's eternal Spiritual fyah Up in here Bun dem bun dem bun dem Hotta fyah Mi sey, bun fyah hot Nonstop, from this one to that one Bun fyah hot man, musically Bun dem bun dem bun dem
Capleton's passion is eternal like a burning flame, suffusing cool breezes with hot fires that never end. He uses it to take everyone musically, nonstop bashing and igniting them with blazing fire
Blackice tell dem. Fireman a burn dem Biological money dem a spend Fireman a burn dem It's like weapon of mass destruction is a trend Hu.now
Capleton is commanding Blackice to tell everybody how he is burning their evil schemes. The money spent on bio-weapons is just like a trend that is being followed without any compassion.
Wi a go tun up da place Right now Man a go bun up da place Like now Man a go bun da place Right now Man a go tun up da place Like now Man a go blaze up da place Right now Man a go bun out da place Right now Man a go tun it up Man a go bun it up Alright den.. So mi go so yow Haa.
Capleton is urging everyone to turn up the place with enthusiastic fire that burns everything right now. He challenges everyone to keep pace with his burnout Right now. He affirms that he will take up the place and turn it up, setting everything up in fiery flames. He declares his fiery passion with a shout!
Warfare biological Warfare phycological Na have no love fi di people, dat logical Babylon dem nah go love you if you radical Yow Blackice tell dem something..
Capleton is referring to the warfare tactics used in biologic and psychologic methods that bring no good for the people, as Babylon won't love anybody who becomes radical. He wants Blackice to spread the word
Wey dem a pre Bun dem up fi free KCMG Wi no listen wanna be Oh oh Wey dem a pre Dem no bad like wi Dem no rough like wi Dem no tough dem no rough Tell mi no. Alright
Capleton is questioning those who are pretending to be what they are not. They will be set alight and burned for free. Capleton and his crew won't pay heed to those who act like liars or pretend to be kings.
Cause a Fireman a lite a road Tun up every ting Wey a back bitter a road And mi bun di back bitter wey a fight a road Wow! See it dey now, mi challis pipe a load Alright Fireman a lite a road Just step out Cause mi challis pipe a load Ah mi bun up di ting Wey a back bite a road So mi tell dem sey Be careful wey you put inna you tripe a road
Capleton asserts that he is blazing with fire and creating a path for himself. He is turning everything up and burning his backstabbers alive. He is encouraging others to be aware of the challenges they might face in the future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gary Palmer, Clifton Biley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alonsosolis6610
Big mother mouth dash-y
Couldn't ah Rastafari them ah style as fassy
Say again
Big mother mouth lash-y
No original me say them always copy
Now again
Big mother mouth dash-y
Couldn't ah Rastafari them style as fassy
Say again
Big mother mouth lash-y
Diss Capleton and now me see say them ah traffi
[hook 2]
Long time me ready
Burn down dreddie
Nuff of them ah bow me say them nah hold no meddy
Long time me ready
Bun down dreddie
Smoke too much coke the whole of them ah drop steady
@obadiahkingisrael1043
I would pay any amount of money to go see this man perform...
@alissonrojas9526
Sunday september 22 in Costa rica
@eldricoclay1696
Me too along with steel Pulse,
@jasonduncan9747
Take my advice go see him.Saw him twice and didn't regret any
@robertalexander3067
I saw him at Sumfest back in the 90’s, when this song was new, I work the crowd in such a frenzy, I thought they would burn down Bob Marley Stadium! The energy was incredible!!! I wish someone would post the footage, there was huge cameras on tall platforms! The crowd put the cardboard reggae beds into piles and set them on fire, the sound was sonic, with bonfires and him giving the crowd more and more and hanging on to every word
@zillogullu33
i hope you did bro...
know you wouldnt regret it...
@simeon8195
THIS MAN HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST!! HANDS DOWN!!
@youngb6137
Simeon Cornish Factd
@CountAndre
He is......real fireman
@lisabrown7744
Dun know fire