Chezidek (born Desbert Johnson, 20 June 1973, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, Ja… Read Full Bio ↴Chezidek (born Desbert Johnson, 20 June 1973, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, Jamaica) is a roots reggae singer. He is known for his hit singles, „Call Pon Dem“ (featured in GTA IV), „Can’t Hear Must Feel“, „Inna Di Road“, and „Leave De Trees“.

Chezidek started singing from an early age at school concerts, and was a member of St. Ann’s Bay Marching Band. After finishing school he performed on sound systems in the area, as Chilla Rinch, singing and DJing at various dance and talent shows.

He left St. Ann’s Bay for Kingston where he linked up with record producer Phillip „Fattis“ Burrell from Xterminator Production. He recorded his first album in 2002, entitled Harvest Time (distributed by VP Records), with popular tracks such as „Can’t Hear Must Feel“, „Breakfree“ and the title track „Harvest Time“.

His first number one hit single „Leave De Trees“ on the Our Promotion label, produced by Hugh Miller (aka Bunny Dan) went on BBC Top 10 dancehall chart. Since then he has performed on major events such as Magnum Sting, Teen Splash, Dancehall Jam Jam, Bob Marley Tribute, and Tribute to Peter Tosh, Rebel Salute and Western Consciousness. He was awarded best new artiste by the Jamaica Federation of Music and Affiliated Artiste (JFM) for Middlesex (County).

Chezidek’s album Inna Di Road was produced by Bobby „Massive B“ Konders and distributed by Greensleeves Records in September 2007. „Call Pon Dem“ from his album Inna Di Road is featured on the Massive B Sound system (station) in Grand Theft Auto 4, and it also appears on the Official GTA IV Soundtrack.

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Chezidek started singing from an early age at school concerts, and was a member of St. Ann's Bay Marching Band. After finishing school he performed on sound systems in the area, as Chilla Rinch singing and DJing at various dance and talent shows. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Culture and others inspired him.

The soulful chanter always had a special love for positive cultural music and his African Roots, which lead him to Rastafari; his love for righteousness earned him the moniker Mel-Chezidek which he later drops the Mel and used only Chezidek.

He left St. Ann's Bay for Kingston where he linked up with producer Phillip "Fattis" Burrell from Xterminator Production, where he recorded his first album in the year 2002 entitled "Harvest Time" distributed by VP Records, with popular tracks such as "Can't hear must feel", "Breakfree" and title track "Harvest Time", which got a lot of airplay in Jamaica and Europe.

His first number one hit single "Leave De Trees" on the "Our Promotion" label, produced by his brethren Hugh Miller aka Bunny Dan; went on BBC top (10) Dancehall charts sending an environmental message. Since then he has performed on major events Magnum Sting, Teen Splash, Dancehall Jam Jam, Bob Marley Tribute, and Tribute to Peter Tosh, Rebel Salute and upcoming show Western Consciousness. He was awarded best new artiste by the Jamaica Federation of Music and Affiliated Artiste (JFM) for Middlesex.

The song "Call Pon Dem" is featured on Massive B radio in Grand Theft Auto IV game by Rockstar Studios.

Because I'm Black
Chezidek Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh-oh
Eh-eh

They want come crucify I because I'm black
They want to persecute I because I'm black
You want to execute I because I'm black
You want to scrutinize I because I'm black

The world that are we are one family tree
Created equally to live in harmony
Then why should I be fighting to be free?
Don't make yourself to be downpressor to me
Your hate was all you chose (One love)
One love is what we need to grow (That's what we need)

Don't come crucify I because I'm black (Don't come crucify I because I'm black)
They want to demonize I because I'm black (They want to demonize I because I'm black)
They want to penalize I because I'm black (They want to penalize I because I'm black)
They want to scrutinize I because I'm black (They want to scrutinize I because I'm black)

(Black people)
Black people, the first people on the Earth (Black people)
Black people gave birth to the people of the Earth (Black people)
Black people showed love to the people of the Earth
Yet the same black people been treated at the worst

But everywhere I go there is always a color book
If you're white, you're right
If you're brown, sit around
If you're black, move to the back

Don't come demonize I because I'm black (Don't come demonize I because I'm black)
They want to penalize I because I'm black (They want to penalize I because I'm black)
Don't come crucify I because I'm black (Don't come crucify I because I'm black)
They want to brutalize I because I'm black (They want to brutalize I because I'm black)

Oh-oh
Eh-eh
Hey

The world that are we are one family tree
Created equally to live in harmony
Then why must I be fighting to be free?
Don't make yourself to be downpressor to me
Your hate was all you showed (One love)
One love is what we need to grow (That's what we need)

Don't come crucify I because I'm black (Don't come crucify I because I'm black)
They want to persecute I because I'm black (They want to persecute I because I'm black)
Don't come execute I because I'm black (Don't come execute I because I'm black)
You want to exterminate I because I'm black (You want to exterminate I because I'm black)
They want come demonize I because I'm black (They want come demonize I because I'm black)
They want false prison I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
And slave I and I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
Pray must I and I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
Deceive I and I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
Persecute I and I (Because I'm black, because I'm black)

Crucify I and I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
They want to...

Overall Meaning

The song by Chezidek, "Because I'm Black", is a powerful anthem against the discrimination and mistreatment of black people throughout history. The lyrics address the various ways in which black people have been unfairly targeted, persecuted, and oppressed simply because of their skin color. The song speaks out against the hate and racism that have led to these injustices, and calls for unity and love amongst all people.

The opening lines of the song set the stage for its message, with the singer proclaiming that people want to "crucify", "persecute", "execute", and "scrutinize" him simply because he is black. These strong verbs convey the extreme nature of the discrimination, suggesting that it is a matter of life and death for many black people around the world. The singer goes on to highlight the fact that all people are part of the same family tree, and therefore should be treated equally and with love. He acknowledges the historical contributions of black people to the world, while lamenting the fact that they have been treated as inferior and even enslaved by others. The final lines of the song urge listeners to reject hate and embrace love, as "one love is what we need to grow".

Overall, "Because I'm Black" is a passionate and unapologetic condemnation of racism and discrimination. The song's lyrics act as a powerful reminder of the harm that has been done to black people throughout history because of the color of their skin. At the same time, it is a call for unity and hope, urging all people to come together and work towards a future where everyone is treated equally.

Line by Line Meaning

They want come crucify I because I'm black
They want to punish me severely because of my skin color

They want to persecute I because I'm black
They want to harass and oppress me because of my skin color

You want to execute I because I'm black
You wish to put me to death because of my skin color

You want to scrutinize I because I'm black
You want to examine me closely and unfairly because of my skin color

The world that are we are one family tree
We are all interconnected and part of one human family

Created equally to live in harmony
We are all born equal and meant to live in peace with one another

Then why should I be fighting to be free?
Why should I have to struggle for my basic human rights and freedoms?

Don't make yourself to be downpressor to me
Do not oppress or mistreat me because of my skin color

Your hate was all you chose (One love)
Choosing love over hate is the only way to overcome discrimination and prejudice

One love is what we need to grow (That's what we need)
Love and unity are necessary for our personal and collective growth

Black people, the first people on the Earth (Black people)
Black people were the original inhabitants of the Earth

Black people gave birth to the people of the Earth (Black people)
Black people were responsible for the birth and growth of humanity

Black people showed love to the people of the Earth
Black people have always shown love and compassion to humanity

Yet the same black people been treated at the worst
Despite their contributions, black people have suffered the most mistreatment and discrimination

But everywhere I go there is always a color book
Everywhere I look, people are judged and treated differently based on their skin color

If you're white, you're right
White people are given preference and afforded more respect

If you're brown, sit around
Brown people are expected to be submissive and not bother others

If you're black, move to the back
Black people are relegated to a lower social status and not given equal opportunities

They want to brutalize I because I'm black
They want to hurt me physically because of my skin color

They want to demonize I because I'm black
They want to portray me as evil and inferior because of my skin color

They want to penalize I because I'm black
They want to punish me unfairly because of my skin color

They want to exterminate I because I'm black
They want to eliminate me completely because of my skin color

They want false prison I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
They want to imprison me unjustly because of my skin color

And slave I and I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
They want to enslave me because of my skin color

Pray must I and I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
I have to pray for strength and protection because of the mistreatment I face as a black person

Deceive I and I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
People try to mislead or lie to me because of my skin color

Persecute I and I (Because I'm black, because I'm black)
I am targeted and harassed because of my skin color

Crucify I and I because I'm black (Because I'm black)
I am made to suffer greatly because of my skin color

Writer(s): Desbert Johnson

Contributed by Carson L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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