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.
Leave the Trees
Chezidek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
babylon is not free
they just cant stand to see this likkle tree
When you smoke your dirty coke
and it turn you in a ghost
do you see me smiling with my trial in my head
you've been carrying feelings
you and your squad is trying to cut down all my herbs
Leave the trees, and let them be (lord lord)
cant you see, your destroying environment
Leave the trees, and let them be (whoa whoa)
cant you see,you boaring a hole inna di o-zone layer
O don't shout now
I'm just a likkle yute now
gon give you a food already
oh you a gwaan so rude, go steady
for everything shall come to a end
I run out dem haffi draw fi di (?)
in such event, you caah get a red cent
give i back I (?)
Leave the trees, and let them be (lord lord)
cant you see, your destroying environment
Leave the trees, and let them be (whoa whoa)
cant you see,you boaring a hole inna di o-zone layer(Aah haha)
It's not just about smoking
it's my medicine,my food and my clothing
and for spiritual reasons
my meditations state, (??)
and its a way of surviving
a shoulda ban for the suffering classes
think of all the children it sent to school
Leave the trees, and let them be (lord lord)
cant you see, your destroying the environment
Leave the trees, and let them be (whoa whoa)
cant you see,you boaring a hole inna di o-zone layer
When you drink your dirty rum
and you fall and tumble down
do you see me standing with my steal pipe in my hand
you been carrying feelings
now your in my garden
you and your squad is trying to cut down all i have
Leave the trees, and let them be (lord lord)
cant you see, your destroying environment
Leave the trees, and let them be (whoa whoa)
The lyrics of Chezidek's song "Leave the Trees" embody a strong message about the significance of cannabis to Jamaica's cultural heritage and how it has been vilified by Babylon (a term used to describe the oppressive system). The herb itself is referred to as free, but Babylon is not free, indicating that the government has never been accepting of marijuana consumption, despite its cultural and historical significance. The lyric "they just can't stand to see this likkle tree" is a direct commentary on how the government's hatred towards the herb is irrational since marijuana is a natural plant and an essential element of Rastafarian culture.
The song tries to explain that marijuana consumption is not just about smoking but also used for medicinal, spiritual, and clothing necessities. The emphasis on the herb plant as a way of survival for the underserved community is highlighted in the line - "it's a way of surviving, a shoulda ban for the suffering classes, think of all the children it sent to school." Therefore, the destruction of marijuana plants not only harms the immediate environment but also affects the livelihood of those who rely on it.
Chezidek further uses the example of drinking to contrast the benign and spiritual consumption of the herb. He compares drinking to falling and tumbling down, while smoking is spiritual, medicinal, and food. The overall message conveyed by the lyrics is that marijuana consumption is a cultural heritage, and it should not be suppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
The herb is free
Marijuana is a natural plant and should not be restricted or controlled.
babylon is not free
The government/military is oppressive and not allowing people to live freely.
they just can't stand to see this likkle tree
The government/military is threatened by marijuana because it empowers and influences citizens to think freely and question authority.
When you smoke your dirty coke
When you consume harmful substances, like cocaine, that are damaging to your health.
and it turn you in a ghost
When the use of harmful substances begin to take a toll on one's health and well-being.
do you see me smiling with my trial in my head
Despite the government/military's efforts to suppress marijuana, the singer is optimistic and hopeful that justice will prevail.
you've been carrying feelings
The government/military has a deep-seated, emotional dislike for marijuana and its users.
now you in my garden
The government/military is trying to physically destroy the marijuana plants and the communities surrounding them.
you and your squad is trying to cut down all my herbs
The government/military is trying to eradicate all marijuana plants and those who rely on it for medicine, food, and clothing.
Leave the trees, and let them be (lord lord)
Stop destroying marijuana plants and allow them to thrive naturally.
cant you see, your destroying environment
Destroying marijuana plants also has negative consequences on the environment and ecosystem.
cant you see,you boaring a hole inna di o-zone layer
Cutting down trees and plants, especially marijuana, can contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer.
O don't shout now
Calm down and listen to the singer's perspective.
I'm just a likkle yute now
The singer is young and may not have as much power or influence as those in authority.
gon give you a food already
The singer will provide food for those who need it, but also wants others to have empathy and respect for the marijuana plant and its uses.
oh you a gwaan so rude, go steady
The government/military is being disrespectful and aggressive towards the artist and the marijuana community.
for everything shall come to a end
All things will eventually come to an end, including the government/military's oppression of the marijuana community.
I run out dem haffi draw fi di (?)
The government/military will eventually have to resort to extreme measures to regain control over the marijuana community.
in such event, you caah get a red cent
Even if the government/military uses force, they will not succeed in suppressing the marijuana community.
give i back I (?)
The artist demands the return of what was taken from them, likely referring to the right to grow and use marijuana freely.
It's not just about smoking
Marijuana has multiple uses beyond just smoking and should not be reduced solely to its recreational use.
it's my medicine,my food and my clothing
Marijuana is essential for the artist's physical and emotional well-being, as well as for practical purposes like clothing.
and for spiritual reasons
Marijuana also has spiritual significance for the singer and their community.
my meditations state, (?)
Marijuana is a key component in the artist's spiritual and meditative practices, providing mental clarity and emotional stability.
and its a way of surviving
Marijuana is a means of survival for the singer and their community, providing necessary resources for their livelihood.
a shoulda ban for the suffering classes
Marijuana should not be banned or restricted, especially when it serves as a means of survival for those in marginalized communities.
think of all the children it sent to school
The marijuana community is able to support and educate their own communities, providing resources and opportunities that were previously not available.
When you drink your dirty rum
When you consume alcohol, a harmful substance that can lead to intoxication and negative consequences.
and you fall and tumble down
When the use of alcohol begins to take a toll on one's health and well-being.
do you see me standing with my steal pipe in my hand
Despite the dangers of alcohol and its negative effects, the singer stresses the importance of using violence or aggression to prevent others from consuming alcohol.
Writer(s): R. Lewis, Kemar Mcgregor, J. Miller, I. Lewis, Desbert Johnson, B. Harvey Copyright: Flava Roots Publishing, Makcush Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Contributed by Nicholas T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bradley9268
I think Chez is one of the most underrated reggae artists...
@officialokeefemusic
He definitely one of the best of all times
@mwangiakila8020
@@officialokeefemusic sure i love his music from 254
@tiffanytalkaboutit9927
whose listening in 2020, this dropped when I graduated high school. I just randomly remembered it and searched fo it on here, so many memories!
@Chaddddio
I remember listening to this song in the taxi on my way to primary school maybe 3rd grade. Didn’t realize he wasn’t just talking about regular trees lmao
@karlreesevick4196
This jam will live forever
@slaycare6520
2022
@Pvstt
2022 bruv
@anthonyreid2433
Word! Blessings
@harikrishna-harrypth
Year 2023 still killing it with musical #wisdom! 💌🌍💌