Frequently travelling between Jamaica and New York to hone his deejaying skills, he spent most of his time at King Jammy's studio, where he released his debut single 'Shut Yuh Mouth When Bad Man Talking' on the Tight Clothes riddim for John John (King Jammys' son). He followed that up with 'The Glue'.
Producer King Jammy was impressed with the DJ's talent and invited him to record on his label. It was then that he recorded his first big hit, 'Jah It's All About You' on the one-drop Money Money riddim. Released in 1996, the single climbed several charts in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. The video for the song got regular rotation on all the top music video programmes.
Shortly after, Chuck Fenda began recording for several producers, including Shocking Vibes where he did 'Fat Round Yah'.
In 1997, Fender decided to relocate to Jamaica to focus on his career, settling at King Jammys studio and working hard at establishing himself as a strong force in the dancehall.
In 1998, he recorded his next big hit, 'Mi See It Clear' (Rat Race) on the Joint riddim. But his biggest hit was yet to come. The single 'Bada Bada' made it to the number one slot on Jamaican charts and in the top ten on various Caribbean charts. 'Bada Bada' was a staple in the dancehall and was on the daily playlist for several radio disc jockeys. Engineers Ward 21 of Jammys studio created a riddim of the same name which spawned several dancehall favourites.
Chuck Fenda was on a roll and he started spewing out more dancehall hits like 'Right Time Come' on the Ticks riddim, then 'Lift It Up' on the popular Bellyas riddim, with a video that created a buzz.
His songs were on regular rotation on the airwaves while he kept himself in the eyes of the public by 'mashing up' nuff stage shows.
In 2000 he joined the Fifth Element Records family, where the real revolution began to take place in the DJ's life. His five-year stint with Fifth Element resulted in a noticeable change and a refreshing maturity.
Embracing the Rastafarian way of life, Chuck Fenda adopted the ‘poor people defender' cause and focused on creating heartfelt lyrics about the plight of the poor, while revealing his Afromantic side in the beautiful lyrics he penned glorifying the black woman.
He became famous for tunes like the number one 'Life Ruff Out Deh', 'Better Days' and ‘I Swear', as well as 'Prayer', 'Can't Stop Try', 'Respect Mama', 'Stick To One Man', 'Bun The Fire Red', 'How Do You Feel' and 'Watching Me', to name a few, all part of his explosive, awe-inspiring album ‘Better Days' on the Fifth Element label that dropped in 2004.
Today, Fender is even more aware of the need of the oppressed of this land to have a voice championing their cause – and he has pledged to be that voice, both in word and deed.
His personal objective is to take the youths off the streets, knowing that if he can change even one youth through his songs, then there is hope.
Through his label Living Fire Records, The Poor People Defender intends to make a powerful impact on the world stage. Through his songs, performances and young protégés, Chuck Fenda has cemented himself as one of the few that will play a great role in the revolution of Jamaica's music across the globe.
Gwaan Plant
Chuck Fender Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
most high jah
(hear mi now)
they really dont know
hey yo marvin
a wah do dem mad
(hear mi now)
helicopter inna di air
police a shoot through di square
a who go informer weh babylon hear
mi likkle weed field you want fi carve and tear
you know di living fyah yo mi neva have no fear
gwaan plant
a more marijuana we want
yo binghi man gwaan chant
a di highest grade of weed you know we want
(aright)
(verse 2)
gimme a chalice load
pass mi di weed bud
when mi bun it off nah gi it up gimme a reload
real man from centee
always haffi plenty
twenty for seven black pearl kutchie neva empty
it mek mi pants it mek mi shirt it mek mi shoes
when mi?? mi it inna di morning a it mi use
you know seh dis ya one mek di seven o'clock news
babylon face a get bruce
gwaan plant
a more marijuana we want
nyabinghi man gwaan chant
a di highest grade of weed you know we want
yes farmer man gwaan plant
a more marijuana we want
yes binghi man gwaan chant
a di highest grade of herb you know we want
(aright)
(verse 1)
helicopter inna di air
police a shoot through di square
a who go informer weh babylon hear
mi likkle weed field you want fi carve and tear
you know di living fyah yo mi neva have no fear
gwaan plant
a di highest grade of herb you know we want
nyabinghi man gwaan chant
a more marijuana we want
yo farmer man gwaan plant
a more marijuana we want
nyabinghi man gwaan chant
a di highest grade of weed you know we want
Chuck Fender's song "Gwaan Plant" speaks to the herb culture in Jamaica and the struggles of farming cannabis in a society where it is not fully accepted. In the opening lines of the song, Chuck Fender invokes the Most High Jah to bless and protect him as he sings about the obstacles of helicopter surveillance and police raids on his weed farm.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of betrayal as the singer questions who could have informed the police about his farm. Despite these challenges, Chuck Fender proclaims his love for the herb and his willingness to continue planting and cultivating it, urging other farmers to do the same. He also references the importance of the Nyabinghi Rastafarian movement and their cultural use of herb for spiritual and medicinal purposes.
Overall, the song's lyrics display a sense of defiance and determination to continue cultivating and using herb despite the societal pressures against it.
Line by Line Meaning
a di living fiyaah
The fire of life and energy is within me.
most high jah
I acknowledge and give respect to the almighty God.
(hear mi now)
I want you to listen to what I'm saying.
they really dont know
Most people are unaware of what's going on.
hey yo marvin
Hey Marvin, pay attention to what I'm about to say.
a wah do dem mad
What's wrong with those crazy people?
helicopter inna di air
A helicopter is flying in the sky.
police a shoot through di square
The police are shooting in the town square.
a who go informer weh babylon hear
Who is the informant that the authorities are listening to?
mi likkle weed field you want fi carve and tear
They want to destroy my small marijuana field.
you know di living fyah yo mi neva have no fear
I am fearless because I have the fire of life within me.
gwaan plant
Keep planting more marijuana.
a more marijuana we want
We need more marijuana.
yo binghi man gwaan chant
Hey Rastafarian drummer, keep chanting.
a di highest grade of weed you know we want
We want only the highest quality marijuana.
(aright)
Alright then, let's do it.
gimme a chalice load
Give me a full cup of marijuana smoking device.
pass mi di weed bud
Pass me the marijuana bud.
when mi bun it off nah gi it up gimme a reload
When I've finished smoking, I will need more.
real man from centee always haffi plenty
A true man from the center always has plenty of marijuana.
twenty for seven black pearl kutchie neva empty
24/7, the black pearl smoking device is never empty.
it mek mi pants it mek mi shirt it mek mi shoes
Marijuana is just as much a part of my life as my clothing.
when mi?? mi it inna di morning a it mi use
When I wake up in the morning, I use marijuana.
you know seh dis ya one mek di seven o'clock news
This song will be on the seven o'clock news.
babylon face a get bruce
The authorities are in trouble.
yes farmer man gwaan plant
Yes, farmers keep planting.
yes binghi man gwaan chant
Yes, Rastafarian drummer, keep chanting.
a di highest grade of herb you know we want
We want only the highest quality marijuana.
nyabinghi man gwaan chant
Rastafarian drummer, keep chanting.
a more marijuana we want
We need more marijuana.
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rasta BG
This one blessed thanks and praises living fire
@musickorayyapici
feel good !!!!
good stufffUUUUUUUUUU
@sharonwallace4902
Weed is gud cuz up
@madcat61207
You're a saint for posting this.
@PhilNunez-bw5zy
Fire 🔥🔥🇧🇿
@MrStolestone
Greatness!
@andreagargiulo6593
Buonasera\GoodEvening, Riascolto 01-'22\Listening again 01-'22 <3
@louisgb
💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥
@eddeivillegas7304
disculpen no tengo nada en contra de esta musica pero querÃa saber si alguien de ustedes sabe el nombre de una canción que suena un poco igual a esta
@LeonardoAKAReggae
el riddim lo usan varios . . . esta duro tu caso jeje