1. A roots regg… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists that have used this name:
1. A roots reggae band from Jamaica
2. A straight edge metalcore band from Florida, US
1. Culture was a Jamaican roots reggae group founded in 1976. Originally they were known as the African Disciples.
The members of the trio were Joseph Hill (lead vocals), Albert Walker (backing vocals) and Kenneth Dayes (backing vocals).
Shortly after Culture came together, they began working with the "Mighty Two" – producer Joe Gibbs and engineer Errol Thompson. While at Gibbs’ studio, they recorded a series of powerful singles, many of which ended up on their debut album ‘Two Sevens Clash’. After their success with Gibbs, the group went on to make a string of albums for producer Sonia Pottinger. Culture began working with some of the premier musicians of the day including Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, Ansel Collins, Cedric Brooks and the ever-present percussionist Sticky. Virgin Records picked up the albums, and that added distribution enabled Culture to gain an even larger following outside of Jamaica.
Critically considered one of the most authentic traditional reggae acts, at the time of the first Rolling Stone Record Guide publication, they were the only band of any genre whose every recording received a five-star review (of bands with more than one recording in the guide).
In 1982 the three singers went their own ways. Hill carried on using the Culture name, and recorded the Lion Rock album, which was released in the United States by Heartbeat Records. For their part, Walker and Dayes recorded a handful of songs on their own – a few of which turned up on an album titled Roots & Culture. In 1986 the original line-up reformed to record two highly regarded albums – Culture in Culture and Culture at Work. These releases marked the beginning of a very busy period for the group, including annual albums and countless tours. The U.S. label Shanachie released a steady stream of new and old Culture albums up to Wings Of A Dove in 1992.
Joseph Hill, who came to symbolize the face of Culture, died in Germany on 19 August 2006 while the group was on tour. His son, Kenyatta Hill, now is the lead singer.
2) Classic mid/late 90s hardcore from Florida, celebrated for, among a handful of others, helping to cultivate the burgeoning metallic hardcore sound that became synonymous with the era.
CULTURE was known for aggressive social/political/ecological commentary, cautionary tales of reckless consumerism and industrial sprawl, and advocacy of the straightedge lifestyle.
Former members went on to Morning Again, Terror, As Friends Rust, Shai Hulud, Throwdown, Blood Has Been Shed and (most recently) ON BODIES.
In 2012, CULTURE played its first show since disbanding in 1998 (The Reel & Restless Fest in Miami, Florida). This fall, in August of 2013, the band will revisit Europe for Belgium's famed Ieper Hardcore Festival, and will then play three dates in Japan, including Tokyo's Bloodaxe Fest.
Members included:
Rich Thurston (Guitar: 1993-1997, Bass: 1993, Vocals: 1993, Drums: 1996)
Josh Williams (Drums: 1993-1997)
Stan Obal (Bass: 1993)
Mark Mitchell (Vocals: 1993, Vocals: 1996)
Pete Carreno (Bass: 1994)
John Wylie (Guitar: 1994-1995)
Damien Moyal (Vocals: 1994-1995, Vocals: 1997-1998)
Gordon Tarpley (Bass: 1995-1997, Guitar: 1998)
Louie Long (Vocals: 1995)
Anthony Conte (Vocals: 1995)
Steve Looker (Guitar: 1996-1997)
Jason Dooley (Drums: 1997)
Timothy Kirkpatrick (Drums: 1997-1998)
Joe Simmons (Guitar:1997-1998)
Floyd Beckham (Bass: 1998)
Kenneth Brian (Guitar: 1998)
Dance Hall Style
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone keep askin': Wa gwan, sah?
Ina dancehall, sah? And down a yard, ya.
Everyone keep askin': Wa gwan, sah?
And down a yard, sah? Ina dancehall, sah?
First I take a run up a London,
Fe go love and greet up everyone.
And when I return its' just cool and deadly,
And when I return its just haul and pull up,
Have a drag up, drag up operator.
Everyone keep askin': Wah gwan?
Old man and old lady askin': Wah gwan?
Everyone keep askin': Wa gwan, sah?
Ina dancehall, sah? And down a yard, ya.
Each and every night sounding system play,
DJ's and Idren like it that way.
So gimme reggae music, that's what they say,
Some a send special request to this ya posse.
And that deh posse for the whole a dem waspy, Lord.
Everyone keep askin': Wah gwan?
And finally when I come to check it everything a cool runnings.
That's majority saying, Lord,
Everyone keep askin': Wah gwan?
Him say, each and everynight sound system play, you know,
DJ and Idren like it that way.
Say fi gimme reggae music, that's what they say.
Everyone keep askin': Wah gwan, sah?
Fi gimme reggae music from dusk to dawn.
Everyone keep askin': Wa gwan, ya?
Ina dancehall, sah? And down a yard, sag.
Then a tek another trip to New York,
And when I check it out every dancehall cork.
Everything drink off, can't get no place to walk,
Street block can't get nowhere fi park.
And when I return it's just cool and deadly,
And water pumpy and rocking dolly.
Everyone keeps askin': Wah gwan?
Everyone keeps askin': Wah gwan?
Everyone keeps askin': Wah gwan?
The lyrics of Culture's "Dance Hall Style" describe the energy and excitement of the reggae dancehall scene. The song begins with the repeated question, "Wa gwan" (what's going on), which is a common Jamaican greeting, especially at dancehall events. The singer describes his travels to London and New York, where he experiences the same question and the same love for reggae music. He notes the popularity of the sound system culture and the impact of DJs and selectors in creating a vibe that brings people together.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of the reggae music itself, as people constantly request it and seek it out. The final verses return to the singer's travels, describing the chaos of the dancehall scene in New York as compared to the "cool and deadly" vibes of Jamaica. Throughout the song, there is a sense of community and shared passion that transcends borders and cultures.
Overall, "Dance Hall Style" celebrates the power of reggae music and its ability to bring people together in a joyous and liberating space.
Line by Line Meaning
Haha. a wa gwaan a dancehall?
People keep asking what's going on at the dancehall?
Everyone keep askin': Wa gwan, sah? Ina dancehall, sah? And down a yard, ya.
People keep asking what's going on at the dancehall and in the neighborhood.
First I take a run up a London, Fe go love and greet up everyone.
I went to London and showed love to everyone.
And when I return its' just cool and deadly, And water pumpy and rocking dolly.
The atmosphere is great with cool vibes and music.
And when I return its just haul and pull up, Have a drag up, drag up operator.
There's a lot of excitement and energy with everyone dancing and enjoying themselves.
Old man and old lady askin': Wah gwan?
Even old people are curious and asking what's happening.
Each and every night sounding system play, DJ's and Idren like it that way.
The sound system plays every night and both DJs and people love it.
And that deh posse for the whole a dem waspy, Lord.
The whole crowd enjoys the music.
And finally when I come to check it everything a cool runnings. That's majority saying, Lord,
After checking everything, it's confirmed that everyone is enjoying themselves.
Say fi gimme reggae music, that's what they say.
People are requesting reggae music to be played.
Fi gimme reggae music from dusk to dawn.
People want reggae music to be played all night.
Then a tek another trip to New York, And when I check it out every dancehall cork.
I then went to New York and witnessed crowded dancehalls.
Everything drink off, can't get no place to walk, Street block can't get nowhere fi park.
It's so crowded that there's barely any room to move or park on the street.
Everyone keeps askin': Wah gwan?
People keep asking what's happening at the dancehall.
Writer(s): Joseph Constantine Hill
Contributed by Max C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mvikeli
on Forward To Africa
Children of Israel wan go home now
Come on now brothers and sisters
Run a come come hear what I have to say
Listen and I will tell you
Brother what's the talk of the town today
For in every corner fact you real walk
You will see a group of people talk
They are not sky logging
They are only talking about Ithiopia
Some say they want to leave the rest of the world
And now forward to Africa
Some talk about Ithiopia and while the others Liberia
But no matter where
The rasta do not care
I know I must to be there to get I share
Of all those riches and delicious dishes of the Ithiopia
Sing triumphant song let me hear you
I I I I I I I
Children of Israel say
Oh yeah
And tho what a glorious morning
Brother when we land at Ithiopia shore
Our sorrows would all be over
And there Jah people will weep no more
It is a land of liberty where milk corn and wine are awaiting us
With my sickness I and I will be a witness of the Ithiopia
Hear the other thing again wey I no like
You could take away the world and its vanity
The Rastarman don't care or kick about that
Ya hear this
Just take I forward to Ithiopia
Make I come out cog and live in spot
But if you lazy you will surely die
For there you cannot thief nor beg or no lie
It takes behavior just to be a savior of the Ithiopia
Shout the triumphant new song say
I I I I I I I
Babylon wall a crumple
I can smell the smell of victory
High service
on Natty Dread Naw Run
I will not run away even if my enemies come
I will not run away
They are as good as gone
I welcome them to come
Listen to what I am saying
They have come to haunt me like parasites
They have come to hurt me like parachucks
Repeat after me
We will succeed with fortune on our side
Be strong and confront the oppressors
Samson was a legendary figure
He never backed down
He emerged victorious despite the odds
He defeated the Philistines multiple times
This is a historical fact
Do not be scared
Another historical event
He defeated Goliath with just a sling and a stone
The enemy has many guns
They have advanced technology on their side
David was never afraid
Despite their weapons
We will inform them
They are already defeated
I will not run away despite their weapons
I will confront them head-on
This is a message from Jah (God)
Despite everything
Natty dread nah run for dem a license gun
dawu
on Capture Rasta
I am happy
dawu
on Slice Of Mount Zion
truth
Lionel Blinkston
on Behold
What's the meaning of they are races Jesu's, races Jesu's of god, and thats the distruction of poor blackman
Romeo addai
on Where The Tree Falls
Rip Joseph hill
Da Mike
on Praise Him
this lyrics do not really match with this track, well I can not be able to provide my own lyrics because Am a lost sheep too
Nathanael Martey
on Do Something For Yourself
Culture we love his braveness
Rasta Oteng Kobby
on Going Home
I need Going home lyrics...I love Kwame Joseph Hill Culture
Ra’s Israel
on Humble African
Culture we are going home to the promise land, from Iran to Israel, from Israel to Egypt, from Egypt to Sudan , from Sudan to Mali , fighting wars and taking the Kingdom as Ghana empire to the promise land which was Gold Coast today Ghana.