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)
Dirty Tricks
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't somebody
Won't somebody tell me please what's going on
Won't somebody
Won't somebody
Won't somebody tell me please what's going on
With Jah people
They are playing a dirty trick upon dem
With Jah people
With Jah people
They are trying hard to mislead dem
With our children
With our children
They are trying hard to indoctrinate dem
With our children's
Education
They are trying their best to fool the children dem
Won't somebody
Won't somebody
Won't somebody please tell me what's going on
Somebody
Somebody
Won't somebody tell me please what's going on
Looking around
And I can't understand
I tried to discuss with them
For instance Fort Augustus
I am talking about Alcatraz
They're two prisons of the same kind
One in Jamaica
The other in America
So tell me why really should we see that
Won't somebody
Somebody
Won't somebody tell me please what's going on
Won't somebody
Somebody
Won't somebody tell me about the prisons
Every now and then they take away a man and carry him behind the walls
[Whoa officer]
I just can't understand what's going on
Won't somebody please
Won't somebody
Won't somebody
Won't somebody tell me please what's going on
In the song "Dirty Tricks" by Culture, the artist is expressing their concern about the manipulation of their own people, Jah people, and how this manipulation affects their children's education. At the beginning of the song, the lyrics "Won't somebody tell me please what's going on" is repeated multiple times, implying a sense of confusion and frustration. This frustration is likely driven by the artist's observation of the longstanding strategy of those in power attempting to indoctrinate the Jamaican people and mislead them on matters that affect their daily lives. The chorus repeats a plea to Jah people to be aware of the manipulations around them and to stay vigilant about the education their children are receiving.
The second verse of the song contains a comparison between two prisons in different countries, Fort Augustus in Jamaica and Alcatraz in America. The artist is questioning why they should see any difference between the two, as they view them similarly as institutions of confinement that separate individuals from society. Finally, the song touches on another aspect of control and manipulation, that being the incarceration of individuals in prisons. The artist expresses their confusion and inability to understand why individuals are continuously taken away and locked up.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the use of manipulation and control by those in power to disempower and deceive Jah people. It draws attention to the artist's concerns about the education of Jamaican children, the confinement of individuals in prisons, and the lack of awareness of the masses about their own struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't somebody
Asking for someone to come forward and explain
Won't somebody
Still asking for someone to come forward and explain
Won't somebody
Continuing to ask for someone to come forward and explain
tell me please what's going on
Asking for an explanation of the current situation
With our people
Referring to people who follow Jah (God)
With Jah people
Referring to people who follow Jah (God)
They are playing a dirty trick upon dem
These people are being deceived and manipulated
With Jah people
Referring to people who follow Jah (God)
They are trying hard to mislead dem
These people are being actively misled
With our children
Referring to the youth
With our children
Referring to the youth
They are trying hard to indoctrinate dem
The youth are being indoctrinated by these people
With our children's
Referring to the youth
Education
Referring to the education system
They are trying their best to fool the children dem
The education system is attempting to deceive and mislead the youth
For instance Fort Augustus
Referring to a specific location
I am talking about Alcatraz
Comparing another location to Fort Augustus
They're two prisons of the same kind
These locations are similar in that they are both prisons
One in Jamaica
Referring to a specific location
The other in America
Referring to a specific location
So tell me why really should we see that
Questioning the relevance of these comparisons
Every now and then they take away a man and carry him behind the walls
Referring to imprisonment
[Whoa officer]
Expression of disbelief or confusion
I just can't understand what's going on
Expressing confusion or frustration
Won't somebody please
Asking again for someone to come forward
Won't somebody
Continuing to ask for someone to come forward
Won't somebody
Still asking for someone to come forward
tell me please what's going on
Requesting an explanation of the current situation
Writer(s): JOSEPH C HILL
Contributed by Aaliyah M. 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.