There are at least two artists that have used this name:
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)

Election
Culture Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yes you, Mr. Politician
We? re not blind, we seeing you
You use the people? s misery for your prey
And you use war to be a business
Now I want you to deal with something now in the new millenium
How long this a go continue?
And how long you believe you ago last?
I wonder why politician them won? t go? way

Rasta can? t get no peace inna this land
I wonder why politician them won? t go? way
Rasta can? t get no peace on the land
Rasta children run them? way
Drive them? way
When them come, come talk? bout election
Iahbingi run them? way
Drive them? way
When them come come talk? bout election
I wonder why the old tief dem won? t go? way
Can? t get no peace inna yard
I wonder why old PJ him won? t go? way
Can? t go no peace down a yard,
A two a dem
Run them? way
Run them? way
When them come, come talk? bout election
An a fi we run them? way
(Nia bingi) run them? way
When them run come talk? bout election
Eddie, I wonder why politician them won? t go? way
Rastaman can? t get no peace a Jungle
Wonder why politician them won? t go? way
Bingiman can? t get no peace in a 'Jungle
Tivoli and Jungle unite
Drive them? way
Run them? way
When them separate you with election
(Them a friend say) Run them? way
Bingiman a drive them? way
When them come, come talk? bout election
As God live we must unite
You think I never see when you go a Switzerland, go
bank up all the people dem money
You think I don't know seh when you a buy places and property all
Bout where poor people can't read back fi get back
some of dem tax money (Watch it!)
Depression, frustration
The poor man people hungry just a few days
Frustration. Wise fowl walk like man
Poor people money bank away
We nuh want no politics
Wonder why politician them won? t go? way
Bingiman want some peace on the land, Chuh.
Wonder why politicians them won? t go? way
Bingiman, we want some peace of the land
Kings and queens, president
All them do is oppress God? s people
Prime ministers, underdogs,
Cat a lick, while Jah Jah Lion a watch
Cat a lick, dog a watch
Listen what them say in society
(No Anglican)
Cat a lick, while old dog a watch
Jah bound to man crotch
Come down off yah high horse!
Boy, mi nah pile up no nuff pon plenty and me nah give
no man who have already
The man who hungry haffe eat
And the man who have already haffe share
You know, you a hear mi man?
And me have something fi tell yuh inna the next version
Come down off yah high horse!
Some people a kick fast too long
Big fish a rain from the sky fi you
Everything too easy for you
And it seem to me that the rich man tax write-off
And the poor man haffe pay that

Boy? Them send very likkle for your money, them no own a joint.
Ya no understand?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Culture’s song, “Election,” are a clear critique of politicians in Jamaica who take advantage of the poor, using their misfortunes for their own gain, and exploit war as a business. The chorus discusses how Rastafarians cannot get any peace because the politicians won't go away, and how they have to drive them away during elections. The lyrics call out specific politicians, like PJ (Percival James) Patterson and Eddie, and wonder why they won't leave. The verses touch on topics such as corruption, oppression, hunger, and the discrepancy between the rich and poor. The lyrics conclude with a plea for unity and a call to end politics.

The song’s frustration with politics is rooted in the socioeconomic situation of Jamaica during the late 1990s. Jamaica was suffering from a depressed economy, rife with crime and corruption. The political system was plagued with scandal, and the lyrics reflect a disillusionment and lack of trust in the political process. The song captures the frustration felt by many in the country, especially those who were struggling to survive.

The lyrics reflect the Jamaican Rastafarian culture’s philosophy of rejecting systems of oppression and advocating for a more equal society. The song's message of unity and a call to end politics is resonant with the Rastafarian belief in the oneness of humanity and the interconnectedness of all beings.

Line by Line Meaning

Yes you, Mr. Politician
The song is addressing politicians

We?re not blind, we seeing you
The people are aware of the politicians' actions

You use the people?s misery for your prey
Politicians take advantage of people's suffering and use it to their advantage

And you use war to be a business
Politicians see war as business opportunity

Now I want you to deal with something now in the new millenium
The song is calling for the politicians to address current issues

How long this a go continue?
The song questions how long the current system will continue

And how long you believe you ago last?
The song questions how long the politicians think they can continue their actions

I wonder why politician them won?t go? way
The song wonders why politicians are not leaving

Rasta can?t get no peace inna this land
Rastafarians cannot find peace in their own country

Rasta children run them? way
Rastafarian children drive politicians away

When them come, come talk?bout election
Politicians only show up to talk about elections

I wonder why the old tief dem won?t go?way
The song questions why thieves (politicians) are still in power

Can?t get no peace inna yard
People cannot find peace in their own homes

Tivoli and Jungle unite
The song calls for unity between neighborhoods Tivoli and Jungle

As God live we must unite
The song calls for unity

You think I never see when you go a Switzerland, go bank up all the people dem money
The song suggests that politicians store people's money in foreign banks

You think I don?t know seh when you a buy places and property all?Bout where poor people can?t read back fi get back some of dem tax money (Watch it!)
Politicians use money to buy property, but poor people cannot get back their tax money

Depression, frustration
The song describes feelings of depression and frustration

The poor man people hungry just a few days
Poor people cannot feed themselves for days at a time

Frustration. Wise fowl walk like man
The song suggests that people are frustrated because there is no one to help them, and animals seem to be smarter than humans

Kings and queens, president, All them do is oppress God?s people
The song suggests that politicians, along with royalty and presidents, only oppress the people

Prime ministers, underdogs, Cat a lick, while Jah Jah Lion a watch
Prime ministers and underdogs only work for their own benefit, while Jah Jah Lion (God) is watching

Come down off yah high horse!
The song demands that politicians come down from their high status

The man who hungry haffe eat And the man who have already haffe share
The song suggests that those who have enough should share with those in need

Some people a kick fast too long?
The song suggests that some people have been in power for too long

Big fish a rain from the sky fi you
The song suggests that politicians are corrupt and receiving money unlawfully

And it seem to me that the rich man tax write-off And the poor man haffe pay that
The song suggests that the rich can avoid taxes while the poor still have to pay them

Boy?Them send very likkle for your money, them no own a joint.
Politicians do not use their paychecks to help the people

Writer(s): Joseph Hill

Contributed by John H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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