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" ā producer Joe Gibbs and engineer Errol Thompson. While at Gibbsā studio, they recorded a series of powerful singles, many of which ended up on their debut album āTwo Sevens Clashā. 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 ā 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 ā 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)
Freedom Time
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talking about freedom for the young and old,
Youthman and babies, old ladies and gentlemen
Once we were working in the rain
Working all days in vain
But one day my way freedom came
And I got to stand up and see for myself
Freedom time again, good God, freedom time, freedom time
Look at the size of a sledgehammer,
Everyday we got to bear it in our hands
Look at the size of a pickaxe,
They got to work daily on the plantation, good God
Freedom time again, freedom again, freedom time, freedom time
Freedom time again, Lord, freedom time,
Freedom time again, freedom time
Talking about freedom, a lot of people donā²t wanna hear this
Some say their country is well developed,
And yet there is a quarter that they shrub
And I and I spring from the aisle of springs
And I and I want reggae and I run things
Come, freedom time again, freedom time Lord,
Freedom time again, freedom time
When I come to think of about slavery,
It slaves from old man even to babies
And when I take a stock they want everybody to live in shack
But our knowledge exceed us way above that
What are you talking about?
Freedom time again, freedom again, freedom time, freedom time
Freedom time at last God, freedom time,
Freedom time again, freedom time
It's time for everyone to be free
Talking about everyone even you and me
There is no more years and days to spend crying
About the things that you donā²t know
We want to be free
Freedom time again, freedom time,
Freedom time again, freedom time
Shout it, freedom time again, freedom time,
Freedom again, freedom time
In "Freedom Time", Joseph Hill of the Jamaican roots reggae band Culture speaks about the importance of freedom and how it affects people from all walks of life. The song begins by emphasizing that young and old, men and women, are all affected by the lack of freedom. Hill speaks from his own experience, working tirelessly in the rain with no reward but eventually gaining freedom. He acknowledges that even today, many carry the burden of labor and work, equating them to heavy tools such as sledgehammers and pickaxes. Hill reflects that people do not want to acknowledge that freedom is still an issue as they believe their country is well-developed. However, he disputes this with the realization that even developed countries still have marginalized populations.
Hill speaks of his heritage and his desire for reggae music to be recognized as a cultural force with the capacity to unite people. The song communicates his frustration with the legacy of slavery and the systemic oppression that endures, especially for marginalized communities. He recognizes that the road to freedom is not an easy one, but he believes that it is within reach. Hill concludes with the refrain āFreedom time again, freedom time,ā expressing his fervent desire for freedom for all people.
Line by Line Meaning
Talking about freedom for the young and old,
Referring to the concept of freedom for all ages
Youthman and babies, old ladies and gentlemen
All people, regardless of age or gender
Once we were working in the rain
Recalling the past struggles of labor in undesirable conditions
Working all days in vain
Efforts were not leading to positive progression
But one day my way freedom came
The moment of freedom arriving
And I got to stand up and see for myself
The singer's opportunity to witness their own liberation
Freedom time again, freedom again, freedom time, freedom time
Repeating emphasis of the time for freedom
Look at the size of a sledgehammer,
Observing the burdens of physical labor
Everyday we got to bear it in our hands
Continuously facing these labor difficulties
Look at the size of a pickaxe,
Further detail of the physical strain of labor
They got to work daily on the plantation, good God
Detailing slave labor on a plantation
Talking about freedom, a lot of people donā²t wanna hear this
Discussion of societal hesitancy to address freedom
Some say their country is well developed,
Individuals believe their country is prosperous
And yet there is a quarter that they shrub
A section of the community is ignored
And I and I spring from the aisle of springs
The singer's origins and homeland
And I and I want reggae and I run things
Desire for reggae and control
Come, freedom time again, freedom time Lord,
Invitation to seize freedom
When I come to think of about slavery,
Pondering the topic of slavery
It slaves from old man even to babies
The horrors of slavery that applied to all ages
And when I take a stock they want everybody to live in shack
Noticing the oppression of living conditions
But our knowledge exceed us way above that
Stating that the community has intelligence beyond that oppression
What are you talking about?
Questioning disagreement towards freedom
Freedom time at last God, freedom time,
Gratefulness and celebration for freedom arriving
It's time for everyone to be free
Declaring it is the time for all to be free
Talking about everyone even you and me
Including all as deserving of freedom
There is no more years and days to spend crying
No more time for sadness and frustration
About the things that you donā²t know
Disregarding the unknown factors that kept freedom in question
Freedom time again, freedom time,
Re-emphasizing the time for liberation
Shout it, freedom time again, freedom time,
Encouragement to loudly celebrate freedom
Freedom again, freedom time
Final statement of the prevalent theme of freedom
Writer(s): Lauryn Hill
Contributed by Aaliyah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rayfordngali2393
Am rill blessed by culture song's
@benericify
This Joseph indeed was a Hill!
@MikeJabateh
My lovely song
@yeboahsamuel7782
Out of me, who still listen to this man call culture.
@samkavaman1980
Rest In Love Joseph Hill.......... My Legend of Reggae Prophecy.....
@samemmanuel6602
One of my all time favourite š ā¤ļø ā¤ļø
@MrButiboy
oh God !!
@zerofarms304
makes me yearn for freedom. though im free already.
@festusomukhwaya2692
Joseph Hill Culture: Freedom Time againš„š„š„š„
@stanleyboadu9136
May your soul rest in perfect piece culture