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)
Jah Pretty Face
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I and I a want to see King Rastafari
To look upon Jah pretty pretty face
We want to walk the streets of glory
Shining around Jah throne
Run come to look upon Jah pretty pretty face
For we are going home, going home
To see King Rastafari
Selassie a the roots of David
Hallelujah! I, I a Congo I
King Selassie a the roots of David, chant it out
Hallelujah! I, I a Congo I
King Selassie a the roots of David
Hallelujah! I, I a Congo I
Hallelujah!
(solo)
King Selassie a the roots of David
Hallelujah! I, I a Congo I
Selassie a the roots of David
Hallelujah!
Selassie a the roots of David
Hallelujah!
With your loud voice say
Hallelujah!
I, I a Congo I
Hallelujah!
Mount Zion bird shall sing and say
Hallelujah!
Chant it from the throne, let them hear it
Hallelujah!
The lyrics to Culture's song Jah Pretty Face are a celebration of Rastafarian spirituality and the desire to see King Rastafari and look upon Jah's (God's) face. The song talks about the belief in the afterlife and the hope of walking the streets of glory and shining around Jah's throne. The song also invokes the name of Selassie, who is seen as the roots of David and a powerful symbol in Rastafarianism. The chorus invites others to come and join in the journey, with the repeated refrain of "Hallelujah" expressing the joy and excitement of this spiritual quest.
The repeating of the phrases "King Selassie a the roots of David" and "Hallelujah! I, I a Congo I" suggest the importance of these icons and their deep connection to Rastafarian beliefs. The use of "I" instead of "me" throughout the song emphasizes the unity of all people and their connection to Jah. The lyrics also reference "Natty Dread", a term used to describe Rastafarians who have chosen to let their hair grow naturally rather than conforming to European beauty standards. This attests to the idea that Rastafarianism celebrates black identity and encourages self-love and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Hallelujah!
Praising and showing gratitude to God.
I and I a want to see King Rastafari
We, as a collective community, desire to meet and acknowledge King Rastafari.
To look upon Jah pretty pretty face
Our desire is to behold the beauty of God's divine face.
We want to walk the streets of glory
We aspire to be in the company of the divine and walk through a world of unparalleled splendor.
Shining around Jah throne
We want to radiate with light while being in the presence of God's throne.
So Natty Dread tell all the gentles them to come
Natty Dread is urged to communicate our invitation to all those who follow gentleness to join us.
Run come to look upon Jah pretty pretty face
Be quick to come and witness the beauty of God's face.
For we are going home, going home
We are returning to our spiritual home, where we belong.
To see King Rastafari
Our goal is to see and acknowledge the presence of King Rastafari.
Selassie a the roots of David
Haile Selassie is connected to the lineage of King David.
Hallelujah! I, I a Congo I
Praising and acknowledging God while proclaiming oneself as a Congo person.
King Selassie a the roots of David, chant it out
Proclaiming and acknowledging the connection between Haile Selassie and King David.
With your loud voice say
Urging individuals to speak with a loud and clear voice.
Mount Zion bird shall sing and say
The bird of Mount Zion will sing and rejoice while affirming our beliefs.
Chant it from the throne, let them hear it
Urging individuals to chant and make their voices heard while in the presence of God's throne.
Hallelujah!
Praising and showing gratitude to God.
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Smith Anderson
i love this culture track,Jah Pretty Face.
@munyimark
I and I a want to see King Rastafari
To look upon Jah pretty, pretty face
We want to walk the streets of glory
Shining around Jah throne
So Natty Dread tell all the gentiles them to come
Run come to look upon Jah pretty, pretty face
For we are going home, going home
To see King Rastafari
Sellasie a the roots of David
Hallelujah! I and I a Congo I say
Sellasie a the roots of David, chant it out
Hallelujah, yeah!
Sellasie a the roots of David - Hallelujah!
With your loud voice say - Hallelujah
Chant it from the throne, let them hear it, say
Hallelujah!
- Hallelujah!
- Hallelujah!
Praise Jah in season and out season
Way out, Rastafari!
Hallelujah!
Jah! Rastfari!
@munyimark
I and I a want to see King Rastafari
To look upon Jah pretty, pretty face
We want to walk the streets of glory
Shining around Jah throne
So Natty Dread tell all the gentiles them to come
Run come to look upon Jah pretty, pretty face
For we are going home, going home
To see King Rastafari
Sellasie a the roots of David
Hallelujah! I and I a Congo I say
Sellasie a the roots of David, chant it out
Hallelujah, yeah!
Sellasie a the roots of David - Hallelujah!
With your loud voice say - Hallelujah
Chant it from the throne, let them hear it, say
Hallelujah!
- Hallelujah!
- Hallelujah!
Praise Jah in season and out season
Way out, Rastafari!
Hallelujah!
Jah! Rastfari!
@horus44102
Give praises to most highs may the Mother and Father of creation bless and keep you all. May the everlasting light shine upon you, throgh you and around you and bless you with long life and prosperity.
@khayabobotyana6346
To all the rastafarian branches in Africa one love I see the match of rastafarian to parliament for their rights this is one of the song they sing they come in hundreds
@WandileNgema-su9kq
This jam should be running in million views.
@CheikhTidianeNDAO
Lol 😂 of course
@nicholaseshirow5040
Who is listening to this great tune in 2022??
@aswadkkaswadkk7137
We're at church all the time and we're going home to c jah rastafarian....hallelujah
@RayRay-yo6tu
Not even a Rastaman but my eyes shed tears.
@adesaehii8977
I'm loving ❤ it ,who is here with me?