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)
Legalization
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Babylon a run after you!
And I fall down and a bounce I head pon a ganja root
Vex bad, bad, bad.
Me say ganja haffe grow big man
With a bag of marijuana whole a heap a little bit (So)
Babylon a show off pon, Rasta, gwaan like him no know
He sell it by music to educate our children and police
Legalization fi the ganja herb!
Legalization fi the ganja herb!
We want it now
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (How they legalize it
inna Holland?)
Legalization fi the ganja herb!
United we will stand, divided we will fall, apart
Lick up the chalice and mek that clean up your heart
What kind of corruption you have on your tongue?
To prison a man for a simple draw of herb (that grow
from the earth!)
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Cut it down quick!)
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Me no a bad man, me a
strong defender!)
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Oh, Babylon!)
Legalization fi the ganja herb!
A some time when them come with them and drive ambulance
And a some time when them a tief up the area
them a drive a fire truck with a bag in the back
And some time when them a come a tek out
them sure they drive all ship and coast guard thing
Nuff coke a share from here to there
And Rasta can't lick him chalice (The whole a we are one)
Jah Ras Tafari! Must smite them things!
As mi plant a seed, ya run come raid mi field
Look inna I yaself and tell me the way you feel
My children wake up in the morning without a nice meal.
Simply because you can go wheel and tear down and mek a deal (Mi can't do like you)
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Rasta need it now!)
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (You need another conscience)
Legalization fi we ganja herb! (Put it up quick!)
Legalization fi the ganja herb!
Some say we have to bite the bullet
What about poor children have no teeth, a suck them ago suck it
We have to sell the ganja herb,
We buy a ticket (My God!)
Down in a Babylon the situation, we just can't take it! (Back up!)
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Bounce me back!)
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Meditate on a ganja root)
The lyrics to Culture's song "Legalization" express the frustration and anger of the singer towards the illegalization of marijuana or ganja. The first verse starts with the singer talking to someone with dreadlocks, possibly a Rasta, warning them of Babylon's (the system of oppression) hunt for them. The singer then expresses their frustration at not being able to smoke ganja without the fear of being caught by the authorities. They believe that marijuana should be allowed to grow freely and that it should be legalized, just like how it is in countries like Holland. The singer speaks about the corrupt system that imprisons people for such a simple and harmless act. They believe that the authorities are being hypocritical with their actions as they themselves indulge in other forms of illegal activities like smuggling cocaine.
The second verse is a plea for the authorities to understand how the illegalization of ganja affects the people around them. The singer speaks of how they plant seeds to grow marijuana but the authorities come and destroy everything, leaving their children with no food to eat. They believe that the legalization of ganja would bring about positive changes and would help the poor and needy. The chorus repeatedly stresses the need for ganja to be legalized, and the singer warns that they cannot take any more of Babylon's oppression. The song ends with a reference to meditating on a ganja root, which is a common practice among Rastafarians.
Overall, "Legalization" is a powerful protest song that advocates for the legalization of marijuana. It highlights the hypocrisy of the system and the positive changes that legalization would bring about. The song's use of Jamaican Patois adds an extra layer of authenticity to the message and helps to convey the frustration of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Dreadlock!
Addressing a friend.
Babylon a run after you!
The authorities are after you for using marijuana illegally.
And I fall down and a bounce I head pon a ganja root Vex bad, bad, bad.
Falling and hitting your head on a marijuana plant is frustrating.
Me say ganja haffe grow big man With a bag of marijuana whole a heap a little bit (So)
Marijuana should be grown freely and abundantly to provide for everyone.
Babylon a show off pon, Rasta, gwaan like him no know He sell it by music to educate our children and police And gwaan pon I like nuff nuff wickedness increase
Authorities pretend not to know about marijuana's medicinal benefits and use music as propaganda to encourage negative views.
Legalization fi the ganja herb!
Marijuana should be legalized.
We want it now
The need for immediate legalization exists.
United we will stand, divided we will fall, apart
Only together will change occur.
Lick up the chalice and mek that clean up your heart
Relax and cleanse your emotions with a hit from a marijuana pipe.
What kind of corruption you have on your tongue? To prison a man for a simple draw of herb (that grow from the earth!)
Corruption must exist for the act of imprisoning someone for using marijuana to make sense.
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Cut it down quick!) Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Me no a bad man, me a strong defender!) Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Oh, Babylon!) Legalization fi the ganja herb!
Marijuana legalization is passionately desired and worth defending.
A some time when them come with them and drive ambulance And a some time when them a tief up the area them a drive a fire truck with a bag in the back And some time when them a come a tek out them sure they drive all ship and coast guard thing Nuff coke a share from here to there And Rasta can't lick him chalice (The whole a we are one) Jah Ras Tafari! Must smite them things!
Authorities who consume drugs while arresting others for marijuana must have severe repercussions.
As mi plant a seed, ya run come raid mi field Look inna I yaself and tell me the way you feel My children wake up in the morning without a nice meal. Simply because you can go wheel and tear down and mek a deal (Mi can't do like you)
Police come to destroy marijuana plants and disrupt life unfairly for Rastafarians and their children. They must deal with the consequences of their actions.
Some say we have to bite the bullet What about poor children have no teeth, a suck them ago suck it We have to sell the ganja herb, We buy a ticket (My God!) Down in a Babylon the situation, we just can't take it!
Some people say tough times require sacrifice, but poor children with no food have to suffer. Marijuana selling is necessary for survival in poor areas. The situation in oppressed areas is unbearable.
Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Bounce me back!) Legalization fi the ganja herb! (Meditate on a ganja root)
Marijuana legalization is desired and celebrated with a joyful dance. It's also suggested to meditate with marijuana.
Writer(s): Joseph Hill
Contributed by Caroline G. 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.