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)
Old Tattoo
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When we were all such sufferers
There was an old tattoo
that He lent i
To cover i shelterless head
Way down in the gullie
There was an old tatto
Dat He lent i
One day while we were gone away,
To chant Jah hola word
Me say
Him shake down the whole tatu (tatu- thatche hut)
that he lent i to cover i shelterless head
To cover i shade down in the cell
We are all children of africa and the Most Hig
He shake down the old tatu
Dat He lent i to cover i helterless head
To cover i shade down in cell
i ve got some news fresh
what a pain to my eye
Can yu imagine dat
the way i ve been in sufferation
Do yu tink that i could have done this to you?
The lyrics to Culture's song "Old Tattoo" tell a story of brotherhood and sacrifice during times of hardship. The singer recounts a time when they were all suffering, and one of their friends lent them an old tattoo to cover their shelterless head. The tattoo became a symbol of protection and comfort for the singer. However, one day, while they were all away, the friend shook down the thatched hut that housed the tattoo, leaving the singer without their shelter and feeling exposed in their vulnerability. The singer questions whether they could have done the same to their friend and ends the song with a lament about the pain of their suffering.
The song is a powerful commentary on the importance of community and the bonds that hold us together in times of difficulty. It speaks to the idea that we rely on each other for support and protection, even if it means sacrificing our own comfort to provide for others. The old tattoo becomes a powerful symbol of this kind of sacrifice, as it represents the friend's willingness to give up something that was important to them to help another person.
Overall, "Old Tattoo" is a moving tribute to the power of human connection and the lengths we will go to help those we love.
Line by Line Meaning
My bredreen whom i love so well
Referring to a close friend who is dearly loved
When we were all such sufferers
During a difficult and challenging time
There was an old tattoo
A temporary shelter that was relied upon
that He lent i
Given to me by my friend
To cover i shelterless head
To provide me with a place to stay
Way down in the gullie
Referring to a location of hardship and poverty
Dat He lent i
Referring to the same temporary shelter
To cover i shelterless head, watch the way him do it
Observing how my friend provided me with shelter from a difficult situation
One day while we were gone away, To chant Jah hola word
During a period of worship or spiritual practice
Me say Him shake down the whole tatu (tatu- thatche hut)
My friend took down the temporary shelter
that he lent i to cover i shelterless head
Referring to the same temporary shelter that was taken down
To cover i shade down in the cell
A new shelter was needed in a difficult situation
We are all children of africa and the Most Hig
Celebrating African heritage and spirituality
He shake down the old tatu
Reflecting on the past shelter that was taken down
Dat He lent i to cover i helterless head
Referring to the same temporary shelter
To cover i shade down in cell
Another new temporary shelter was needed
i ve got some news fresh
I have some new information to share
what a pain to my eye
Referring to a difficult and painful experience
Can yu imagine dat
Expressing surprise and disbelief
the way i ve been in sufferation
Referring to a period of hardship and difficulty
Do yu tink that i could have done this to you?
Asking if I could have caused someone else to suffer in the same way
Writer(s): Joseph Constantine Hill
Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johngitonga7430
My brethren whom I love so well
When we where all such sufferers
There was an old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
Way down in the gully
'Cause there was an old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
-But hear wha' him do
One day, while we were gone away
To chant Jah Holy Word
Me seh Him tear down the old tattoo
That he made I
To cover I shelterless head
We are all children of Africa and the Most High
Him shake down the old tattoo
That he made I
To cover I shelterless head
Sad news, fresh!
What a pain to my heart
Could you imagine that?
The way I feel in sufferation
Do you think I would have done this to you?
Do you think, my brother
I could have done this to you?
Me seh Him shake down the old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
Feel this for me my brother, yeah
Mi seh Him shake down the old tattoo
That he made I
To cover I shelterless head
Mother and Father feel it and thunder roll
Me seh Him shake down the old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
With Jah gonna move it forward
With and equal rights and love
Me seh Him shake down the old tattoo
That he made I
To cover I shelterless head
We used to praise and give tanks and lick cup together
Him shake down the old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
He 'aint got no mercy on I and I cold nor rain dew
Tear down the old Tattoo..
@johngitonga7430
My brethren whom I love so well
When we where all such sufferers
There was an old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
Way down in the gully
'Cause there was an old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
-But hear wha' him do
One day, while we were gone away
To chant Jah Holy Word
Me seh Him tear down the old tattoo
That he made I
To cover I shelterless head
We are all children of Africa and the Most High
Him shake down the old tattoo
That he made I
To cover I shelterless head
Sad news, fresh!
What a pain to my heart
Could you imagine that?
The way I feel in sufferation
Do you think I would have done this to you?
Do you think, my brother
I could have done this to you?
Me seh Him shake down the old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
Feel this for me my brother, yeah
Mi seh Him shake down the old tattoo
That he made I
To cover I shelterless head
Mother and Father feel it and thunder roll
Me seh Him shake down the old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
With Jah gonna move it forward
With and equal rights and love
Me seh Him shake down the old tattoo
That he made I
To cover I shelterless head
We used to praise and give tanks and lick cup together
Him shake down the old tattoo
That He made I
To cover I shelterless head
He 'aint got no mercy on I and I cold nor rain dew
Tear down the old Tattoo..
@rjazzy
Yeah! And mr. Joseph used the word tattoo alluding 'tatu', like structure to protection...remembering the event when babilonians set fire to pinnacle (shake down the old tatu), the house to Rastas pray at that time... Give thanks !
@johngitonga7430
@@rjazzy Bro, Big respect for the enlightenment..
@rjazzy
@@johngitonga7430 Give thanks bro! Arise Black people, arise Black Trinity! We need to stay positive and togheter! All blessings bredren! One love ❤🖤💚
@LoganCharlesII
The real MVP!
@peterkaranjamuchins4143
Lovely lyrics but I think it should " the old tatu that he lend I to cover my shelterless head"
@Shan-mw3bg
This one Brings the “Goosebumps “. JAH. RASTAFARI. 🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱. Thanks CULTURE. R I P. Mr Hill. Much Love 👊🏽🇬🇳
@jojimtaa6642
Outta Kenya nuff respect Mighty Culture...
@jeancharleswahy180
Ce chanteur est très fort.Jai toute ces collections.Il nous a quitté en Aout 2006
@alistar1645
Mr Joseph Hill aka Culture if you don't like culture you don't love the truth