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)
One A We
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights, yeh
I and I keep fighting for our rights
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, a one a we
Malcolm X as you know him, a one a we
Man like Paul Bogle the same one, a one a we
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
We are coming through the hands of Henry Morgan
And man like long john silver in a dis ya runnings
They say our land is also a pirate port
That mean they kill my brothers and sisters
And take it for sport, don't you know say
A girl like sister nanny a one a we
A man like brother cojo lord a one a we
Man like tacky a one a we
Man like president Tugman a one a we
Man like brother Bob Marley a one a we
But most of all to stand by our side
As the King of Kings, Lord of Lords
Emperor Haile Selassie I and I, ey-ey
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
Brought us down here on the plantation
To work hard and feed everyone
And when we nuh feed the old Babylon them turn
And call we wicked man
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
Brought us from Africa to slave we
Whole time on the plantation
And when it's time for us to get we pay they say
Go away you a old black man
I and I keep fighting for our rights
I and I keep fighting for our rights
The lyrics of Culture's song One A We express the ongoing fight that the Rastafarian community and other marginalized groups face in their struggle for basic human rights. The repeated refrain "I and I keep fighting for our rights" emphasizes the collective spirit of the oppressed, as they unite under the shared history of slavery and colonialism.
The song references historical figures who have fought for the rights of their people, such as Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Paul Bogle. The inclusion of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who are biblical figures known for their bravery in the face of oppression, demonstrates how the fight for equality is a universal struggle. Additionally, the song acknowledges the women who have been integral in the fight for freedom, including Sister Nanny, who was a Jamaican Maroon leader and a resistance fighter against slavery.
The verses also reference the exploitation of African people, as seen in the history of pirates like Henry Morgan and Long John Silver who took part in the slave trade. The lyrics suggest that this injustice has continued in contemporary times, as the old Babylon (a term used by Rastafarians referring to oppressive forces) still perceives black people as "wicked" and denies them their rights.
Overall, One A We is a powerful song that not only highlights the ongoing struggle for equality but also serves as a reminder of the collective strength of the marginalized.
Line by Line Meaning
I and I keep fighting for our rights!
We continue to struggle for our rights!
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, a one a we
These faithful figures from the bible represent us
Messiah Marcus Garvey, a one a we
Marcus Garvey is one of us
Malcolm X as you know him, a one a we
Malcolm X is also with us
Man like Paul Bogle the same one, a one a we
Paul Bogle is one of our own
We are coming through the hands of Henry Morgan
We came through the hands of Henry Morgan
And man like long john silver in a dis ya runnings
Men like Long John Silver played a role in our history
They say our land is also a pirate port
Our land was called a pirate port
That mean they kill my brothers and sisters and take it for sport, don't you know say
This resulted in the killing of our people as sport
A girl like sister nanny a one a we
Sister Nanny is one of us
A man like brother cojo lord a one a we
Brother Cojo is one of us
Man like tacky a one a we
Tacky is one of us
Man like president Tugman a one a we
President Tugman is one of us
Man like brother Bob Marley a one a we
Bob Marley is one of us
But most of all to stand by our side
And most importantly, to stand by our side
As the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Emperor Haile Selassie I and I
Is the King of all Kings- Emperor Haile Selassie, is here with us
Brought us down here on the plantation
We were brought to the plantation as slaves
To work hard and feed everyone
We were forced to work hard and feed others
And when we nuh feed the old Babylon them turn
But when we couldn't provide they rejected us
And call we wicked man
Calling us wicked people
Brought us from Africa to slave we
We were brought from Africa to be enslaved
Whole time on the plantation
Our time on the plantation was prolonged
And when it's time for us to get we pay they say
When it was time to receive our payment they refused and said
Go away you a old black man
Get out of here, you old black man!
Writer(s): Joseph Constantine Hill
Contributed by Eva G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hamzah4792
man like Joseph Hill a one a we
@Hempstone007
Kenya forces fighting in Somalia,,,,,,we want peace, a one we!
@hamzah4792
i wish i could give thousand likes for this great tune
@LoganCharlesII
"Malcolm X as you know him are one a we."
@Clempt90
The most high bless Joseph hill for ever and ever. Musical genius and righteous teacher
@hamzah4792
fire burn whoever dislike this song
@Bmants
One of the best band ever? No question about that, no question at all. In any form of music, not just Reggae. Seal up.
@lawrencenjawe1935
One of my most loved Culture tracks. Spellbinding stuff!!
@shabanchigulu2481
Great song
@wallacechirwa8417
The first time i saw the tape in 1989 culture at work album i bought it big up elders