There are at least two artists that have used this name:
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)

Pay Day
Culture Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Poison the 666 conception now!!
Hey slavedriver!
I'm asking you this question again and again and again
and again
Work police- you false priest!
Trying to indoctrinate Jah people but, (Hear me man)
When will this payday be?
Slavedriver

When will this payday be?
Tell us this hour
When will this payday be?
For these retired slaves (Let me ask you something)
When will this payday be?
Mr. Bigman
When will this payday be?
When will this payday be?
For all these retired slaves (Ya a listen me?)
My forefather worked down here
On this great plantation
True he didn't get no pay
For all their wasted days
Tell us now!
When will this payday be?
Mr. Slavedriver
When will this payday be?
Tell us this hour
When will this payday be?
For all these retired slaves (Lord)
Will this payday be Monday?
Will this payday be Tuesday?
Tell us now!
Will this payday be Wednesday?
Wednesday Jah need a working day (Wednesday can be the
working day)
Can this payday be Thursday?
Ben Johnson day
Can it be Friday?
The Regular Payday!
Will it be Saturday?
Saturday Jean shoemaker wife day
Why don't you give me that (I want it now)
When will this payday be?
Slavedriver
When will this payday be?
Oh, Jah
When will this payday be?
For these retired slaves
Tell us now!
When will this payday be?
You better give me that-
When will this payday be?
Tell us this hour
When will this payday be?
For these retired slaves
You beat my grandmother in the fields
Rape her and call her a prostitute
Fill the land with colored pay bills
From an outlaw's race
Chuh!
When will this payday be?
I'm asking
When will this payday be?
Backra Master the table is turned
When will this payday be?
For these retired slaves
We nuh joke, we nuh take back nuh talk
When will this payday be?
Slavedriver!
When will this payday be?
You'd better give me that
When will this payday be?
For these retired slaves
Bwoy, true!
Mama come suffer, father come suffer
Bad man suffer, pickney come suffer
Brother come, gone a prison

Uncle come, no have no job
When will this payday be?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Culture's "Pay Day" express frustration and anger towards the slave masters who oppressed and exploited their ancestors. The opening line "Poison the 666 conception now!!" sets a confrontational tone, with the reference to 666 representing evil and corruption. The singer then addresses the "slavedriver" and criticizes their attempts to indoctrinate "Jah people" with false beliefs. The repeated question "When will this payday be?" becomes a powerful refrain symbolizing the demand for justice and restitution for the enslaved people who were never fairly compensated for their labor.

The song acknowledges the brutal realities of slavery, with references to the physical and sexual violence inflicted upon the singer's ancestors. The line "You beat my grandmother in the fields, rape her and call her a prostitute" is particularly jarring and emphasizes the deep trauma and pain inflicted on generations of enslaved people. The singer also highlights the ongoing legacy of oppression and poverty, as seen in lines like "Mama come suffer, father come suffer, bad man suffer, pickney come suffer."

Overall, "Pay Day" is a powerful protest against the injustices of slavery and its ongoing impact on marginalized communities. The repeated refrain of "When will this payday be?" represents a demand for accountability and reparations that is still relevant today.

Line by Line Meaning

Poison the 666 conception now!!
Destroy the corrupt and oppressive societal structures that have been implemented (with the number 666 symbolizing evil)!!

Hey slavedriver!
Addressing the people in power who exploit and oppress others!!

I'm asking you this question again and again and again and again
Repeatedly asking when justice will be served and the oppressed will receive proper compensation!!

Work police - you false priest!
Calling out those who use their positions of authority to perpetuate injustice and falsehoods!!

Trying to indoctrinate Jah people but, (Hear me man)
Accusing those in power of attempting to manipulate and control the masses using religion!!

When will this payday be?
Reiterating the question of when the oppressed will finally receive justice and proper compensation!!

Tell us this hour
Demanding an immediate answer!!

For these retired slaves (Let me ask you something)
Asking on behalf of those who have been exploited and oppressed for years and are now unable to work!!

Mr. Bigman
Addressing those in power with sarcastic and mocking language!!

Will this payday be Monday?
Asking if the much-needed compensation will arrive on any given day of the week!!

Wednesday Jah need a working day (Wednesday can be the working day)
Suggesting that Jah, or God, would want a day of work and that perhaps Wednesday should be considered for compensation!!

Can this payday be Thursday? Ben Johnson day Can it be Friday? The Regular Payday!
Asking if the compensation could arrive on either Thursday due to it being associated with Ben Johnson (a famous Jamaican athlete), or Friday which is typically payday!!

Will it be Saturday? Saturday Jean shoemaker wife day
Asking if Saturday could be the day of compensation, possibly because Jean the shoemaker's wife is rumored to have received compensation on this day!!

Why don't you give me that (I want it now)
Expressing frustration and impatience with the lack of compensation and the slow pace of justice!!

You beat my grandmother in the fields Rape her and call her a prostitute Fill the land with colored pay bills From an outlaw's race Chuh!
Calling out the historical and ongoing abuses endured by the oppressed, which include physical and sexual violence, dehumanization, and apartheid-like practices!!

Backra Master the table is turned
Referring to the idea that tables have turned, and those in power will now face consequences for their past misdeeds and exploitation!!

We nuh joke, we nuh take back nuh talk
Asserting that the oppressed will no longer remain silent and will take action to demand justice and liberation!!

Bwoy, true! Mama come suffer, father come suffer Bad man suffer, pickney come suffer Brother come, gone a prison Uncle come, no have no job
Highlighting the widespread suffering endured by multiple generations of oppressed people due to the actions of the powerful!!

Slavedriver! You'd better give me that
Demanding that the slavedrivers, or exploiters, finally provide the much-needed compensation and justice!!

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: HILL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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