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)
Pirate Days
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, I, I, chant it out poor
For, peace was in the garden before the pirates came here
Hey, hey
Peace was in the garden before the pirates came here
But when
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Chant it out
Hey, hey
Pirates came and saw this station clean, tell him now
Pirates came and saw about kitchen's garden clean
When eh
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first Tell him who was here
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
(...)
Now people me ask a question
How long do you be in slavery continuedly
Tell them
300 years, 300 years, black man
Tell them again
300 years, 300 years, black man
This garden was beautiful, when
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Chant it out, loud and clear
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
I want teachers tell to the children
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Pastors, please, preach it in the church
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Tell it to them and still on
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Black man was not there for slave
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
He was away from Africa, hey
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Stole him and threw back ship
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
We just can...
The lyrics of Culture's song "Pirate Days" touch on the themes of slavery, colonialism, and the displacement of African people from their homes and history. The opening lines "come out poor" and "chant it out poor" highlight the poverty and oppression faced by black people over the centuries. The lines "peace was in the garden before the pirates came here" and "Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first" refer to the beauty and harmony of Africa before the arrival of Europeans and the scattering of African people across the world.
The song goes on to touch on the period of slavery endured by black people for 300 years, giving voice to the indignity and violence suffered. The lines "black man was not there for slave" and "stole him and threw back ship" speak to the human tragedy of the slave trade and the ongoing legacy of racism and inequality.
Through its powerful lyrics and uplifting reggae beat, "Pirate Days" calls for justice and for the acknowledgement of the cultural heritage and resistance of Africa and its people. It is a plea to remember and to honor the history of those who were taken from their homes and forced to build new lives in the face of unimaginable suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I, I, come out poor
I am impoverished and lack wealth
I, I, I, chant it out poor
I am vocalizing my poverty
For, peace was in the garden before the pirates came here
The garden had a peaceful atmosphere prior to the pirate's invasion
Peace was in the garden before the pirates came here, hey, hey
Reinforcing the previous line
But when Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first, chant it out
Describing how Iwawa was present in the garden prior to the pirates
Pirates came and saw this station clean, tell him now
Pirates invaded the garden and acknowledged it was well-kept
Pirates came and saw about kitchen's garden clean, when eh
Reinforcing the previous line
Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first, tell him who was here
Reinforcing that Iwawa was present prior to the pirates
Now people me ask a question, how long do you be in slavery continuedly, tell them
Posing the question of how long one can be oppressed in slavery and responding with an answer
300 years, 300 years, black man, tell them again
Stating that black people were oppressed for 300 years
This garden was beautiful, when Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Stating that the garden was truly beautiful when Iwawa was present
Chant it out, loud and clear, Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Reinforcing that Iwawa was present before the pirates invaded
I want teachers tell to the children, Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Encouraging educators to teach children about Iwawa's presence in the garden
Pastors, please, preach it in the church, Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Encouraging religious leaders to speak about Iwawa's presence in the garden during sermons
Tell it to them and still on, Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Continuing to stress the importance of acknowledging Iwawa's presence
Black man was not there for slave, Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Emphasizing that black people were not created for the purpose of being slaves, and that Iwawa was still present before their enslavement
He was away from Africa, hey, Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Suggesting that black people were forcibly removed from their rightful home in Africa, yet Iwawa still remained in the garden
Stole him and threw back ship, Iwawa, Iwawa, Iwawa was there first
Describing how black people were kidnapped and forced onto ships, while Iwawa remained present in the garden
We just can...
The song trails off, leaving the listener to ponder the message conveyed about acknowledging and respecting the presence of certain cultures
Writer(s): HILL, DAYES, DALEY
Contributed by Jonathan L. 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.