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)
So Long
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Calling Rastafari
Calling Rastafari
Calling Rastafari (for who)
For I and for I (ooh yeah)
For I and for I (shout it out)
Send I and I on
Send I and I on (oh Jah)
Send I and I on
For I come to Zion
For I come to Zion (eeh-yeah)
For I come to Zion (and that's why)
Calling Rastafari
Calling Rastafari
Calling Rastafari
For I and for I (eeh-yeah)
For I and for I (only Jah Jah knows oh-yeh)
(.)
Many will be called
Many will be called
Many will be called
A few shall be chosen (eeh-yeah)
A few shall be chosen (and dats a fact dat)
A few shall be chosen (and that's why)
Calling Rastafari (?.by my head.)
Calling Rastafari (oh Jah)
Calling Rastafari (for who)
For I and for I (shout it out)
For I and for I (Jah Rasta for I)
For I and for I (oh Jah)
For I and for I (Rootsman I & I ay)
For I and for I (faster Babylon on-ya)
For I and for I (stay away leader)
For I and for I.
The lyrics of Culture's song So Long can be seen as a call to Rastafarianism, an Abrahamic religion that originated in Jamaica in the 1930s. In the song, the singer calls out to Jah (a name for God in Rastafarianism) several times, stating that they come to Zion (often used as another name for Ethiopia, the birthplace of Rastafarianism) and that they are sent by Jah. The repeated phrase "For I and for I" suggests a personal connection to Jah, and a belief that Rastafarianism is a religion for individuals, rather than a collective belief system.
The chorus of the song, "Many will be called, a few shall be chosen," is a reference to a line from the Bible, specifically Matthew 22:14, which states "For many are called, but few are chosen." In Rastafarianism, this could be interpreted as a belief that not everyone who believes in Jah will attain the ultimate goal of living with him in Zion.
The lyrics also contain several criticisms of Babylon (a term used in Rastafarianism to refer to oppressive powers), such as "faster Babylon on-ya" and "stay away leader." These can be interpreted as a call to resist oppressive forces and stay true to one's Rastafarian beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh Jah really, real just now
Addressing Jah, expressing awe in His presence
Calling Rastafari
Invoking the name of Rastafari
Calling Rastafari
Invoking the name of Rastafari
Calling Rastafari (for who)
Questioning who is being called upon the name of Rastafari
For I and for I (ooh yeah)
Emphasizing that the call to Rastafari is for oneself
For I and for I (shout it out)
Reiterating that the call to Rastafari is for oneself
For I and for I
Continuing to emphasize that the call to Rastafari is for oneself
Send I and I on
Asking for guidance and blessing from Jah to continue on one's journey
Send I and I on (oh Jah)
Reinforcing the request for guidance and blessing from Jah
Send I and I on
Continuing to ask for guidance and blessing from Jah
For I come to Zion
Declaring one's intention to reach Zion, a symbol of spiritual enlightenment
For I come to Zion (eeh-yeah)
Reiterating one's intention to reach Zion
For I come to Zion (and that's why)
Explaining that one's journey is motivated by reaching Zion
Calling Rastafari
Invoking the name of Rastafari
Calling Rastafari
Invoking the name of Rastafari
Calling Rastafari
Invoking the name of Rastafari
For I and for I (eeh-yeah)
Reiterating that the call to Rastafari is for oneself
For I and for I (only Jah Jah knows oh-yeh)
Emphasizing that Jah knows the true nature of the call to Rastafari
(.)
Instrumental break
Many will be called
Expressing that many will be called upon to follow Jah
Many will be called
Reiterating that many will be called upon to follow Jah
Many will be called
Continuing to express that many will be called upon to follow Jah
A few shall be chosen (eeh-yeah)
Explaining that only a select few will be chosen by Jah
A few shall be chosen (and dats a fact dat)
Asserting that only a few will be chosen, with certainty
A few shall be chosen (and that's why)
Explaining the reason behind the selection process
Calling Rastafari (?.by my head.)
Invoking the name of Rastafari, with a possible gesture of respect
Calling Rastafari (oh Jah)
Invoking the name of Rastafari and addressing Jah
Calling Rastafari (for who)
Questioning who is being called upon the name of Rastafari
For I and for I (shout it out)
Reiterating that the call to Rastafari is for oneself, with enthusiasm
For I and for I (Jah Rasta for I)
Affirming that Jah Rastafari is one's personal savior
For I and for I (oh Jah)
Addressing Jah and reiterating that the call to Rastafari is for oneself
For I and for I (Rootsman I & I ay)
Identifying as a rootsman, a follower of the Rastafari movement
For I and for I (faster Babylon on-ya)
Encouraging fellow Rastafarians to persevere against oppressive forces
For I and for I (stay away leader)
Cautioning against corrupt leaders who may lead astray
For I and for I.
Emphasizing that the call to Rastafari is for oneself
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@orapelengmokgeledi9764
Jah
So long Babylon fool I
So long
So long Babylon fool I
So long
For the enemies are around I
Trying to devour I
So long Babylon fool I
So long
So long Babylon just starve I
So long
So long Babylon just starve I
So long
For the rich men, them, them have it
Them no want to give to Natty
So long Babylon just fool I
So long
Jah
So long Babylon hide the truth from I
So long
Jah
Rastafari
So long Babylon hide the truth from I
So long
For them take my copy version
And left me King James version
So long Babylon hide the truth from I
So long
Long time, dread
Yes I, seen
So long I call I
So long
So long I call I
So long
Watch that, brethren
Rastaman
Way Babylon
Way Babylon
Way Babylon
Dread
Fire
(...)
Jah
Rastafari
So long them rule I with them guns and bionic
So long
So long them rule I with guns and bionic
So long
For the enemies are around I
Trying to devour us
Them rule I long time with guns and bionic
So long
So long we want go a Africa
So long
Long time I
Yes I, seen
So long we want go a Africa
So long
Nyabinghi
Nyabinghi
For the Babylon them poor I
No want fe I go
So long I want go in Africa
So long
Long time I
Long time begging
(Joseph Hill talks)
So long Babylon no want hear right
So long
Jah
Rastafari
So long Babylon them no want hear right
So long
His Imperial Majesty I
Selassie I
Jah
Rastafari
Almighty God
For the enemies are around I
Trying to devour I
So long
So long, so long, long, long time
So long
A long, long, long, long time
So long
What a long, long, long time
So long
Long Congo Natty Dread
So long
Bongo, Bongo, I and I
So long
What that Selassie I
So long
I and I Selassie I
So long
I and I dreadlocks style
So long
Jah-Jah children want go home
So long
Long, long, long time
Bong' long Natty Dread, bong' long Natty Dread, bong' long
So long
Jah
We want go home now
So long
Free up the calice now
So long
So long
Right now
@merlindanorman6356
Give thanks for the Elevated Vibes. More 'Do Good" Sounds.
@esselababio4633
This man was more than reggae Artist thank you Mr Joseph hill culture
@seiduibrahim4456
Me love JOSEPH HILL so much.🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇧🇫🇧🇫🇧🇫
@anitahoughton7494
Heard this in Kenya 1991. Love it!
@andrewsnketia1939
Me too
@chesengeny
Kenya is a home of reggae, playing it now
@jayxtacee5695
Malawi 93'
@jamaaldavidson1285
Culture boss' and love love love love ❤️
@thomaswafula6663
It wont be for long brother Jose,truth will reveal...uplifting tune
@Iamgroot685
so long my friend Joseph.