There are at least two artists using the name Don Carlos:

1) Italian… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists using the name Don Carlos:

1) Italian deep house producer and DJ Carlo Troja
2) Jamaican reggae singer and composer

1) Carlo Troja aka Don Carlos hails from Varese, in the North of Italy, and is active as a DJ from the late 70's.

He debuted as a producer towards the end of the 80's with the single 'Alone' on Calypso Records (Irma), which became one of the cult tracks of the international Deep House scene. His productions have always mixed House rhythms with afro-american jazz sounds, verging sometime towards disco, sometime towards progressive house or electronic soul.

In 1992 IRMA USA released his first album 'Mediterraneo', followed in 1993 by the Montego Bay project, produced together with Stefano Tirone (S-Tone Inc.), also on IRMA. He then released some singles on the Chicago based label Guidance under the Aquanauts moniker. He also reached the UK charts with the hit 'You Make Me Feel', sung by Byron Stingley, cover of the cult song by Sylvester.

In 2000 he released a single on Erik Morillo's Subliminal Soul label and played highly acclaimed gigs at Ministry of Sound and Turnmills in London. In 2002 he released his third album 'Music in My Mind' featuring top guest vocalists like Kim Mazelle, Michelle Weeks, Taka Boom and Kevin Bryant.

Following two mixed compilations ('Cafe De Paris Saint Tropez' and 'DJ Set') in 2004 IRMA released a collection of his 90's productions titled 'Mediterraneo', like his debut US album.

After that a serious car accident kept him away from clubs and recording studio for several months. Finally back in shape he released his fourth album 'The Cool Deep', 8 years since the previous one, which includes all the unreleased material produced during this time.

2) Don Carlos (born Euvin Spencer) was born and raised in one of the most deprived regions of Western Kingston, Jamaica, in a district known as Waterhouse. It was also a musical spawning ground for many of Reggae's greatest talents, such as King Tubby, The Jays, Junior Reid and King Jammy. Don Carlos started his singing career in 1973, as one of the original members of the roots vocal group Black Uhuru.

Alongside other founding members, Don played a prominent role in the recordings of the highly acclaimed Love Crisis album for producer Prince Jammy in 1977. The album was later re-released and re-titled as Black Sounds of Freedom. A year after the trio's ground breaking debut, Don Carlos surprisingly decided to part company in pursuit of a solo career. Having needed at least three years to get the grips of being a soloist, plus developing a knack for song writing and grooming that distinctive, vocal styling it wasn't until May 1981 that Carlos really took the fraternity by storm, courtesy of a heavy, roots and culture flavored show case album Suffering for Negus Roots.

Since then, working alongside Goldie, his side kick, co-writer and back-up vocalist, having built and consolidated a staunch following through touring the live circuit--plus 12 solo albums--there has been no turning back.

Artist website: http://www.doncarlosreggae.com/

Dice Cup
Don Carlos Lyrics

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Dice cup, dice cup, dice cup, dice cup
Everytime I heard the sound of the dice cup, (dice cup)
I remember how I've lost in an unfair game (unfair game)
A idren come with a loaded dice
And we started to play
And every throw he throw it was an hit woah woah woah yes
And every nicky nick, it's a double six
Oh me say bar, bar, bar the dice now star woah woah woah yeah

Oh me say bar, bar, bar the dice now star
Oh oh oh yeah
Shake up the cup and throw the dice
And make it throw make me see what it a-play
Cos if it play the single to six
Then I know it's an unfair game
Bar, bar, bar the dice now star
Woah, woah, woah yeah
Oh me say, bar, bar, bar the dice now star ooh oh yes
I've made an objection but the house didn't tap to enquire
Then I know that the house was in favour of the unfair player ooh

Bar, bar, bar the dice now star
Woah, woah, woah yeah
Oh me say, bar, bar, bar the dice now star
Ooh oh, yes
The dice cup, dice cup
The dice cup, dice cup
Dice cup, dice cup, dice cup, dice cup
Everytime I heard the sound of the dice cup, (dice cup)
I remember how I've lost in an unfair game (woah oh yes)
A brethrin come with a loaded dice
And we started to play
And every throw he throw it was an hit woah woah woah yes
And every nicky nick it's a double six
Oh me say bar, bar, bar the dice now star woah woah woah yeah
Oh me say bar, bar, bar the dice now star
Oh oh oh yeah
Shake up the cup and throw the dice
And make it throw make me see what it a play

Cos if it play the single to six
Then I know it's an unfair game

Overall Meaning

The song "Dice Cup" by Don Carlos talks about the frustration and disappointment of losing a game that was rigged from the start. Every time the singer hears the sound of the dice cup, it brings back memories of playing against someone who had loaded dice, and every throw was in their favor. Despite protesting and objecting, the house didn't do anything to rectify the situation, suggesting that they were in favor of the unfair player.

The lyrics are a metaphor for life's unfairness and how some people cheat to get ahead, leaving others feeling defeated and hopeless. The dice cup symbolizes the uncertainty of life, and how we never know what we're going to get. The repeated phrase "bar, bar, bar the dice now star" is a plea for justice and for someone to intervene and stop the dishonesty.

Line by Line Meaning

Dice cup, dice cup, dice cup, dice cup
The repetition of the phrase symbolizes the sound of the dice cup being shaken, which brings up memories of a past experience.

Everytime I heard the sound of the dice cup, (dice cup)
The sound of the dice cup triggers memories of a previous game.

I remember how I've lost in an unfair game (unfair game)
The person recalls a game where they lost, and that the game wasn't fair.

A idren come with a loaded dice
Someone came with weighted dice.

And we started to play
The people involved in the game began to play.

And every throw he throw it was an hit woah woah woah yes
The other player always had good luck with their rolls.

And every nicky nick, it's a double six
The other player always rolled double sixes.

Oh me say bar, bar, bar the dice now star woah woah woah yeah
The person singing suggests stopping the game because it's not fair.

Oh me say bar, bar, bar the dice now star
The person singing repeats the suggestion to end the game.

Shake up the cup and throw the dice
The person suggests reshuffling the dice and rolling again.

And make it throw make me see what it a-play
The person wants to see the outcome of the new roll.

Cos if it play the single to six
If the roll is a single to six, it's a sign that the game isn't fair.

Then I know it's an unfair game
The person would recognize that the game is unfair if the roll is a single to six.

I've made an objection but the house didn't tap to enquire
The person tried to raise an issue with the referee, but they didn't seem to care or investigate.

Then I know that the house was in favour of the unfair player ooh
The person realizes that the referee or house was on the side of the unfair player.

Writer(s): Henry Junjo Lawes, Euvin Mccallus Spencer

Contributed by Lauren S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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