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/
Sweet Africa
Don Carlos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh sweet Africa
Oh, mother Africa
They love to play their drum song
Woo-oh, oh their drum song,
Yeah
They play it with sweet melody
Even the birds are singing in the trees
'Cause it makes I feel irie,
Oh yeah Oh well, oh yeah
Oooh, oh sweet Africa
Oh, mother Africa
They love to play their drum song
Oh well,
Oh their drum song,
Yeah
Under the banner of the red, gold and green
Where the living is cool and clean
I don't care about
The rumours that they are spreading
I wanna see the face of the emperor
Oh, over in Africa,
Yeah(.)
Oooh, sweet, sweet Africa
Oh, mother Africa
They love to play their drum song
They love to play their drum song
They play it with sweet melody
Even the birds are singing in the trees
I love to smoke my sensi
'Cause it makes I feel irie in Africa
Oh, over in Africa,
Yeah
Oooh, sweet, sweet Africa
Oh, mother Africa
They love to play their drum song
Woo oh, oh-oh their drum song, yeah
Under the banner of the red, gold and green
Where the living is cool and clean in Africa
Oh, over in Africa, oh well
Oooh, in Africa, over in Africa
They love to play their drum song
They love to play their drum song, oh-oh
The song "Sweet Africa" by Don Carlos celebrates the beauty, culture, and music of Africa. The song opens with the artist calling out to the continent, referring to it as both "sweet Africa" and "mother Africa." He talks about the love that the people of Africa have for their drum songs and how they play them with sweet melody that even birds sing in the trees. Don Carlos then shares his love for smoking his sensi (marijuana) because it makes him feel irie (good vibes) in Africa.
The artist acknowledges that there may be rumors spreading about the continent but he doesn't care about them. He only wants to see the face of the emperor in Africa. He ends the song by repeating his love for Africa and the people's love for playing their drum songs.
Throughout the song, Don Carlos uses repetition and imagery to paint a vivid picture of Africa. He repeats the phrase "they love to play their drum song" several times to emphasize the importance of music in the culture. He also uses imagery to describe the beauty of Africa, mentioning the birds singing in the trees and the living being cool and clean under the banner of the red, gold, and green.
Overall, "Sweet Africa" is a tribute to the beauty and culture of Africa while also acknowledging the challenges that the continent may face. Don Carlos celebrates the love of music and the vibrancy of the people while also dreaming of seeing the emperor's face.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooh,
Expressing awe and admiration for Africa and its people
Oh sweet Africa
Referencing the beauty and sweetness of Africa
Oh, mother Africa
Addressing Africa as the motherland and the source of all life
They love to play their drum song
Highlighting the importance of music and rhythm in African culture
Woo-oh, oh their drum song,
Repeating the importance of drumming in African music
Yeah
Affirming the statement
They play it with sweet melody
Emphasizing the beauty and harmony of African music
Even the birds are singing in the trees
Describing the impact of African music on nature and the environment
I love to smoke my sensi
Admitting to enjoying cannabis and attributing its effect to a sense of happiness and well-being
'Cause it makes I feel irie,
Explaining that smoking cannabis leads to a state of happiness and peace
Oh yeah Oh well, oh yeah
Expressing satisfaction and approval
Under the banner of the red, gold and green
Referencing the colors of the Pan-African flag, symbolizing unity and solidarity among African nations
Where the living is cool and clean
Describing an idealized version of Africa as a place that is comfortable and free from pollution
I don't care about
Dismissing any negative rumors or stereotypes about Africa
The rumours that they are spreading
Referring to negative stereotypes and misconceptions about Africa and its people
I wanna see the face of the emperor
Expressing a desire to connect with the history and culture of Africa, specifically referencing the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie
Yeah(.)
Affirming the statement
Oooh, sweet, sweet Africa
Continuing to express admiration and love for Africa
They love to play their drum song
Reiterating the importance of music in African culture
They play it with sweet melody
Repeating the idea of the harmony and beauty of African music
I love to smoke my sensi
Repeating the idea of the positive effects of cannabis
'Cause it makes I feel irie in Africa
Connecting the sense of well-being with the environment of Africa
Oh, over in Africa,
Referring specifically to Africa as a place that brings joy and happiness
Yeah
Affirming the statement
Under the banner of the red, gold and green
Repeating the symbolism of African unity and solidarity
Where the living is cool and clean in Africa
Repeating the idealized vision of Africa as a comfortable and clean place
Oh, over in Africa, oh well
Reiterating the positive associations with Africa
Oooh, in Africa, over in Africa
Repeating the focus on Africa as the source of joy and inspiration
They love to play their drum song
Repeating the importance of music in African culture
They love to play their drum song, oh-oh
Reiterating the point about the significance of drumming in African music
Writer(s): Thompson Linval, Euvin Spencer
Contributed by Christian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@matheusmarques7009
Idk why this song still doesent have 1million views
@codyf5603
this is my jam. i just feel weird singing this in my house because im Native american and and my neighbors are African american... hahaha
@the1truth420
I'm white and still bump this shit for the birds in trees while I smoke my sensi