He started out in the mid-1980s deejaying on various sound systems and even recording the occasional track under the moniker "Little Bimbo". By the first part of the 90s, his locks had grown out and he went from deejay to singer, changing his name to Garnett Silk.
Silk was born Garnett Daymon Smith (2 April, 1966) in the Brumalia district of Mandeville, Jamaica. He was taken under the wing of Rasta deejay Tony Rebel and introduced to Sugar Minott's Youthman Promotion sound system, which had a hand in recruiting many young acts who later became international stars.
Along with Rebel, Silk reintroduced Rastafarianism into a dancehall scene which by 1992 had become nearly overwrought with X-rated and violent lyrics. He burst on the scene recording many hit tunes and albums, including "Nothing Can Divide Us", "It's Growing" and "100% Silk".
Tragically a fire at his mother's house on 9 December 1994 killed both Garnett and his mother (with Garnett first escaping then giving up his own life trying to save his mother's). The Jamaican reggae scene was shocked by his death and it is a testament to his talent and his amazing voice that his music is still selling worldwide today, possibly stronger now than it did before his untimely demise.
Hello Africa
Garnett Silk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You see all dem people whey you see over deh so
Don't pay dem nuh mind
Dem is just one set a people who have nothing to do
With the development and upliftment of I and I as a race
But watch this
Well it's Anthony be , Buju Banton and Garnett Silk
Mama Africa, Mama Africa
Chorus:
Hello Mama Africa
How are you?
I'm feeling find
And I hope you're fine too
Hello Mama Africa
How are you?
I hope when you hear these words
Your grays turn blue, grays turn blue
Verse 1:
I will break these chains
Of their subhuman bondage
Scatter all the remains
With negative thoughts in diverse places
Posses the state of mind to declare anytime
Say Mama Africa a yours and mine
Own a continent no island never deh pon mi mind
This was well-orchestrated plan from long time
Soon I shall be home and everything will be fine
When you see the lion running wild know that is a sign
Of an ancient order royal and divine
With all the natural resource to satisfy mankind
Chorus
Verse 2:
Who say so?
Marcus Mosiah
Listen Mr. be
Marcus tell I
Black starliner gonna carry us home
I know it's true
What will you do you don't want to be left alone
I've been waiting watching from the distant shore
At every passing vessel my teardrops flow
Could it be in my direction it goes
Beaulah land beckons trod home trod home
Chorus
Verse 3:
The sweetest things are there to be found
The golden sunshine
The wind blows around
The fresh vegetation which comes from the earth
Oh Mama Africa you make me know what life is worth
Chorus
The lyrics of Garnett Silk's song Mama Africa reflect an overwhelming sense of pride and love for the African continent. The song is directed towards Mama Africa, a term often used to refer to Africa as the motherland. The opening verse is a dismissal of individuals who are not concerned with the upliftment of the African race. The song's artists, Anthony B, Buju Banton, and Garnett Silk are determined to break the chains of subhuman bondage and scatter negative thoughts. They consider Mama Africa theirs and will declare it in their state of minds. Homecoming is a significant theme in the song, as the artists believe that returning to Africa will make everything fine. They see the potential in the continent's natural resources to satisfy mankind. Marcus Mosiah, a reference to Rastafarian leader Marcus Garvey, prophesizes that the Black starliner will carry them, and they won't be left alone. The song's final verse highlights the beauty of Africa, the golden sun, the wind, and fresh vegetation, and expresses gratitude for making them appreciate what life is worth.
Line by Line Meaning
You see all dem people whey you see over deh so
Ignore those people over there, they have nothing to do with our race's development and upliftment
Don't pay dem nuh mind
Don't pay them any attention
Dem is just one set a people who have nothing to do
They are just a group of people not involved with our progress
With the development and upliftment of I and I as a race
Concerning the advancement of our race
Well it's Anthony B, Buju Banton and Garnett Silk
Anthony B, Buju Banton, and Garnett Silk are present
Mama Africa, Mama Africa
Hello Mama Africa
Hello Mama Africa, How are you?
Greetings Mama Africa, how are you?
I'm feeling fine, And I hope you're fine too
I'm doing well, and I hope the same is for you too
I hope when you hear these words, Your grays turn blue, grays turn blue
I hope these words make you feel happy and cheerful
I will break these chains, Of their subhuman bondage
I will free them from their inhumane oppression
Scatter all the remains, With negative thoughts in diverse places
I will remove all traces of their negative thoughts from various locations
Posses the state of mind to declare anytime, Say Mama Africa a yours and mine
Have the mentality to state that we own Africa at any time, Mama Africa is ours
Own a continent no island never deh pon mi mind, This was well-orchestrated plan from long time
I don't think about owning an island, just the continent. This was a long-term plan
Soon I shall be home and everything will be fine, When you see the lion running wild know that is a sign
I will return home soon and everything will be alright. The sight of a wild lion is symbolic
Of an ancient order royal and divine, With all the natural resource to satisfy mankind
It represents a royal and divine ancient order that provides all the natural resources for humans
Who say so? Marcus Mosiah, Listen Mr. be, Marcus tell I
Who said that? Marcus Mosiah did, and Mr. be is telling me
Black starliner gonna carry us home, I know it's true
The Black Star Line will take us home, and I believe it
What will you do you don't want to be left alone
What will you do to not be left behind?
I've been waiting watching from the distant shore, At every passing vessel my teardrops flow
I've been waiting and watching from a far-off shore, and tears flow from my eyes at each passing ship
Could it be in my direction it goes, Beaulah land beckons trod home trod home
Will it come towards me? The promised land of Beaulah is calling me home
The sweetest things are there to be found, The golden sunshine
The best things are in Africa, like the warm sunshine
The wind blows around, The fresh vegetation which comes from the earth
The wind blows through the fresh vegetation that grows from the earth
Oh Mama Africa you make me know what life is worth
Mama Africa, you show me the value of life
Lyrics © SUELION MUSIC
Written by: KEITH BLAIR, RICHARD BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@overthewebb
I'm a White guy from Britain around 41 yrs now, and when I grew up in a part of England with a big Jamaican community, so I grew up with Bob, Old skool Ragga and Dance hall tunes, also Eddy Grant, UB40 of course for ours putting in. Garnett Silk was the guy I was hoping would replace Bob or at least do a slightly as good Jamaican Reggae sound. Then he dies, tragic. Great music as well.
@raywright2401
yeah... such a coincidence that he dies suddenly too...
@manassehdawkins4826
Greg W this song was always playin inbbrixton. I think he was the closest to replacement for bob but he died . Garnet always stood out from the rest when I was a kid
@youlittlerocket
Hi Greg, would you be a brummie by any chance?
@lucretiamosley9548
The i was killed but how ever still blessed
@stephanieking5542
My mother is british and grew up with jamaicans and before she passed away recently july 15 2019 she was a big reggae fan
@MiszVeeVee
I'd just like to thank everybody for continuously watching this video. Garnett Silk will live on forever. No doubt
@music-kb7fn
MiszVeeVee his music doesnt get old i still love this man voice i still remember his death like yesterday what a lost to the jamaican music industry i always wonder where would jah cure be had this man be still alive both has a good voice both are very good artist but something about SILK NO ONE COMES CLOSE
@THANEWTRIBE
+MiszVeeVee I can guess you are from Dominica!! Greetings from Kenya Africa, I have lots of friends from Portsmouth and Roseau. I am so sorry for what hurricane Erika did to your country Jah bless you all!!
@michaelpowell2475
+music Jamaica is Africa,,,, the root of all regardless of flag and language.. bless epic tune