In 1999, Gentleman released his first album Trodin on and in 2002, his 2nd longplayer Journey to Jah. His album Confidence climbed to number 1 on the German album charts in 2004.
2007: Another Intensity
His career began with the collaboration of the band Freundekreis which produced the song “Tabula Rasa.” After beginning his career as dancehall deejay , his music oriented to the classic form of the reggae, as it was between 1970 and 1985, with artists as Bob Marley, Max Romeo, Jacob Miller, Junior Murvin, Devon Irons, Burning Spear and Black Uhuru. He sings mainly in Jamaica Patois English. With songs like “Send A Prayer” Gentleman expresses his deep belief in God from an universal religious persepctive. His album Confidence climbed to number 1 on the German album charts in 2004.
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Gentleman is also an Indie(ish) band from Maryland. Members of The Summer We Went West, Dawn Treader, Monument, etc.
Roots
Gentleman Lyrics
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Brighta days
Dig it now, woo
I carry wata to di root, yeah
I know where I am going 'cause I know where we a come from
Tell me, who knows the truth yeah?
Everybody run nobody know where we a run from
Ich komm' zurück in meinen Bezirk und weiß dann wieder, wohin es geht
So viel passiert, doch es bestimmt mein' Weg
Sie schmieden Pläne, aber alles Fantasie hoch zehn
Schreiben mir auf Insta, doch ich tu' als hätt' ich's nicht gesehen
Fühle mich bombe, immer wieder nur auf Tour mit der Bande
Was laberst du mich zu, mein hombre?
Ja ja, lass gut sein, danke
Wir sind weder Brüder noch blutsverwandt
Ein Gramm Kokain und du wirst zur Schlampe
Ich wusste, dass ich deine Zukunft kannte
Was siehst du mich so an?
Okay, du ziehst 'ne Gun
Doch sie ist nicht geladen, du Piç
Kommst ohne Munition, doch du erklärst mir den Krieg
I carry wata to di root, yeah
I know where I am going 'cause I know where we a come from
Tell me, who knows the truth yeah?
Everybody run nobody know where we a run from
We gotta understand a man is just a man
Sometimes we right and sometimes aren't
But we never ever forget our foundation
Come mek we shorten our future plans
Ich geb' nur Herz für was ich liebe
Wären es nicht hundert Prozent, wär' dieser Song eine Intrige
1998 rauch' ich Weed, im Radio läuft „Tabula Rasa“
Heut singt Gentleman die Hook, einfach unfassbar
Ich komm' zurück in mein' Bezirk, suche, was von damals hinterblieben ist
Ess' mit den selben Jungs im selben Pizzaimbiss
Sie schickt Küsse, weil sie in mich verliebt ist
Doch ihre Attitüde riecht nach Business
Wo ich gewohnt hab', sorgten Drogen für Wohlstand
Jetzt sing' ich nur, „yo!“, ins Mikro und hol' meinen Lohn ab
Sie fragen nach der Show nur, was ich verdiene
Kommen mit Messer und erzählen was von Frieden
I carry wata to di root, yeah
I know where I am going 'cause I know where we a come from
Tell me, who knows the truth yeah?
Everybody run nobody know where we a run from
We gotta understand a man is just a man
Sometimes we right and sometimes aren't
But we never ever forget our foundation
Come mek we shorten our future plans
Ich geb' nur Herz für was ich liebe
Wären es nicht hundert Prozent, wär' dieser Song eine Intrige
Um mich herum Kommerzpop auf Bravo Hits
Meine Stimme, Schock, Höhenangst vor der Perspektive
Too much confusion, travel inna a place away from illusion
So I put my shoes on, never forget my roots when I move on
Can't put no blues on, everybody move fast we just cruise on
Actions fi choose from, here is the sound of the wickedest fusion
Never forget where we from
While we are throu the jungle of danger in temptation
Seh dem no second to none
This is RAF Camora, Gentleman, now what a musical explosion
I carry wata to di root, yeah
I know where I am going 'cause I know where we a come from
Tell me, who knows the truth yeah?
Everybody run nobody know where we a run from
We gotta understand a man is just a man
Sometimes we right and sometimes aren't
But we never ever forget our foundation
Come mek we shorten our future plansan
Dun know seh, we come a long way
We still around
Still I mek music
A wha do dem man bomboclath
See them silent now
Nothing left fi seh
Remember empty barrel mek di most noise enuh
The lyrics to "Roots" by Gentleman and RAF Camora reflect themes of self-reflection, resilience, and staying true to one's roots. The song begins with the idea of carrying water to the root, symbolizing the importance of staying connected to one's origins and knowing where you come from. It highlights the struggle of seeking truth and running away from unknown influences. The lyrics also touch upon the challenges faced when returning to one's neighborhood and trying to navigate through changing circumstances. It emphasizes the need to stay grounded and not lose sight of one's foundations, even in the face of temptation and confusion.
The song also explores personal experiences and the growth of both artists. Gentleman reflects on his journey in the music industry, from smoking weed in 1998 to collaborating with RAF Camora on this track. He reminisces about his old neighborhood and the camaraderie he still shares with his friends. However, he also acknowledges the changes that occur over time, as relationships become more complicated and business-oriented.
Overall, "Roots" encourages listeners to remain true to themselves, to remember their roots, and to navigate through life's challenges while maintaining their integrity.
Line by Line Meaning
I carry wata to di root, yeah
I stay true to my roots and carry the essence of my culture with me
I know where I am going 'cause I know where we a come from
I have a clear sense of direction because I understand my origins
Tell me, who knows the truth yeah?
Who really has knowledge of the true reality?
Everybody run nobody know where we a run from
Everyone is running away, but no one knows what they are running from
Ich komm' zurück in meinen Bezirk und weiß dann wieder, wohin es geht
I return to my neighborhood and regain my sense of purpose
So viel passiert, doch es bestimmt mein' Weg
Despite everything that happens, I remain determined in my path
Sie schmieden Pläne, aber alles Fantasie hoch zehn
Others make plans, but they are all just wild fantasies
Schreiben mir auf Insta, doch ich tu' als hätt' ich's nicht gesehen
People message me on Instagram, but I ignore them as if I haven't seen it
Fühle mich bombe, immer wieder nur auf Tour mit der Bande
I feel amazing, always on tour with my crew
Was laberst du mich zu, mein hombre?
Why are you talking to me, my man?
Ja ja, lass gut sein, danke
Yes, yes, let it be, thanks
Wir sind weder Brüder noch blutsverwandt
We are neither brothers nor blood relatives
Ein Gramm Kokain und du wirst zur Schlampe
One gram of cocaine and you become a mess
Ich wusste, dass ich deine Zukunft kannte
I knew that I understood your future
Was siehst du mich so an?
Why are you staring at me?
Okay, du ziehst 'ne Gun
Okay, you pull out a gun
Doch sie ist nicht geladen, du Piç
But it's not loaded, you fool
Kommst ohne Munition, doch du erklärst mir den Krieg
You come without ammunition, yet you declare war on me
We gotta understand a man is just a man
We need to realize that everyone is equal
Sometimes we right and sometimes aren't
Sometimes we make the right choices and sometimes we don't
But we never ever forget our foundation
But we never forget where we come from
Come mek we shorten our future plans
Let's simplify our future plans
Ich geb' nur Herz für was ich liebe
I only give my heart to what I love
Wären es nicht hundert Prozent, wär' dieser Song eine Intrige
If it wasn't a hundred percent, this song would be a deception
1998 rauch' ich Weed, im Radio läuft „Tabula Rasa“
In 1998, I smoked weed while listening to 'Tabula Rasa' on the radio
Heut singt Gentleman die Hook, einfach unfassbar
Today, Gentleman sings the chorus, simply incredible
Ich komm' zurück in mein' Bezirk, suche, was von damals hinterblieben ist
I return to my district, searching for what remains from the past
Ess' mit den selben Jungs im selben Pizzaimbiss
I eat with the same guys at the same pizza place
Sie schickt Küsse, weil sie in mich verliebt ist
She sends kisses because she is in love with me
Doch ihre Attitüde riecht nach Business
But her attitude reeks of business
Wo ich gewohnt hab', sorgten Drogen für Wohlstand
Where I used to live, drugs provided prosperity
Jetzt sing' ich nur, „yo!“, ins Mikro und hol' meinen Lohn ab
Now I just sing 'yo!' into the mic and collect my earnings
Sie fragen nach der Show nur, was ich verdiene
After the show, they only ask about my earnings
Kommen mit Messer und erzählen was von Frieden
They come with knives and talk about peace
Too much confusion, travel inna a place away from illusion
Too much confusion, moving away from the realm of illusion
So I put my shoes on, never forget my roots when I move on
So I wear my shoes and always remember my roots as I progress
Can't put no blues on, everybody move fast we just cruise on
Can't bring any negativity, everyone moves fast as we cruise
Actions fi choose from, here is the sound of the wickedest fusion
Many actions to choose from, this is the sound of a powerful fusion
Never forget where we from
Never forget our origins
While we are throu the jungle of danger in temptation
While we navigate through the dangerous temptations of life
Seh dem no second to none
See them, they are unmatched
This is RAF Camora, Gentleman, now what a musical explosion
This is RAF Camora, Gentleman, creating a powerful musical explosion
Dun know seh, we come a long way
You should know that we have come a long way
We still around
We are still present
Still I mek music
Still, I continue to make music
A wha do dem man bomboclath
What's wrong with those people, dammit
See them silent now
They are silent now
Nothing left fi seh
There's nothing left to say
Remember empty barrel mek di most noise enuh
Remember, it is the empty barrel that makes the most noise
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Raphael Ragucci, Tilmann Otto, Pascal Woelki, Tim Wilke, David Kraft
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind