From Hanover he moved to St. James where hie attended school and ultimately growing into a mild mannered young man. While in St. James Ginjah realized that „Music is mi life“, and in 1994 he moved to Central Village, Spanish Town where he had his first Studio-Session at the age of seventeen! This Studio was no others than the illustrious King Jammy´s, home to many giants in the music business. Although Ginjah was ready for the world, having now been exposed to critics of an acclaimed studio such as Jammy´s the world has not yet become aware of his musical talents, so he made the best of his time while in Central Village helping to organize a Young People Talent Search for his home community. He not only saw local talent but showcased his own which gave him valuable experience which he would use later on. In 1999 he cought the ear of Beres Hammond who instantly became convinced of the potential of this young man. He was immediatly invited by Beres Hammond to his Harmony House Label. In 2000 Beres label opened his door to Ginjah where he began his early recordings.
No sooner than 2001 he was on tour with Beres Hammond on his Caribbean Tour. That year Ginjah opened several shows streching across the major caribbean cities leaving behind a trail of satisfied patrons wanting for more. Ginjah went on touring with Beres throughout the world, places including Europe, Canada, USA & Japan. Over the period of 4 years, he has performed at allmost every major Reggae-Event across the world except Africa. At 2004 he performed at Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica immediately followed by Pop Icon Lionel Richie and gave a good account to himself to the surprise of everybody there.
Get Up Now
Ginjah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the first verse of Ginjah's song "Get Up Now," he addresses the violence and dangers faced by the youth in broad daylight. He emphasizes that these dangers don't only occur at night, as one might expect, but they are constant and ever-present. The line "when you hear thunder roll a nuh lightning a Strike" suggests that the threats faced are not always obvious or predictable, comparing them to the surprise of thunder without a subsequent lightning strike. Instead, the dangers come in the form of gun violence, where the mouth of the rifle opens, and faces are wounded.
Ginjah goes on to criticize those who speak about peace but do not actually take action. He comments on the blame placed on politicians, when in fact, it is the people who have given them power through their votes. The future seems bleak under these circumstances, and Ginjah urges listeners not to follow the path of those who seek superficial fame, represented metaphorically by the left foot with hype or a zebra with a stripe.
In verse two, Ginjah shifts his focus to societal expectations placed on women. He suggests that women desire men who do not carry guns or engage in violence; however, they cry and look for assistance when these same men mistreat them. He mocks the idea of frivolous parties and social events, calling attention to the fact that even around schools, young girls engage in relationships with older boys. He questions the necessity of women being able to read and write when sending a voice note is sufficient. This illustrates the misplaced priorities and the lack of value placed on education. The reference to the woman leaving her husband to pursue a "duty life" implies a pursuit of materialistic and superficial desires.
Throughout the song, repeated in the chorus, Ginjah encourages the people of Jamaica, both men and women, to rise up and stand for what is right. He emphasizes the need to fight against the crimes and injustices that exist within society. The phrase "Their comes a day when you'll of to pay" suggests that one day, those who have committed crimes will face consequences for their actions. Ultimately, Ginjah urges his people to take action, to unite, and to work towards a better future for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
No, verse 1. dem yah Youth wi kill yuh in a broad day light.
No, these young people will kill you in broad daylight.
Ina the middle a day them don't wait till night.
In the middle of the day, they don't wait until night.
An when you hear thunder roll a nuh lightning a Strike.
And when you hear thunder, it's not lightning striking.
A di riffle mouth open an a face get bite.
It's when the rifle mouth opens that a face gets bitten.
Dem chat bout Chiney chiney naw fight.
They talk about Chinese people not fighting.
We a blame politician when a we give dem the right.
We blame politicians when we are the ones giving them the power.
If this is our future it surely nuh bright.
If this is our future, it surely doesn't look bright.
So left foota with the hype on zebra with the stripe. (yea yea)
So let go of the hype, the illusion, the superficial things.
Get up now stand up now. Fight for sum'n right.
Get up now, stand up now, and fight for something that is right.
Their comes a day when you'll of to pay. Get up now stand up now fight for sum'n right for their crimes a day when you'll of-to pay...
There will come a day when you will have to face the consequences of your actions. Get up now, stand up now, and fight for what is right because one day, you will have to face the consequences of their crimes.
Verse.2dem woman yah nuh want nuh man who nawh burst nuh gun..
These women don't want a man who doesn't carry a gun.
A dem same one a bawl when him box dem Dun. Hie hie hie hie.
But these same women cry when he abuses them physically.
A when class did a keep them guh have dem fun.
When there was a class or event, they used to go and have fun.
Around a school a back boy friend have them Dun.
They have secret relationships with boys around the school.
Seh it nuh necessary fi she read and right send a voice note she nuh Affi can type!
They say it's not necessary for her to read and write, she can just send a voice note instead of typing!
Man if this our future it surely nuh bright.
If this is our future, it surely doesn't look bright.
Betta she stop the duty life and left the husband with him wife.. oh yea!
It would be better if she stops leading a promiscuous life and leaves her husband to be with his wife.
Chorus Rpt... you got to get up. Jamaica get up. my people get up my brothers get my sisters get up...
Chorus repetition... you have to get up. Jamaica, get up. My people, get up. My brothers, get up. My sisters, get up...
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ginjah
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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