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Gregory Isaacs (born on 15 July 1951 in Fletchers Land, Kingston, Jamaica and died on 25 October 2010 in London) was a Reggae singer and songwriter. Gregory Anthony Isaacs is known as "The Cool Ruler" for his seductive crooning vocal style. Gregory attributed his greatest musical influences to R&B greats Sam Cooke and Percy Sledge, in addition to Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis and Ken Boothe.
In the late 1960s, Gregory first performed in a vocal trio called The Concords, after being encouraged by Byron Lee. By 1970 the group had split up. He subsequently formed his own label, African Museum.
In the late 1970s he emerged as one of the most prolific and popular recording artists in Jamaica. He released a number of self-produced singles on his own African Museum (JA) label with Errol Dunkley. Much of Isaacs' output reflected the 'conscious' themes of Roots Reggae, but Isaacs was equally adept at interpreting more mainstream Lovers Rock material. Early hits include "My Only Lover", "Sinner Man" and "Mr. Cop", recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark Studio.
A period in the 1970s with the GG's label and its producer Alvin Ranglin produced hits like "Border" and "Number One".
Personal problems affected him, particularly battles with a cocaine addiction and a possession charge, which prevented him from touring in North America for a significant part of his career, until a pardon could eventually be secured.
Isaacs recorded with a number of producers, including the Riddim Twin's (Sly & Robbie) Taxi Records, who gave them their first hit with 1979's "Soon Forward" , After a series of releases with Sly & Robbie, Gregory built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. In addition to these local Jamaican labels, The Cool Ruler had had releases on Trojan, VP, Virgin's Front Line and English producer Tad A. Dawkin's Tad's Records. Isaacs would would eventually sign with Chris Blackwell's Island Records which resulted in the international release of Night Nurse (1982) and Out Deh! (1983).
Perhaps his most popular recordings in his native Jamaica are "All I Have Is Love", "Mr. Brown" and "Hard Drugs", the latter being an anti-drug anthem that dominated radio in the late 1980s and was released as a hidden track on England's Tad Records All I Have Is Love, Love Love LP.
In the 1990s Gregory's African Museum label continued to release all of Gregory Isaacs' music, and that of artists he produced. He continued to record and perform live in the 2000s, and it has been estimated that Isaacs has released over 500 records in his career, which includes singles and compilations.
Isaacs, who was 59 years old, died of lung cancer on 25 October 2010 at his home in London where he spent part of his time. A sad loss to the world.
Slave Master
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time I hear the music and I make a dip, a dip
Slave master comes around and spank I with his whip, the whip
But if I don't get my desire
Then I'll set the plantations in fire
My temperature is getting much higher
Got to get what I require
'Cause every time we do the work sometimes we are hurt, oh yeah
Boss never do a thing but hold on to his girth
But if I don't get my desire
Then I'll set the plantations in fire
My temperature is getting much higher
Got to get what I require
Every time I hear the music and I move my hip, my hip
Slave master comes around and spank I with his whip, a whip
Slave master, I'm the shepherd you're my pastor
Say you rock ?? so long we make the work
And if I don't get my desire
Then I'll set the station on fire
My temperature is getting much higher
Got to get what I require
But if I don't get my desire
Then I set the stations in fire
My temperature is getting much higher
Got to get what I require
"Slave Master" by Gregory Isaacs is a powerful protest song that portrays the harsh reality of slavery and the oppression that came with it. The lyrics are rich in metaphorical language, powerful imagery, and a passionate tone that captures the emotions of the oppressed.
The song opens with the artist declaring his decision to stand firm and not back down from the oppressive slave master. He describes the feeling of being punished every time he tries to enjoy the music or a simple dance with his peers. The slave master is portrayed as a dominant figure who enjoys punishing and humiliating the slaves.
The chorus of the song repeats the artist's desire to get his just compensation and not back down. He declares that if he does not get his desire, he will set the plantation on fire, as his temperature gets much higher.
Isaacs uses the metaphor of music to represent the hope and freedom that the slaves had. The idea of dancing was seen as a small act of defiance, for which they were punished. The image of setting the plantation on fire represents a powerful act of rebellion that reclaims the enslaved people's power and dignity.
Overall, Slave Master is a powerful song that speaks of freedom, dignity, and protest against oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
No competition, I make you my decision, yeah
I am in charge, no one else can make decisions for me.
Every time I hear the music and I make a dip, a dip
Slave master comes around and spank I with his whip, the whip
Whenever I try to enjoy myself, the slave master punishes me for it.
But if I don't get my desire
Then I'll set the plantations in fire
My temperature is getting much higher
Got to get what I require
If I don't get what I want, I will rebel and burn down the plantations.
'Cause every time we do the work sometimes we are hurt, oh yeah
Boss never do a thing but hold on to his girth
We work hard, but sometimes we get hurt. Our boss does nothing but enjoy his own wealth and status.
Every time I hear the music and I move my hip, my hip
Slave master comes around and spank I with his whip, a whip
Once again, whenever I try to enjoy myself, the slave master punishes me for it.
Slave master, I'm the shepherd you're my pastor
Say you rock ?? so long we make the work
I am the leader, and the overseer is just a follower. Even though he thinks he is in control, we are the ones doing the real work.
But if I don't get my desire
Then I'll set the station on fire
My temperature is getting much higher
Got to get what I require
Once again, if I don't get what I want, I will rebel and cause destruction.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GREGORY ANTHONY ISAACS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheBazo71
@sherforlife1 you make a point I have always paid attention to about Gregory Isaacs - consistency of his works no matter where he does it from.
By contrast (which is by no means a comparison), notice how Peter Tosh almost makes it a point to sing differently in each live performance from either the last live performance or studio recording of the same song.
There are very few Peter Tosh live recordings which are identical to studio recordings - I take it it was his choice and signature.
Big up to these talented musicians we have been privileged to listen to.
Peace, Love and Blessings from Zambia
Mandy
Feel like crying watching this...That golden voice was such a big part of my childhood..miss him dearly... 🙏✨💖🙌
Ronald Crespo
Bless and Greetings From Chile..!
Lusi Myer
Me too...wish I had seen him live. 😭⚘
Brian Parks
you're not alone friend
christopher dara
me too very big lose take care
Rufdymond
Gregory was truly one of the greats, out of my record collection he holds one of the biggest parts, I have probably a couple of hundred Gregory singles. By the time of this performance his voice was slightly on the decline. I saw Gregory live numerous times, first time I think was around 1978 but for me the second time I saw him which would have been around 1981-82 is still one of the best musical performances I’ve ever seen - saw him with the full Roots Radics band (every member was present) a truly great night.
sherforlife1
Gregory performed live and he sounds like
he's in the studio..love it.
TheBazo71
@sherforlife1 you make a point I have always paid attention to about Gregory Isaacs - consistency of his works no matter where he does it from.
By contrast (which is by no means a comparison), notice how Peter Tosh almost makes it a point to sing differently in each live performance from either the last live performance or studio recording of the same song.
There are very few Peter Tosh live recordings which are identical to studio recordings - I take it it was his choice and signature.
Big up to these talented musicians we have been privileged to listen to.
Peace, Love and Blessings from Zambia
Kareema Mahmud Sayyed
That voice, class and style is unique. Rest on Gregory
michael olouasa
He was a musical genius he truly deserved the title "cool ruler"