By 1988, however, Ini Kamoze had effectively disappeared from the music scene following lukewarm reactions to his intermittent releases.
In 1994, Kamoze burst back onto the scene with a harder sound and the song which would become his signature - "Here Comes The Hotstepper". Adopting his nickname from the song title, Kamoze would become known as the "Hotstepper", from the Patois for a man on the run from the law. The infectious song found its way onto several soundtracks, including the fashion-industry satire, "Prêt-à-Porter". The resulting video featured a much more solid Kamoze and the obligatory scantily-clad women for this genre of music. "Hotstepper" still remains one of dancehall's more well-known hits, with its call-and-response chorus of "Here come de hotstepper - MURDERER (often misheard as "Word it up") - I'm de lyrical gangsta - MURDERER" lighting up clubs worldwide. "Here Comes The Hotstepper" remains Kamoze's only US #1 hit (see Hot 100 No. 1 Hits of 1994).
Reggae General
Ini Kamoze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We reggae general ehheh
We no victimize we don't partial do you love that
Gather Africans we reasoning a thing
Tribal love weh we want
Since you can't blow breath you shouldn't take life
Do you love that Lord
Mighty people rocking graciously
If you hurt one you hurt yourself too
You must love one cause they're just like you -
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general
We no victimize, we don't partial do you love that
Gather Africans mek we reason dis ya thing
Right better than the might
Hypocritical Babylonian thing, do you love that
Listen keenly and what do you hear yea
Words sounds sets your mind in fear
Make this a good reason
Removin prison
This is Operation Roots and Culture, Lord
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general ehheh
We no victimize we don't partial do you love that
Gather Africans we reasoning a thing
Tribal love weh we want
Since you can't blow breath you shouldn't take life
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general ehheh
We no victimize we don't partial do you love that
Gather Africans we reasoning a thing
Tribal love weh we want
Since you can't blow breath you shouldn't take life
Ini Kamoze's song Reggae General is a song about unity and love. The lyrics urge people to gather together, and reason about tribal love, and do away with Babylonian things. The lyrics start with "When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial, We reggae general," this line suggests that when they start to sing, they do it passionately and with conviction. The repetition of "We no victimize, we don't partial," implies that they don't discriminate or treat anyone with unfairness or injustice. Also, the lyrics state, "If you hurt one, you hurt yourself too. You must love one cause they're just like you," this line emphasizes that hurting others is hurting oneself.
The song also calls for a change in society, "Make this a good reason, Removin prison, This is Operation Roots and Culture," meaning that to initiate change, they must first address the reasons that cause people to be incarcerated. The lyrics also talk about removing hypocritical Babylonian things which suggest removing corruption and exploitation.
The song also has an underlying message of spirituality, "Since you can't blow breath you shouldn't take life," refers to the belief that humans are given breath by the almighty, so they shouldn't take anyone's life. Overall, Reggae General is a call for unity, love, and positive change in society.
Line by Line Meaning
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
When we start to sing, we do it with great importance.
We reggae general ehheh
We are leaders in reggae music.
We no victimize we don't partial do you love that
We do not discriminate or show partiality. Do you approve of that?
Gather Africans we reasoning a thing
Let's come together and have a discussion as Africans.
Tribal love weh we want
We want to show love to our tribes and communities.
Since you can't blow breath you shouldn't take life
Since we are given the gift of life, we should not take it away from others.
Look around you and what do you see
Take a look at your surroundings, what do you observe?
Mighty people rocking graciously
Strong individuals moving rhythmically and elegantly.
If you hurt one you hurt yourself too
If you harm someone else, you also harm yourself.
You must love one cause they're just like you -
We should love one another because we are all the same.
Right better than the might
Being correct is more important than being powerful.
Hypocritical Babylonian thing, do you love that
The act of lying or pretending to be something you are not is wrong. Do you agree?
Listen keenly and what do you hear yea
Pay close attention, what do you hear?
Words sounds sets your mind in fear
The things we say can be scary and affect our thinking.
Make this a good reason
Let's make this a valid cause or motive.
Removin prison
We want to eliminate incarceration.
This is Operation Roots and Culture, Lord
This is a mission to return to our roots and cultural traditions, Lord.
Contributed by Mia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@necro_puerco6705
General, General
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general, eh, heh
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
Gather Africans, we reasonin' a thing
Tribal love weh we want it
Since you can't blow breath you shouldn't take life
Do you love that, Lord, Lord?
Look around you and what do y'all see?
Mighty people rockin' graciously
If you hurt one, you hurt yourself too
You must love one 'cause they're just like you
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
Gather Africans, mek we reason dis ya thing
Right, better than the might
The hypocritical Babylonian thing
Do you love that, Lord, Lord?
Listen keenly and what do y'all hear, yea?
Words, sounds, sets your mind in fear
Ain't this a good reason, removin' prison?
This is Operation Roots and Culture, Lord
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general, eh, heh
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
Gather Africans, we reasonin' a thing
Tribal love weh we want it
Since you can't blow breath, you shouldn't take life
Do you love that, Lord, Lord, Lord?
Look around you and what do y'all see, yea?
Mighty people rockin' graciously
If you hurt one, you hurt yourself too, yea
You must love one 'cause they're just like you
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general, eh heh
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
Gather Africans, we reasonin' a thing
Right, better than the might
The hypocritical Babylonian thing
Do you love that?
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general, eh heh
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
@randyhaynie3403
Im 55 yrs old & this track dropped in 1985 when i was graduating High School @ 18 yrs old & it's been 🔥🔥🔥🔥since #yah #inikamoze #bigups #respect
@hiprichhiprich
One of the sickest Reggae tunes ever produced.
@brandonhobson9436
One of the sickest artist ever
@randyhaynie3403
🔥🔥🔥🔥
@paulofarias3288
That intro so ahead
@warrenphipps4598
Totally agree
@guidelineuk
This tune give me goosebumps
@necro_puerco6705
General, General
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general, eh, heh
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
Gather Africans, we reasonin' a thing
Tribal love weh we want it
Since you can't blow breath you shouldn't take life
Do you love that, Lord, Lord?
Look around you and what do y'all see?
Mighty people rockin' graciously
If you hurt one, you hurt yourself too
You must love one 'cause they're just like you
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
Gather Africans, mek we reason dis ya thing
Right, better than the might
The hypocritical Babylonian thing
Do you love that, Lord, Lord?
Listen keenly and what do y'all hear, yea?
Words, sounds, sets your mind in fear
Ain't this a good reason, removin' prison?
This is Operation Roots and Culture, Lord
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general, eh, heh
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
Gather Africans, we reasonin' a thing
Tribal love weh we want it
Since you can't blow breath, you shouldn't take life
Do you love that, Lord, Lord, Lord?
Look around you and what do y'all see, yea?
Mighty people rockin' graciously
If you hurt one, you hurt yourself too, yea
You must love one 'cause they're just like you
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general, eh heh
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
Gather Africans, we reasonin' a thing
Right, better than the might
The hypocritical Babylonian thing
Do you love that?
When we go fe chant, we drop it crucial
We reggae general, eh heh
We no victimize, we don't partial, do you love that?
@RootzGemini
amazing, thank you kindly for dropping the lyrics, makes it a lil easier for those born in babylon, learning to make a difference
@rmak2950
Bad nuh BOMBOCLAAAT!!! It makes a spider kiss a fly!!!!!!! Timeless expression of sound