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).
Statement
Ini Kamoze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Babylon babylon leggo me hand
You′re not me girlfriend
Babylon Babylon aye watch ya man for what are ya searchin'
Babylon babylon level yu vibes
I tellin′ ya ma papers right
Babylon babylon ain't got no bribe money done a dance last night
Wha' that ya doing man ya must be mad
Put away your weapon cause that soft to I
Learn that how ya live is how ya die
What is this?
Babylon babylon leggo me hand
You′re not me girlfriend
Babylon Babylon aye watch ya man for what are ya searchin'
Babylon babylon level yu vibes
I tellin′ ya ma papers right
Babylon babylon ain't got no bribe money done a dance last night
Whapoooh pooooh
Now Won′t ya take ma advice
Don't go create strife
Go do somethin′ nice for one day of your life
Everythin' ya givin' that ya shall receive
Hate ma god and die
Love him and live What is this?
Babylon babylon leggo me hand
You′re not me girlfriend
Babylon Babylon aye watch ya man for what are ya searchin′
Babylon babylon level yu vibes
I tellin' ya ma papers right
Babylon babylon ain′t got no bribe money done a dance last night
Statement statement investigation
Department just because of ma adornment
They want to put I in confinement
Hey hey
Hey hey
Wha' that ya doing man ya must be mad
Gimme me belongin′ a how come you so bad
Put away your weapon cause that soft to I
Learn that how ya live is how ya die
What is this?
Babylon babylon leggo me hand
You're not me girlfriend
Babylon Babylon aye watch ya man for what are ya searchin′
Babylon babylon level yu vibes
I tellin' ya ma papers right
Babylon babylon ain't got no bribe money done a dance last night
Who who who whoooohohoho
Statement statement
Ini Kamoze's song "Statement" is a reggae protest song that criticizes the oppressive behavior of the Babylonian government. The song urges the Babylonian authorities to leave Ini Kamoze alone and states that he has done nothing wrong. The first three lines of the chorus - "Babylon Babylon leggo me hand / You're not me girlfriend / Babylon Babylon aye watch ya man for what are ya searchin'" - suggest that the government is trying to control and limit his actions. The "Investigation department" mentioned in the first line seems to be the Babylonian police investigating Ini Kamoze.
Ini Kamoze warns the Babylonian government to stop using their weapons and instead urges them to learn that their way of life is how they will ultimately die. He then advises them to do something kind for a day in their life, as every good deed done will be given back to them in due time.
The overall message of the song is one of resistance against oppressive authority and the need for change. Despite the harsh tone of the lyrics, the song remains a classic in the reggae genre and its message continues to resonate with many today.
Line by Line Meaning
Statement statement investigation department hey hey
I am making a statement that I am being investigated by the department
Babylon babylon leggo me hand
I am not willing to be held captive by the authorities
You′re not me girlfriend
You are not part of my struggle against the authorities
Babylon Babylon aye watch ya man for what are ya searchin'
Authorities are targeting my associates to find any evidence against me
Babylon babylon level yu vibes
The authorities use intimidation tactics to bring down the morale of the community
I tellin' ya ma papers right
I have nothing to hide and all my paperwork is legitimate
Babylon babylon ain't got no bribe money done a dance last night
I cannot be bought and the authorities have no leverage over me
Wha' that ya doing man ya must be mad
The actions of the authorities are irrational and unjust
Gimme me belongin′ a how come you so bad
The authorities are violating my rights and taking what is rightfully mine
Put away your weapon cause that soft to I
Violence will not solve anything and only lead to more problems
Learn that how ya live is how ya die
Your actions will have consequences, whether good or bad
What is this?
Questioning the authority's actions and motives
Now Won′t ya take ma advice
I am offering my advice to avoid any conflict with the authorities
Don't go create strife
Avoid confrontation with the authorities
Go do somethin′ nice for one day of your life
Spread positivity and kindness despite the injustices faced
Everythin' ya givin' that ya shall receive
Karma will come back around
Hate ma god and die
Bad things happen to those who harbor hate
Love him and live What is this?
Questioning the truth and consequences of love and hate
Department just because of ma adornment
The authorities are targeting me because of my appearance or lifestyle
They want to put I in confinement
The authorities are trying to detain me
Hey hey
Expressing frustration and defiance towards the authorities
Who who who whoooohohoho
Vocalization of frustration and anger towards the authorities
Contributed by Zachary Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Diego Felipe Ferreira Morato
1 . Settle with me 0:00
2.Babylon, Babylon 4:25
3.I Want It All 9:42
4.Jump for Jah 14:00
5.Call the Police 18:20
6.Taxi for me 22:55
7.England be Nice 27:11
8.Live a little love 31:45
Alany Thalyta👸🏻
Esse álbum é top demais 😍
Patrick Kamau
Awesome album. Ini Sly and Robbie really came through on this.
Moses Burke
One of a kind album.ini Robbie sly. R the best
Kingswalterinjera
This chune🔥🔥🔥🔥Weeeehhh💥💥💥Ini Kamoze,,,,,, 🤝🏾🤝🏾🤝🏾💯💯
Diego felipe
Great music