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).
Trouble
Ini Kamoze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the survival of the hardest
One man, well, cool, the next man, tense
Some sounds like these across the fence will
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Some man just born to nice up, dance
See my love down in tight romance, yea
The essence of ishence fills the air, yea
You're free to look but don't you dare stare
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Free to flip and come in
And in I region forces raid, wrong way
Man, pick up corn for razor blade
The nobles of English would feel sad, no doubt
When some thing's good, we say "It bad Iah"
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flashed
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flashed me things
Bubble you, they bubble me
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me
I would'a just flashed me things
Trouble you, they trouble me
The lyrics of Ini Kamoze's song "Trouble You A Trouble Me" represent the struggles and tensions present among people residing in the region where the singer rests. The survival of the fittest is emphasized as one man remains cool while another becomes tense. The fence separating them merely represents their differences, and the sounds like these represent the troubles that trouble them. However, despite this divide, the singer proclaims his intentions to flash his things, which means that he will rise above the negativity and survive.
The second stanza describes the people born to dance while emphasizing the essence of ishence that fills the air, which is a Jamaican term referring to the influence of Rastafarianism on their way of life. Although outsiders are allowed to observe, it is also made clear that they must not stare. The final verse highlights the negative impact of the region's conflicts as forces raid in the wrong way, people pick up corn for razor blades, and the nobles of English would feel sad. It emphasizes how something that seems good could, in reality, be bad.
The song's message is one of peace and unity despite differences, which is a constant theme prevalent in reggae music. It encourages people to rise above their struggles and look towards a better future. Ultimately, the singer's attitude towards the troubles that trouble him is one of positivity, choosing to flash his things and move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in the region where I rest
This takes place in a specific area where the singer lives.
It's the survival of the hardest
Only the strongest can survive in this region.
One man, well, cool, the next man, tense
People in this region can have very different attitudes, some relaxed and others tense.
Some sounds like these across the fence will
There are some sounds coming from outside the region that can cause a disturbance.
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
The disturbance affects the artist, but they would rather show off their material possessions than get involved in the conflict.
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
The singer will continue to move forward and focus on their own success despite the disturbance.
Some man just born to nice up, dance
See my love down in tight romance, yea
The essence of ishence fills the air, yea
You're free to look but don't you dare stare
There are people in the region who enjoy dancing and love, but outsiders should only observe and not stare.
Free to flip and come in
People are free to enter the region.
And in I region forces raid, wrong way
Man, pick up corn for razor blade
The nobles of English would feel sad, no doubt
When some thing's good, we say "It bad Iah"
There are negative elements in the region, including the use of corn as a weapon, and the outside world would be disappointed in these behaviors.
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
The artist continues to prioritize their own success, showing off their possessions instead of getting involved in conflict.
Trouble you, they trouble me
The disturbance affects both the singer and the listener.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: INI KAMOZE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juanmateus334
Down in the region where I rest
It's the survival of the hardest
One man, well, cool, the next man, tense
Some sounds like these across the fence will
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Some man just born to nice up, dance
See my love down in tight romance, yea
The essence of ishence fills the air, yea
You're free to look but don't you dare stare
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Free to flip and come in
And in I region forces raid, wrong way
Man, pick up corn for razor blade
The nobles of English would feel sad, no doubt
When some thing's good, we say "It bad Iah"
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flashed
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flashed me things
Bubble you, they bubble me
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me
I would'a just flashed me things
Trouble you, they trouble me
@angjaque4656
Down in the region where I rest
It's the survival of the hardest
One man, well, cool, the next man, tense
Some sounds like these across the fence will
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Some man just born to nice up, dance
See my love down in tight romance, yea
The essence of ishence fills the air, yea
You're free to look but don't you dare stare
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Free to flip and come in
And in I region forces raid, wrong way
Man, pick up corn for razor blade
The nobles of English would feel sad, no doubt
When some thing's good, we say "It bad Iah"
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flash me things
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flashed
Bubble you, they bubble me, yes I
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me, no I
I would'a just flashed me things
Bubble you, they bubble me
Forward ina me ring
Trouble you, they trouble me
I would'a just flashed me things
Trouble you, they trouble me
@richmod
An exemplary example of the Bass playing skill of the late Robbie Shakespeare who sadly left us today at the age of 68 ( no age ) .... RIP Robbie ( Mr Bass Man ) .
@ajamanaid
RIEP Robbie... legend and big inspiration!!
@imanihekima1659
The use of space, along with the notes he does play WHEN he plays, is superb.
@jamesetemesi3247
That is exactly how reggae should sound! Greeting from Kakamega, Kenya.
@icewizard9770
Open your mind rasta
@Tosh_Carr
greeting!
@duducalheiros6100
When it comes to good music we talk about ini kamoze
@ztheus_mm
Isso sim é que e um reggae pra ouvir F1 que música linda vey ,que vibração massa , muito difícil ver uma música boa assim como essa hoje em dia não fazem mais como essa . Jah bless irmão muito lindo seu trabalho virei fã
@kaiju1366
His best song in my opinion.
@lucianoprokilla
but hail me idrin tho