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).
boss
Ini Kamoze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boss, boss, me little late and ya going on bad
Boss, boss work overtime yeat ya didn't see that
Boss, boss do this do that driving me mad
Boss, boss grey hair is a thing I never had
Now let me talk so ya hear that a fat overseer ain't my style
Cause we won't get along if ya wearing one plastic smile
You've never want to see me ever take a five
Chorus
Now while ya reap what I sow do ya
Know what I know- stake a bet
And if dare make a slip I'd be
in for a kick like a dog would get
Now who said what ya sow is what ya reap
That fella must be talking in his sleep
Chorus
Now let me talk so ya hear that a fat overseer ain't my style
Cause I can't get along if ya wearing one o'them plastic smile
Seems lilke you invented 9ine to 5ive
You've never want to see me ever take a five
The lyrics of Ini Kamoze's "Boss" explores themes of employee-employer dynamics, specifically the experiences of an employee working under a boss that demands a lot despite not acknowledging the effort put in. The first verse describes the employee's tardiness due to paying their water rate and immediately after, the boss's negative response suggesting that the employee is always late despite working overtime without appreciation. The lyrics continue with the employee expressing their disdain for a boss who demands them to do everything and when they do it, it's still not enough. The lyric "Boss, boss grey hair is a thing I never had" is a metaphor for the additional stress the employee experiences while working for the unappreciative boss.
In the chorus, the lyrics reveal a sense of vindictiveness from the employee towards the employer, stating that the boss will be on the receiving end of a harsh kick similar to what a dog would get if they make a slip-up in their work. The lyrics also point out the flaw in the "what you sow is what you reap" ideology, stating that the person who came up with it is probably talking in their sleep.
The second verse is a repeat of the first verse with minor variations in the lyrics. Overall, the song is a commentary on the employee-employer power dynamic, with the employee expressing their dissatisfaction towards their boss who demands too much but gives little appreciation.
Line by Line Meaning
Sorry I'm late but I had to pay my water rate
I apologize for being a few minutes late, but I had to take care of paying my water bill.
Boss, boss, me little late and ya going on bad
I understand that I am a few minutes late, but you are becoming upset and agitated about it.
Boss, boss work overtime yeat ya didn't see that
Boss, I have already worked overtime even though you don't seem to appreciate it.
Boss, boss do this do that driving me mad
Boss, you keep asking me to do different tasks which is causing me to feel overwhelmed and frustrated.
Boss, boss grey hair is a thing I never had
Boss, I have never experienced gray hair, but your constant demands and stress might eventually cause me to have it.
Now let me talk so ya hear that a fat overseer ain't my style
Allow me to communicate with you so that you understand that I don't respond well to a boss who constantly micromanages and controls everything like a fat overseer.
Cause we won't get along if ya wearing one plastic smile
Our working relationship won't be good if you continue to pretend to be happy or make fake facial expressions when you're not.
Seems like you invented 9ine to 5ive
It appears as though you created the standard work schedule of working from nine to five every day.
You've never want to see me ever take a five
You never want to see or allow me to take a break, although it is necessary for productivity and good mental health.
Now while ya reap what I sow do ya
Do you understand that you are receiving the benefits of my hard work?
Know what I know- stake a bet
Do you have the same knowledge as me? Let's make a wager.
And if dare make a slip I'd be
And if I make a mistake, I will be subjected to punishment or reprimand from you.
in for a kick like a dog would get
I will be figuratively kicked or harmed like a dog if I mess up.
Now who said what ya sow is what ya reap
Whoever coined the phrase 'you reap what you sow' might not be entirely accurate in our current situation.
That fella must be talking in his sleep
The person who said 'you reap what you sow' could be considered foolish or naive in our workplace where unfair treatment and overwhelming demands are common.
Writer(s): Ini Kamoze, Philip 'Fatis' Burrell Copyright: Xtm Sounds Publishing
Contributed by Madison Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.