In November 1998, while driving around Montego Bay, Jah Cure was pulled over by the police and arrested on charges of gun possession, rape and robbery. He was prosecuted in April 1999, found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Since the arrest, Jah Cure has firmly maintained his innocence. Jah Cure is not scheduled to be released from jail until 2007 at the earliest.
While in prison he has had access to recording equipment and has released three albums and a number of singles, some of which have topped the Jamaican charts. His first album Free Jah’s Cure was released in 2000, it was followed by Ghetto Life in 2003 and Freedom Blues in 2005. More recently Jah Cure has released the songs 'Love is', 'Longing For' and 'True Reflections', showing his unique voice and lyrical ability.
BY TYRONE S REID Observer staff reporter reidt@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, July 29, 2007
From Jamaica Observer -- BY TYRONE S REID Observer staff reporter reidt@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, July 29, 2007:
After eight years "behind the prison walls" of the Tower Street Adult Correctional facility in Kingston, the day that he was "longing for" - his release - came yesterday, but not with the fanfare and flourish that many Jamaicans had highly anticipated.
During his time behind bars, reggae singer Jah Cure created headlines that won him legions of fans, many who started petitions advocating his release. But yesterday, the reggae artiste, born Siccature Alcock, who was scheduled to be released at 8:00 am, walked out of the maximum security prison minutes after 5:00 am, according to guards.
But even though Jah Cure's early morning release stumped his fans, as well as journalists, scores of chalice-carrying Rastafarians were at the prison gate to greet their 'brother', a senior warder told the Sunday Observer.
"Mi seh, some chalice bun out yah this morning. Ah nuff Rasta come out in di early morning. The one dem who hear bout the early release," the warder said. "Him walk out like Nelson Mandela and him greet some of the man them before the warden escort him away."
The senior warder, who spoke to some of the people who had gathered for the 8:00 am release, said the decision was made to prevent any commotion outside the prison gates.
"I am sorry to know that people came to see him and didn't get the chance. We had to try and avoid the crowd," the warder, dressed in a bright blue uniform, told the crowd, after declining to give his name.
Yesterday, the Sunday Observer received positive comments about Alcock's character while he was an inmate on the A-North block.
"He was a well-behaved inmate. We never have no problem with him," one worker at the prison said.
Another said: "Yes man, him just love him music. Him did alright."
One female warden agreed with her co-workers, before advising us to direct any further questions to "the head office".
In the meantime, several fans who refused to believe that their "artiste" had already left the compound set up camp outside and openly expressed their opinions about his imprisonment and subsequent release.
One female vendor outside the prison, who gave her name only as Miss Yvonne, told the Sunday Observer that Alcock received many visitors each month, the majority being females.
"Him get visitors from all over the world. The other day a white girl come here from France but him didn't take the visit," Miss Yvonne said. "Him go to prison go make him name. I hope that him learn him lesson and move on with him life," she said, adding that she heard that Jah Cure made a stop at Rockfort to "wash off" after leaving the prison.
Her other interesting comments, which had everyone cracking up, included: "Mi hear seh Jah Cure pay all warden rent when him did ovah deh."
One man who said he drove from St Thomas to witness the singer's release said he was very disappointed but wished Jah Cure all the best.
"Even though him have the whole world claim that them love him, him have to be careful," he said.
Another man, a broom vendor from Clarendon, said he wanted to get a glimpse of the man whose songs he can't get enough of.
Trisha, a female fan and a feelance photographer, said people should not judge Alcock as he was capable of making mistakes and changing like other humans.
"I believe that to each his own. If it wasn't time for him to be released, he wouldn't have been released. I just hope that he has learnt from the experience," she said.
Her friend, Kelly, added: "I think he deserved to be released. I just want to get to see him in person now. I hope he wil change too."
Alcock, who was born in Hanover in 1978, was reportedly given the name Jah Cure by Capleton whom he met while growing up in Kingston.
According to police reports, in November 1998, while driving around Montego Bay Alcock was pulled over by the police and arrested on charges of gun possession, rape and robbery. He was taken before the courts in April 1999, found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Since the arrest, Jah Cure has firmly maintained his innocence. The story surrounding his case dominated media headlines and barber shop conversations for months, leading to several "Free Jah Cure" campaigns.
While in prison, the singer had access to recording equipment and has released three albums and a number of singles, some of which have done well on local reggae charts. His debut album, Free Jah's Cure was released in 2000, and was followed by Ghetto Life (2003) and Freedom Blues (2005). His popular singles include True Reflections, Love is and Longing For. -- Jamaica Observer
Jah Cure performed for the first time in Holland from http://www.radioreggaetrade.com:
Jah Cure's first performance since his release from prison on July 28 has left a lasting impression on his European fans. On Sunday August 12 at the Reggae Sundance Festival in Eindhoven, Holland, Jah Cure performed in front of 20,000 persons who were longing for this day. Below are reports from journalists who were able to capture this historic moment.
"The field felt it. Jah Cure's performance at Reggae Sundance in Holland would become a historical moment. While the world was waiting for his release, Jah Cure has given hope to many with his music. With this in mind all his songs felt much more powerful. Longing For, What Will It Take, Jamaica and Prison Walls; he did them in his distinguished way of singing. Almost complaining as if he carries a heavy weight on his back. He reaches the high notes, even if he has to press them out of his toes. That's the way the crowd likes to hear him! He stood on stage dressed all in white with his sympathetic and relaxed attitude. Compared to other artists he's different in his stage performance. He shows a lot of tranquility. I think Holland was blessed with Jah Cure on the 12 th of August 2007." - Melvin Toemin, FunX FM, Rotterdam.
"The show was amazing. The best show I have ever been to. Jah Cure gave a strong performance... Amazing!" - Julian, www.Reggaephotos.de , Germany.
"Jah Cure's debut performance since his much publicised release from prison promised much, and for once the hype around an artistes performance delivered on all fronts. He seemed completely at home on stage and was greeted by a rapturous reception from the European crowd. His rapport with the audience was instantly noticeable, and with the majestic Dean Frazer leading the Iyah Cure Band it was hard to believe that this was not an outfit that had toured around Europe and the world for some time. And this was actually their first public outing! Cure's vocal performance was on point throughout, and his fans around the world have a treat in store when he visits their region." - Ray Paul, BBC 1Xtra, United Kingdom.
"The audience sang along line by line. The atmosphere was electrifying. In the run-up to the Reggae Sundance festival it was evident that most of the over 20,000 visitors travelled there because of Jah Cure. It was history in the making! Jamaica had Bob Marley, Jamaica had Garnett Silk and now Jamaica has Jah Cure, who is on the best way to becoming a superstar. That was the consensus after his outstanding, professional, winning performance, which was the crowning glory of the festival and which put tears in so many eyes because of the beauty of his voice and the circumstances surrounding his very first performance after over eight years in prison." - Ellen Kohlings, Riddim, Germany
Jamaican fans and journalists will have the opportunity to make their own judgments at Cure's next performance at Curefest, the 3-day event focusing on the work and music of Jah Cure to be held on October 12-14, 2007 in Oracabessa Bay, St. Mary, Jamaica.
check: freejahcure.net
Call On Me
Jah Cure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah
Oh yeah, yeah I
Love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, yeah I
All my ladies, all my ladies now
Cure again, yeah I
Anytime you need a lover call on me, I'll be waiting
Call on me, anytime you want to
Call on me baby girl I want you, ah huh
We grew together from way back when
She was nine and I was ten
She used to be, my next door neighbor
She even went to school with my sister Makayla yeah
Now were two grown folks, years gone by and we still keep close
Loving me, I'm loving her the same
I just want you to know that I love you so oh
Anytime you need a lover call on me, I'll be waiting
Anytime you need a lover call on me, my heart is aching
Call on me, anytime you want to
Call on me baby girl I want you, ah huh
Loving like they met the same
We were young and playing games
I fell in love the first time I saw you
And I don't ever worry cause I know can call you yeahh
Now were two grown folks, years gone by and we still keep close
He's lovin me, I'm lovin him the same as
Anytime you need a lover call on me, I'll be waiting
Anytime you need a lover call on me, my heart is aching
Call on me, anytime you want to
Call on me baby girl I want you, ah huh
Now we've reached so far (reached so far)
We won't turn back again (yeah I)
Love, lovin' you (lovin' you)
There is no end (no end, no end, no end, nooo)
Lovin' you, ah
Anytime you need a lover call on me, I'll be waiting
Anytime you need a lover call on me, my heart is aching
Call on me, anytime you want to
Call on me baby girl I want you, ah huh
In Jah Cure's "Call On Me," the singer sings about being there for his love whenever she needs him. He sings about growing up with his love; they were neighbors as children, and they went to school together. He sings about falling in love with her the first time he saw her, and how they have grown up together and still remain close. He sings about being able to call on her and her being able to call on him whenever they need each other. The song is about being there for someone you love unconditionally and about the power of love, which transcends time and distance.
The lyrics of "Call On Me" ooze of nostalgia and emotional depth. The song is an ode to the singer's childhood love, who he is still in love with despite the distance and the passage of time. The singer's commitment to his lover is evident when he sings, "Anytime you need a lover, call on me, I'll be waiting." The repetition of "I love you" that starts the song sets the tone for a song that is all about love, and the rhythm provides a relaxed, soothing atmosphere that can calm even the most troubled of souls.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey oh
Expression of excitement or greeting
Oh yeah
Further expression of excitement or agreement
Oh yeah, yeah I
Continued expression of excitement and personal identity
Love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, yeah I
Repetition of love and personal affirmation
All my ladies, all my ladies now
Addressing and acknowledging the female audience
Cure again, yeah I
Personal affirmation and identification
Anytime you need a lover call on me, I'll be waiting
Offering of love and support at any time
Anytime you need a lover call on me, my heart is aching
Expressing pain and longing when not with the loved one
Call on me, anytime you want to
Reiteration of support and availability
Call on me baby girl I want you, ah huh
Expressing desire and willingness to be with the loved one
We grew together from way back when
Explanation of long history with loved one
She was nine and I was ten
Further explanation of long history with specific ages
She used to be, my next door neighbor
Clarifying relationship with loved one
She even went to school with my sister Makayla yeah
Adding another personal connection with the loved one
Now were two grown folks, years gone by and we still keep close
Explanation of maintaining relationship despite age and time
Loving me, I'm loving her the same
Mutual love and affection
I just want you to know that I love you so oh
Personal affirmation and confession of love
Loving like they met the same
Comparison of love to when they first met
We were young and playing games
Further explanation of when they first met
I fell in love the first time I saw you
Personal confession of love at first sight
And I don't ever worry cause I know can call you yeahh
Expression of trust and confidence in the relationship
Now were two grown folks, years gone by and we still keep close
Further explanation of maintaining relationship despite age and time
He's lovin me, I'm lovin him the same as
Mutual love and affection
Now we've reached so far (reached so far)
Acknowledging progress and success in the relationship
We won't turn back again (yeah I)
Affirmation of commitment to moving forward in the relationship
Love, lovin' you (lovin' you)
Reiteration of love and devotion to the loved one
There is no end (no end, no end, no end, nooo)
Expressing everlasting love and commitment to the relationship
Lovin' you, ah
Final expression of love and devotion to the loved one
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ALBERT STERLING MENENDEZ, SARA LYNAE DEVINE, NEIL PIERCE, AARON ROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@latonyamoore2345
Timeless music is what we call this. ❤️
@QueenZalikaS
Love this!! Still going Strong in 2023!! Keep ur headup Jah Cure everyone make mistakes 💯 🙏 Praying for you 🙏 ❤
@orissajackson
Most definitely
@vanmabande8479
Still rocking this song in 2021😁. It puts me in the MOOD👄
@rachelbourbonnais7228
the song yeah, the video, not so much hahaah damnnnn time changes
@closed6867
Yess🔥💃
@itzabby2705
Facts
@nahelysracero917
YessFact
@rylaboo9245
Yes ofc
@cagekiller6590
Still rocking it and it's 2023! Anytime you need a lover, call on me!!!! #jahcure