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
Respect
Jah Cure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
working working working (yeaaaa)
Respect the hustlers in the street, finding hard to
make two ends meet
Respect goes out to you
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children
down the lane
Dont you ever give up, no, we've got too much to live
for, remember hard work is the key (yea yea)
She had four mouths to feed, mi dunno how she dweet,
oh Jah see us through cuz only you can answer our prayer.
Respect the hustlers in the street, finding hard to
make two ends meet
Respect goes out to you
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children
down the lane
Respect goes out to her
Respect to the man who drive di bus, do di dutty work,
clean di garbage up, man wey sweep the street, clean
the country up, respect goes out to you (oh yea)
Doctor man big up, lawyer man big up, policeman big up,
fireman big up, teachers big up respect goes to you (aaaaaa)
Respect the hustlers in the street, finding hard to
make two ends meet
Respect goes out to you
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children
down the lane
Respect goes out to her
Dissa one ya dedicated to, to all the hard working
crewwwww (yea)
Respect goes out to you (R E S P E C T I know what
it means to you)
Respect goes out to you
Respect goes out to you and you and you and you and you
Respect the hustlers in the street, finding hard to
make two ends meet
Respect goes out to you
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children
down the lane
Respect goes out to her
The song "Respect" by Jah Cure is a tribute to the ordinary working-class people who struggle to make ends meet in their daily lives. The opening lines of the song show the singer's commitment to hard work and his disdain for people who waste their time. He sings to show that he respects the hard work of the ordinary people in his community who are trying to make a living through their daily hustles.
The chorus of the song repeats the same lines that express respect for the people who are working hard to provide for themselves and their families. The singer mentions the sacrifices of mothers who work tirelessly to feed their children and also acknowledges other professionals such as doctors, lawyers, policemen, and teachers who contribute to society.
The song "Respect" is a heartwarming tribute to people who are not recognized for their hard work and efforts in life. It reminds us not to take the ordinary working-class people for granted as they are the backbone of society. It is a song that acknowledges the struggles people go through in their daily lives and encourages them to keep working hard and never give up.
Line by Line Meaning
Mi nah have no time for skylarking, always keep on working working working (yeaaaa)
I don't have time for idle activities, I always work hard to achieve my goals.
Respect the hustlers in the street, finding hard to make two ends meet
Respect goes out to you
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children down the lane
Respect goes out to her
Acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of those struggling to make ends meet, including the mothers doing all they can to provide for their children.
Dont you ever give up, no, we've got too much to live for, remember hard work is the key (yea yea)
She had four mouths to feed, mi dunno how she dweet, oh Jah see us through cuz only you can answer our prayer.
Never surrender as we have plenty of reasons to stay alive, and hard work is what we need to overcome our struggles. Like the mother with four children to feed, only divine intervention can help us through.
Respect to the man who drive di bus, do di dutty work, clean di garbage up, man wey sweep the street, clean the country up, respect goes out to you (oh yea)
Doctor man big up, lawyer man big up, policeman big up, fireman big up, teachers big up respect goes to you (aaaaaa)
Show admiration to individuals doing the necessary yet often overlooked jobs such as bus drivers, garbage collectors, street sweepers, as well as those in professions like doctors, lawyers, policemen, firefighters, and teachers.
Dissa one ya dedicated to, to all the hard working crewwwww (yea)
Respect goes out to you (R E S P E C T I know what it means to you)
Respect goes out to you
Respect goes out to you and you and you and you and you
This song is specifically for the hard-working crew, and respect goes out to all of them as they know what the word means.
Contributed by Chase I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shxnikx948
Intro]
Mi nah have no time fi skylarking
Always keep on working and working
Working, yeaaah
[Chorus]
Respect the hustlers in di street
Fighting hard to make two ends meet
Respect goes out to ya
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children down the lane
Respect goes out to her
[Verse 1]
Don’t you ever give up, no
We’ve got too much to live for
Remember hard work is the key, yeah yeah
She had four mouths to feed
Mi dunno how she do it
Oh Jah see us through 'cause only you can answer our cry
[Chorus]
Respect the hustlers in di street
Fighting hard to make two ends meet
Respect goes out to ya
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children down the lane
Respect goes out to her
Verse 2]
Respect di man who drive di bus
Do di dutty work
Clean di garbage up
Man weh sweep di streets
Clean the country up
Respect goes out to ya, ohh yeah
Doctor man big up
Lawyer man big up
Policeman big up
Fireman big up
Teachers big up
Respect goes out to ya, ayyy
[Chorus]
Respect the hustlers in di street
Fighting hard to make two ends meet
Respect goes out to ya
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children down the lane
Respect goes out to her
[Bridge]
Dis a' one yah dedicated to
To all the hard working crew ooi ooi ooi yeah yeah
Respect goes out to you
Respect goes out to you
Respect goes out to you and you and you and you
And you
[Chorus]
Respect the hustlers in di street
Fighting hard to make two ends meet
Respect goes out to ya
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children down the lane
Respect goes out to her
[Outro]
Respect the hustlers in di street
Fighting hard to make two ends meet
Respect goes out to ya
Respect to mama work in the rain to feed her children down the lane
Respect goes out to her
@benisrael144
Respect to Jah Cure one of the most talented bro in Jamiaca who is listening in 2024✊🏾🥶
@paulinewangari303
Respect! One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain. For those who will be here in 2092, I was here in 2022. Jah bless ♥️
@lyricsbandit8628
Like my friends still call "Gent" or the jewer,"asusu -a gospel song from some time back". So my friend requested the song and I was obliged to play it. Like charlie chaplin before us, we are you ancestors...very high 😂😂😂. Love, 2023"
@emmanuelkubikwa5832
19 march 2023 this still hits so hard... what Jah Cure did can't be undone...👊👊👊👊
@trinity3297
2023 Guyana 🇬🇾 in the house
@nkosazanahopeshihada9366
Respect to all of ya everywe-hear! Love to JA most of all from North California. The valley of resurrection. Jah GUIDE ya. Rastafari!
@CharlesNMuli-bk1wc
This is a great song of all seasons and generations. Maximum Respect from Kenya
@antonettewalton1458
Great chune
@santigiekamara8086
Still touching the right place of my pain, Respect goes to all Hustlers and to our beloved mother's all over the world ❤️🙏jah cure jah bless you bro 🙏❤️
@horacemungai8212
10 years later , i'm still listening to this song on a daily basis. God bless you for this song