Recently Kabaka Pyramid has been appearing on the Live Music scene in Kingston with live performances at the Manifesto Jamaica Festival 2010, Jaria Reggae Month 2010, Jamaica Vybez, The Next Generation of Reggae, Bands Incoporated (Featured by The Indiggnation Band), and Conversations - just to name a few.
The Conscious musician is a member of Manifesto Jamaica, which is an N.G.O. aiming to empower Jamaican youth through the arts and culture. Representing Manifesto JA, Kabaka has worked with friend and colleague Donisha Prendegast on the "Africa Unite" School Tour spreading the word of Rastafari and the liberation struggle in South Africa. Performing for the kids in school is an important part of Kabaka's vision for his musical career and is always willing to play his part in the movement.
The name "Kabaka" is Ugandan for "King" and Pyramids are thought by the artist to house the mathematical proportions of Universal Laws that are eminent in the creation of this universe. He seeks to embody these laws in his music, spreading truth and higher knowledge to the people who are prepared to listen.
He has just released his “Rebel Music” EP which is free to the public at www.kabakapyramid.bandcamp.com. This project is a fusion of roots rock, reggae, dancehall and hip hop and is intended to show the world where Kabaka Pyramid is looking to take Jamaican music, as well as spread the positive messages of spirituality and conscious evolution that you find whenever he grabs a mic!
“To me....Reggae and Hip Hop go hand in hand....when they procreate, Rebel Music is born! Some believe that each art form must remain pure....I’m not here to oppose. But fusion is the foodstuff of evolution, and evolution is constant - both physically and spiritually” - Kabaka Pyramid
“Kabaka Pyramid is one of the most promising talents I have seen in a while” - Protoje
“It is a tasty mix of roots and early dancehall scented with some hip-hop” - United reggae Magazine on Rebel music
“With a solid list of skills not only in the booth but on the mixing board, and an array of lyrics that preach a message of love, self-awareness and African pride, Kabaka Pyramid is well on his way to a career that should not only lead to greatness but also lead a lot of fans to righteousness” - Aesthetics Now Magazine
Kontraband
Kabaka Pyramid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm way up
I'm way up
I'm way up
I'm way up
I'm way up
Is it the master plan?
Kontraband
It tekking up the farmers land
Kontraband
How it pass the borders can
Kontraband
An end up in u daughter hand
Kontraband
Now what's in that recipe?
Kontraband
Dat giving me the stress relief
Kontraband
It sell more than rice and peas
Kontraband
Feels so damn good to me
When all those fucking dogs sniffing me
Pray to Jah I didn't leave a one spliff on me
If they found one, it surely move swift on me
Family and friend will surely be missing me
Meanwhile Gong is having that epiphany
I'm been searched by a squaddy named Tiffany
The way she gurt me, me supn get stiff on me
Still me slide through smooth like the chiffon be
As they done searching the Pyramid
They turn their attention to the Grammy kid
Dealing with the Rasta like a invalid
Demonstrating how Babylon wicked
Weh dem ask 'bout, illegal substances, if these things we packaging
Hell top a thing, shipping and the handling
These accusation are damaging
Dem say they've heard reggae artists trafficking
Kontraband
Is it the master plan?
Kontraband
It tekking up the farmers land
Kontraband
How it pass the borders can
Kontraband
An end up in u daughter hand
Kontraband
Now what's in that recipe?
Kontraband
Dat giving me the stress relief
Kontraband
It sell more than rice and peas
Kontraband
Feels so damn good to me
Yo, yo, yo, yo
There is some sirens approaching me
Call Kabaka, hope I didn't leave a roach on me
Everything is stashed right where it suppose to be
Well if not, a bail you haffi post fi me
Bredda, me just see your picture weh dem poster be
It hang up 'pon the wall inna the grocery
No worry the judge have a favour weh she owe for me
Me got it covered like the suite weh me a throw 'pon me
Yeah, but K, our face is known locally
And the thing turn up totally
I know dem must smell the smoke on me
Can we defend the case vocally?
Well, based on the scope of the evidence
And how much dem gathering intelligence
Determine the charges you held against
For all the wait and the measurements, of
Kontraband
Is it the master plan?
Kontraband
It tekking up the farmers land
Kontraband
How it pass the borders can
Kontraband
An end up in u daughter hand
Kontraband
Now what's in that recipe?
Kontraband
Dat giving me the stress relief
Kontraband
It sell more than rice and peas
Kontraband
Feels so damn good to me
They're preeing how our companies
Bebble Rocks and Ghetto Youths is keeping company
Now the agents dem a come fi we
Because Kontraband is spreading 'cross the country
Deal, our records cleaner than laundry
Or a washing machine weh full a lingerie
So we not even need no money laundering
If it go to court we just a peal it like a tangerine
Yeah, but we can't pay the lawyer with no tambourine
The case kinda shaky like a tambourine
Now we hot a road like a lava stream
Wha' happen if full a drama queen
Yo, hold on deh, see me lawyer just phoning me:
"Mr Pyramid, I've heard that you be touring
And the Kontraband is soaring and it's taking off globally
Is it sold out or do you have a little more of the"
Kontraband
Is it the master plan?
Kontraband
It tekking up the farmers land
Kontraband
How it pass the borders can
Kontraband
An end up in u daughter hand
Kontraband
Now what's in that recipe?
Kontraband
Dat giving me the stress relief
Kontraband
It sell more than rice and peas
Kontraband
Feels so damn good to me
The song "Kontraband" by Kabaka Pyramid and Damian Marley discusses the issue of illegal smuggling and trade, particularly of drugs, and how it affects individuals and society as a whole. The repetition of the phrase "I'm way up" suggests the high and euphoric feeling of drug use, but the following lyrics provide a counterargument to its negative consequences.
The chorus emphasizes the question of whether Kontraband serves a "master plan" or if it is simply causing harm, such as taking away land from farmers and ending up in the hands of children. The lyrics highlight the flaws of border control and how substances can easily pass through, causing more problems. The verse about being searched by authorities and the fear of being caught emphasizes the dangers and risks of trafficking and how it can lead to imprisonment or even death.
The lyrics also reference the artists' own music labels, Bebble Rocks and Ghetto Youths, and how they are now under scrutiny due to the issue of Kontraband. The song challenges the idea of a conspiracy or corrupt plan behind illegal trade and instead focuses on the personal and societal harm that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm way up
I am doing very well in life
Kontraband
Illegal goods that are being smuggled across borders
Is it the master plan?
Is this illegal activity part of a larger, more organized plan?
It tekking up the farmers land
The smuggling of Kontraband is taking over and exploiting the land of local farmers
How it pass the borders can
How is the Kontraband passing through borders without being detected?
An end up in u daughter hand
The Kontraband is ending up in the hands of young children
Now what's in that recipe?
What is the exact makeup or recipe of the Kontraband being smuggled?
Dat giving me the stress relief
The Kontraband provides relief from stress for the artist
It sell more than rice and peas
The Kontraband is more lucrative than the staple food products of the region
Feels so damn good to me
The artist enjoys the feeling provided by the use of Kontraband
When all those fucking dogs sniffing me
The singer is being searched by drug-sniffing dogs
Pray to Jah I didn't leave a one spliff on me
The artist hopes they have not been caught with any marijuana on them
If they found one, it surely move swift on me
If caught with any illegal substances, authorities will quickly take action against the singer
Family and friend will surely be missing me
If the singer is caught and charged with illegal activity, they will be separated from their loved ones
Meanwhile Gong is having that epiphany
While the singer is being searched, Damian Marley (Gong) is having a moment of realization
I'm been searched by a squaddy named Tiffany
The artist is being searched by a military soldier named Tiffany
The way she gurt me, me supn get stiff on me
The search by Tiffany gives the artist an erection
Still me slide through smooth like the chiffon be
The singer manages to pass through the search successfully and smoothly
As they done searching the Pyramid
After finishing searching the singer, who goes by Kabaka Pyramid
They turn their attention to the Grammy kid
The authorities then turn their attention to Damian Marley, who has won multiple Grammy awards
Dealing with the Rasta like a invalid
The authorities are treating Damian Marley disrespectfully, despite his status as a Rastafarian
Demonstrating how Babylon wicked
The actions of the authorities highlight the cruelty and wickedness of the Babylonian system
Weh dem ask 'bout, illegal substances, if these things we packaging
Authorities are questioning whether the artists are packaging and trafficking illegal substances
Hell top a thing, shipping and the handling
The process of shipping and handling the Kontraband is very complicated and dangerous
These accusation are damaging
The accusations of illegal activity are harmful to the reputation of the artists
Dem say they've heard reggae artists trafficking
Authorities have heard rumors of reggae artists trafficking illegal substances
There is some sirens approaching me
The singer hears sirens coming towards them
Call Kabaka, hope I didn't leave a roach on me
Damian Marley calls out to Kabaka Pyramid, hoping he has not left any marijuana on his person
Everything is stashed right where it suppose to be
All the illegal goods are hidden in the right place
Well if not, a bail you haffi post fi me
If caught, Damian Marley will need someone to post bail for him
Bredda, me just see your picture weh dem poster be
The singer sees a picture of their friend on a wanted poster
It hang up 'pon the wall inna the grocery
The picture is hung up on the wall of a local grocery store
No worry the judge have a favour weh she owe for me
The artist is not worried because they believe the judge owes them a favor
Yeah, but K, our face is known locally
Damian Marley's identity is known locally and could make it more difficult to avoid getting caught
And the thing turn up totally
The situation has unexpectedly escalated
I know dem must smell the smoke on me
The authorities may be able to smell the marijuana smoke on the artist
Can we defend the case vocally?
Can we defend the case verbally in court?
Well, based on the scope of the evidence
Depending on the amount and nature of the evidence against them
And how much dem gathering intelligence
Depending on how much information the authorities have gathered
Determine the charges you held against
The charges filed against the artist will be determined by the evidence gathered
For all the wait and the measurements, of
After all the waiting and gathering of information
They're preeing how our companies
The authorities are investigating the companies associated with the artists
Bebble Rocks and Ghetto Youths is keeping company
The companies Bebble Rocks and Ghetto Youths are associated with the artists
Now the agents dem a come fi we
The agents are coming for the artists
Because Kontraband is spreading 'cross the country
The smuggling of Kontraband is becoming more widespread across the country
Deal, our records cleaner than laundry
The artists are innocent of any illegal activity and their records reflect that
Or a washing machine weh full a lingerie
The analogy of a washing machine full of lingerie is used to accentuate the cleanliness of the artists' records
So we not even need no money laundering
The artists do not need to launder any money because their finances are legitimate
If it go to court we just a peal it like a tangerine
If the case goes to court, the artists will easily peel away the false accusations like a tangerine skin
Yeah, but we can't pay the lawyer with no tambourine
The artists will need money to pay for a lawyer to defend them in court
The case kinda shaky like a tambourine
The case against the artists is weak and unsteady, like the sound of a tambourine
Now we hot a road like a lava stream
The artists are now on the run, like a stream of lava
Wha' happen if full a drama queen
What happens if someone in their group causes unnecessary drama?
Yo, hold on deh, see me lawyer just phoning me
The singer's lawyer is calling them
"Mr Pyramid, I've heard that you be touring
The lawyer is asking Kabaka Pyramid about their tour
And the Kontraband is soaring and it's taking off globally
The smuggling of Kontraband is becoming more popular and widespread across the globe
Is it sold out or do you have a little more of the"
The lawyer is inquiring about the availability of Kontraband on their tour
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes
Written by: DAMIAN ROBERT NESTA MARLEY, KERON SALMON, SEAN DIEDRICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Vic_DamoneJr
Somebody told me years ago that reggae will save rap. I ain't wanna believe but this here, I can listen to everyday
@Sars_007
Reagge saved my life, glad u enjoy it
@galpickney
🤞👍
@CustomCraftHeaven
Listen Red Gold and Green bro! Its next lvl stuff!
@pandapanda3762
Been a solo fan of true Jamaican reggae since I was 14 but I can say that true Rasta reggae got me through one of the hardest times of my life of finding my papa dying….these two and the other og greats and Marley sons music helped me limp through it…. . So grateful.
@michaelfoster1738
Don't hear Rap now. Mi don't listen to it monn
@josephgichuhi63
Kabaka criminally underrated lyrically, Man's a beast
@Dkthearn
And he's a real artist, humble to Saw him out in OB sd for 25 bucks it was massive
@ngarejoe
💯 GRAMMY winner 🥇.
Well Deserved, Lyrical God
#Sabali
@maledatek1
"If it go to court we just appeal it like tangerine". BARS👌🏾