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
NEVER GONNA BE A SLAVE
Kabaka Pyramid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I a bun the fire well red
Listen what the isences a said
Things and time getting dread
Never gonna be a slave fi dem economy no
Accurate, the fire burning dem haffi let
Kabaka P a mek you know
Rasta nah look no wuk inna dem business
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Lox a grow do nuh get it twisted
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Nah stoop nor bow fi see no rist ting
Never gonna be a slave, never gonna be a slave
Better to be brave
I rather do some farming
Plant up a couple acre than to be a faker
I prefer be a fruit seller than a tell in a bankrupt Jamaica
I prefer sell some books and some arts and crafts
Than see the vendor a ramp pon the boss man chart
Dem mek a profit but a loss man loss
Me dem nah crucified pon no cross
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Rasta nah look no wuk inna dem business
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Lox a grow do nuh get it twisted
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Nah stoop nor bow fi see no rist ting
Never gonna be a slave, never gonna be a slave
Better to be brave
Nuh badda worry when the yutes dem a falla we
We nah stick around fi bost dem economy
Dah sumtin deh fi go a school is a follicy
Pon all the teacher dem a use phycology
Yes education a di key, but it nuh free
So dem a slave you fi a fee
Once you graduate and you get your degree
A yuh student load you haffi pree
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Rasta nah look no wuk inna dem business
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Lox a grow do nuh get it twisted
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Nah stoop nor bow fi see no rist ting
Never gonna be a slave, never gonna be a slave
Better to be brave
Cause as a rasta man in a dem system
Dem discriminate we, intimidate we
Boss man him ever quick fi intiminate
And a ask what you did fi mi lately
You got your wife fi feed and a baby as well
Without self sufficent a slavery as hell
So when the bills keep pilling up
Look in a di mirror and say to yourself
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Rasta nah look no wuk inna dem business
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Lox a grow do nuh get it twisted
Never gonna be a slave to them system
Nah stoop nor bow fi see no rist ting
Never gonna be a slave, never gonna be a slave
Better to be brave
The song "Never gonna be a slave" by Kabaka Pyramid is a track that espouses the importance of self-determination, resilience, and bravery in the face of oppressive economic and societal systems. The song highlights the artist's conscious decision to not be a slave to the economy or the societal structures that keep people in chains. Kabaka Pyramid stresses that he would rather work the land, sell fruits, books and arts and crafts than be in debt or face economic slavery. He proclaims himself a Rastafarian who doesn't engage in the corrupt business practices of the system and doesn't stoop to taking the risks involved in such activities.
Kabaka Pyramid explains that the educational system is flawed and students end up being enslaved to repay their loans. He speaks about economic struggles and how the system discriminates against Rastafarians. Despite these challenges, Kabaka encourages listeners to be brave and look within themselves for strength. He highlights that being brave is better than being a slave to any system.
In conclusion, "Never gonna be a slave" by Kabaka Pyramid is a powerful and thought-provoking song that highlights the importance of self-determination and bravery to overcome the societal constraints that stifle people's growth and development. It is a message of hope and inspiration to those who are struggling to break free from the shackles of societal structures.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear mi nuh Frass, Accurate
Listen to me carefully
Well I a bun the fire well red
I am passionate and dedicated
Listen what the isences a said
Listen to the wisdom being spoken
Things and time getting dread
The world is changing and becoming more challenging
Never gonna be a slave fi dem economy no
I will not be controlled by the economy
Accurate, the fire burning dem haffi let
My passion cannot be extinguished
Kabaka P a mek you know
I am Kabaka Pyramid letting you know
I rather do some farming
I prefer a humble existence
Plant up a couple acre than to be a faker
I'd rather be self-sufficient than fake a lifestyle
I prefer be a fruit seller than a tell in a bankrupt Jamaica
I'd rather sell my own produce than work for a failing company
I prefer sell some books and some arts and crafts
I'd rather sell things I believe in
Than see the vendor a ramp pon the boss man chart
Than see opportunistic people succeed at the expense of others
Dem mek a profit but a loss man loss
Profit is not the only measure of success
Me dem nah crucified pon no cross
I won't let society or my job crucify me
Nuh badda worry when the yutes dem a falla we
Don't worry about the youth following me
We nah stick around fi bost dem economy
We won't be used to boost the economy
Dah sumtin deh fi go a school is a follicy
Going to school doesn't guarantee success
Pon all the teacher dem a use phycology
Teachers try to manipulate us
Yes education a di key, but it nuh free
Education is important but expensive
So dem a slave you fi a fee
You are enslaved to your debt
Once you graduate and you get your degree
Getting a degree is only one step
A yuh student load you haffi pree
You have to pay back your student loans
Cause as a rasta man in a dem system
As a Rasta man, the system discriminates against us
Dem discriminate we, intimidate we
They discriminate and intimidate us
Boss man him ever quick fi intiminate
The boss threatens us
And a ask what you did fi mi lately
Asks what we have done for him lately
You got your wife fi feed and a baby as well
You have responsibilities to your family
Without self sufficent a slavery as hell
Without being self-sufficient, life is like slavery
So when the bills keep pilling up
When bills keep coming
Look in a di mirror and say to yourself
Confront your reality honestly
Never gonna be a slave to them system
I will not be a slave to the oppressive system
Rasta nah look no wuk inna dem business
As a Rasta man, I won't work for them
Lox a grow do nuh get it twisted
I grow my own food
Nah stoop nor bow fi see no rist ting
I won't compromise my values for a chance at success
Better to be brave
It's better to be courageous
Contributed by Isaiah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SlaveMason 2016
LYRICS:
(Chorus)
Never gonna be a slave fi dem economy now
The fire burning immaculate
Kabaka P a meck yo know
Am never gonna be a slave to dem system
Rasta naw look no wuk in a dem business
Never gonna be a slave to dem system
Lox a grow, do no get it twisted
Never gonna be a slave to dem system
Naw bow nor stoop fi si no wrist bling
Never gonna be a slave, never gonna be a slave
(Verse 1)
I man rather do some forming
Plant up a couple acre that be a faker
I prefer be a fruit seller than a teller in a bank of Jamaica
Bankrupt Jamaica
I prefer sell some books and some arts and crafts
Than si the vender a grind pon the boss man chart
Dem meck a profit but a lost man lost
Me dem naw crucify pon no cross
(Repeat Chorus)
(Verse 2)
No bother worry when the youths dem a follow wi
Wi naw stick around fi boost dem economy
Da supn deh yuh call school is a policy
Pon all the teacher dem a used psychology
Hey yo seh education a the key
But it no free, so dem a slave yo fi a fee
Once yo graduate and yo get yo degree
A yo student loan yuh haffi pree
(Repeat Chorus)
(Verse 3)
Cause as a rasta man in a dem system
Dem discriminate wi, intimidate wi
Boss man him ever quick fi incriminate
And a ask what yo did fi mi lately
Yuh have yo wife to feed and a baby as well
Without self sufficiency a slavery
So when the bills keep piling on
Look in a the mirror and say to yo self
(Repeat Chorus 2X)
Chaddy Royal
One of his many songs that i connect with the most. So much people now in these times can relate to the message. Entrepreneurship is the revolution!
sahra omar
yep blesss song
Chaddy Royal
Indeed!
Gelila Habesha
Truly
Joseph Mulindwa
Quite impressive
rasta p
Nice clip,Nice lyrics,Good Massage!Big Up Kabaka Pyramid!!!!!!
Norrin Radd
This man is very smart, he speaks the truth articulately
Fidel Makori
Powerful lyrics, Killer Flow, Mad Delivery, Best One drop I've heard in a long time
ben feldman
Yes. Big fan. I love his delivery
Short
What a pleasure it was to see you Live and bring such Fyah to Reggae in the Hills! The energy down in the front was insane! Much Love and Respect for hanging with us at the Merch Booth. Those Brothers are cool Cats too. Much Love and Respect, Jah Bless.