In 2002 he played lead role (Biggs) in the film Shottas along with Spragga Benz, Paul Campbell, Louie Rankin, Wyclef Jean, Screechie Bop and many more. It is an original story that shows the life of a shotta/gangster on the streets of Jamaica and Miami.
He achieved even more success as a musician with a cover of Eddy Grant's Electric Avenue, in collaboration with the Fugees' Pras. He has also starred in several films, including Shottas in 2002 and as John the Baptist in the 2004 film Haven.
Remaining true to his Jamaican culture, Ky-mani's fondness for all genres of music influences the work he creates. Ky-mani is an artist with no limits. Incorporating world music, hip hop, blues, rock and a grass roots sound into his music, the end product is the pure representation of life for Ky-mani. The Ky-mani Marley sound is one that transcends cultural lines and prohibits him from being categorized as only a reggae artist. His raw, unadulterated, gruff sound captures the listener and reverberates the essence of Ky-mani's life story.
Ky-mani launched his latest album "Radio" in 2007. The album features several key singles including One Time, The March and Conversation among others. All of the songs contain Marley’s unique sound of classical reggae beats mixed with contemporary hip hop. Also featured on the CD are some of today’s hottest artists including Young Buck, Mya and Gail Gotti.
Be Smart
Ky-Mani Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Babylon lead you the wrong way
Jah Jah
We gotta be smart
Nuh mek dem trick you
Neva for a minute neva think dem with you
Cause if you leave it to dem alone
Hungry dawgs nuh get nuh bone
So be smart nuh mek dem trick you
Neva for a minute neva think dem with you
Cause if you leave it to dem alone yeah
Hungry dawgs nuh get nuh bone
1:
Pon mi face dem nuh waan si no smile
We haffi show dem suh fi dem we nuh hav nuh time
Dem take it hard fi even feed di poor child
Hey Mr. Babylon fi yuh we nuh hav nuh bly
A suh mi tell mi people dem mi seh dont cry
Jah Jah seh to call on him nuh video seh close eye
Hey yo mi feel it inna mi heart it's a mystical vibes
Sending di prayers to the most high
So be smart
Nuh mek dem trick you
Neva for a minute neva think dem with you
Cause if you leave it to dem alone
Hungry dawgs nuh get nuh bone
So be smart nuh mek dem trick you
Neva for a minute neva think dem with you
Cause if you leave it to dem alone yeah
Hungry dawgs nuh get nuh bone
2:
So nuh mek dem brain wash seh dem lead you inna death
And nuh everything you fi believe pon the internet
Dem tell yuh weh dem feel like when bagga tings weh him carry it
So dem cyan lock u up and kill u, yo each a weh dem select
A dem mi fight fi run the world but it's so wrong
And di pollution on the earth it's destruction
A mi see nations drop di nuclear pon anodda nation
When Jah Jah bun dem cyan call nuh fyah station
Be smart
Nuh mek dem trick you
Neva for a minute neva think dem with you
Cause if you leave it to dem alone
Hungry dawgs nuh get nuh bone
So be smart nuh mek dem trick you
Neva for a minute neva think dem with you
Cause if you leave it to dem alone yeah
Hungry dawgs nuh get nuh bone
Repeat 1
Repeat Repeat 2
The lyrics of Ky-Mani Marley's song Be Smart talk about the danger of blindly following those in power, particularly the "Babylon" system, which refers to corrupt governments or oppressive forces. He urges listeners to be smart and not allow themselves to be tricked or misled by those who do not have their best interests at heart. He emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from a higher power, Jah Jah, and not relying solely on those in power. Marley cautions against believing everything that is presented through media or the internet, as misinformation can be used to manipulate people. He also touches on issues such as poverty, pollution, and nuclear warfare, highlighting the danger and destruction caused by those who hold power.
The message in Be Smart aligns with the themes present in much of reggae music, particularly that of Marley's legendary father Bob Marley. The song is an example of conscious music, which seeks to inspire social and political change through its message. Ky-Mani Marley's vocals and the song's reggae beat create an uplifting and empowering feel, adding to the message of hope and resilience in the face of oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Neva let
Never allow
Babylon lead you the wrong way
The corrupt system to steer you off course
Jah Jah
A reference to God
We gotta be smart
We need to be wise and cautious
Nuh mek dem trick you
Do not allow them to deceive you
Neva for a minute neva think dem with you
Never for a moment think that they are on your side
Cause if you leave it to dem alone
If you trust them completely
Hungry dawgs nuh get nuh bone
You will not receive what you are looking for
So be smart nuh mek dem trick you
Therefore, be wise and do not let them deceive you
Pon mi face dem nuh waan si no smile
They do not want to see me happy
We haffi show dem suh fi dem we nuh hav nuh time
We have to demonstrate that we do not have time for them
Dem take it hard fi even feed di poor child
They struggle to even provide for underprivileged kids
Hey Mr. Babylon fi yuh we nuh hav nuh bly
Dear corrupt system, we do not have any sympathy for you
A suh mi tell mi people dem mi seh dont cry
I tell my people not to cry
Jah Jah seh to call on him nuh video seh close eye
God says to seek him instead of relying on artificial means
Hey yo mi feel it inna mi heart it's a mystical vibes
I sense it in my heart, it's a mystical feeling
Sending di prayers to the most high
Sending prayers to God
So nuh mek dem brain wash seh dem lead you inna death
Do not allow them to brainwash you into a path of destruction
And nuh everything you fi believe pon the internet
Do not trust everything you see on the internet
Dem tell yuh weh dem feel like when bagga tings weh him carry it
They tell you what they want you to hear when they possess hidden agendas
So dem cyan lock u up and kill u, yo each a weh dem select
So they can imprison or kill you, it's at their own discretion
A dem mi fight fi run the world but it's so wrong
I am fighting against them who want to rule the world, but it's not right
And di pollution on the earth it's destruction
The pollution on earth is causing destruction
A mi see nations drop di nuclear pon anodda nation
I witness countries launching nuclear weapons on other nations
When Jah Jah bun dem cyan call nuh fyah station
When God punishes them, there will be no escape
Contributed by Aaron G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sheeny19
I love this song makes me feel a sense of strength don't let temptation get the best of you ... because it will be fun but sooner or later you will have to pay the price ... reminds me of my ex smart guy but got mislead involved in immature happenings and I feel sorry for him he might get trapped in a circle of immaturity for the rest of his life all i wished he would find happiness
Gustavo Grossi
be smart dont let dem trick ya
Dime Entertainment. 11th Dimention
never for a minute ever think dem witcha.,,, I understand this song politically and that's what my country is suffering from right now.
Only Jah ah guide Us.
fofocandela rodriguez
Maddddd Maddddd Chune !!!!!!