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Louie Culture „Mr Gangalee“
Dancehall fans, here he is, the original Mr. "Gangalee" himself-- Mr. "I wanna be free from all chains and all bangles and rope/Free from all bars and all borders and dope/Free to praise the Lord because mi naw praise the Pope/So mind how yuh a wash yuh face wid Babylon soap/I was born to be free 'cause mi a ole gangalee/Gangalee and who have eyes they will see." (taken from the hit song "Gangalee.")
He's also known as DJ Louie Culture, as that is the name he entered the music business with, but ever since he scored with his big hit, Dancehall fans, home and abroad, have branded him "Mr. Gangalee." He's very proud to wear this title, not only because he made it popular, but more so, because his belief in the concept of the word "gangalee" has been his main driving force to success.
Now, before driving you all nuts, here's the history of the word and the man called Gangalee. Follow mi! "Gangalee" is an old Jamaican rural term for an unruly, uncontrollable, bad person. As old people would say, "A soon cool yuh 'cause yuh a gwan like yuh a gangalee."
Well, Louie Culture, who was born in rural Portland (Windsor Forest to be exact), on May 9, 1968, took that old rural term and gave it a new meaning and lease on life in 1993. To Louie, a "gangalee" is a freedom fighter. One who fights for and never gives up on his beliefs, and what he wants and dreams of, no matter what the circumstances, obstacles or difficulties may be. Even if it means going or fighting the battle alone, with God by your side.
Louie Culture, born Lewin Brown, started out DJing while still at school in Portland. He took the name of his mentor Bobby Culture and fused it with his pet name "Louie," to come up with the name Louie Culture. Like his mentor, Louie DJayed a lot of Cultural tunes. His first recording was "Rat a Bother Me" (with fellow DJ and friend Waynie Ranking) for producer Red Man in 1986.
The song was a flop. Waynie Ranking got fed up and migrated, so Louie then teamed up with the singer called Positive. They recorded a few songs together, but they too were unsuccessful. Positive
thought what was happening was negative, so he also migrated, leaving Louie alone, hanging on to his dreams of becoming a DJ.
Louie Culture decided there and then that he was going to make it on his own. He was now determined to go "through the hills and valleys" to the mountain top of the music industry. After recording some songs for Colin Fatta, Louie met DJ Terror Fabulous. Terror introduced him to the "Mad House" crew. That's when his career took off.
He recorded and scored with songs "Live and Learn" (with Wayne Wonder), "Excellent," "Bogus Badge," "Revolution Song," "No Gal" (on the Pepperseed rhythm), and then the monster hit and titeltrack "Gangalee", that gave him his first LP, produced by Stone Love (Released 1994/ Available at: VP Music Group).
Louie is very happy about his growing success, and he thanks Jah for making his dream become a reality.
He remembers when he used to go to producers with reality tunes, and they'd tell him, "Them sound good man, but give me gal tune or gun lyrics." So, what he did as a gangalee was to give the producers what they wanted until they had to take "whey mi want to give them, and that is Culture."
Louie, a Rastafarian, is glad to see that Culture songs are now on the upswing; but he's a little concerned about the sincerity of the many DJs who are recording songs based on the Rastafarian belief. "'Nuff man a say things them don't know 'bout because them want to be under the light," he explained. "A lot of them will soon have to stand up and be counted, then we'll know who sincere from who wearing 'the Bogus Badge.'"
He's also aware that some Dancehall fans have been mis-interpreting the word "gangalee."
"When mi go abroad, some man a say, 'Whoah, mi a gangalee,' meaning a badman thing, so, mi haffi go pon stage [and] show them how I interpret it. But them still hold fi them view."
Mr. Gangalee made his debut appearance at Sunsplash in 1994, where he performed a great set. Here is a story about Louie and Sunsplash that he shared with us:"A great feeling and a great experience. The only thing I never like is how they put me on so late when the people dem weary."
Louie's big songs in the late 90s are "Don't Get Weary Gangalee," "They Lied" and "Ole Before Them Young." From early 2000 and the following years Louie Culture continued to mash up the
dancehalls with songs like „Grap your lass and come“ feat. Mickey Spice & „Scandalina“ for Digital B Records.
In 2004 Louie Culture released his second album entitled „The
Uprising“ (Available at: VP Music Group).
The titeltrack of this album was a next massive hit thru out Jamaica, the US and Europe. He toured the album extensivly together with Freddy McGregor on a 5 weeks europe-tour followed by individual shows in the US.
Over the years Louie Culture has performed countless shows in Jamaica, Japan, the US, Canada, UK, Europe and all over the Caribbean.
Since early 2009 Louie „Gangalee“ Culture is working on his 3rd album for his own new established label „Gangalee Music“. He plan to adress a few new topics with this album – „expect lyrics about my views of the world today, critics I wanted to verbalise for a while now... and nuff more me haffi teach the youth dem“... he says with a smile...
First singles from the album are „Concrete Jungle Rock“ (for german based label „Silly Walks“), „What a World“ (for 96 Degree Records) and „Prayer for Jamaica“ (for his own label „Gangalee Music“).
Bogus Badge
Louie Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dem think we is clothes pon line without clothes pin
Or we is dry leaves pon limb
Don′t diss the system, alright
Well I've been through hills and valleys
I survive outta the old gangsta alley
Nuff gun shot now weh mi skip an′ dalley
Mi hol' dem an' pop it off
Bogus Badge weh mi rip off
How yuh get yuh fraud stripe? Tek it off
Come an′ get the fraud badge rip off
Gangsta rip it off,
With mi bible an′ mi prayers an' mi Father with the sword
With mi blessings an′ mi message, so mi step it outta road
Destination leads to Zion, so mi must follow the code
Nothing can't ′top we now, not even bad wud
Up selected and elected on the hunting board
False prophet yuh fi stop it, yuh a Satan toad
Lyrics full up inna mi head like a gun overload
Ready fi kill the wolf dem inna the sheep clothes
An' pop it off
Bogus Badge weh mi rip off
How yuh get yuh fraud stripe? Tek it off
Come an′ get the fraud badge rip off
Gangsta! Get this straight
Ah nuh yesterday nor today we a wait
Yuh know how long now mi 'tan' up a the gate
Yuh know how much time dem pass mi with the plate
Now mi goh a(?) bathpan a slice, a headache
A going move mountains now with mi faith
A going show dem dat black man is great
Two things can never be friend, love an′ hate
So tell dem fi get this straight
Mi will pop it off
Bogus Badge weh mi rip off
How yuh get yuh fraud stripe? Tek it off
Come an′ get the fraud badge rip off
Gangsta rip it off
Bwoy dem see mi an' nuh know mi but dem want judge mi size
Jah Jah bless mi, Jah Jah grow mi, so dem in fi a surprise
Shouldn′t try fi stop the gangsta when he's on the rise
Sky′s the limit, look an' you will see′t inna mi eyes
So mi tek it off
Bogus Badge weh mi rip off
How yuh get yuh fraud stripe? Tek it off
Come an' get the fraud badge rip off
Hear why!
Well I've been through hills and valleys
I survive outta the whole gangsta alley
Nuff gun shot now weh mi skip an′ dalley
When dem think mi dead, back inna the jungle with mi rally
Mi hol′ dem an' pop it off
Bogus Badge weh mi rip off
How yuh get yuh fraud stripe? Tek it off
Come an′ get the fraud badge rip off
Gangsta rip it off
Wi nuh response where yuh from, or wi nuh cater who you are
Mi a mi own big man, so mi nuh boom rum a bar
Buy mi own matches, an' buy mi own Star
Test mi nuh, a mek yuh end up like a old car
′Cau mi rip it off
Bogus Badge weh mi rip off
How yuh get yuh fraud stripe? Tek it off
Come an' get the fraud badge rip off
Gangsta rip it off,
With mi bible an′ mi prayers an' mi Father with the sword
With mi blessings an' mi message, so mi step it outta road
Destination leads to Zion, so mi must follow the code
Nothing can′t ′top we now, not even bad wud
Up selected and elected...
The lyrics to Louie Culture's song Bogus Badge highlight the struggles of being wrongly judged and stereotyped by society. The opening lines question why they are being judged and stereotyped, and how people assume they are just clothes hanging on a line without clothes pins or dry leaves on a limb. The second verse speaks about the artist's personal struggles, going through tough times but still moving forward and not letting anyone bring him down. He talks about false prophets and wolves in sheep's clothing, those who try to deceive and harm others with their fake badges and stripes, but Louie Culture is determined to fight back and rip off those fraudulent badges.
The lyrics also discuss the importance of faith, prayer, and following the right path. Louie Culture carries his Bible with him and believes in the power of prayer and blessings. He stays true to his convictions and believes that nothing can bring him down as long as he follows the right code and keeps moving forward. He ends the song with a warning to those who would judge him based on his appearance and background, and he emphasizes that he will rip off any frauds and false badges that may come his way.
Overall, the lyrics to Bogus Badge are powerful and uplifting, speaking to the experiences of many people who have been unfairly judged and stereotyped. The song is a reminder to stay true to oneself, to have faith, and to keep moving forward despite any challenges that may come one's way.
Line by Line Meaning
Unnu see yah, a weh dem tek we fah?
Do you see what's going on? What are they using and abusing us for?
Dem think we is clothes pon line without clothes pin
They treat us like clothes hanging on a line without clothespins - disposable, insignificant and worthless.
Or we is dry leaves pon limb
They also see us as dry leaves hanging on a branch, easy to pluck, destroy, and dispose of without a second thought.
Don′t diss the system, alright
Don't speak against the system, it's not worth it.
Well I've been through hills and valleys
I have experienced the highs and lows of life.
I survive outta the old gangsta alley
I have managed to survive and navigate myself out of the dangerous streets.
Nuff gun shot now weh mi skip an′ dalley
I dodged many bullets and avoided getting caught up in gang violence.
When dem think mi dead, back inna the jungle in mi rally
When they thought I was dead, I came back stronger and more focused, with the support of my community.
Mi hol' dem an' pop it off
I hold them and shoot them.
Bogus Badge weh mi rip off
I expose fake badges and those who wear them.
How yuh get yuh fraud stripe? Tek it off
How did you get your fraudulent badge? Remove it.
Come an′ get the fraud badge rip off
Come and get your fake badge removed.
Gangsta rip it off
Gangsters tear off those fake badges.
With mi bible an′ mi prayers an' mi Father with the sword
With my Bible, prayers, and my heavenly Father's support, I walk with strength and encouragement in my heart.
With mi blessings an′ mi message, so mi step it outta road
With the blessings and messages that guide me, I walk down the path of destiny.
Destination leads to Zion, so mi must follow the code
I am destined for greatness, and I must follow a moral code to achieve it.
Nothing can't ′top we now, not even bad wud
Nothing can stop us now, not even bad words.
Up selected and elected on the hunting board
I am chosen and elected to be on the hunting board.
False prophet yuh fi stop it, yuh a Satan toad
False prophets should stop deceiving people; they are the devil's minions.
Lyrics full up inna mi head like a gun overload
My mind is full of lyrics, like a gun overloaded with bullets.
Ready fi kill the wolf dem inna the sheep clothes
I am ready to expose and take down the wolves in sheep's clothing.
Bwoy dem see mi an' nuh know mi but dem want judge mi size
People who don't know me still judge me by my appearance.
Jah Jah bless mi, Jah Jah grow mi, so dem in fi a surprise
God blessed and nurtured me, and they will be surprised at my success.
Shouldn′t try fi stop the gangsta when he's on the rise
You shouldn't try to stop a gangster when he's on the rise.
Sky′s the limit, look an' you will see′t inna mi eyes
The sky is the limit, and you can see that in my eyes.
Wi nuh response where yuh from, or wi nuh cater who you are
We don't care about your background or status.
Mi a mi own big man, so mi nuh boom rum a bar
I am my boss, and I don't drink or engage in recklessness with friends in a bar.
Buy mi own matches, an' buy mi own Star
I buy my matches and beers, and I don't rely on anyone else.
Test mi nuh, a mek yuh end up like a old car
Don't challenge me, or you'll end up like an old car, out of gas and stranded.
′Cau mi rip it off
Because I expose and tear off fake badges.
Gangsta rip it off
Gangsters rip off those fake badges.
Up selected and elected...
I am selected, and I have been elected to accomplish great things.
Writer(s): D. Kelly, L. Brown
Contributed by Adeline N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davidhenry8056
One of the biggest dance hall anthem in history this one is timeless selection
@ajala8639
Louie Culture is one of the most underrated DJs.....
STILL bussin' this in 2018!
@gettogettoyouth8076
Big tuned can't die forever
@edwinbetancourt3958
Fr tho!!!
@mikeburks4270
2020☝🔥🔥🔥
@sweetsop2938
Definitely!!
@snaggamwangi4809
Sure but truly he is a great. Originally gangalee. Mad love from #Kenya #Africa #Motherland.
@T5_7ven_Muziq
Who else deh yah inna 2023 🔥🔥🔥🔥📛
@blingking1367
Wi need a 90s era in the next sumfest bring back the good ole dayzzzz. We hungry fi it .
@mrkonshus2680
My Number one DJ. Very lyrical and a bad riddim rider. Respect due gangalee.