Much, much more than a deejay, much more than a singer and more than a chanter too Lutan Fyah also plays guitar, keyboards and the kette drum. He holds strong beliefs in originality at all times and so he is a songwriter too and, as the New Millennium has progressed, he has developed his very own idiosyncratic and unique vocal styling. He embraced the Rastafarian religion at the age of sixteen but his songs are not always strictly Rasta. As a "living man with work to do" he ranges over all subjects and everything and anything can inspire him to write, to play, to chant, to sing and to deejay. Preaching to the converted can prove to be a fairly easy task but to take the same message all around the world is a totally different ball game.
Born Anthony Martin in Thompson Pen, Spanish Town in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica his formative years were spent in an environment where music was omnipresent. His grandfather ran a Sound System and artists such as Lt. Stitchie, Papa San and Lady G would gather in the family's yard to practise and perfect their skills on the microphone.
"I grew up around a Sound System. Music flows through my bones ..." Lutan Fyah
Music proved to be an incredible influence on young Anthony but sport, and football in particular, proved to be another and he started playing as a midfielder, a position where he excelled, in teams in his local community. He graduated to his school team, St. Andrew Technical High School, and eventually made the grade as a professional in Jamaican Premier League clubs De la Vega and Constant Spring; but the call of music proved too strong to resist and in 1999 he hung up his football boots and took the first steps towards a musical career.
Like so many others before and after Anthony Martin trod that same dispiriting round of Kingston's studios and record producers where he was met with indifference and at times ignorance. However there was a different reception at Mark Myrie's Aksum Studios where the young chanter's promise was immediately recognised and he passed his audition with flying colours. The man now known as Lutan Fyah spent what he terms his 'internship' at Gargamel where he recorded over sixteen songs for Buju Banton while also freelancing for other producers. His debut release was actually for the Crazy Hate label and 'Ambassador' signalled the arrival of a significant new talent in Kingston's musical maelstrom.
The resurgence of the Rastafarian influence and the Bobo Dread phenomenon in reggae music was an indicator of serious times in Jamaica as a new generation of singers and deejays came to the conclusion that the only credible solution to the current malaise was to "love the word of God and thy neighbour as thyself". Others, who shall remain nameless, were not slow to realise that this presented a heaven sent opportunity to jump aboard the bandwagon for a handy ride on the fast track to fame and money. Many futile attempts were made to hitch a ride to stardom and the words of God were readily mouthed by tongues that had previously been wrapped around the more worldly concerns of the dance hall. But artists such as Lutan Fyah were there for the long run for "the race is not to the swift" and his music was at all times driven by his deep beliefs. His devotion to the Rastafarian religion has meant that he has stayed the course while so many pretenders have fallen by the wayside.
Just So Down Town Run
Lutan Fyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every juvenile want a gun
Young girls turn concubine fi the fun
But a just so down town run
A just so down town run
No man to the don informer pay dumb
Seh a just so down town run
The youths seh a ju st so down town run
Seh bills and rent dem things wi cyaa stand
Wa dem expect from an hand kart man
Same one room pickney, man and woman
Yuh no si dem haffi meck bread out a sand
Anyweh fi get the money from fi pay fi education
Wi sell bag juice in a sun hot fi long
Wipe car glass out a gas station
Tired a the sufferation
Seh fakest one to the media
Politician a the biggest are leader
Seh a dem buy the guns, dem sell the tugs
And dem nah gi the youths dem no visa
Mi si Zeeks, Dudos, Blacker and Tesher
Dem bear the pressure but mi never si no better
Politician used dem
Who no run weh turn prisoner
That's why mi big up brother Miguel and Muta
(Repeat Verse 1)
(Repeat Verse 2)
Lutan Fyah's song "Just So Down Town Run" is a commentary on the social and economic struggles faced by young people in Jamaica, particularly those living in the downtown areas. The song begins by addressing the issue of juvenile gun violence, as young boys are drawn into gangs and violent behaviour. The lyrics also draw attention to the issue of young girls being exploited and turned into concubines, highlighting the objectification and abuse of women in these communities.
The chorus of the song speaks to the sense of hopelessness and resignation among young people, as they feel powerless to change their circumstances. The lyrics suggest that they feel trapped in a cycle of poverty, violence and oppression, and that there is little they can do to escape it. The second verse takes aim at the politicians and wealthy elites who perpetuate these systems of inequality, highlighting their role in arming young people and perpetuating a culture of violence.
Overall, "Just So Down Town Run" is an incisive critique of the social and economic structures that limit the opportunities and freedoms of young people in Jamaica. The lyrics highlight the need for greater social justice and equality, and the urgent need to address the root causes of poverty, violence and exploitation.
Line by Line Meaning
Every juvenile want a gun
Young people in the city feel that carrying firearms is necessary for their safety.
Young girls turn concubine fi the fun
Young girls are coerced into having sex with gang members for entertainment.
But a just so down town run
This is the way things are in the inner city.
A just so down town run
This is the way things are in the inner city.
No man to the don informer pay dumb
No one is willing to speak to the police about illegal activity in fear of retaliation.
Corner man a plaud when police man a come
Street vendors and others applaud when the police show up to make them believe they are doing their job, even though they do not stop any illegal activity.
Seh a just so down town run
This is the way things are in the inner city.
The youths seh a just so down town run
The young people feel defeated by the economic and social constraints they face every day in the inner city.
Seh bills and rent dem things wi cyaa stand
The cost of living is too high, and it is difficult to afford necessary expenses like housing and utilities.
Wa dem expect from an hand kart man
What should people expect from someone who sells goods on a sidewalk cart for a living?
Same one room pickney, man and woman
Families are living in one-bedroom apartments with no separation between children and parents.
Yuh no si dem haffi meck bread out a sand
People have to work hard to make ends meet, often making a living through informal and unsteady work.
Anyweh fi get the money from fi pay fi education
Families struggle to find the funds to pay for education, setting up a cycle of poverty and limited opportunity.
Wi sell bag juice in a sun hot fi long
People will do what it takes to make money, even if it means selling juice on the street in hot weather.
Wipe car glass out a gas station
Some people resort to washing windshields at gas stations to make money.
Tired a the sufferation
People are exhausted from living in poverty and facing limited prospects for the future.
Seh fakest one to the media
Politicians who are dishonest in reality put on a show of integrity when speaking to the media.
Politician a the biggest are leader
Politicians are the most prominent leaders in the community.
Seh a dem buy the guns, dem sell the tugs
Politicians contribute to the cycle of violence by buying weapons and allowing gangs to operate in the community.
And dem nah gi the youths dem no visa
Politicians offer no opportunities for young people to escape the cycle of poverty and violence.
Mi si Zeeks, Dudos, Blacker and Tesher
The artist has witnessed friends and acquaintances struggle through poverty and violence.
Dem bear the pressure but mi never si no better
These people face difficult circumstances, but he has not seen their situation improve.
Politician used dem
Politicians take advantage of people in poverty and use them for their own agenda.
Who no run weh turn prisoner
People who do not leave the inner city become trapped in cycles of violence and poverty.
That's why mi big up brother Miguel and Muta
The artist acknowledges and respects those who have worked to improve the lives of people in the inner city.
(Repeat Verse 1)
Restates the perspective of young people who feel that guns are necessary for safety and that women are trapped in prostitution.
(Repeat Verse 2)
Restates the struggles that people face in the inner city due to poverty, limited opportunities, and corrupt politicians.
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jimmy Spice Curry
on Money (feat. Lutan Fyah)
Nice song