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.
Screaming For The Poor
Lutan Fyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And i have seen many homeless walk the streets
Yes with out shelter nuh clothes upon their back no food to eat
Then hear mi out
Oh yes
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Someone please call the police
1-1-9 alert then it′s a state of emergency
1
Awright den coo-yah now
Den check di condition di yutes dem living in
Ransackle board house, zinc fence and pit latrine
Hey poverty stress dem out some have dem big gun slinging
Uptown and living large dem neva cease from di killing
Den momma ban har belly and bawl
Upon di death toll shi hear har one son name guh call
Try some hustling guh put up a one stall
Here comes metro police awright oh yes
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Someone please call the police
I have heard screaming from the poor
1-1-9 alert we living in a state of emergency
2
Hear mi out
Den ghetto yutes be careful of dem pencil neck trickster
Hey fi a spit inna di bucket dem wi sell yuh fi di length a di dollar
Mouth full a lies dem a failure
RASTA burn out dem free paper
Den all dem good fa is to enslave the poor for cheap wages
Hey man son toiling for length of dayses
Education is so good but so expensive
Oh mi cyaant even find di monthly bills
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Someone please call the police
I have heard screaming from the poor
1-1-9 alert living in a state of emergency
3
Den tell mi a who boost di yutes and tun dem inna ruff neck
Gi dem big gun fi buss and mek dem a beat dem chest
Big house pretty cyar and nuff fanciness
Yuh gi dem drugs fi sell and den gi feds dem address
I see dat yuh nuh care about the homeless
Ghetto living is a day to day stress
Nuff yutes walk di streets confuse and perplex
They never know what coming up next
Yes yes
The song "Screaming For The Poor" by Lutan Fyah raises the issue of poverty, homelessness, and inequality prevalent in society. The first line of the song "Yes JAH give thanks" sets the tone of gratitude, acknowledging the blessing of life. Lutan Fyah illustrates the plight of the homeless, walking the streets without shelter, food, or clothing. The line "Someone please call the police," is a call for help as he hears the screaming from the poor who are living in a state of emergency.
The second verse talks about the harsh living conditions faced by the youth in the ghetto, where the stress of poverty could lead to gun violence, death tolls, and selling drugs to earn a living. The lyrics touch upon the failure of the education system, where education is excellent and expensive, but the monthly bills cannot be paid. The verse ends with the line "Rasta burn out dem free paper," which is a reference to the Rastafarian's rejection of society's materialistic values.
In the third verse, Lutan Fyah talks about how the youth are led astray by those who offer them guns, drugs, and fancy things. They do not care about the homeless or the stress of ghetto living. He ends the song with the message that everyone should listen to the screams of the poor.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes JAH give thanks
Expressing gratitude to God
And i have seen many homeless walk the streets
Observing a lot of homeless people wandering around without a proper place to stay
Yes with out shelter nuh clothes upon their back no food to eat
The homeless people are deprived of basic necessities of life like food, clothing and shelter
Then hear mi out
Asking to be listened to
Oh yes
Expressing agreement
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Being aware of the poor people's distress and misfortune
Someone please call the police
Asking for help and intervention from the law enforcement officials
1-1-9 alert then it′s a state of emergency
Calling emergency services to take action
Awright den coo-yah now
Encouragement to listen carefully
Den check di condition di yutes dem living in
Pointing out the poor living conditions of the youth
Ransackle board house, zinc fence and pit latrine
Describing the mediocre living conditions featuring board houses, zinc fences and latrines
Hey poverty stress dem out some have dem big gun slinging
Explaining how poverty and stress can push some youth to take up arms
Uptown and living large dem neva cease from di killing
The people living in luxury and comfort are never satisfied and continue to commit heinous crimes
Den momma ban har belly and bawl
Mothers grieving for their sons who have been killed
Upon di death toll shi hear har one son name guh call
Lamenting the loss of her son and still hearing his voice call out
Try some hustling guh put up a one stall
Encouragement to start a small business
Here comes metro police awright oh yes
The police arrive at the scene
Den ghetto yutes be careful of dem pencil neck trickster
Warning the youth in the ghetto to be cautious of scams and frauds
Hey fi a spit inna di bucket dem wi sell yuh fi di length a di dollar
People trying to exploit and cheat others by offering them a meagre amount of money for their hard work
Mouth full a lies dem a failure
The people with deceitful intentions are bound to fail eventually
RASTA burn out dem free paper
Rastafarians reject the notion of free press as propaganda
Den all dem good fa is to enslave the poor for cheap wages
The rich exploit the poor by offering them low-paying work and enslaving them
Hey man son toiling for length of dayses
The young men working hard every day for a meager pay
Education is so good but so expensive
Education is still considered the best means to lead a good life but it is costly
Oh mi cyaant even find di monthly bills
The monthly bills are so high that it is difficult to make ends meet
Den tell mi a who boost di yutes and tun dem inna ruff neck
Who is responsible for turning youth into criminals
Gi dem big gun fi buss and mek dem a beat dem chest
Giving the youth firearms and encouraging them to become more aggressive and violent
Big house pretty cyar and nuff fanciness
The rich enjoy a luxurious life with grand houses, fancy cars and all kinds of extravagances
Yuh gi dem drugs fi sell and den gi feds dem address
The rich and powerful supply the youth with drugs to sell and then supply the authorities with their addresses to get them arrested
I see dat yuh nuh care about the homeless
Noticing that the wealthy and powerful don't care about the homeless
Ghetto living is a day to day stress
Living in the ghetto is a stressful affair
Nuff yutes walk di streets confuse and perplex
Many youth are wandering around aimlessly, confused and perplexed
They never know what coming up next
The future for these youth is uncertain and unpredictable
Yes yes
Affirming what has been stated
Writer(s): Herman Davis, Daniel Thompson, Carlington Morrison, Kemar Mcgregor, Anthony Litchman Martin
Contributed by Jeremiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Clancy Wiggum
Intro:
Yes JAH give thanks
And i have seen many homeless walk the streets
Yes with out shelter nuh clothes upon their back no food to eat
Then hear mi out
Oh yes
Chorus:
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Someone please call the police
I have heard screaming from the poor
1-1-9 alert then it's a state of emergency
Verse:1
Awright den coo-yah now
Den check di condition di yutes dem living in
Ransackle board house,zinc fence and pit latrine
Hey poverty stress dem out some have dem big gun slinging
Uptown and living large dem neva cease from di killing
Den momma ban har belly and bawl
Upon di death toll shi hear har one son name guh call
Try some hustling guh put up a one stall
Here comes metro police awright oh yes
Chorus:
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Someone please call the police
I have heard screaming from the poor
1-1-9 alert we living in a state of emergency
Verse:2
Hear mi out
Den ghetto yutes be careful of dem pencil neck trickster
Hey fi a spit inna di bucket dem wi sell yuh fi di length a di dollar
Mouth full a lies dem a failure
RASTA burn out dem free paper
Den all dem good fa is to enslave the poor for cheap wages
Hey man son toiling for length of dayses
Education is so good but so expensive
Oh mi cyaant even find di monthly bills
Chorus:
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Someone please call the police
I have heard screaming from the poor
1-1-9 alert living in a state of emergency
Verse:3
Den tell mi a who boost di yutes and tun dem inna ruff neck
Gi dem big gun fi buss and mek dem a beat dem chest
Big house pretty cyar and nuff fanciness
Yuh gi dem drugs fi sell and den gi feds dem address
I see dat yuh nuh care about the homeless
Ghetto living is a day to day stress
Nuff yutes walk di streets confuse and perplex
They never know what coming up next
Yes yes
Chorus
Fade
Sageah Christoph
Still the best in 2021. What a legend i love you so much lutan fyah. You helped me through those harder days. Youve tought me alot of things my dad couldnt.... much love, sage
Gorata Ndebele
i love this track to death.. big up Lutan Fyah!
capnjav
Jah bless Lutan Fyah itinually... Never turn a blind eye on the suffering of your brother and sister! We are one blessed by Jah!
Clancy Wiggum
Intro:
Yes JAH give thanks
And i have seen many homeless walk the streets
Yes with out shelter nuh clothes upon their back no food to eat
Then hear mi out
Oh yes
Chorus:
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Someone please call the police
I have heard screaming from the poor
1-1-9 alert then it's a state of emergency
Verse:1
Awright den coo-yah now
Den check di condition di yutes dem living in
Ransackle board house,zinc fence and pit latrine
Hey poverty stress dem out some have dem big gun slinging
Uptown and living large dem neva cease from di killing
Den momma ban har belly and bawl
Upon di death toll shi hear har one son name guh call
Try some hustling guh put up a one stall
Here comes metro police awright oh yes
Chorus:
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Someone please call the police
I have heard screaming from the poor
1-1-9 alert we living in a state of emergency
Verse:2
Hear mi out
Den ghetto yutes be careful of dem pencil neck trickster
Hey fi a spit inna di bucket dem wi sell yuh fi di length a di dollar
Mouth full a lies dem a failure
RASTA burn out dem free paper
Den all dem good fa is to enslave the poor for cheap wages
Hey man son toiling for length of dayses
Education is so good but so expensive
Oh mi cyaant even find di monthly bills
Chorus:
I have heard screaming from the poor oh yes
Someone please call the police
I have heard screaming from the poor
1-1-9 alert living in a state of emergency
Verse:3
Den tell mi a who boost di yutes and tun dem inna ruff neck
Gi dem big gun fi buss and mek dem a beat dem chest
Big house pretty cyar and nuff fanciness
Yuh gi dem drugs fi sell and den gi feds dem address
I see dat yuh nuh care about the homeless
Ghetto living is a day to day stress
Nuff yutes walk di streets confuse and perplex
They never know what coming up next
Yes yes
Chorus
Fade
Sageah Christoph
Reminds me of my festival days, reggae on the river, I used to always bump this album, at 16 wondering how I was going to navigate this life, its rough, I'm still wondering how now at 29, this song makes you reflect for sure, much love lutan, always coming with that real shit, "greenhouse surrounded by the barbed wire, gotta keep out them thieves and dirty lias" boop boop!!!!
john gichengo
time flies my bro
but music makes us young
Skez
This song is one of the best reggaesongs I've ever heard <3
marcus arillius
keep up the vibes my brothers and sisters bless up
makkama
Bless up this tune, really powerful, big up gussi, only who really know him can call him by that name. anyone with a contact fot him just let me know, we were best friends at spanish town primary school.
nathan michael
I love LUTAN FYAH THIS ELDER IS A A GREAT TEACHER LOVE FROM ZIMBABWE