In 2010, Major Lazer released Lazerproof, a free download mixtape with pop sensation La Roux, and Lazers Never Die, an EP featuring two new tracks and three remixes, including one by Thom Yorke. One of the foremost breakthroughs for Major Lazer during this time was the production collaboration with Beyoncé on her single “Run the World (Girls)”, which sampled their track “Pon de Floor." BeyoncÉ directly sought out Switch and Diplo, recognizing the fact that they were creating authentically innovative music and further cementing their status as a production team worthy of worldwide mainstream attention. As 2011 turned to 2012, Switch determined it best to pursue his own path, leaving Diplo in full control of Major Lazer.
As the sole executive producer of Major Lazer, Diplo continued to spearhead the current dancehall revival movement with the 2013 release Free The Universe. That album included collaborations with Bruno Mars, Tyga, Flux Pavilion, Wynter Gordon, Shaggy, Wyclef Jean, Ezra Koening from Vampire Weekend, Dev and more. Spin called the LP’s first single "Get Free" featuring Amber Coffman of Dirty Projectors, "a meeting point between Jamaica, West Africa, and Brooklyn."
Diplo (AKA Wesley Pentz) has risen through the ranks and has asserted himself as one of the most pioneering producers of the time. Through unending curiosity and exploration of the vast multitudes of the world’s musical heritages, Diplo has managed to seamlessly connect the global underground to the audio mainstream. He is the Grammy-nominated founder, owner and head honcho of Mad Decent records, which has not only garnered widespread critical and audience accolades since its inception, but has also deservedly earned a hefty reputation as a vanguard of groundbreaking releases. As Major Lazer, he retreated to Jamaica in 2012 to team up with producers Ariel Rechtshaid and Dre Skull on Snoop Lion's (Snoop Dogg) 2013 album "Reincarnated". Major Lazer was also featured on the title track from No Doubt's 2012 comeback album with famed dancehall artist Busy Signal and released an official remix for Hot Chip’s "Look At Where We Are".
Jah No Partial
Major Lazer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Define seh yuh partial
Oh missa general
Yuh jus' a cause too much funeral
Oh missa sheriff
Yuh cause jah jah children to perish
Oh missa lieutenant
A see you asking for repentance
Oh missa marshal
Define seh yuh partial
Oh missa general
Yuh jus' a cause too much funeral
Oh missa sheriff
Yuh cause jah jah children to perish
Oh missa lieutenant
A see you asking for repentance
Oh missa marshal
Oh missa marshal
Oh missa sheriff
Thats not a righteous way to carry on
Na na na na na na na na na na na
Jah no partial
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Jah no partial
Nah no way
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Jah no partial
A na na na na na na naaa
Jah no partial
Oh missa marshal
Define seh yuh partial
Oh missa general
Yuh jus' a cause too much funeral
Oh missa sheriff
Yuh cause jah jah children to perish
Oh missa lieutenant
A see you asking for repentance
Oh missa mashal
The lyrics of "Jah No Partial" by Major Lazer is a powerful condemnation of those who hold positions of power and how they use it to perpetuate bad governance and the oppression of the powerless. The song calls out different officials, including the marshal, general, sheriff, and lieutenant, using their titles as a metaphor for the pervasive corrupt system. The personified marshal is called out for being partial, meaning he is showing favoritism or bias in his judgments, which undermines the credibility of his office. The general is accused of being responsible for too many funerals, suggesting that his decisions or orders result in unnecessary loss of lives. The sheriff is blamed for causing the death of children, and the lieutenant is seen as seeking repentance for his wrongdoing.
The chorus of the song emphasizes that Jah, meaning God, is no partial judge and won't tolerate injustice, irrespective of the position of the offender. The reggae influence of the song drives home the message of the lyrics, as reggae music has always been a platform for expressing social commentary and advocating for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh missa marshal
Addressing a figure of authority, implying that their actions are not righteous and may be biased
Define seh yuh partial
Asking the marshal to explain why their actions seem to favor certain groups or individuals
Oh missa general
Addressing another figure of authority, implying that their actions have led to too many deaths
Yuh jus' a cause too much funeral
Accusing the general of causing too many deaths through their policies or actions
Oh missa sheriff
Addressing another figure of authority, accusing them of being responsible for the deaths of innocent children
Yuh cause jah jah children to perish
Accusing the sheriff of being responsible for the deaths of children, implying that their actions are not just
Oh missa lieutenant
Addressing yet another figure of authority, seeing them asking for forgiveness for their actions
A see you asking for repentance
Observing the lieutenant seeking forgiveness or redemption for their past actions
Thats not a righteous way to carry on
Stating that the behaviors of these figures of authority are not morally or ethically justifiable
Jah no partial
Implying that God, represented by Jah, is not biased or unfair towards any group or individual
Nah no way
Ruling out any possibility of God being biased or unfair towards anyone
A na na na na na na naaa
Suggesting that the message of fairness and equality is repeated and emphasized through the use of this vocalization
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THOMAS WESLEY PENTZ, LLOYD JAMES, JOHNNY OSBOURNE, JOSHUA KIEKEGAARD GRAN STEELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@S550STANG
2024???
@michellementhen8277
If this isn't a genius ad for Mad Decent Block Party, I don't know what is.
@franchisecoppo4863
That's why Holy Ship 2014 used this song for their ad.
@michellementhen8277
That's awesome, I didn't even know that!
@zodiak650
Mad Decent Block Party in Berkeley was fking sick! EDC Las Vegas was even sicker!
@franchisecoppo4863
Speaking of Mad Decent Block Party I hope y'all copped ya tix see you in Philly and Brooklyn
@xpalstales
Not being rude but this is 10x better than LeanOn
@GateKeeper36
+ModernLife - [xPalstales] - Taking a Break yea this is da only song i like from him
@noodlegrannybill
him!?
@rick_sans
1 million x better