The following year he replaced Don Carlos as the lead singer of a three-piece vocal group called Black Uhuru. Their first full-length recording "Love Crisis", produced by Prince Jammy in 1977, was later remixed and re-released as "Black Sounds of Freedom". Michael Rose had a profound effect on the sound of the group. With his distinctive voice and his powerful, self-penned reality themes, Black Uhuru were to eventually become the Reggae supergroup of the 80's after joining forces with Sly & Robbie and releasing hit-singles like "Shine Eye Gal", "General Penitentiary" or "Plastic Smile" on the Taxi Label. Signed to Island Records in 1980, they recorded highly acclaimed albums like "Sinsemillia", "Red", "Chill Out" and the grammy-winning "Anthem" in 1984.
In 1985 Michael Rose left Black Uhuru to pursue a solo career. After recording singles like "Bogus Badge" and "Demonstration" on his own Grammy Rose label he took a break from the music business, preferring instead to farm coffee on land he owned in Jamaica. It wasn't until he was signed to the RCA label in 1989 that he was heard from again. His pop-oriented debut solo album "Proud" was released the following year in Europe and Japan. The early 90's saw the release of two albums in Japan: "Bonanza" and "King Of General". Most of the tracks from these low-fi recordings were later remixed or re-recorded and reissued worldwide on the Heartbeat label. In 1993 Michael Rose also reunited in the studio with Sly & Robbie, resulting in a string of hit singles including "Monkeys Business", "One A We, Two A We" and "Bad Boys". These recordings also hit the streets in remixed form on the album "X-Uhuru" in 1999 for the french Tabou1 label.
The 1995 released, simply "Michael Rose" titled, album was his first for the american independent Heartbeat label. Produced by Niney the Observer, it contained the smash-hit "Short Temper". Another single, the UK produced "Last Chance" on the Ruff Cutt label, ruled the british charts for several weeks. 1995 saw the release of an album recorded by Bunny Gemini ("Voice of the ghetto" aka "Rising Star") followed by the Heartbeat album "Be Yourself", which contained remixed versions of some tracks from the japan-only release "Bonanza" and previously unreleased material. Heartbeat Records also did a dub-companion to "Be Yourself" dubbed "Big Sound Frontline".
Another album containing unreleased, previously by Jah Screw recorded material saw the light of day in 1996: "Nuh carbon" was licensed to Greensleeves/RAS Records. Teaming up once again with Mafia and Fluxy, who played also on the highly acclaimed "Michael Rose" album, he recorded the albums "Dance Wicked" and its dub companion "Dub Wicked" for Heartbeat. An interesting album that contained vocal as well as dub tracks called "Selassie I Showcase" surfaced 1997 on the european Bakchich label; tunes like the re-recorded "I Love King Selassie" on a sampled "Natural Mystic" rhythm held the grassroots market spellbound. An energetic live album, "Party in Session", was recorded for Heartbeat during his tours across America in 1996 and 1997.
1999 saw the release of the earlier mentioned "X-Uhuru" album on the Tabou1 label as well as "Bonanza" for the Heartbeat label (not to be confused with the japan-only release of the same title). The latter consists once again of previously recorded, remixed or re-recorded tracks as well as new tunes. June 2000 brought another live album on the Tabou1 label, this time recorded back in 1984 with Black Uhuru. After being postponed several times, the album "Never Give It Up" finally hit the stores in April 2001. This Hearbeat Records release consists of self-produced material recorded in Miami/Florida.
Although busy with touring (also with Sly & Robbie) and studio work, Michael Rose hasn't released a full-length album for quite some time. Early 2004 news hit the streets that Duckie Simspon and Michael Rose reunite as "Black Uhuru feat. Michael Rose". Since then, they released their single "Dollars" and performed in various countries. Heartbeat Records meanwhile puts out a "Best of"-album entiteld "Happiness - The Best of Michael Rose" and, in the summer of 2006, Young T/Otis Riddim Records released Jump Nya Benge, on their show-case uPLiFTMeNT album.
Ganja bonanza
Michael Rose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How, heh
Rasses, seen?
So now a come call me Ganja Bonanza
Nuh badda come call me Cocaine Cowboy
Take one sip from outta di chalice
Neighbors see smoke, say palace on fire, lord lord
Bring the pose make wi control dis fire, fire
So now a come call me Ganja Bonanza
Nuh badda come call me Cocaine Cowboy
Crawl on your belly like caterpillar
Oh bring me the energy, let′s load up the panther, aw
Cause when disya one tek off, no dog bark, why whoi
Like gal awas pan Peetah farm, see?
So now a come call me Ganja Bonanza
Nuh badda come call me Cocaine Cowboy, see it?
Want the octopus fi generate sensi
Want to kick a rumpus down in country, ah yea-eh-yea
Cause east west north and south dry out, lord lord
Down in the lion den, ants a follow sugar, see it?
So now a come call me Ganja Bonanza, aw yea-eh-yea
Nuh badda come call me Cocaine Cowboy
So now a come call me Ganja Bonanza, aw yea-eh-yea
Nuh badda come call me Cocaine Cowboy
How, ha heh heh
Tiddl nini nani whoi
Tiddl nini nani whoi
Tiddl nini na na
Tiddl nini na
Tu tu tweng
Hang dem again, stanoi, see?
All rasses burn up mi ses, stanoi, see?
So now a come call me Ganja Bonanza
Nuh badda come call me Cocaine Cowboy
All a di herb cyaan dun
Jah know wi haffe bun it
We haffe run it
How yea-eh-yea, aw yea
The lyrics to Michael Rose's song "Ganja Bonanza" are centered around the use and celebration of marijuana (ganja). The song expresses a strong affinity for the herb and a rejection of cocaine. The opening lines suggest that the herb must continue to thrive and be freely available. The term "rasses" is a reference to Rastafarians, who often embrace the use of marijuana as a sacrament. The lyrics also mention Lady Diana Palace, which can be interpreted metaphorically as a state of bliss and peace achieved through smoking the herb.
The chorus emphasizes the artist's preference for being called "Ganja Bonanza" rather than a "Cocaine Cowboy," an indication of his rejection of harder drugs in favor of the natural and spiritual aspects of marijuana. The mention of the chalice, which refers to the Rastafarian tradition of smoking marijuana through a large pipe, reinforces the connection to Rastafarian culture.
The verse about crawling on the belly like a caterpillar and loading up the panther with energy suggests a sense of empowerment and motivation that comes from using marijuana. The lyrics further emphasize the transcendental effects of the herb, highlighting how it can silence any negative or skeptical voices. The line about the lion's den and ants following sugar alludes to the widespread appeal and demand for marijuana, as it is sought after and enjoyed by people from different walks of life.
Overall, "Ganja Bonanza" celebrates the benefits of marijuana and promotes its use as a natural and enlightening experience, while rejecting the harmful effects of cocaine.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, the herb haffe run
Yes, the marijuana must continue to circulate
Rasses, seen?
Rastafarians, do you understand?
So now a come call me Ganja Bonanza
Now they call me the leader of the marijuana movement
Nuh badda come call me Cocaine Cowboy
Don't dare label me as a cocaine enthusiast
Take one sip from outta di chalice
Take a hit from the marijuana pipe
In a Lady Diana palace, ha yea-eh-yea
In a luxurious place, reminiscent of Lady Diana's grandeur
Neighbors see smoke, say palace on fire, lord lord
When the neighbors see the smoke, they mistakenly think the palace is on fire
Bring the pose make wi control dis fire, fire
Let's remain calm and control this situation
Crawl on your belly like caterpillar
Move stealthily and low like a caterpillar
Oh bring me the energy, let′s load up the panther, aw
Bring me the excitement, let's prepare for action
Cause when disya one tek off, no dog bark, why whoi
Because when this starts, there will be no obstacles or interruptions
Like gal awas pan Peetah farm, see?
Like a woman who runs away to Peter's farm
Want the octopus fi generate sensi
Desire for the octopus to produce high-quality marijuana
Want to kick a rumpus down in country, ah yea-eh-yea
Want to cause upheaval in the countryside
Cause east west north and south dry out, lord lord
Because there is a scarcity of marijuana everywhere
Down in the lion den, ants a follow sugar, see it?
In the dangerous place, even the small creatures are drawn to the goodness
How, ha heh heh
Expressing laughter and surprise
Tiddl nini nani whoi
Nonsense words
Tiddl nini nani whoi
Nonsense words
Tiddl nini na na
Nonsense words
Tiddl nini na
Nonsense words
Tu tu tweng
Nonsense words
Hang dem again, stanoi, see?
Execute them again, stoned, understand?
All rasses burn up mi ses, stanoi, see?
All Rastafarians smoke my marijuana, stoned, understand?
All a di herb cyaan dun
All of the marijuana cannot end
Jah know wi haffe bun it
God knows we must burn it
We haffe run it
We must continue to distribute it
How yea-eh-yea, aw yea
In this way, oh yes
Writer(s): Michael Rose
Contributed by Henry J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.