Born in the Western Kingston ghetto of Waterhouse, Jamaica on July 11, 1957… Read Full Bio ↴Born in the Western Kingston ghetto of Waterhouse, Jamaica on July 11, 1957 Michael Rose was introduced to music by his brothers, who used to sing around the house. Blessed with a powerful voice he joined a band, doing local talent shows as well as entertaining tourists in the north coast hotels of Jamaica. Returning to Kingston in 1975, Niney the Observer first spotted the potential of Michael Rose and produced first recordings like "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" and "Clap The Barber" to name a few.

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.

No Burial
Michael Rose Lyrics

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We have lyrics for these tracks by Michael Rose:

Clap The Barber You'll never find, as long as you live Someone who loves...
Clap The Barber/Run Bald Head You'll never find, as long as you live Someone who loves...
Guess Who Guess who's coming to dinner, Natty Dreadlocks Guess who's ...
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Guess who's coming to dinner, Natty Dreadlocks Guess who's ...
Guess Whos Coming To Dinner Guess who's coming to dinner, Natty Dreadlocks Guess who's ...
I Love King Selassie I will love you as I love you all my...

Let Your Love Oh, Mickey, you're so fine You're so fine you blow my mind,...

New York Start spreading the news I'm leaving today I want to be a...
Shoot Out Badbwoys and police Sdindighidaidadindiwoy Wooooy yeah Po

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Michael Rose's "No Burial" is a commentary on the violence and corruption that plagues society, particularly within urban areas. The song's title is a reference to the belief in some cultures that one cannot truly rest in peace if they are denied a proper burial. This idea is extended to the societal unrest and injustice that occur when individuals are denied their rights and basic needs for survival. Rose speaks on issues of poverty, homelessness, police brutality, and the lack of leadership and accountability in government.

Rose begins the song by addressing the homeless, stating that they have no place to go and no one to care for them. He then moves on to the issue of police brutality, stating that the police are not there to protect and serve the people, but are instead tools of the corrupt authorities. He also highlights the lack of effective leadership, singing "where's the man who can lead us," implying that there is no one in power who is willing or able to bring about change.

Throughout the entire song, Rose's message is clear: there are too many people in society who are being oppressed and disenfranchised, and until their voices are heard and their needs are met, there will be no peace or progress. "No Burial" is a powerful statement about the issues facing society and the urgent need for change.

Line by Line Meaning

No burial, no funeral
I do not want any formal celebration of my life after I pass away.

Dread in a de cemetery
I believe in the Rastafarian religion and I want my last resting place to be in a cemetery.

No burial, no funeral
I am requesting for my loved ones not to spend money on an expensive funeral service.

So don't you bother spend the money
I do not want anyone to waste their money on funeral costs.

On buying any coffin for me
Specifically, I do not want a casket to be purchased for me because it is expensive and unnecessary.

Just take my body, take it down to Kingston
Instead, I want my body to be taken to Kingston, Jamaica, where I can be remembered in my birthplace.

Drop it off at the market gate
I request for my body to be left at the Kingston market gate.

Let the vultures and the hawks come and carry them away
I want my body to be left for the birds like vultures to feed on my remains.

No burial, no funeral
Once again, I do not want any commemoration or goodbye ceremony for me.

No fancy declaration
I am not interested in having any grand speech or statement about my life.

No promise of a nation
I am not interested in posthumous rewards or recognition for my contributions to the nation.

No tear and no emotion
I do not want any sentimentality or emotions shown at my passing.

No grave, no tombstone
I do not want a burial plot or a tombstone as a memorial.

No fret and no confusion
I request for my friends and family not to worry or be confused about what to do after my passing.

No burden and no tension
I do not want my death to be a burden or a source of stress to anyone.

Just use all my money to buy some liquor
Instead, I suggest that all the money that was supposed to be used for a funeral service can be spent on buying liquor and celebrating my memory.

And everybody will drink and be merry
This action will bring joy and happiness to those that were close to me and is a better way of celebrating my life.

'Cause nobody will cry for me
I do not want anyone to mourn or cry for me, but instead, celebrate the life that I lived.

Writer(s): DALEY MICHAEL PAUL, CAMPBELL SHELDON

Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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