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.
Shoot Out
Michael Rose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sdindighidaidadindiwoy
Wooooy yeah
Police and thief inna shoot out
Nowadays they a tell dem nah cool out
In the community jah innocent jah move out
Di gangsta dem need a new route
Police and thief could'ntbe friend
Put a money pon dem head and dem
Dem bwoy [? ] we nuh rate dem
Police a bought shot
People get flat
Badbwoys we turn shot
Di whole a dem strap
Everybody blood have
Dem nah tek no chat
So when the violence gonna stop
Police and thief inna shoot out
Nowadays they a tell dem nah cool out
In the community jah innocent jah move out
Di gangsta dem need a new route
Police and thief could'ntbe friend
Yet deh too a dem a role seh di same trend
Put a money pon dem head and dem [? ]
Dem bwoy [? ] we nuh rate dem
Dem [? ] shape out inna badness
Dem treat life like a sadness
[? ] chill dem ghetto casket
Dem show no love at all
Who is to blame betta blame yourself
Police catch with your gun you cyaan explain yourself
Just have good to enjoy yourself
Police and thief inna shoot out
Now a days they a tell dem nah cool out
In the community jah innocent jah move out
Di gangsta dem need a new route
Police and thief could'ntbe friend
Yet deh too a dem a role seh di same trend
Put a money pon dem head and dem [? ]
Dem bwoy [? ] we nuh rate dem
The song "Shoot Out" by Michael Rose talks about the ongoing violence between the police and gangsters in the community. The lyrics highlight the dilemma of innocent people getting caught up in the crossfire of the shootouts, leading them to move out of their communities for their own safety. The song questions the lack of progress towards ending the violence, despite the efforts of people who try to intervene and plead for peace.
The song also points out the lack of trust between the police and gangsters, who cannot be friends as they both follow the same trend of violence. The gangsters are driven by money, which means they will go to any length to eliminate their rivals, even if it means killing innocent people. The song highlights the need for a change in mindset among the gangsters, who should find a new route away from violence, and the police, who should take a different approach to managing the situation.
Overall, the song "Shoot Out" speaks to the urgent need to address the issue of violence in the community and the importance of all parties coming together to find a viable solution.
Line by Line Meaning
Badbwoys and police
The criminal and law enforcement elements in society.
Sdindighidaidadindiwoy
Nonsense words used for emphasis or to set a tone.
Wooooy yeah
An expression of enthusiasm or support.
Police and thief inna shoot out
The police and criminals are engaged in a gun battle.
Nowadays they a tell dem nah cool out
There are calls for the violence to stop.
In the community jah innocent jah move out
Innocent people are leaving the dangerous area for their own safety.
Di gangsta dem need a new route
Criminals need to find a different way if they want to succeed.
Police and thief could'ntbe friend
The two sides cannot reconcile and work together.
Yet deh too a dem a role seh di same trend
Both sides are playing a part in continuing the cycle of violence.
Put a money pon dem head and dem
A reward is offered for information about certain criminals.
Dem bwoy [? ] we nuh rate dem
We have no respect for those criminals that we seek to catch.
Police a bought shot
The police are firing guns.
People get flat
Innocent people are being killed.
Badbwoys we turn shot
The criminals have become victims of violence themselves.
Di whole a dem strap
Everyone is carrying guns.
Everybody blood have
Everyone is involved in the violence in some way.
Dem nah tek no chat
They do not listen to reason or attempt to negotiate a peaceful solution.
So when the violence gonna stop
An open question about when the violent situation will improve.
Dem [? ] shape out inna badness
They have chosen to participate in a life of crime and violence.
Dem treat life like a sadness
They have a nihilistic view of life and disregard for others.
[? ] chill dem ghetto casket
Gang life leads to early death and a premature burial.
Dem show no love at all
There is no care or concern for other people's well-being.
Who is to blame betta blame yourself
Everyone needs to take responsibility for their actions and their role in the violent atmosphere.
Police catch with your gun you cyaan explain yourself
If you are caught with a weapon, you cannot claim ignorance or innocence.
Just have good to enjoy yourself
Try to focus on positive experiences and enjoy life, as the current situation is extremely negative.
Writer(s): Collin Demar Edwards, Michael Rose, Lloyd Jnr James, Lloyd James Copyright: Fyah Riddims Music, Greensleeves Publishing Limited, Jam One Music, Copyright Control
Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tribelevi9609
That’s the one.
@charzz123
mi luv it to lol