Mr. Easy played and studied hard in the Big Apple, thereby gaining a wealth of experiences in a relatively short space of time. He cites Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Gladys Knight as well as Erik B and Rakim among his major musical influences. As a youth his dream was to conquer the crowd at New York City's famous Apollo Theatre while nearly every solo singer that ventured onto that stage was booed off. Mr. Easy was more than successful. Easy recounts how Sidney Mills, the keyboard player from Steel Pulse, helped him to write "Just Be A Lady" and how he sang out for all he was worth. The crowd went wild, they didn't boo they clapped and cheered. Easy received congratulations and encouragement from people like Patti LaBelle and Quincy Jones. The result of this early success was a record deal with Motown Records and the release of Mr. Easy's first album.
Extensive touring of the United States, Japan and the Caribbean followed with fellow Jamaican artists such as; Beres Hammond, Shinehead, Red Fox and Shaggy. It was while he was working on his never to be released second album for Warner Brothers with Mickey Bennett that he met Dave Kelly and a long-term alliance was formed. At that time there seemed to be a need to win over a homeland audience that is like none other in the world. For a Jamaican, you could have conquered the globe, but if you've never had a major hit in the homeland – you just haven't truly made it.
Easy feels that the experiences of performing and recording in New York combined with maintaining a working base in Jamaica has enabled a crystallization of ideas to take place where he can let his creativity shine. Since dedicating himself to years of recording with top producers like Dave Kelly, the melodic quality of Mr. Easy's voice has been in much demand. Songs like; "Mi Haffi Stop" on the Showtime riddim, "Man Ah Say A Who" on the Rae Rae riddim, "Funny Man" on the Joyride riddim, "Freaky Lady" on the Juice Riddim, "Herbs Haffi Bun" on the Intercourse riddim, "After All" on the Thunder riddim, "Haters" on the Orgasm riddim, "Oil Up" on the Triology riddim featuring General Degree all helped to solidify Mr. Easy as one of the top 15 artists to voice.
Mr. Easy's smooth flow allowed him to take a new musical direction with songs like; "Up And Down" featuring Sean Paul on the Two Hard label and "Freaky Kind Of Lady" produced by Richard Browne on the 'Call Me Shams' label. As well as "I'll Always Be There", a lovers rock tune on the Rockaway riddim and "Heavenly" produced by Beres Hammond for the Harmony House Label. For a brief period of time Easy focused on Lovers Rock releases that allowed him to expand as an artist and vocally.
In order to maintain a positive focus from time to time, Mr. Easy gets out of Kingston City by taking a drive out to 'Peter Tosh' country in Westmoreland where he cools out by the river. He says that many of his songs are written in settings that are calm and natural, as he likes to get away from the noise and brashness that is often associated with city living. He feels that living in Jamaica has enabled him to tap into a revitalizing energy source that will enable him to make that quantum leap into a positive future. Easy states that, "the songs I write will endure forever, even when I am not here." Every generation needs its classics as they form a legacy for future generations. In addition, often times he sits down with long time musical brethren Red Fox (a phenomenal Dancehall deejay) to add an edge to much of his material as the two have co-written a number of songs including the exciting tune "Sweet Love" on the upbeat Juicy rhythm produced by Mr. Doo, responsible for Jr. Reid's huge hit "Riker's Island".
When Mr. Easy recorded the song "Drive Me Crazy" with one of Jamaica's super producers; Tony "CD" Kelly on the timeless Buy Out rhythm; the stage was set for another hit! The song has since been a favorite from this fast pace pulsating rhythm and still receives airplay in clubs, on Caribbean based radio shows and in many mixshows segments on US radio. It was featured on VP Records' Strictly The Best Volume 30 and it was the number #32 most requested song on WESU in 2003. That's not it; this song garnished over 4,000 spins at US mixshow radio without any sort of radio support by a record label. Always recording with Tony Kelly keeps Easy on the curve of top-notch releases such as "It's Alright" from the Grindin and "It's Crazy" off the new Katana rhythm.
Easy has also recorded a variety of material with top notch producers like; Troyton Rami of Black Shadow Records delivering solid tunes like "Silent Killers" (Surprise rhythm), "Grudge You" (Ching Chong rhythm) and Party Time (Blink rhythm). Richie D, another talented Dancehall producer has provided songs like Easy's "Party" (Tiajuana rhythm). He's also done some recordings with the South Rakkas Crew with "Pull Up" (Red Alert rhythm) and "It's Your Body" (Bionic Ras rhythm) and "Break Of Day" (Chinquiz rhythm). Mr. Easy was sought to re-record a new version of "Drive Me Crazy" with Atlantic Record's Soca recording artist; Kevin Lyttle. This new version secured a place within the movie After The Sunset and is also featured in the soundtrack. The resurgence of this song and three other recordings receiving mainstream radio airplay in the US, resulted in Easy's dual nominations at the 24th Annual Reggae & World Music Awards in the categories of: Most Promising Entertainer and Most Improved Entertainer.
Mr. Easy's still recording consistently to deliver catchy songs, often relationship or reality oriented that allow people to quickly grasp hold of and sing along. With a wide assortment of new material just dropping the street such as "Break His Heart" from producer Christopher Birch (Military rhythm), "Bounce That" from accomplished producer Vada Nobles (responsible for contributions to Lauryn Hill's last album), "Falling" by Don Corleon (Seasons rhythm), Bingo from talented duo Steely & Clevie (Capital P rhythm), "Tek Wey Yourself" from the fresh production team/musicians/artists Leftside & Esco, "Dark Clouds" by Bay-C (of the group TOK) and "Spending G's" (Whipe Out rhythm) from Danger Zone productions. 2006 is about striving beyond and Easy is reaching for the highest heights with new videos coming for the songs "Strangest Thing", "Bingo" and "Tek Wey Yourself". Further, Mr. Easy has teamed up with producer Eloy Daron to create their own imprint in Jamaica: E-2 Muzik with their first release being Easy's "Strangest Thing" from the Butterfly rhythm.
(Bio courtesy of RudeGal Entertainment)
Strangest Thing
Mr Easy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Yeah
What a bagaration
Low it
Mek me hold a meditation
[Chorus:]
The strangest thing just happened to me
I'm a musician that's just to hold my meddie
Bredrens and bredrens tell me would you all agree
[Verse 1:]
Tell the Babylon dem to let me out and open the door
I've never been in this position before
Fly the gate and free up Jah Cure
Tell the yute come sing to the poor
Bust the chain and free up the lock
Nah ride in Babylon truck back
Officer what kind of chump charge that?
Beg you sweep it under the mat
[Chorus:]
The strangest thing just happened to me
Babylon locked me up with just one ounce of collie
I'm a musician that's just to hold my meddie
Bredrens and bredrens tell me would you all agree
[Verse 2:]
Cruising up the highway coming from the field
Light up the splif and then I heard a siren
Police pulled me over, turned them high beams
Said them searching for coke and morphine
I said listen to me clearly I'm saying what I mean
I don't smoke coke, herbs is my main squeeze
Popped off them big guns like them think me woulda scream
Same time I woke up from my dream
[Chorus:]
The strangest thing just happened to me
Babylon locked me up with just one ounce of collie
I'm a musician that's just to hold my meddie
Bredrens and bredrens tell me would you all agree
[Verse 3:]
Big up all the farmer man way out there in the west
Just want to sow the seed and reep the good cess
Babylon a fight it, just another test
A we run the world so we must a haffi progress
Doctors and lawyers they use it too
Police and soldiers you know that's true
No bother with the road block and the curfew
Just smoke the herb and let them go threw
[Chorus:]
The strangest thing just happened to me
Babylon locked me up with just one ounce of collie
I'm a musician that's just to hold my meddie
Bredrens and bredrens tell me would you all agree
[Verse 4:]
Just tell the babylon them to let me out and open the door
I've never been in this position before
Fly the gate and free up Jah Cure
Time for the yute come sing to the poor
Bust the chain and free up the lock
Nah ride in Babylon truck back
Officer what kind of chump charge that
Beg you sweap it under the mat
The song "Strangest Thing" by Mr Easy is a reggae track that highlights the experiences of a musician who is locked up in jail with only an ounce of marijuana. In the song, the musician pleads with Babylon, a term commonly used to refer to oppressive government or society, to free him and let him continue to make music. The song is a symbol of the struggles of many artists who have been arrested or persecuted for their love and use of marijuana.
The chorus, "the strangest thing just happened to me, Babylon locked me up with just one ounce of collie," is a reference to the absurdity of laws that criminalize marijuana use. The musician is perplexed by the fact that he has been locked up for such a trivial offense and appeals to his fans and other musicians to stand with him and fight against such oppressive laws. The verse also highlights the struggles of marijuana farmers who are often harassed by the authorities for growing their crops.
The song is a call to action for the decriminalization of marijuana and the freedom of individuals to use it for medicinal and recreational purposes. It is a powerful message that speaks to the many people around the world who have been arrested and persecuted for their use of marijuana.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Yeah
Expressing excitement and positivity
What a bagaration
Expressing surprise and confusion
Low it
Expressing a desire to relax and take it easy
Mek me hold a meditation
Requesting to engage in a meditative state
The strangest thing just happened to me
Reflecting on an unusual experience
Babylon locked me up with just one ounce of collie
Referring to getting arrested for possessing a small amount of marijuana
I'm a musician that's just to hold my meddie
Explaining that he only uses marijuana for creative inspiration
Bredrens and bredrens tell me would you all agree
Asking for the opinion of his friends
Tell the Babylon dem to let me out and open the door
Asking to be released from jail
I've never been in this position before
Admitting to being new to being arrested
Fly the gate and free up Jah Cure
Asking for the release of another imprisoned person
Tell the yute come sing to the poor
Asking for youth to create music about poverty
Bust the chain and free up the lock
Demanding to be released from jail
Nah ride in Babylon truck back
Refusing to cooperate with the authorities
Officer what kind of chump charge that?
Expressing disbelief over the arrest
Beg you sweep it under the mat
Asking for the arrest to be forgotten and ignored
Cruising up the highway coming from the field
Describing a drive home from a rural area
Light up the splif and then I heard a siren
Getting pulled over by the police after smoking marijuana
Police pulled me over, turned them high beams
Police flashing their lights to signal a traffic stop
Said them searching for coke and morphine
Police looking for harder drugs
I said listen to me clearly I'm saying what I mean
Asserting that he is telling the truth
I don't smoke coke, herbs is my main squeeze
Explaining that he only uses marijuana
Popped off them big guns like them think me woulda scream
Exaggerating how scary the police seemed
Same time I woke up from my dream
Realizing the previous verses were a dream
Big up all the farmer man way out there in the west
Commending farmers growing marijuana in the western region
Just want to sow the seed and reep the good cess
Desiring to grow and harvest good quality marijuana
Babylon a fight it, just another test
Describing the government's opposition to marijuana use as a challenge
A we run the world so we must a haffi progress
Believing that marijuana users are the true leaders and innovators
Doctors and lawyers they use it too
Defending marijuana use as being used by respectable professionals
Police and soldiers you know that's true
Asserting that even those in law enforcement use marijuana
No bother with the road block and the curfew
Ignoring authority figures attempting to stop marijuana use
Just smoke the herb and let them go threw
Emphasizing the importance of using marijuana despite opposition from authorities
Contributed by Christian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.