Nasio was the youngest of seven children born to a Carib Indian mother and father of African descent, in the village of Carte-Bois, Dominica. The family lived in a one room wooden country house without running water or electricity. Before heading off to school, Nasio and his brothers and sisters walked miles to the Gwiyo River to fetch fresh water for the household.
When he was eight years old, Nasio began singing in the Bagatelle school and the village Catholic church. Nasio had a habit of making instruments out of everything he could find. "My Dad, Atto, made my very first instrument, a piece of board with fishing lines for strings; it meant everything to me." According to the village residents, Nasio was often the highlight of the annual school talent shows, and "a blessing to listen to".
Nasio’s musical inspiration comes from Rastafari but on the earthly plane, reggae greats such as Culture’s Joseph Hill, Burning Spear, Jacob Miller and of course Bob Marley. He is also influenced by Marvin Gaye, the Beatles, Curtis Mayfield, and Dominican Cadence music, like Chubby and the Midnight Groovers. He is very focused on what his music is saying, the message he wants to portray.
In the mid-1980s, Nasio moved from Dominica to the hustle and bustle of the island of St. Maarten where he recorded his first 12" single Born to Be Free (1986) and EP Babylon is Falling (1990). His first full length CD Reggae Power (1994) was followed by Wolf Catcher (1997) and Revolution (1999). He soon became a sensation by the power of the music and word of mouth alone.
Lovers of reggae music throughout the world know Nasio’s name, his voice and his conscious lyrics. He speaks of revolution, of waking up the sleeping consciousness of oppressed and freedom loving people across the Earth. In his own words, “the music is important; I want my music to be my contribution to the people of the world.” The world of Reggae and indeed the world of music needs a new voice, get ready to be "Living in the Positive" with Nasio Fontaine.
Where We Belong
Nasio Fontaine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long live Ethiopia
Whoa, blacker man,
black man where is your country (come let we trod it outta Babylon)
Where is your king, whoa oh oh,
where is your nation (come make we
If you look upon the land Ethiopia, we will belong
If you look upon the land of ah Nubia we will belong
If you look upon the land of Africa, we will belong
If you look upon the land Ethiopia, we will belong
Whoa ooh, blacker man, black man there is no justice (inaudible)
Blind man and all can tell you, there is no peace
Whoa oh oh, there is no freedom,
we're living in captivity so don't make them fool ya
If you look upon the land Ethiopia, we will belong
If you look upon the land of ah Nubia we will belong
If you look upon the land of Africa, where where where we belong
If you look upon the land Ethiopia yeah
eh, we will belong, where we belong yeah
Blacker man, black man, where is your country, where is your king
Whoa oh ooh oh,
where is your nation (come let we have it in ah Africa)
Where is your god
If you look upon the land Ethiopia, where you belong
If you look upon the land of ah Nubia we will belong
If you look upon the land of Africa, where we belong
If you look upon the land Ethiopia
yeah eh, we will belong, where we belong
(African chanting with music)
If you look upon the land Ethiopia, we will belong
If you look upon the land of ah Nubia we will belong
If you look upon the land of Africa, where where where we belong
If you look upon the land Ethiopia
yeah eh, we will belong, where we belong
The lyrics of Nasio Fontaine's song "Where We Belong" discuss the importance of identifying and connecting with one's roots and cultural heritage. The repeated question "Where is your country, where is your king, where is your nation, where is your God" is a call for Black people to question their current reality and to remember their rich history and legacy of African kings, queens, and civilizations. The song urges listeners to look towards Ethiopia, Nubia, and Africa as a whole to find their place of belonging and to reject the oppression and captivity of Babylon (a biblical metaphor for oppressive systems).
The use of the phrase "blacker man" in the song is a nod to the Black Power movement and the idea of Black pride and unity. The African chanting in the background of the song also adds to the message of embracing African culture and tradition.
Overall, "Where We Belong" encourages listeners to recognize their connection to Africa and to reclaim their power and autonomy by looking to their roots.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa yeah I yeah ah, ugh
Introductory sounds without significant meaning
Long live Ethiopia
Let Ethiopia thrive and prosper
Whoa, blacker man,
black man where is your country (come let we trod it outta Babylon)
Where is your king, whoa oh oh,
where is your nation (come make we
had it in ah Africa) where is your God
A call to Black people to find their roots and origin in Africa, free themselves from the influence of the West and become responsible for their future and success through unity and collective efforts.
If you look upon the land Ethiopia, we will belong
If you look upon the land of ah Nubia we will belong
If you look upon the land of Africa, we will belong
If you look upon the land Ethiopia, we will belong
Africa is the home of Black people, and by looking to the lands of Ethiopia, Nubia, and Africa as a whole continent, Black people will find their true identity, origin, and sense of belonging.
Whoa ooh, blacker man, black man there is no justice (inaudible)
Blind man and all can tell you, there is no peace
Whoa oh oh, there is no freedom,
we're living in captivity so don't make them fool ya
Black people have been deprived of their rights to justice, peace, and freedom for too long, and they should not be fooled by those who seek to maintain the status quo of oppression and captivity.
Blacker man, black man, where is your country, where is your king
Whoa oh ooh oh,
where is your nation (come let we have it in ah Africa)
Where is your god
A repetition of the call to Black people to find their identity, roots, and power in Africa and not in foreign lands, religions, or governments.
If you look upon the land Ethiopia, where you belong
If you look upon the land of ah Nubia we will belong
If you look upon the land of Africa, where we belong
If you look upon the land Ethiopia
yeah eh, we will belong, where we belong yeah
A repetition of the idea that by looking to Africa as the home and birthplace of Black people, they will find a sense of belonging, community, and identity.
(African chanting with music)
African chants and music that reflect the cultural richness and diversity of Africa and its people.
Writer(s): FONTAINE IGNATIUS NASIO
Contributed by Gavin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@oladeleakinseye5731
This song makes me EXTREMELY proud to be an African and a black man.
This song reminds me that I should NEVER EVER forget my roots which is and case in point, Africa and more circumscribedly and narrowly, my beloved and great nation, Nigeria.
This song makes me happy, ecstatic and elated way past the Seventh Heaven that I did NOT make the mistake of going to America (Babylon!!!) to sojourn in 1998 because before then, I was minded about going over yonder there to chase the proverbial "golden fleece" as far as music is concerned. Thanks a trillion to Good God Almighty that He showed me, and evinced egregiously, pellucidly and percipiently to me, the Brobdingnagian, ginormous and humongous importance of living and being domiciled permanently and NOT bivouacking in the country of my birth, Nigeria as an artiste. That decision to remain in Nigeria has done a whole world of good to my music and my spirituality in general and in whole caboodle and shebang.
This song is genius and by that token, African genius at its VERY best and makes me thank Good God Almighty EVERY DAY that He did NOT make moi a Caucasian.
Finally, LOVELY JAM!!!
@hattysannehjuliano8392
I&I belongs to Africa!! From a country call Gambia!! Born in a village called cha kunda!! Much love to the entire blacks communities!! Be Proud were you belong??
@arounevivra
One love from Costa de marfil🇨🇮✊🏿✊🏿africa united
@yoromane7248
One love from Africa ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇸🇳🇸🇳
@enrico6825
Thank you from Venice, Italy
❤🏳️🌈🇯🇲🇪🇹🏳️🌈❤
@MsSimpsons88
🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲 I love my country and my people! Love Nasio and his voice
@kemomanga538
Peace from the Gambia 🇬🇲
@musatouray4330
Gambia is home black man 🇬🇲🇯🇲
@jullyborn81
Africa, where WE belong, Love from Nairobi, +254
@ebradyoungstar563
Nasio is undoubtedly one of the best reggae artists.
@mohamedkeita6246
Respect man big up 🔥🔥🔥❤️💛💚🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇫🇷