After moving from his birthplace Annotto Bay to Kingston at the age of 11, he launched his deejay career with the Black Culture Sound System at age 12 as "Double Ugly". In 1980, he joined Killamanjaro, there got the chance to learn from established deejays Super Cat and Early B, and released his debut single as "Uglyman". Yet another name change made him the now well known Ninjaman.[2] In 1987, Ninjaman recorded - and produced himself - his first hit single "Protection", a duet with Courtney Melody. The following years brought many prolific collaborations with producers like King Jammy, Witty, Xterminator, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, Redman, Ini Kamoze, Bobby Digital, Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, and Steely & Clevie and Henry "Junjo" Lawes. It has been said that Ninjaman comes up with all of his lyrics on the spot in the recording studio, in a freestyle manner.
His hits over the years 1989-1992, like "Murder Dem", "Permit to Bury" and "Above the Law" reinforced Ninjamans image of a violent rude boy. One of his most infamous rivalries (besides the ongoing quarrels with Flourgon and Super Cat) was the one with Shabba Ranks, leading to a number of clashes.
In 1993, criticism of Ninjamans violent and pro-gun lyrics arose, leading to a decline in performing gigs and chances to record.
By 1997, Ninjaman had changed his name once again, now performing gospel reggae songs as "Brother Desmond". He sought help to fight his Crack cocaine addiction in born again Christianity. It was not a complete changeover though, earning him criticism from parts of the Jamaican Christian community.
In the late 1990s, he was accused (but later acquitted), among other things, of having raped a woman at knifepoint in his home and having murdered a taxi driver. He was sentenced to one year in jail in late 1999, after being convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.
In July 2001, Ninjaman was assaulted with a machete, suffering several wounds, some to the head.
Protection
Ninjaman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, know
Yeah I
I know I believe
I believe the children are the future
Teach the well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty we possess inside
Let the children's laughter remind us how it used to be
Young girls
Young girls
I want you send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby, eeh hee
Send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby, eeh hee
Send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby because
Two is better than too many, yes
Nuh go around and get a lot of baby, and
You check it out, can't find the daddy, and
A put responsibility pon your mommy and
You waan fi put it, mi say, pon your daddy and
Your youth a face a pure anxiety and
Inna di ghetto man a grow totally
Mi want you send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby, eeh hee
Send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby, listen
Mi want the youth them grow up fast
Nuh want them deh pon street a wipe no car glass and
Mi little youth nuh fi push no hand cart and
Mi say the youth them in di ghetto a suffer
Them haffi beg ten cents fi make a dollar
Them make it up and then buy ten cent Bulla
Mi want, send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby, eeh hee
Send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby
I believe
I believe
Oh yeah
I believe the children are the future
Teach the well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty we possess inside
Give them a sense of pride, let it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how it used to be
Youth waan shoes and
Youth waan clothes and
Use kerchief fi just wipe him nose and
Look how him little and
Look how him sweet and
Every day him need somting fi eat
Mi want you send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby, eeh hee
Send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby
Mi waan you draw fi di pants and draw fi di purse
Then you wait 'til you get your girl and
Hello, ladies gentleman
Full time you understand
Teenage pregnancy nuh worth one damn!
Mi want you send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby, eeh hee
Send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby
Because
Mi say, the youth of mm today
Them a the man of tomorrow
Make them live happy, nuh sorrow
Mi nuh waan see dem a push wheel barrow
Get from today, mi say, 'til tomorrow
Mi want mi youth grow up sweet and nice
One day, drive Rolls Royce
Mi waan mi youth live like big timer
Go a school, get education, work computer
Mi want you send fi the protection, you nuh ready fi baby
Mi want you send fi the protection, you nuh ready fi baby
Because
Mi youth man fi just champion
Him turn out to be a mason man
Might turn out be a carpenter man
Or him might turn out be a ram dance man
Because
Inna the time of old days
When mi mother did young and bold
Only two kids mi mother could control
Because
She treat we sweat and treat we nice
Oh yeah, we lived like we living in paradise and
When we a youth, say, we nuh fool
We mother send we go to good school
From mi was one mi go a basic school
Then from deh so mi go a primary school
Left primary, go a secondary school
Now mi hitch up inna high school
Raggamuffin business a weh mi rule
Nobody can't come take me fi fool
Send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby, eeh hee
I know
That's why I know
The song "Protection" by Ninjaman feat. Courtney Melody comprises two distinct parts. The first part is a rendition of a Whitney Houston song, "Greatest Love of All," where Ninjaman repeats "I believe the children are the future" and "teach them well and let them lead the way." The second part is more explicit and directed towards teenage girls. Ninjaman cautions them against getting pregnant before they are ready financially and emotionally. He advises them to use contraception and wait until they are adults to have children. Ninjaman argues that raising children is hard work, and young mothers may not have adequate support to raise their children. He also highlights the challenges of raising children in poverty and encourages young girls in the ghetto to be patient and work hard to improve their lives before becoming parents.
Overall, "Protection" emphasizes the importance of using contraception and delaying childbearing until one is financially stable and emotionally prepared to raise children. The song points to the challenges that young mothers face, especially in underprivileged areas, and encourages everyone to be responsible and proactive in preventing teenage pregnancy.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe the children are the future
I have faith in the potential of the younger generation.
Teach the well and let them lead the way
Provide education and guidance while allowing them the autonomy to create positive change.
Show them all the beauty we possess inside
Teach them to recognize and appreciate the inherent worth and goodness in themselves and others.
Give them a sense of pride, let it easier
Instill in them a healthy level of self-esteem and confidence to make their journey through life more manageable.
Let the children's laughter remind us how it used to be
Remember the joys and innocence of youth and strive to make the present a better place for future generations.
I want you send fi your protection, you nuh ready fi baby, eeh hee
Use contraception until you are financially, physically, and emotionally prepared to start a family.
Two is better than too many, yes
It is more responsible and easier to care for two children than a large number.
Nuh go around and get a lot of baby
Avoid having multiple children out of wedlock or outside of a stable and supportive relationship.
You check it out, can't find the daddy
In single-parent situations, it can be difficult to locate or depend on the father for assistance.
A put responsibility pon your mommy
Placing the burden of raising a child alone on the mother can be overwhelming and stressful.
You waan fi put it, mi say, pon your daddy
It is preferable to have an involved and supportive father to share the responsibilities of raising a child.
Your youth a face a pure anxiety and
The stress and anxiety of raising a child alone can take a toll on a young person's mental and physical wellbeing.
Mi want the youth them grow up fast
Young people deserve a chance to live a happy and fulfilling childhood before being forced into adult responsibilities and challenges.
Mi little youth nuh fi push no hand cart
Children, regardless of socioeconomic status, deserve opportunities and resources to pursue their full potential and not have to resort to menial labor.
Them haffi beg ten cents fi make a dollar
Unfortunately, poverty often forces children to sacrifice their childhood and resort to begging or working at a young age.
Teenage pregnancy nuh worth one damn!
Teenage pregnancy can severely limit a young person's potential and negatively impact their mental, physical, and financial wellbeing.
Mi youth man fi just champion
I hope for the success and triumph of young people as they develop into adults.
Him turn out to be a mason man
Regardless of profession, I hope for the well-being and fulfillment of each young person's individual journey.
Left primary, go a secondary school
Education is key in providing young people with the opportunities and resources to create a successful path for themselves.
Raggamuffin business a weh mi rule
I am in charge of my own life and striving for success according to my own values and beliefs.
Nobody can't come take me fi fool
I am intelligent, independent, and in control of myself and my circumstances.
I know
I have a clear understanding and confident belief in these ideas.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND JOHN BALLENTINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind