Born in Nigeria, Kimono served a long apprenticeship on the Nigerian music circuit, experimenting with a number of styles, before making his late 80s breakthrough as a reggae singer. Together with his Massive Dread Reggae Band, Kimono released his debut album, Under Pressure, in 1989. Accompanied by the popular single, "Rum-Bar Stylee", this revealed both a Jamaican and native African influence (the latter particularly evident in his "patois" delivery, as frequently employed by Fela Kuti to communicate with the urban underclass). His strongly polemical lyrics produced album sales of over 100,000 copies, and a fervent following for his advocacy of social change.
Bonus Track
Ras Kimono Lyrics
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Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
King of kings, Lord of lords
Jah is almighty, high
King of kings, Lord of lords
Jah is almighty, high
The conquering Lion of tribe of Judah
Jah is almighty, high
The conquering Lion of tribe of Judah
Jah is almighty, high
Greetings, mi a gents and mi sisthrens
Greetings, in the name of the most high Jah
′Cause it's another brand new day
Give thanks and praises unto Jah
For giving I and I, life everlasting
Give thanks and praises unto Jah
For guidance and protections
Give thanks and praises unto Jah
For the sunshine, for the raindrop
For the daylight and for the darkness
Give thanks and praises unto Jah
For everything that is good
Haile Him
Haile Him
Haile Jah (almighty high)
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Yes, mi brethrens and mi sistrens
This is a message from Jah to you
Spread it universally
To all conscious people
I hope you′re listening
Not to face me with your ears
But with your mind meditating
A fool will tell you that this message is boring
Well, the Devil is a crook
So don't be his next victim
He will jump into your brain
And check out what you're thinking
To them that have ears, let them hear
To them that have eyes, let them see
They know it now
That Jah is not a partial Lord
Let them that haile Jah now
Scapter, shatter, batter and flutter
As the smoke is driven
Drive them away
As the wax melted
Let all of them be melted away, Jah-Jah, Rastafari, Selassie
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
King of kings, Lord of lords
Jah is almighty high
King of kings, Lord of lords
Jah is almighty, high
The conquering Lion of tribe of Judah
Jah is almighty high
The conquering Lion of tribe of Judah
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Jah is almighty, high
Ras Kimono's song Bonus Track is a spiritually uplifting song that emphasizes Jah as almighty high and Haile Selassie Rastafari. The use of repetition in the song highlights the strong belief in Jah and the spiritual power of Haile Selassie, who many Rastafarians consider to be a messianic figure. Ras Kimono gives thanks and praises for life, guidance, and protection, emphasizing that everything good comes from Jah. He encourages his audience to listen to the message and not be fooled by the Devil. He wants people to meditate and focus their minds on the message of Jah.
Line by Line Meaning
Haile Selassie, Rastafari
Acknowledging the importance and reverence of Haile Selassie and the Rastafari movement
Jah is almighty, high
God is all-powerful and above all else
King of kings, Lord of lords
God is the ultimate ruler, above all earthly authorities
The conquering Lion of tribe of Judah
Reference to a prophesy in the Book of Revelation which describes the triumphant return of Jesus as a powerful and victorious lion
Greetings, mi a gents and mi sisthrens / Greetings, in the name of the most high Jah
Greeting fellow believers in the Rastafari movement in the name of God
′Cause it's another brand new day / Give thanks and praises unto Jah / For giving I and I, life everlasting / Give thanks and praises unto Jah / For guidance and protections
Expressing gratitude to God for the gift of life and asking for continued blessings and guidance
Give thanks and praises unto Jah / For the sunshine, for the raindrop / For the daylight and for the darkness / Give thanks and praises unto Jah / For everything that is good
Recognizing that everything good in life comes from God and giving thanks for all blessings
This is a message from Jah to you / Spread it universally / To all conscious people
Encouraging listeners to share the message of Rastafari and God's love with all people
I hope you′re listening / Not to face me with your ears / But with your mind meditating
Encouraging listeners to truly absorb and contemplate the message, not just listen passively
A fool will tell you that this message is boring / Well, the Devil is a crook / So don't be his next victim / He will jump into your brain / And check out what you're thinking
Warning against dismissing the message and falling prey to negative thoughts influenced by the devil
To them that have ears, let them hear / To them that have eyes, let them see / They know it now / That Jah is not a partial Lord / Let them that haile Jah now
Urging listeners to truly understand and embrace God's message, as well as emphasizing that God is fair and just to all
Scapter, shatter, batter and flutter / As the smoke is driven / Drive them away / As the wax melted / Let all of them be melted away, Jah-Jah, Rastafari, Selassie
Using powerful language to describe driving away negative influences and focusing on the power of God and the Rastafari movement
Writer(s): Ras Kimono
Contributed by Bailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@fifififi1122
Very deep, reminds me of m'y childood in thé late 80s
@jahbelnatty5083
King of Kings lord of Lords Conquering lion of tribe of Judah, Elite Jah Himself Afar and Mama Omega The Holy One of Israel . Ises unto Rastafari Selassie I. se'lah